Time for a new car

  • Thread starter Thread starter LoudMusic
  • 90 comments
  • 2,812 views
Wow, I don't see many Subes around central Arkansas. There is actually a nice looking WRX in my parking deck, though.

I guess I'll add that dealership to my list to visit.
 
I'm going to stick up for the St00k. It rocks. A lot of people poo-poo it because it needs rev'ing to make power, but I think thats nonsense: you need to rev bikes and F1 motors before they make full power too --and it doesn't make them any less cool. I prefer to think getting to 9k as a treat, not an unwelcome task.

And all those no-torque arguments... let me ask you people one simple question: What do GEARS do?

I've actually driven every car on your inital list, LoudMusic, and for the most pure and un-adulterated driving experience, I'd take the S2000.

The only downsides, of course is that you're stuck begging friends to borrow their trucks or SUVs anytime you want to carry anything big. And long trips will be an annoyance.. the car is nowhere nears as comfy as a G35 or even an RX8. You may want to buy a larger front sway bar too, because the S2k is maaaajor loose when trail-braking.

Anyway, you should probably decide exactly what you want out of your next car. Everyone should own a convertable at least once in their lives (you too, Doug). Of course, if you don't want the hassle of non-existant carrying capacity, you should probably go for a coupe or sedan.

I think the G35 6MT is really the best coupe buy out there right now. The RX8 is close, and I really love the handling, but the G35 offers such a complete GT package, plus it blows the RX8's doors off in acceleration. I can't imagine why you'd get a 350Z over the G35 6MT ---you get 2 extra seats and nearly the same performance.

I've not yet driven the Evo. But if I were 10 years younger, it would be my next car. Unfortunately, I'm skeptical of its ride harshness, pronounced turbo lag, tiny back seats, econo-box interior, and general lack of features for 30k (but hey, you get factory water injection --how cool is that?). I guess I'm just too much an old fart to put up with the cons of having one.

The S2000, G35 and Evo are my favorites in each catagory for brand new cars. The Cobra is a damn good deal too, but pretty much falls in the same catagory the Evo does for me.

Used cars blow everything wide open. Have you thought about a used S4? Buy an extended powertrain warranty, and save yourself some $$ when the turbos go, though.

BMWs: How about a 350hp SC E36 M3 or M Roadster for ~26-29k? Or one of them monster '95 M3 3.2 OBD-I convertions for 310+ NA hp? Or a '99-'00 E39 540i 6-speed for ~35k?



///M-Spec
 
Dooglass!
Originally posted by Sage
In that case, I'm wondering why you put the G35 sedan under "Performance" instead of the coupe? For practical reasons, I can understand needing the sedan more than the coupe, but from what I've read in several car magazines, the coupe has much better handling than the sedan, so it would seem to me a better choice for the performance-oriented type.

Just curious, since you opened it up. :)
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by ///M-Spec
Everyone should own a convertable at least once in their lives (you too, Doug).
Click to expand...


I'd rather kill myself. What an unappealing segment.

Originally posted by Sage
Dooglass!
Click to expand...

Right, sorry.

The sedan starts at $27800; $29100 with a manual. The coupe's $29300 but $32200 with a manual - that's a $3100 trade for 20bhp, plus a slightly less practical package with slightly less features. Truthfully, for performance only, the coupe probably is a better choice, but for performance and just about anything else I'd rather have the sedan.

(PS - there is a new G35 sedan with all-wheel drive, but it only comes with the 5-speed automatic transmission. I haven't seen a price for it, either, but it'll probably high on value like the rest of the bunch)
 
Originally posted by M5Power


I'd rather kill myself. What an unappealing segment.

[/B]
Click to expand...


Did you have some kind of childhood trauma occur in one or something? :confused: Did the babysitter fondle you in the Karmann Ghia?


///M-Spec
 
Never try to analyze Doug's taste in cars. Ever. It's completely inscrutable.

Personally I love convertibles. I own one now and I'm going to buy another one for my wife as soon as the unintended Caravan is paid off.
 
