New car... November 09 [Archive]

RaceGrrl

04-28-09, 01:00 AM

The lease is up on my Mazdaspeed 6 in November. I've been really happy with it except for a few annoying things- like the fact that it hits 80mph really easily and I'm constantly on alert for Staties.

Anyway, we went to the Columbus car show last month and it was disappointing to see how ugly the Mazdas are this year. I just hate the way they look from the front- like some stupid cartoon auto from the movie Cars.

I really like Richard's MiniCooperS and am thinking about getting a Mini ClubmanS. I'd need the Clubman for the extra storage space for when I'm traveling for the vending business.

Since I'm not going for the new Mazdas, I am once again asking for ideas for fun to drive cars with a fair amount of space. I need to be able to carry two passengers and four 18 gallon plastic totes.

Thanks :)

chop456

04-28-09, 02:11 AM

Love the Clubman. If the "D" model was available in the states, I'd have one already.

Brickman

04-28-09, 02:38 AM

Hard to beat the Clubman without going the mini SUV way, for that matter even going the mini SUV way {Acura All Wheel drive RDX $399 month lease} I would say the Clubman's going to get you.

Methanolandbrats

04-28-09, 07:45 AM

Jetta TDI with six-speed. Try one.

sadams

04-28-09, 07:54 AM

I'm with Meth. Once you go diesel you'll never go back. :thumbup:
I was hoping Honda was going to bring in the TSX diesel this year but it's pushed back.

Napoleon

04-28-09, 07:59 AM

Just got a new Toyota Yaris 2-3 weeks ago and love it. It replaces my Toyota Echo and even though they are very similar the Yaris handles much better (and its not like the Echo wasn't decent). With the money I should be able to cash out of the Echo when I sell it, the fact that I beat the dealer down on price, plus they took less then 20% down and gave me 60 month financing at 0% I can pay for a years worth of the new car from the proceeds from the old car.

Now I have to hope I don't loose my job.

extramundane

04-28-09, 08:34 AM

I'm with Meth. Once you go diesel you'll never go back. :thumbup:
I was hoping Honda was going to bring in the TSX diesel this year but it's pushed back.

If by "pushed back" you mean "likely canned in favor of hybrids." Which is a shame- I got to drive the UK diesel Accord wagon a couple weeks ago and I'd buy one in an instant if it was available here.

chop456

04-28-09, 08:36 AM

^ The Euro-only Toyota Avensis (Camry) diesel wagon is a nice one, too.

opinionated ow

04-28-09, 09:02 AM

I believe the Pontiac G8 is going very cheap. Its really not a bad car.

Methanolandbrats

04-28-09, 09:23 AM

The Jetta TDI sedan can also be bought at a discount now. You might be able to locate a Jetta TDI sportwagen, but they are mostly sold out. For anyone car shopping who has not driven the current VW, you should try one, it's an amazing car for the money.

dando

04-28-09, 09:53 AM

I believe the Pontiac G8 is going very cheap. Its really not a bad car.

It does get good reviews, but it's just not generating any buzz.

-Kevin

Napoleon

04-28-09, 10:08 AM

The lease is up on my Mazdaspeed 6 in November.

I don't know if you intend to lease again, but if so something you may want to look into is if you can take advantage of the Federal Stimulus Package writeoff/credit for sales tax for cars bought this year. I assume there is a way to pass it trough to you, but if not you may want to look at buying.

Methanolandbrats

04-28-09, 10:18 AM

I don't know if you intend to lease again, but if so something you may want to look into is if you can take advantage of the Federal Stimulus Package writeoff/credit for sales tax for cars bought this year. I assume there is a way to pass it trough to you, but if not you may want to look at buying.

Forgot about this, Ithink there is a $1,200 tax credit for the diesel this year, could bring the sedan under 20k :thumbup::)

Napoleon

04-28-09, 10:27 AM

Forgot about this, Ithink there is a $1,200 tax credit for the diesel this year, could bring the sedan under 20k :thumbup::)

. . . and if she weatherizes the new car and claims she lives in it she may get that credit also. ;)

opinionated ow

04-28-09, 10:45 AM

It does get good reviews, but it's just not generating any buzz.

-Kevin

You all just need to embrace your inner Australian :p

SteveH

04-28-09, 10:48 AM

. . . and if she weatherizes the new car and claims she lives in it she may get that credit also. ;)

:rofl:

Greg B

04-28-09, 11:34 AM

I really like Richard's MiniCooperS and am thinking about getting a Mini ClubmanS. I'd need the Clubman for the extra storage space for when I'm traveling for the vending business.

