freeferrarisdonotexist
I'm not stupid - I'm British!

From this SNL video.

The build quality is really good. My generation of the C-class was probably one of the last Mercs made before they got all plastic-y in the interior. The mechanics are also pretty solid relative to the Audi A4s and VWs I was looking at. And yes, Mercedes was aiming for a somewhat sportier C-class with the W203. The transmission is a five-speed.

Indeed! It is fantastic. It isn't terribly performance oriented (relative to the sweet Cooper S my dad and I checked out), but compared to what I'm used to, it's brilliant. I can throw it around mountain curves with ease and accelerate up steep slopes with far less struggle than the M-class my parents own. The quality of the vehicle is absolutely fantastic. The interior is second to none and the build is solid. You can check out the C240 thread in the Post Your Car section for pics and more.

Yes, I've been to London. I thought I told you that already in the ^<V game or something.

You don't want to hear the kind of noises a car makes at -40! Anyway, that -40 was a couple of years ago, but you get the idea.

I recently saw a 2006 MINI for $8,900, but that left me a bit sceptical. I also really like the Mk5 Golf, but unfortunately they suffer from the same lack of depreciation as the MINIs. One of my friends at school just got a Audi A4, quite new actually, but I don't know what he paid for it. W8 Passats have come down in price recently, and they seem quite attractive due to that very interesting engine (and I came really close to buying a Passat last year). Also, in the range of BMW, I've found loads of great cars at great prices. I've found a nice Bimmer to fit any price range, so that is high on my list.

I'm not all that interested in getting a motorbike, and anyway, my mum would burn it and throw it off a cliff if she saw it. Also considering the weather here, I'm not keen on freezing solid before I get to school. The worst drive to school so far -40º.

As for the car search, I've always got my eyes open, and I've seen several things I like, but I'm waiting until I get a job this summer, to pay for the outrageous insurance.

Nice title

That search was based on Tampa, Florida. Perhaps eBay will have better deals...

Yeah, I don't know it it's the Italian Job effect or what. They aren't driven by a bunch of estate agents here, though, so I imagine that helps. And yes, the BL Minis are expensive as well. The cheapest way to get one is to buy from Britain, and that isn't much of an option for me.

Anyway, I just found out today that one of my best mate's dad is looking for a sports car right now, and a brand new Miata is on the top of his list. My dad is trying to talk him out of it already. Why does he hate Miatas? Why!?!

Another car that I really liked today was the VW SportWagen (US name, it is essentially a Jetta/Bora estate). As far as I was concerned, it was an Audi A3. It was really fantastic. Then I realised it just came out, so no used market.