So I bought a new car..

[Mike Rotch]

But before we get to that, the thought process went as follows:

Mandate
The car must be an automatic (I drove a manual corolla hatch previously and grew tired of it, especially in traffic), must be unique in the sense that it has some measure of exclusivity and the choice must have a significant dollop of punch in the engine department. Plus, most importantly, I need to be able to fit my 6’5” frame in comfortably. Simple? Eventually yes, initially no 👍

Contenders

BMW E46

Pro’s

• With the sports pack option, the look suitably impressive
• Extensive service backup
• Image – only for 325i and upward.
• Engines stack up performance wise
• Prices for anything up to 330i’s are good
• I fit in them comfortably

Con’s

• Far too common on the road (they are the 3rd best selling car monthly)
• I would only be able to live with a M3; straight ones are far to costly
• Insurance on 330i’s and M3’s is a joke
• I don’t think I am a “beemer guy”

Verdict Mmmmmaybe?

Audi A4

Pro’s

• Good reputation for newer model quality
• Look good with the right colour/ tyre combo
• *sound of crickets in the night*

Con’s

• To close to being a VW
• Cant stand VW’s
• Prices are a joke for S4’s and 3.0’s
• They lack soul in my opinion

Verdict NEIN!

Audi TT

Pro’s

• Irrelevant – see below

Con’s

• Don’t fit
• Too fizz-pop for my liking

Verdict NEIN!

BMW Z4

Pro’s

• Looks
• Extensive service backup
• Image
• Performance

Con’s

• Prices
• Don’t fit me golf clubs

Verdict NEIN!

Subaru WRX and Legacy

Pro’s

• Performance from 2.5 and 2.0 engines
• Reliability
• Prices

Con’s

• Don’t fit – WRX: Clutch too close to footrest, no auto (obviously)
• Don’t fit – Legacy: in RHD the handbrake is too close to the thigh

Verdict Japanese for “NEIN!”

Honda Accord

Pro’s

• Solid package all round

Con’s

• It’s a grandpa car

Verdict Japanese for “NEIN!”

S2000

Pro’s

• See below

Con’s

• Don’t fit

Verdict Japanese for “NEIN!”

Mazda RX-8

Pro’s

• Its something different
• Prices

Con’s

• Don’t fit
• Unconvinced by renesis engine

Verdict Japanese for “NEIN!”

Nissan 350Z

Pro’s

• Performance
• Sound
• Exterior looks
• Prices

Con’s

• Tacky interior
• Practicality
• Its still a Nissan, whichever way you slice it

Verdict Japanese for “NEIN!”

Vauxhall/ Holden Monaro

Pro’s

• V8 Performance
• Reliability
• Prices
• Something different?

Con’s

• Hayseed interior
• Its just a huge car
• Dodgy image

Verdict English for “NEIN!”

Volvo

Pro’s

• See below

Con’s

• As boring as toast

Verdict Swedish for “NEIN!”

Ford Focus ST

Pro’s

• Performance
• Looks
• Prices

Con’s

• It’s a Ford

Verdict English for “NEIN!”

Renault Megane 225

Pro’s

• Performance
• Prices

Con’s

• Hahahaha
• Haha
• Service backup? Wots dat den?

Verdict Hahahaha!

Alfa GT

Pro’s

• Looks
• Style
• The Sound
• Prices

Con’s

• Its still an Alfa

Verdict Italian for “NEIN!”

Mercedes C-Class

Pro’s

• Reliability
• Service back-up
• Sports pack versions look mighty good
• Fit comfortably

Con’s

• Prices can be scarey
• Almost as common as bimmers

Verdict Hmm

Well, after that exercise, the likely candidates were the E46 and the C-Class. The only E46 I could tolerate would be an M3 and that is not realistic from a financial standpoint, plus, they are manual tranny. That leaves the C-Class. Maybe a C-Class with a sport pack? I have driven a C180 Kompressor and it was quite lively. That delivers 105kw. I could spring for the slightly less common C200K with 120kw and slap a sport pack on it. They look quite nice actually. But again, far too common on the road for me to commit to one. Maybe a circa 2001 CLK430? V8 power, looks and style. But they are getting one a bit now, and spares would likely be in the “expensive” side of the ledger.

Hmm. Solution? Simple: An automatic. With M3esque power. That is rare. That looks good. That I fit in. That I can find in good nick. For a good price.

I amaze myself sometimes











--


2003, a smidgen over 70,000 km on the clock, PDC, bi-xenon, 6 speaker Bose entertainment, 6 CD shuttle. And that whole 260kw engine thing. Picked up this last Saturday from Mercedes

All I can say on the power is holy-moly-oh-my-lordy. Overtaking ability is simply sensory defying:

• 0 – 100kph in 5.2 secs
• 60kph to 120 kph in 4.7 secs
• 0 – 140 kph in 8.6 secs

Those stats are from a local car mag using the octane fuel I use. The car is a rocket ship. Short and simple. Three times this weekend I have ended up the wrong side on 180kph on some well-known (to me) secondary roads. On the way back from the dealer, joining the freeway I ended up erroneously on the wrong side of 200kph whilst taking an admittedly colossal gap from the on-ramp to get into the fast lane. I kept my boot in a few seconds too long whilst taking in the bellow of the exhaust note.