Thanks :)[/QUOTE]

We have a Clubman S and we love it. I'm amazed how much junk I can fit in it. So far I've been able to fit a lawn mower, a snow blower and my 56 CM road bike(with the front wheel removed). Not all at the same time however. :) We get upper 20's for gas mileage and with the turbo it's a blast to drive. We are taking it up to Mid-Ohio for the Vintage Weekend in June, the MINI is the featured make. I don't know if you're the car club type, but we joined the Cincinnati MINI club. It's more of a social group than a bunch of motorheads. We usaully do a drive or a dinner once a month. Is there a MINI dealer near you or will you have to go to Cincinnati?

Trevor Longman

04-28-09, 03:46 PM

I would suggest a scirocco but freakin' VW isn't importing it from europe. :shakehead

Sean Malone

04-28-09, 04:05 PM

A new Miata with a trailer. :)

oddlycalm

04-28-09, 10:52 PM

Gonna be hard to beat the Mini for fun factor. There are some good handling cars out there but nothing else I've driven really has that go kart feel.

When I had my car in for periodic service recently I had a chance to drive a car I won't soon forget, the BMW 335D diesel. Huge torque like a 60's muscle car except with a smooth 6sp automatic and traction control. Smooth, quiet, great grand touring car... I'd love to take a road trip though the high mountains in that car, only stopping for fuel every 500 miles or so....

Sigh..., reality check; don't need another car and a diesel isn't a fit for all our 4-20 block short hops which is 90% of our driving. If Mini delivers an electric I'll have one, otherwise the convertible is it for now.

oc

nrc

04-28-09, 10:55 PM

A new Miata with a trailer. :)

Unfortunately, even the Miata isn't safe from Mazda's current fascination with big goofy car grins.

http://pics.livejournal.com/canis_lupus_va/pic/000dywsd/s320x240

I could overlook it for one in yellow, but then we're back to the winter driving issue. The long term plan is another pure fun car further down the road. The Miata (ok, MX-5) would be a prime candidate. With our luck they'll have stopped doing yellow again by then. :(

http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/buying_guide/mazda/mx_5_miata/2009_mazda_mx_5_miata/2009_mazda_mx_5_miata_grand_touring_short_take_roa d_test/2096764-4-eng-US/2009_mazda_mx_5_miata_grand_touring_short_take_roa d_test_submodel_full.jpg

Maybe they'll come up with some crack-headed incentive to trade in our '93 Miata. I've read that there is some debate about whether a potential "old gas guzzler trade-in" incentive should actually be limited to gas guzzlers. I think that shows sage-like wisdom since I'm sure the old girl is way out of tune and dumping tons of green house gasses into the atmosphere. Saving our planet really requires that we get an incentive of 5-10 times what the car is worth. Do it for the planet.

RaceGrrl

04-28-09, 11:40 PM

http://www.freedisneyclipartsite.com/images/free_disney_clipart_lightning_mcqueen.jpg

Seriously? Is Disney paying Mazda to make their cars look so stupid?

nrc

04-28-09, 11:45 PM

So I'm guessing that we don't need this bit of customization if she goes with the MINI....

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/thatsmynamedude/SL732380.jpg

opinionated ow

04-28-09, 11:46 PM

You guys must be about the only people I have encountered anywhere who actually like the Mini Clubman. :eek: Its completely useless when you drive on the correct side of the road!:rofl:

chop456

04-29-09, 01:28 AM

the BMW 335D diesel.

I know someone that just bought an X35d last weekend. I'd rather have the 3, but it's still pretty awesome. Luckily he's a douche, so I don't need to be envious. :D

racermike

04-29-09, 01:43 AM

I am shopping around for a used Mazda.

Whats the buyout on your car and miles on it?

