Going car shopping...

Post by **shaft** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:30 pm

Gwamps, have a read.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons ... edans.html

Post by **j1126** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:38 pm

Doombrain wrote:to be fair most of the people over here that drive bmws don't pay for them

I like the sound of that, explain how that works?!?!

:icon25:

Post by **Doombrain** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:40 pm

shaft wrote:
Doombrain wrote:Oh dear
http://www.topgear.com/drives/CO/A1/

Zing
http://www.topgear.com/drives/A4/E2/new/

George Dubbya has his sights set on making the UK his 51st state, and US car makers are taking his plans to heart by bringing their cars over here in increasing numbers.

Prime among these is Cadillac, which has a name most British buyers will know, if not understand. Many still think of 1970s barges with suspension that boings and have interiors reminiscent of a Brooklyn bordello.

The CTS is Caddy's attempt to educate us and take on the European competition. First signs are good, because the CTS is the size of a BMW 5-Series but priced more like a 3-Series.

lol, this guy sounds like he is taking it personal that Americans would dare try to import a car to Europe. What a sad way to start a review.

Yeah, bad example. The caddy over here is a none starter. All the caddy models on sale in the UK are rank, so far from the mark it seems no one is buying them. But I’m sure they will bring something to the table next business year, it’d be stupid to discount them as a car company given their history.

Post by **4days** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:40 pm

j1126 wrote:I like the sound of that, explain how that works?!?!

:icon25:

companies chuck flash cars around like branded memory sticks over here.

Post by **Doombrain** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:42 pm

j1126 wrote:
Doombrain wrote:to be fair most of the people over here that drive bmws don't pay for them

I like the sound of that, explain how that works?!?!

:icon25:

Company cars, as in the company you work for throw in a car as part of the payment package or the employee does over so many business mails a year.

Post by **j1126** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:45 pm

Oh, I get it, it's corporate, well that's how I got to drive cool shit too (as a professional services corporation under local law) we leased. Problem was we went bankrupt and well, shit happens.

Post by **bitWISE** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:45 pm

Chupacabra wrote:
shaft wrote:
are you talking about this image bitwise? its not a saab, its an acura TL.

No I was asking if the Saab 93 was any good. Appears Saabs dont hold their value at all.

Post by **j1126** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:51 pm

Saabs haven't been Saabs since GM took over. However REAL Saabs have "niche" value, try and find a 900 Turbo in good condition and you'll see what I mean.

Post by **j1126** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:55 pm

Here ya go last true Saabs, GM was already in the picture but had not taken over as they have now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_900

Post by **Doombrain** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:00 pm

j1126 wrote:Oh, I get it, it's corporate, well that's how I got to drive cool shit too (as a professional services corporation under local law) we leased. Problem was we went bankrupt and well, shit happens.

i keep mine for 3 years or 100'000 miles then pick another one

i don't even pay for fuel or any servicing.

Post by **SplishSplash** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:02 pm

shaft wrote:
SplishSplash wrote:Oh geez, the American car magazine favors the American car what a surprise. Over all those others no less.

Clearly this is an unbiased review.
How many of the cars in this thread have you actually driven?

more than you easily.

Post by **j1126** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:08 pm

Doombrain wrote:
j1126 wrote:Oh, I get it, it's corporate, well that's how I got to drive cool shit too (as a professional services corporation under local law) we leased. Problem was we went bankrupt and well, shit happens.
i keep mine for 3 years or 100'000 miles then pick another one i don't even pay for fuel or any servicing.

Hehehehe, leasing rocks....IF you you don't abuse the vehicles or WRECk'em, unfortunately we did a lot of both so that didn't work for me. However I did get to enjoy some nice cars and SUV's Yukons, early Escalades, a Bimmer, Merc SLK, a Seville STS even a fucking Grand Caravan(best and most practical of the bunch never had a problem)

Post by **SplishSplash** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:10 pm

This just goes to show how different european and american expectations are as far as cars go.

If I had an SUV I'd have to live in it because I could never find a parking space.

Post by **nhaujGSU** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:14 pm

id get the caddy

Post by **shaft** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:25 pm

SplishSplash wrote: more than you easily.

You live in your mom’s basement, your girlfriend has to do your moldy dishes, and you drive a 2hp smart car. I'm sure you are quite the luxury vehicle connoisseur.

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:33 pm

Post by **Maiden** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:43 pm

bitWISE wrote:While we have this thread going...

Whats everyone's opinion of the best used car (prefer something around 2005) under $30,000? I'm looking for either sleek luxury or boy-racer with a little class. Right now I'm in love with the RX-8 but they just have so many problems I'm afraid to own one.

I see the 05 Sti is just under my budget but for some reason they've never caught my eye. Maybe I'd feel different after a test drive.