Originally posted by neon_duke
Never try to analyze Doug's taste in cars. Ever. It's completely inscrutable.

Personally I love convertibles. I own one now and I'm going to buy another one for my wife as soon as the unintended Caravan is paid off.
Click to expand...


Some bonehead here in SA just broke the world speed record for towing a caravan. 226.28 kph using an SL600.

Why?

:dunce:
 
Originally posted by neon_duke
Never try to analyze Doug's taste in cars. Ever. It's completely inscrutable.
Click to expand...

I see your point. I still think he secretly freelances for Consumer Reports, though.

:p


Originally posted by neon_duke
Personally I love convertibles. I own one now and I'm going to buy another one for my wife as soon as the unintended Caravan is paid off. [/B]
Click to expand...

What's blowing the wind through your hair now, Duke?


///M-Spec
 
:lol: No, Doug likes enough obscure stuff that I'm sure he doesn't work for Consumer Retards. Though I seriously understand why you might think so...

Here's my long term hairstyler. This image is a few years old and it doesn't quite look this good any more. It's really in need of frame-off restoration, but at 270,000 miles that 's not surprising.

pontiac.jpg
 
Originally posted by neon_duke
:lol: No, Doug likes enough obscure stuff that I'm sure he doesn't work for Consumer Retards. Though I seriously understand why you might think so...

Here's my long term hairstyler. This image is a few years old and it doesn't quite look this good any more. It's really in need of frame-off restoration, but at 270,000 miles that 's not surprising.

pontiac.jpg
Click to expand...

Now that's some cool stuff.
 
Thanks, guys.

It's a 1967 LeMans, 326 ci, 2-bbl, automatic. I have an eternal grudge against my sister, who turned 16 in 1967, when Dad bought it for Mom. If it weren't for my sister, it would be a GTO.
 
Originally posted by M5Power
The sedan starts at $27800; $29100 with a manual. The coupe's $29300 but $32200 with a manual - that's a $3100 trade for 20bhp, plus a slightly less practical package with slightly less features. Truthfully, for performance only, the coupe probably is a better choice, but for performance and just about anything else I'd rather have the sedan.
Click to expand...
Okay, I see where you're coming from 👍 (though I still like the coupe more ;)).
 
Originally posted by neon_duke
Thanks, guys.

It's a 1967 LeMans, 326 ci, 2-bbl, automatic. I have an eternal grudge against my sister, who turned 16 in 1967, when Dad bought it for Mom. If it weren't for my sister, it would be a GTO.
Click to expand...

But ... you have a sister ...


Ok, maybe you're joking. I'll help you kick her ass - just say the word.
 
Originally posted by ///M-Spec
Did you have some kind of childhood trauma occur in one or something? :confused: Did the babysitter fondle you in the Karmann Ghia?
Click to expand...

:lol: I just don't understand the attraction. I love the economics of the segment, though, since the profit margin's so high. Anybody who actually thinks the Lexus SC430 is worth $62200, for instance, should be shot. Nevertheless, the public actually buys them, for reasons that escape me.
 
Well, I started my test driving. I drove a 2003 S2000 on Saturday. I'm kind of friends with the head salesman at our local Honda World ... he let me go out by myself. I got back and he said, "Well, did you drive it? I mean really drive it?" I said no ... it's not mine so I'm not going to risk anything. He told me to jump back in and he'd drive.

We hit 100+ in a 30mph zone ... in 3rd. Then we did donuts in a fairly small parking lot. I don't think the front end moved at all. It just stood there with the back end slinging around. White smoke ... everywhere. People say it has a lack of torque? My ass!!!

The car had 120 miles on it. I still told him to call me when the 2004s showed up. They're moving to a bigger facility also, so that's cool. What really made it cool was I walked in with my girlfriend and the first thing he says, "Hey man! Your dad and sister were in earlier this week. Someone hit her Accord?" It cracks me up that he knows us so well. I think we've bought seven cars from him.