Gnam

04-29-09, 02:53 AM

I am once again asking for ideas for fun to drive cars with a fair amount of space. I need to be able to carry two passengers and four 18 gallon plastic totes. Thanks :)
This is how I intertpreted your specs:

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/1096/dempstercorvettegallery.jpg

Dempster Corvette (http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/corvette_camaro_corner/the_road_to_remorses_the_road_to_divorces_feature)

Gnam

04-29-09, 03:15 AM

chop456

04-29-09, 03:50 AM

Passable outside, but that interior's enough to gag a maggot. :yuck:

opinionated ow

04-29-09, 05:23 AM

Pity you can't have one of these:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Ford_Mondeo_4.Generation_Flie%C3%9Fheck_front.JPG/800px-Ford_Mondeo_4.Generation_Flie%C3%9Fheck_front.JPG

nrc

04-29-09, 09:02 AM

We have a Clubman S and we love it. I'm amazed how much junk I can fit in it. So far I've been able to fit a lawn mower, a snow blower and my 56 CM road bike(with the front wheel removed). Not all at the same time however. :) We get upper 20's for gas mileage and with the turbo it's a blast to drive. We are taking it up to Mid-Ohio for the Vintage Weekend in June, the MINI is the featured make. I don't know if you're the car club type, but we joined the Cincinnati MINI club. It's more of a social group than a bunch of motorheads. We usaully do a drive or a dinner once a month. Is there a MINI dealer near you or will you have to go to Cincinnati?

The MINI crowd is kind of interesting. It's a mix of people who are into it for something fun that drives and handles well, and the 25K version of Ank's 30K millionaires who think that the car's BMW pedigree places it above having to compete with anything so plebeian as a Mazdaspeed 3. They mock ricers but some of them have painfully bad taste in their own "Youifications".

Here in Columbus we have Midwestern Auto Group (http://www.magcars.com/) (MAG). Very posh. All the finest makes, don't you know. Even the automated voice response system has a proper British accent when you call. Seriously though, they've been really good.

Do you have the 16 or 17" wheels? I have the 17s and like them but we're thinking the 16s may be a bit more comfortable on the freeway for her trips. Plus there's the rapidly escalating options sheet to consider. :eek:

nrc

04-29-09, 09:30 AM

I am shopping around for a used Mazda.

Whats the buyout on your car and miles on it?

Right now the buyout is $16,478.30 and it's around 36,000 miles (Missy can say exactly). I'm not sure whether there are extra fees for early buyout. Normal termination is in November and I'll have to check on what the buyout is at lease end.

Greg B

04-29-09, 04:30 PM

The MINI crowd is kind of interesting. It's a mix of people who are into it for something fun that drives and handles well, and the 25K version of Ank's 30K millionaires who think that the car's BMW pedigree places it above having to compete with anything so plebeian as a Mazdaspeed 3. They mock ricers but some of them have painfully bad taste in their own "Youifications".

Here in Columbus we have Midwestern Auto Group (http://www.magcars.com/) (MAG). Very posh. All the finest makes, don't you know. Even the automated voice response system has a proper British accent when you call. Seriously though, they've been really good.

Do you have the 16 or 17" wheels? I have the 17s and like them but we're thinking the 16s may be a bit more comfortable on the freeway for her trips. Plus there's the rapidly escalating options sheet to consider. :eek:

We have the 16's run flats. Not really thrilled with the run flat concept. It's really my wife's car. I was trying to talk her into the Suzuki SX4. Not a bad car. She is rally happy with her decision to get the Clubman and a lot of it has to do with the social aspect. I like it for the fun to drive aspect. I can't imagine looking forward to a drive in the twisties with the Suzuki.

dando

04-29-09, 04:42 PM

We have the 16's run flats. Not really thrilled with the run flat concept.

Just wait until you have to replace them. :eek: :saywhat: :thumdown:

-Kevin

oddlycalm

04-29-09, 04:49 PM

Not really thrilled with the run flat concept.
Me neither. IMO it ruins the ride. BMW seems in love with it however. We've got AAA road service so I took them off our convertible and I'd take them off any Mini I owned as well. That was my only complaint, and it's a minor, on the Minis I've driven. I suspect it's made more noticeable because everything else about the ride and handling is full grin. :D

oc

RaceGrrl

04-30-09, 12:33 AM

I would love it if Ford sold the Mondeo here. We really enjoyed the Contour SVT we had a few years ago. The 6 has been fun, but I don't want to buy it at the end of the lease term like we did the SVT- in a few years I'd start worrying about mechanical issues.

