View Full Version : I Wanna New Car
After driving around in a nice clean rental for two days, I decided I'm going to look for a new car. Any ideas? Do you know a good site to find which cars get the best reviews? Anyone have a car that I should check out? That I should stay clear of?
**Edited**
Heh. I guess I should add what I want. I am looking for a 2 door car. I don't like to drive big cars. At least, not where I live.
Bff Biff
10-03-02, 03:14PM
I just bought a new car. Depends on your budget, but, check out the new Buick Rendezvous. I went to my same dealer, 4 cars later, to get a new Caddy, and this beauty was at the front of the lot. K saw it, fell in love, and we drove it. She loves it, but so do I. You couldn't have told me I'd ever drive a mini, SUV, anything.
Bikes and Caddys'
Perfect mix, between auto, and SUV. 4 wheel (versa-trac) on demand, and an interior that the pus ... ooops again ... kittys' of this world will delight in. It's got a great 6 cyl, power train....stereo that works fab... 8 spkrs. Aces.
I don't sell cars, honest. I'm not spamming.
Heh. I guess I should add what I want. I am looking for a 2 door car. I don't like to drive big cars. At least, not where I live.
Jennafer
10-03-02, 06:28PM
Diva you know you need a Mercedes? (kidding) You could get an older model though and fix it up. Everyone told me you have to have a Mercedes to fit in to San Diego...(uh) So it can get smushed to pieces...? My dude managed to get a new Neon on line somehow. I could ask him but we're not speaking. Get something safe!! Traffic there is crazy!!!!!!!!!! Maybe go to Cosumer reports.com?
love_tattoos
10-03-02, 07:26PM
I'm really happy with our Saturn. The price was decent and it's been a really good car for us. My husband drives it because our other car is a 1985 LandCruiser. The LandCruiser gets really crappy gas mileage so it makes more sense for him to drive the economy car. Works for me! Then I get to drive around in the BIG TRUCK! Fear me!! :p
SunnyHeadcase
10-03-02, 07:38PM
Mistubishi 3000GT.....thats all I have to say.
Bff Biff
10-04-02, 12:00AM
1957 VW Bug... no-one will ever bother you, or speak to you, or notice you, or let you into traffic, or notice if they ran over you. The upside?
uhhh, none.
BTW, for $2.00, you can buy a 3000GT sticker.
kittyroze
10-04-02, 12:27AM
I have a thing for the new prius hybrid...something about fuel efficiency appeals to my hippie roots. Although I'm a big Beetle fan. Ideally I could get a BMW Z8, but I don't think they're allowed in the US. Oh, and I don't have that kinda of money. And I probably never will. Unless I hit it big in the music industry/on broadway. But only if the music industry shapes up. And if I sleep my way to the top of broadway. Nevermind...I think a nice bike would work. :D
Bff Biff
10-04-02, 12:35AM
yup
http://www.nochicktrix.com/fun/oth/vb/biff/74-74.gif
kittyroze
10-04-02, 01:17AM
NO motorcycles!!! They're cool looking...but too many stupid people ride them! The current boyfriend has been nearly killed twice by bikers out of control, a good friend's brother did die in a bike accident and my old roomates dad was in a really bad accident this past year. I just can't approve.
BMW? Bleck. Blow My Willy. Get an old Volvo Diva, like a 240 series. Cheap and won't let you down.
I would love a motorcyle, but not while I'm in California. People here drive like idiots.
I can't find the Mitsubishi car in any dealership to see the price. I want a new car, Sys. But I do want dependable. I also don't want a generic looking box car. Style, baby!
Style? Have you seen the new Volvo S60. How much more style do you want baby!?
Do you have any cars you're trying to decide between yet?
Hey.. A Mazda Mx-5 is a good car..:D
Sterling
10-04-02, 11:19AM
What's your price range?
If money is no object, then I'd go for a Ferrari 360 Modena F1. Accept no substitutes.
In the $100k range a BMW Z8 seems like a reasonable choice.