So the S2000 is nice. A bit rough ... but it's a roadster. There are a few weird things about it though. The 'remote' stereo controls don't have a power button, or a seek. The top of the door is considerably higher than my current car - but they also say the 350Z is even higher than that. I assume that begins to impeed on visuals. The gas door release is in a strange place, and it's a pull instead of a push :odd: The trunk isn't as small as I expected - enough room for a week of lugauge for the two people that the car sits. The top drops very easy, and comes with a cover for when it's down. Ha, I couldn't find reverse. He tells me you have to push the stick down (toward the ground?) then it'll pop over. I think I got into 4th doing about sixty ... he drove much quicker (: I've been roughly 135 in my cousin's on a smooth road and it was reeaaally nice.

We'll see how much changes in the `04. It's about a 8.8/10 for me right now. Pricey for a Honda. But the marketing tax for a convertible is expected.
 
My gas door release is a pull. Anyway, I find it interesting that you have to push the stick down for reverse, like a VW, or I guess maybe any German car.
 
How about the new GTO? Has some nice curves, a nice 300+ hp LS1 V8, nice interior, and a nice ride. It may not handle all too well with the other cars up here (at .80 g's), but its still a nice car. I think it comes out in a few months (or less)...
 
I'm amending my choices for 'sport sedan'. I recommend all of these:

1 Nissan Altima 3.5SE
2 Mazda 6s
3 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
4 Honda Accord EX 3.0
5 Nissan Maxima SE
6 Infiniti G35
7 Infiniti I35
8 Buick Regal GS
9 Acura TSX (tie)
9 Volkswagen Jetta GLI (tie)
11 Volkswagen Jetta GLX
12 Lexus IS300

For performance coupe (<$40000), my choices now stand like this. I recommend any of them, but particularly the best you can afford:

1 Ford Mustang Cobra
2 Ford Mustang Mach 1
3 Nissan 350Z Touring
4 Acura RSX Type-S
5 Nissan 350Z Base
6 Ford Mustang GT Deluxe
7 Ford Mustang GT Premium
8 Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS
9 Infiniti G35 coupe
10 Mazda RX-8 6-speed
11 Ford Mustang Premium 3.8
12 Hyundai Tiburon GT

I haven't done my brilliant comparison of small convertibles yet, so I can't yet name the S2000 the loser of the class.
 
Originally posted by LoudMusic
I'm going to check out an RX-8 and maybe the 6 tonight. Woo!
Click to expand...
The WRX is better than the RX-8 - the WRX has just nine less horsepower but starts $2200 less than an RX-8. The WRX also has standard all-wheel drive and a standard 6-CD player, neither of which are even available on an RX-8. Though the WRX doesn't offer leather seats, it's a $3900 option on the Mazda that would bump the price to $30600, which is about the same as the WRX STi, which has 62bhp more than an RX-8.
 
Yeah, Subaru is on the list ... we're getting there. I have to find the dealership for the Little Rock area first (: Maybe next week.
 
Originally posted by LoudMusic
I'm going to check out an RX-8 and maybe the 6 tonight. Woo!
Click to expand...


Well I didn't get to drive an RX-8. I drove TWO! A blue one that was base 6-speed and a black one that was fully assed 6-speed. Good Lord ... if I wasn't so attracted to the S2000 I'd be rounding up money to go get that RX-8.

Very cool. Very, very cool. Though the backseat is a joke.
 
Really? I hear just the opposite, that it's actually quite spacious and comfortable for adults.
 
Originally posted by Zrow
Really? I hear just the opposite, that it's actually quite spacious and comfortable for adults.
Click to expand...

Maybe for Japanese midgets. It's bad, I had no leg room and I'm six foot tall, and I presume I'm the average.
 
Hah, ever sat in the back of as second generation Prelude? It will make the RX-8's back seem like a Maybach.
 
Originally posted by Zrow
Hah, ever sat in the back of as second generation Prelude? It will make the RX-8's back seem like a Maybach.
Click to expand...

Yes, but the Prelude doesn't claim to have a roomy backseat.
 

Latest Posts

Back