As road tests mentioned in my research, braking ability is astounding. I have only tested it from about 70kph (and not in an emergency situation, rather to get a feel for its capabilities) and it is pretty violent shnit.

Fuel consumption is predictably on the high side, but this I knew going into it. So far it is sitting at 16.7L/100km, including my predictable heavy right foot antics up to date. I got it to 15.5l/100km before some Sunday evening fun which included obliterating a Mini Cooper S and leaving a 645Ci groping at thin air. Hustling tricked up Corsas and Golfs out of my way is endless fun.

What a pleasure to open the garage door to this car every morning

 

[G.T]

Great purchase! 👍

I've never been too keen on Mercedes' styling, but that one actually looks alright. The AMG version is quite rare here, too...

I'm sure you'll enjoy the car for many years to come. 👍

 

[Revheadnz]

That is such a cool car Mike, congratulations on the purchase.

 

[Pink_the_Floyd]

Woah, fast car 👍

 

[Pupik]

Again, nice car Brad. It's always nice to get something with a little more zoom.

By the way, Nein in Japanese is iie (say the letters "E" and "A", and connect them together).

 

[Mike Rotch]

Yea, just took some colleagues for a tonk around town in it. I gotta grow up fast, else I'm going to get unstruck in a hurry

 

[Kent]

Indeed an awesome purchase. 👍
Good job thinking through your options with an open mind.
Also, great job picking a car that looks as good as it performs.
On that same note, good job picking a classy car with a great interior.

Hope you enjoy the new ride as I am sure you will!
+ rep for a good post too! (mike rotch)

 

[Keichi Tsuchiya]

I feel your pain, went to the auto show last night (Miami) and I couldn't fit into the S2000 either. Just for fun I tried a Mini, and SOMEHOW, I fit, The interior is very tacky though-

BUT

Nice purchase, I hope that you are happy with your it.

 

[kart.no.38]

For some reason I had a feeling that Mike Rotch was a South African... So I clicked on one of the thumb nails and there it is, a GP number plate.

Nice purchase by the way, though I would have gone for an Audi, the Merc is not a bad call considering.

 

[TopHat]

Wow, thats a nice car!

Please don't beat on it.

But have fun!

 

[TheCracker]

Nice car Mike, i didn't think you were a UK'er either - you learn sumit new every day!

 

[Mike Rotch]

For some reason I had a feeling that Mike Rotch was a South African... So I clicked on one of the thumb nails and there it is, a GP number plate.

Nice purchase by the way, though I would have gone for an Audi, the Merc is not a bad call considering.

Heh good call. 👍

The S4 is a top contender, but i dont need to tell you what their prices are. And the "decent" prices are for the old shape, which looks sucky now.

Nice car Mike, i didn't think you were a UK'er either - you learn sumit new every day!

Thank Cracker. Wouldnt mind being in the UK though. Car prices are friendler there

 

[Duke]

The only E46 I could tolerate would be an M3.

But I like mine...

Really, congratulations, Brad. It's a very nice car indeed.

 

[Race Idiot]

MIKE ROTCH

Nice car Bah you should have moved to England and bought an E46 M3 for like £20k

 

[toyomatt84]

Nice car you got there Mike. 👍

I just wish Mercedes offered a little more non-silver based colors. It gets old after a while.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Well done on getting yourself a nice car Brad!

 

[Slicks]

A superb choice. Congratulations, and remember - Have your fun now, because gas is cheap!

 

[McLaren]

What do you mean, financial? That house looks pretty good for such a statement.

J/k.
Congrats on the Bahn-burner.

 

[Keef]

That is a nice one. I'm not a Benz guy--I am auto-atheist--but when you have that power it's gotta be pretty cool. And beating a new Bimmer 6!? Damn! I bet that guy was pissed he paid $80,000 for that thing.

 

[a6m5]

Finally I get to see what Mike Rotch looks like. Big surprise you settled on a Mercedes-Benz. At least it's scary fast. Congratulations!

 

[Mike Rotch]

But I like mine...

Heh. Different strokies. Different Folkies

Nice car Bah you should have moved to England and bought an E46 M3 for like £20k

And paid another 20k in road tax

Have your fun now, because gas is cheap!

Thanks guys. It puts a smile on my face every time i drive it. It is ridiculous, but i dont know how i drove my corolla for so long. Sunroofs are the bomb!

 

[a6m5]

Thanks guys. It puts a smile on my face every time i drive it. It is ridiculous, but i dont know how i drove my corolla for so long. Sunroofs are the bomb!

You went from a Corolla to this!?

 

[blargonator]

^yeah, i can't even imagine the comfort shock.

congratulations on getting a very respectable car! lately mercedes have been growing on me.

 

[Mike Rotch]

You went from a Corolla to this!?

That was the tricky bit in organising the test drive. I didnt want to drive my corolla to the dealer, drive the merc, and then drive the corolla back. I would have wanted to slit my wrists.

So i got the dealer to bring the car around to my place.

[snob]Even my friends X-type feels cheap in comparison[/snob]