No Boss
Neener, neener, I banned your title!
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2005
- Messages
- 6,889
- Location
- Wherever the Coast Guard sends me.
- Car(s)
- '07 Volvo XC70 Polestar, '01 Miata SE
Well my good friends, nobles, and countryman... The time for me has finally come. Over the next four weeks I'm going to be purchasing a new car. So like many people, I'm posting this looking for your well learned opinions and expertise on such a serious issue. As you are about to see, the line up of cars that I am looking at is a bit... eclectic. They are all really nice automobiles but they go from one end of the spectrum to the next. My budget is about USD$18,000-$20,000, car has to be below 50,000mi, and a 5/6-speed. Oh and no beige interiors, I hate beige interiors. So, might as well get right to it, they're listed in order of appeal/interest.
1.) Mini Cooper S
http://img246.imageshack.**/img246/5409/448002us0.jpg
MINI COOPER S
I've loved these cars for years and have always, always, wanted one. I test drove one just to drive one about 2-3 years ago and loved it. I have never driven a car that from the minute I got in it till the moment I got out, I had a smile on my face. I am single (dating someone), don't have lots of baggage, don't haul lots of stuff (but do plan on getting 2 big dogs once my current one passes), and do a lot of driving. So, aside from the dog thing, the size of the Mini and its M.P.G.s are very appealing. I figure if I want a small car, why not drive one now whilst I still can before I need a bigger car for family and stuff?
2.) Volvo S60R
Specifically, this S60R (which I will be test driving this Thursday):
http://img246.imageshack.**/img246/4424/picture2uc8.jpg
http://www.raycoeuro.com/html/04VolvoS60R_Gray/index.htm
Ok, yeah I know... I'm 22 years old, and what on earth do I want with a Volvo?? Well, as much as I love the Mini, a part of me feels I'm going to have to live with this car through everything (except snow, beater car for that). That includes long car rides to visit relatives in NY and where ever else I choose. I have heard not such great things about the ride comfort of the Mini and more specifically, their seats. The Volvo fits my mature(ish) personality, I love the interior, I love the seats, and it's got plenty of buttons which as a bloke, I love. May not be the most powerful or hardcore, but it's dignified and understated, and I like that.
3.) Mazda RX-8
Again, this RX-8 (Which I'll also be driving Thursday):
http://img293.imageshack.**/img293/7509/picture11hm1.jpg
http://www.raycoeuro.com/html/04MazdaRX8Coupe_DkGreen_36549/index.htm
Yes, Yes, I know... It eats oil, engine blows up, has no torque, isn't as powerful as a 350Z, and Blind_Io is going to come in here and say "poppycock" to all of that and tell me to get it. The first Top Gear clip I ever downloaded was Jeremy's RX-8 review from way back when. I've liked it since then. Something about the high revving engine, the vulgar styling, and that center console that runs through the entire cabin... just does it for me.
The following cars are all viable options, but ones that maybe a bit out of my price range:
4.) MKV Volkswagen GTI - Loved this car when I drove it, but I've had golfs/GTIs all my life... think it's time for something new.
5.) Mazdaspeed3 - Great googly moogly, such a shame it's a bit out of my range.
6.) '01-'03ish BMW 328Ci/330Ci - I dunno, something appealing to me, I guess.
Now I've gone over even more cars (early Boxster, early BMW X5 with a 5spd., E38 BMW 7, etc.), but I think that's just the "kid in the candy shop" effect setting in. As stated above, Thursday I'm going to test drive the S60R and the RX-8. There is a VW/Mazda dealer right down the road from where those two cars are, so I may try to bang out a test drive in a GTI/MSP3. I'll have a much better idea of which is best for me after getting my hands on them, but for now just looking for your thoughts.
Edit: I also plan on doing light modding to which ever car I choose. Most likely: window tint, chip/ecu tune, and light suspension mods.
/I think this is the longest post I've ever left here.... maybe.
//my post about the "you're fucking gay" lady at work may have been longer.
1.) Mini Cooper S
http://img246.imageshack.**/img246/5409/448002us0.jpg
MINI COOPER S
I've loved these cars for years and have always, always, wanted one. I test drove one just to drive one about 2-3 years ago and loved it. I have never driven a car that from the minute I got in it till the moment I got out, I had a smile on my face. I am single (dating someone), don't have lots of baggage, don't haul lots of stuff (but do plan on getting 2 big dogs once my current one passes), and do a lot of driving. So, aside from the dog thing, the size of the Mini and its M.P.G.s are very appealing. I figure if I want a small car, why not drive one now whilst I still can before I need a bigger car for family and stuff?
2.) Volvo S60R
Specifically, this S60R (which I will be test driving this Thursday):
http://img246.imageshack.**/img246/4424/picture2uc8.jpg
http://www.raycoeuro.com/html/04VolvoS60R_Gray/index.htm
Ok, yeah I know... I'm 22 years old, and what on earth do I want with a Volvo?? Well, as much as I love the Mini, a part of me feels I'm going to have to live with this car through everything (except snow, beater car for that). That includes long car rides to visit relatives in NY and where ever else I choose. I have heard not such great things about the ride comfort of the Mini and more specifically, their seats. The Volvo fits my mature(ish) personality, I love the interior, I love the seats, and it's got plenty of buttons which as a bloke, I love. May not be the most powerful or hardcore, but it's dignified and understated, and I like that.
3.) Mazda RX-8
Again, this RX-8 (Which I'll also be driving Thursday):
http://img293.imageshack.**/img293/7509/picture11hm1.jpg
http://www.raycoeuro.com/html/04MazdaRX8Coupe_DkGreen_36549/index.htm
Yes, Yes, I know... It eats oil, engine blows up, has no torque, isn't as powerful as a 350Z, and Blind_Io is going to come in here and say "poppycock" to all of that and tell me to get it. The first Top Gear clip I ever downloaded was Jeremy's RX-8 review from way back when. I've liked it since then. Something about the high revving engine, the vulgar styling, and that center console that runs through the entire cabin... just does it for me.
The following cars are all viable options, but ones that maybe a bit out of my price range:
4.) MKV Volkswagen GTI - Loved this car when I drove it, but I've had golfs/GTIs all my life... think it's time for something new.
5.) Mazdaspeed3 - Great googly moogly, such a shame it's a bit out of my range.
6.) '01-'03ish BMW 328Ci/330Ci - I dunno, something appealing to me, I guess.
Now I've gone over even more cars (early Boxster, early BMW X5 with a 5spd., E38 BMW 7, etc.), but I think that's just the "kid in the candy shop" effect setting in. As stated above, Thursday I'm going to test drive the S60R and the RX-8. There is a VW/Mazda dealer right down the road from where those two cars are, so I may try to bang out a test drive in a GTI/MSP3. I'll have a much better idea of which is best for me after getting my hands on them, but for now just looking for your thoughts.
Edit: I also plan on doing light modding to which ever car I choose. Most likely: window tint, chip/ecu tune, and light suspension mods.
/I think this is the longest post I've ever left here.... maybe.
//my post about the "you're fucking gay" lady at work may have been longer.