Thanks for your advice... if nothing else we'll have fun doing some test driving this summer. :)

Gnam

04-30-09, 04:42 PM

They don't make the M Coupe anymore:

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/4029/bmwmcoupeside1120.jpg

But the 128 might fit the bill.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9371/bmw128iphoto1.jpg

oddlycalm

04-30-09, 06:24 PM

They don't make the M Coupe anymore:

They do, kinda, but it's now called the Z4M. Similar price with a base of ~$50k. Same 330hp S54 engine as the M Coupe, similar weight, much stiffer chassis. Kind of a niche car, but a nice one. The customer racing version due this summer should be a :D

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2008/BMW/2008.bmw.m.20172746-E.jpg
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2008/BMW/2008.bmw.m.20172737-E.jpg

Not a fan of the 1 series. Marginally lower price than the 3, similar weight, same drive train(s), but uglier car and unusable back seat. Maybe if the price difference was greater, the car weighed a lot less and they offered smaller engines? I dunno... Dealer tells me people look at the 1 then either buy the 3 or a Mini and never look back. Seems like the answer to a question nobody asked.

oc

Sean Malone

04-30-09, 08:14 PM

I like it!

Methanolandbrats

04-30-09, 08:42 PM

50K for that Bavarian Crapwagon :saywhat:

oddlycalm

05-01-09, 06:35 PM

I like it!
Certainly less awkward looking than the M Coupe was and a better daily driver than the higher priced Porsche Cayman. Still, a niche product for people that want to do track events from where I sit. There are cars that are more fun as daily drivers IMO.

oc

Ankf00

05-01-09, 06:46 PM

I need a live-in gf just to get 2x the car action like you guys get :D

Ankf00

05-01-09, 06:49 PM

This is how I intertpreted your specs:

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/1096/dempstercorvettegallery.jpg

Dempster Corvette (http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/corvette_camaro_corner/the_road_to_remorses_the_road_to_divorces_feature)

that was your rube goldberg offering last year, wasn't it?

"but look, it's got a roof rack! it does... stuff!!"

05-01-09, 10:53 PM

They don't make the M Coupe anymore:

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/4029/bmwmcoupeside1120.jpg

http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/ambig_gay_penis_mobile.jpg

Bert Backracked

05-02-09, 02:18 AM

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj240/Ziggy48/MiniCooperS02-25-09019.jpg

Cam

05-02-09, 12:44 PM

That driveway looks awefully familiar.

devilmaster

05-03-09, 12:56 PM

That driveway looks awefully familiar.

Passed out on it alot I take it? ;)

nissan gtp

05-03-09, 01:44 PM

miatanut

05-03-09, 02:49 PM

I could overlook it for one in yellow, but then we're back to the winter driving issue.

:confused:

My experience has been it's a very fun car in the snow. Being a rear drive car, in snow of six inches or more low speed turns can be tough. Is that the issue?

oddlycalm

05-03-09, 04:06 PM

2010 Ford Taurus SHO (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/officially-official-2010-ford-taurus-sho/)
3.5L 365-hp twin-turbo EcoBoost V6
6 speed flappy paddle gear box
all-wheel-drive [/img]

Our original 1989 SHO was an incredibly efficient car. We did a couple trip per year the entire length of Nevada and the car would cruise all day at 105mph getting 21mpg. If you didn't care about fuel mileage you it cruise comfortably at 125mph all day long. Good combination of suspension control and ride quality. The car was way before it's time IMO. A credible alternative to the BMW 3 series at half the money. I'm guessing the 2010 version won't be quite as efficient and the styling is certainly less elegant.

oc

nrc

05-03-09, 09:55 PM

:confused:

My experience has been it's a very fun car in the snow. Being a rear drive car, in snow of six inches or more low speed turns can be tough. Is that the issue?

It's a blast in fresh snow on a clear road with no traffic. On hard packed snow in rush hour traffic it's no fun at all.

There's also the practicality factor. When we had the Miata as one of just two cars the other car racked up a lot more miles just because it was often the only option. With Missy's travel she already racks up a lot more miles than I do so that leaves one car getting the bulk of the miles.

The plan is to get two daily drivers in place and then we can start to think about something just for fun.

Methanolandbrats

05-03-09, 10:12 PM

For any car in winterland, a second set of rims with Nokian or Blizzak tires is mandatory.

Gnam

05-04-09, 04:18 PM

2009 Chevy Cobalt SS Sedan
2.0L 260-hp Ecotec turbo I-4
FWD 5-speed manual
Limited slip diff w/ Traction control
Disc brakes all around
MPG: 22 city/30 highway

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/9986/2008chevycobaltsssedan.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/9137/ag09cobaltssleftrearz.jpg

JohnHKart

08-18-09, 04:19 PM

The lease is up on my Mazdaspeed 6 in November. I've been really happy with it except for a few annoying things- like the fact that it hits 80mph really easily and I'm constantly on alert for Staties.