In the $50k range you really can't do much better than a BMW M3.
For $40k I'd probably plump for an Audi S4 or Mercedes SLK 320, or possibly a Boxster S.
For $30k you have a lot more choices: low-end BMW 3 series, Audi A4, or maybe a BMW Z3 or Honda S2000.
For $20k a Mini Cooper S (don't laugh, they kick ass).
Sub-$20k, Saturns are actually a damn fine value.
Personally, I drive an Eclipse Spyder GT, but I hate the damn thing, and will likely spring for something like an M3 in the near future.
I would like to stay under 25,000. But if a car REALLY is special, I'd take the sacrifice.
Bff Biff
10-04-02, 12:51PM
Twenty-Five, 1957 VW bugs..........
Argh!!!!! I want a NEW car. come on, guys. Work with me here. Please!
Mmm can't really help as I don't know the US car prices :baby:
Sterling
10-04-02, 04:06PM
The Mini Cooper S (http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/newoverview.aspx?make=MINI&model=Cooper) kicks ass, seriously. Evo Magazine (top-end sports nut motor mag) rated it as one of the top ten cars of the year in 2001 at any price. It handles like a dream, and the S version packs a very respectable amount of punch for a car its size. For bonus points, get the shagadelic Union Jack paint job :)
A baseline Audi A4 (http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/newoverview.aspx?make=Audi&model=A4) can be had for under $25k. It's a pretty decent vehicle, although you'd have to get a no-frills version to stay within your budget.
Saturns are actually great vehicles for the price, for example, the L Series (http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/newoverview.aspx?make=Saturn&model=L-Series%20Sedan) comes in under $20k even if you go for the 3.0L 182hp V6 engine.
Everyone in the world seems to drive a Mazda MX-5 Miata (http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/newoverview.aspx?make=Mazda&model=MX-5%20Miata), but that because they're pretty decent cars.
Another thing to consider is whether to buy or lease. Buying is a better deal if you expect to keep your car for at least 5 or 6 years. If you think you're likely to want to change it sooner, leasing might turn out to be more economical.
Does any of that help?
SunnyHeadcase
10-04-02, 07:28PM
Originally posted by kittyroze
Ideally I could get a BMW Z8, but I don't think they're allowed in the US. :D
Working on Movie lots at times I've seen every expensive car imaginable, and I'm pretty sure I've seen one of the Z8's.
kittyroze
10-04-02, 07:30PM
Yeah, I see them in movies, but never just around. The Z3's are pretty plentiful though.
Sterling
10-04-02, 08:09PM
The BMW Z8 (http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/newoverview.aspx?make=BMW&model=Z8) is available in the US, and it's a lovely car. However, given the $130,000 price tag, it's up in the range where it's competing with Ferraris and the like. For not much more you can drive off with a Ferrari 360 Modena F1 (http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/newoverview.aspx?make=Ferrari&model=360), and if you're going to spend that much on a car then why wouldn't you?
But go to BMW's website (http://www.bmwusa.com/) and check out the new Z4 that's coming out soon. Kind of reminds me a little of a Lotus...
Bff Biff
10-04-02, 08:55PM
Fifty, 1/2 size VW's ...... this is the last of my input..
Originally posted by Bff Biff
Fifty, 1/2 size VW's ...... this is the last of my input..
yeah, right. ;)
:shutup: :shutup: :shutup: :shutup:
I am always surprised with people's fascination for BMW's. Personally I detest BMW's for several reasons:
a. they are technically inferior to their close competitors, e.g. Mercdes, Volvo. Sorry can't include any american cars as I don't know then. There used to be a joke going around where you'd tell a BMW driver not to forget to add a liter of oil every time he/she went to fill up the car. Check out how many 10yr+ old BWM's you see and how many Mercs, Volvo's etc. I used to drive a 13yr old Merc with 300000KM on the counter and it will still go up to 190km/h without any problem. Don't see 13yr old BMW's do that
b. BMW drivers: many of them are arrogant blitz type macho's that seem to have great fun pissing off other drivers. For males wanting to score with chicks, yeah get yourself a 'Blow My Willy' car but what an attitude.