I like the M35 myself, not sure if you can get one for under 30K since they came out in 06, but you might find one right around 30K

the sti is a cool car, but like db said, I sure as hell wouldn't want to drive one everyday. the noise level alone would dirve me nutts.

Post by **SplishSplash** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:51 pm

shaft wrote:
SplishSplash wrote: more than you easily.
You live in your mom’s basement, your girlfriend has to do your moldy dishes, and you drive a 2hp smart car. I'm sure you are quite the luxury vehicle connoisseur.

And I also used to work for a company that had LOTS of company cars. :icon26:

boing!

Post by **j1126** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:00 pm

Another thing is, in the long run, like most things cars are overated. If you're a hobbyist get yourself something you like and fix it up and make it your own or whatever. I find myself using the family minivan more than anything else I have in my garage. I've opted to keep just one hobby car and that's it, if I ever tire of it, I'll sell it and get the next car that I like. Mustangs are what I like now. :icon31:

Post by **Chupacabra** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:37 pm

Doombrain wrote:Oh dear
http://www.topgear.com/drives/CO/A1/

Zing
http://www.topgear.com/drives/A4/E2/new/

"The interior is a case of never mind the quality, feel the width. Low-rent plastics will not tempt those of an Audi/BMW/Merc persuasion"

I still don't understand why American car makers keep choosing the crappiest interior material.

I rode in a brand new Lincoln Town Car rental car the other day and it was surprising to see how incredibly cheap and crappy the dials and buttons were. This is true for Mercury, and all sorts of American cars. Dials in a Corolla or Civic are of the same if not higher quality compared to the Lincoln it seems like. Foreign cars just feel more solidly built from the inside.

I wonder how long itll be til American car makers realize this.

Post by **SplishSplash** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:47 pm

I have thought about this before, and I think it's because Americans aren't used to it.

Solid build quality just isn't a feature that will draw much attention.

And while a car with poor build quality is pretty much unsellable in Europe, it is a cost factor that isn't very rewarding for car manufacturers in America.

Car development in Europe:

"We're going to build a new car! Should we invest in build quality or a snazzy new feature like LCD screens in the glove compartment?"
"Build quality, because nobody buys a car that feels crappy."

Car development in the US:

"We're going to build a new car! Should we invest in build quality or a snazzy new feature like LCD screens in the glove compartment?"
"LCD screens are kicking rad, gangstas don't even know what build quality is."

Another thing that has puzzled me in the past:

In the 50s, 60s and even the 70s American cars had their own style.

And then, suddenly, late 80s, early 90s, they started to model their cars after JAPANESE cars! The Japanese, who rip all their designs off of European cars! Only very, very badly!

The Mustang is a very good example. (The latest model excluded)

Did American car manufacturers actually think people bought Japanese cars because they looked better???

Post by **ToxicBug** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:02 pm

bitWISE wrote:
Deji wrote:
bitWISE wrote:While we have this thread going...

Whats everyone's opinion of the best used car (prefer something around 2005) under $30,000? I'm looking for either sleek luxury or boy-racer with a little class. Right now I'm in love with the RX-8 but they just have so many problems I'm afraid to own one.

I see the 05 Sti is just under my budget but for some reason they've never caught my eye. Maybe I'd feel different after a test drive.
I'd get a newer used IS200 if I were you. Actually, odds are high that I WILL be getting an IS200 in the coming few months, so I'm a bit biased, but I haven't found anything better IMO that's in the price range. (Though I'm not looking for a racer, I need something that's luxurious/classy enough and still moves when you floor it, which is why I'm not even looking at the STi)

Or fork out a little bit extra and get a new 1.8T A4, costs about 36k $ over here for the cheaper ones (without AWD, manual, etc)
We don't have the 200 here in the states. Before 2006 the only IS is the 300. I could get an 06 is250 but that would be stretching my target payment. I still owe a couple grand more than my eclipse is worth so anything I buy is going to cost more than sticker.

The IS-300 has the 2JZ-GE, ie the engine found in the Supra, only not turbo. You can very easily swap a 2JZ-GTE in there and have a total monster.

Post by **ToxicBug** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:04 pm

Doombrain wrote:to be fair most of the people over here that drive bmws don't pay for them

Now I understand why you have over there you have as much BMWs in there as we have Honda's in here.

Post by **4days** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:05 pm

ToxicBug wrote:
Doombrain wrote:to be fair most of the people over here that drive bmws don't pay for them
Now I understand why you have over there you have as much BMWs in there as we have Honda's in here.

smoking a lot today?

Post by **bitWISE** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:06 pm

ToxicBug wrote:
Doombrain wrote:to be fair most of the people over here that drive bmws don't pay for them
Now I understand why you have over there you have as much BMWs in there as we have Honda's in here.

You should see the town I live in. Thanks to BMW Financial there are thousands of them being driven by employees for next to nothing. The parking lot for BMW FS is like 99% BMW/Mini.