Anyway, we went to the Columbus car show last month and it was disappointing to see how ugly the Mazdas are this year. I just hate the way they look from the front- like some stupid cartoon auto from the movie Cars.

I Thanks :)

This thread has come up in my memory... the new Mazdas do remind me of something equally hideous:

http://www.456fis.org/X-PLANES-3/x32%5B1%5D.jpg

The Boeing X32, which (thank god) lost out to the spectacular Lockheed F22.

Napoleon

08-18-09, 04:25 PM

So I'm guessing that we don't need this bit of customization if she goes with the MINI....

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/thatsmynamedude/SL732380.jpg

How about this one. Mini did a custom paint job on one to look just like George Harrison's Mini which was used in the movie Magical Mystery Tour. On the left is the new one, and his original car is on the right.

http://www.newlaunches.com/entry_image/0509/15/george-harrison-mini-cooper-1-thumb-450x214.jpg

More here (http://www.revmods.com/one-off-george-harrison-mini-cooper-s/)

and the original at Goodwood Festival (http://www.flickr.com/photos/antsphoto/3728782765/)

opinionated ow

08-18-09, 08:28 PM

This thread has come up in my memory... the new Mazdas do remind me of something equally hideous:

http://www.456fis.org/X-PLANES-3/x32%5B1%5D.jpg

The Boeing X32, which (thank god) lost out to the spectacular Lockheed F22.

Don't want to be picky but it lost out to the X35

JohnHKart

08-19-09, 04:25 PM

nrc

08-19-09, 04:45 PM

sorry you are right...i got mixed up there....I'm in the mood for a zippy mobile too...more on this later. Gonna keep the Amazing Escort Wagon for gigs...Saw a Mazda ad last night...horrible look indeed.

It's just tragic because I really like the rest of the car. The interior looks much nicer. Seems like there'd be an after-market opportunity in wiping the silly grin of that things face.

JohnHKart

08-21-09, 12:57 AM

I am too looking at a new car sometime in the future. Needs to be a hatchback with good mileage. When my Escort blew up on March 28, and I was having the engine rebuilt I had the pleasure of renting two excellent hatches, the Hyundai Accent and the Ford Focus. The Accent was a huge surprise because I'm one of those snobs that would turn my nose up at such a car. But it was a true delight to drive, with nothing to complain about other than the tires were a bit too skinny. The Focus was good too, other than the annoying fact that the handle for rolling up and down the windows sits right where you would put cd's in the pockets on the doors. I've been to Germany four times in the last ten years and three of the trips have driving Golfs. My last trip was a month ago, and I have to say I've been excited about the car ever since. Sick with lust for the wonderful TDI Golf I drove over a thousand miles. When I got there the bozos at Avis handed me the keys to a Seat Leon. I would have taken it, but to make it even worse, there were no GPS units available at the airport or when they called downtown. This was totally unacceptable. I'm not going to repeat the trips of 99 and 2003 with paper maps. We're done!!!! Thank god Hertz had the Golf I wanted (with built in GPS) so I didn't need to order it seperate. I didn't really track my mileage on the Golf and I'm sure I was going too fast to get real world results anyway. It's without a doubt the best car I've driven yet. I want one!!! I hear the TDI Golf is supposed to hit the states this year. I briefly got her up to 136 on a downhill Autobahn, finally setting my new speed record, besting the previous 131 also set twice in a 99 Golf and GTI two years ago. I'm also looking at other candidates, I'm a ways off from making a purchase but this is exciting. Im keeping my Escort wagon as a second car and will use this for gigs where I don't need that much room and getting to work and other places.

John

Here's that nice 2009 TDI Golf I drove

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/JohnHKart/2009golf.jpg

me doing one of my favorite things, driving the TDI Golf on the way to the ring, July 12, 2009:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/JohnHKart/joy.jpg

JohnHKart

08-21-09, 01:04 AM

And here's a nice Euro only C Max Focus that is larger than the standard hatch version, which of course they have over there too and is coming back here. This is a a five door that was parked next to me at the Ring when the above Golf picture was taken. Hmmm Edit...looks like the CMax is headed for the US in a year or two...great!!! Ford rocks! :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/JohnHKart/fordfocuseuro.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/JohnHKart/CMAX.jpg