Anyway, just thought I'd air my rant. BMW sucks :)
BMW's are sooooo over rated..
How about a Golf RS32?? Now there we have a car with a decent power/weight ratio..:D
Golf's are overrated too, price wise. But I would settle for a Golf or Audi A4 much quicker than for a BMW. But then again why should I if I am happy with a Volvo :)
Volvo = Swedish..well almost..oh alright..not at all...anymore :(
Originally posted by Andie
Volvo = Swedish..well almost..oh alright..not at all...anymore :(
Strictly speaking not but the quality and the history they carry with them is still there Andie. To me they'll always be swedish cars :)
My dad used to work at their plant outside Gothenburg so i got a weak spot for them..Specialy the S40, lowered and tampered with..:)
Mm I'd love to pay a visit to plant in Goteborg especially to visit their high-advanced safety center. My own car was actually built in the Volvo plant in Gent here in Belgium. Yeah Volvo engines are excellent for tuning, wouldn't go for it myself too. But I have heard from my local garage folks that they have customers that wanted to crank their T5 to 350 hp :eek:
Yeah..Have an article from a Motorsport magazine about a company tuning the engines to madness..They even need to strengthen the chassi for the car not to break...:D
Bff Biff
10-05-02, 11:35AM
I'm german, as you regs know, and have never owned a 'baby' mercedes, namely BMW. I have owned several Mercedes, and find even a used one superior to BMW.
450SEL (sedan) still at my parents, in Germany...
280 & 350SL and....
a 220D, which was my school car. It ran forever, and took incredible abuse. It had the 'Three on the column' shifter, and was one of the most reliable cars I have owned.
450SEL? Wow, flying machine!
Sterling
10-05-02, 06:02PM
BMW technically inferior to Mercedes? That has to be some sort of joke. Just about every serious motoring correspondant would disagree with you. Check out the reviews. Year in, year out, the 3-Series is rated as the best in its class, and the M3 is rated one of the finest production cars at any price.
Mercedes make some very decent cars, no doubt about it, and I'd be perfectly happy to drive one, but dollar-for-dollar you can usually get better value by making another choice.
American cars, with a very few exceptions, are generally pretty miserable. GM and Ford seem to recall something every other week. Buy European (ideally German) or Japanese instead, you'll get a better deal.
For exotic sports cars, the Brits still do it the best (ever wonder why almost all the Formula one teams are based in Britain?). Pity we have such a shocking reputation for poor build quality. Standard joke: How do BMW test their cars? Put a cat inside, roll the windows up, come back in an hour, if the cat is dead the car is fine. How do Lotus test their cars? Put a cat inside, roll the windows up, come back in an hour, the car is fine if the cat is still inside.
Bff Biff
10-05-02, 06:04PM
'Tis it 'tis. Garage kept...... I think there's maybe 60,000 KM on the car, since new. It sits, for any time I'm in Germany to see the folks. Have to keep up with rubber bushings and a few minor things, but it's beautiful. I have a pic somewhere, I'll post it.
Sterling I have my own opinion about most reviews ;)
I didn't say Merc's are good where it comes to prices. It all depends on how much money you have to burn. But your average second hand Merc offers much better value than the average second hand BMW. Anyway let's agree to differ :)
kittyroze
10-06-02, 06:42AM
In my defense, I just think BMW's are pretty...that's about the extent of my car knowledge. And that's just because I've never had to buy one on my own before.
When I was a kid my dad didn't teach me anything about cars. Not even what a rear window defroster is. Needless to say, the mocking up here in Montana has yet to end after I asked the question "how do you defrost the back window?"
Bff Biff
10-06-02, 09:59AM
If it's icy, throw a bucket of hot water on it.... (don't do it, I'm kidding. If you do that, it will shatter)
If it's too cold, get some dummy to sit there for an hour, and warm it.
If it won't start, send for a limo.
........All the things your Papa should have taught you.
You're welcome.
kittyroze
10-06-02, 01:11PM
Limo sounds good. Thanks ;) I need something to cart my princess ass around :winkkiss:
Hum, do you know how to fill up the car and check your tires?
kittyroze
10-06-02, 01:14PM
I do nooow, but daddy never showed me how. I know how to take care of all the fluids, can deal with a flat, and can often figure out what the hell is wrong if something doesn't sound right. As soon as I have time I'm going to take some sort of automotive class so I can really understand what the hell it is I'm driving. But before that, I think I'll really perfect the art of driving a stick. I've only done it once.
fixing a flat? Now I am impressed ;)
I assume by 'driving a stick' you mean driving with a manual gearbox?
kittyroze
10-06-02, 01:25PM
Yeup, manual, sure.
Why do you want to learn that if there's a tendancy to go 'automatic' globally?
kittyroze
10-06-02, 01:40PM
To be perfectly honest, I want to learn so I don't get stuck anywhere. If I'm at a party with someone who drives a stick and they get plastered, there's no way I'm letting them drive. But there's also no way I want to get stuck out anywhere just because I can't drive a stick. Not the greatest example...I'll admit. Another reason is I'm sick of the male-dominated mentality that is SOOO bad in Montana. The better I can keep up with them, the more likely I am to pass em by. I have pride issues :)
ah Montana is male country is it? Rather than you catching up with their male issues why don't you let them burn rubber showing your female strengths?
kittyroze
10-06-02, 01:45PM
Hee hee...I do my best, believe me. Which is probably why most men here are far from interested in my once they get to know me. I'm too much of a city girl for them (city girl being a strong independent female type).
SysLord... See REDNECK in your dictionary. That'll explain things. ;)
I learned how to drive stick when I bought my old boyfriend's VW Bug. My friend came with me and drove it home. First gear is the worst. I drove that thing for a week before I drove to my mechanic, in tears. He took lunch and taught me how to use it. Ever since then I had a blast. Every other car that I've had has been stick. It's definately a good idea to learn.
I have to admit the concept of 'redneck' is alien to me :)
If first gear is frightening then skip it.
Sterling
10-06-02, 03:35PM
There's a lot of snobbery about manual transmission ('stick shift') cars. Yes, in the hands of a good driver, you get more control and lose less power than you do with an automatic gearbox. And they're certainly a bit more satisfying to drive. But the truth is that for most average drivers, a modern automatic transmission probably does just as good a job, and when you're stuck in traffic, especially uphill, they are significantly less hassle. Of course, everyone believes they are an above average driver, they just can't all be right...
I grew up driving manual transmission cars (in Britain it's the norm), and I drive one now. But next time I buy a car, I'm seriously considering at least getting a semi-automatic sequential shift gearbox, which gives you the best of both worlds.
love_tattoos
10-16-02, 04:20PM
So Diva did you decide to buy a new car? The suspense is killing me. :)
Bff Biff
10-16-02, 04:31PM
VW
Originally posted by love_tattoos
So Diva did you decide to buy a new car? The suspense is killing me. :)
I definately have to buy one. Especially for those long trips up north. ;) I'm just looking into my budget to decide with ones to choose between. Thanks to everyone for their great ideas. If anyone has something to add, I'd love to hear it [pertaining to me buying a new car, Biff :p]!
Bff Biff
10-16-02, 05:10PM
Shit!
You just can't help yourself, can you?
Diva, I would look into the new 350Z, it is to start at 26,000 and up, it is gorgeous, like you. It looks like the old 240 Z somewhat. I saw one on display yesterday.
Lonster
http://www.nochicktrix.com/fun/oth/vb/lonster/nissanz_340x.jpg
Oh my! It's gorgeous!!!! Do you know anything about it? How reliable is it?
Thank you for the compliment, Lonster. :kissy:
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