Car choices

PersonaNonGrata · #1 06-02-2005, 12:36 PM

A co-worker of mine came to me yesterday and asked me for my opinion on what to buy. He is allowed to buy a sports car for himself since his wife is getting a new mommymobile. He wanted something truly sporty, not a compromise, but then he realized that he might want to have some sort of rear seats just in case he has to pick up his yet-to-be born kid. Initially he wanted a SLK350 but since it is a 2 seater that would rule it out. He then thought about a 3er 'vert but I told him that he'd hate it once the E90 with the retractable hardtop comes out. He loves the retractable hardtop idea. Here's a little more info on his situation:

He currently drives a Ford Exploder Sport. His wife has an E46 325Ci. He also has a '69 Corvette 'vert. He planned on selling the 325Ci, the Explorer, and the Vette to buy the wife a Volvo XC90 and himself the SLK. Yes folks, he is going to sell his cherry '69 Vette. (Any buyers?)

I told him to keep his Exploder since it's worth only about $10K and it would be a good beater and that way he can justify the 2 seater. I suggested he consider buying a used 911, Boxster S, or whatever to justify keeping a $10K beater. Instead of spending about $50K on a new SLK and not have a beater for those Home Depot runs he can spend less and still get a very cool sports car.

What would you do? What other cars would you consider?

Curious Joel · #2 06-02-2005, 12:56 PM

I think a used 911 would be great. What about that new retractable-hardtop Volvo C70 that's coming out?

UCrewX5 · #3 06-02-2005, 01:09 PM

If I was to go out and get a fun sporty car right now, I'd look long and hard at the Mini Cooper S Convertible. They are a blast to drive.

Thunder22 · #4 06-02-2005, 01:27 PM

because he said he needs a backseat for his soon to be born kid, i would look at the Audi's.

rangerfan · #5 06-02-2005, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UCrewX5

If I was to go out and get a fun sporty car right now, I'd look long and hard at the Mini Cooper S Convertible. They are a blast to drive.

Kewl X5 · #6 06-02-2005, 01:44 PM

Get the last of the legend....E46 M3!! They will still make them for 2006!

R8DX5 · #7 06-02-2005, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kewl X5

Get the last of the legend....E46 M3!! They will still make them for 2006!

No question, the E46 M3 w/SMG hands down.

SANguru · #8 06-02-2005, 05:54 PM

haha.. mine made that much of an impression eh???

Quote:

Originally Posted by R8DX5

No question, the E46 M3 w/SMG hands down.

B-Line · #9 06-02-2005, 06:56 PM

It seems to me that the argument of which car to buy needs to be revisited.
10 years ago buyers had a choice, a four door sedan or a two seat sports car.
I don't think that holds water any more. In todays market, the only difference between a sports car and "certain" sedans, is the amount of doors they have and cargo space.
You can now buy a four door sedan that has the same, if not better performance as a two door "sports car." In some cases even, like the Audi station wagon (avant), the performance is even BETTER than on the sedan because of aerodynamics.

- Take for example the Audi S4. BMW M5, Mercedes "whatever", the infiniti sedans, blah, blah, blah..

I will argue that ANY car that does 0-60 in under six seconds regardless of the amount of doors, is a sports car. Throw in all wheel drive, convertibles, and even performance trucks like the X5 4.4, 4.8is, Cayenne, FX45 -- and you get a combo of amazing performance and versatility.

So to answer this question with a list of cars I would consider:

- Audi S4, TT,
- BMW M3 --> 545 --> M5 -->z4
- Porsche 993, 911 - boxster
- X5
- Cayenne
- Lexus GS430
- New mustang
- Corvette

- again, I have to answer the question this way because as a previous owner of a 2000 Audi S4, (granted with a little bit of mods, chip, exhaust, short shift, brake kit, bipass valves,) I had 330 hp, all wheel drive, four doors, a nice sized trunk, etc. And I used to eat up two door sports cars at the track, all day long. It was faster than my stock 1997 911 and I could beat on it all day long. I would constantly pass boxsters, 911's, WRX's, unmodded Supra's and RX-7's..

-- Here is another point. There are not nearly as many two door sports cars on the market today as there were 10-15 years ago. Why??
Because the youth market of today no longer buys the RX-7 or Supra's, or Mistubishi 3000's or Dodge Stealth's.. etc. They now buy SUV's... Like Pathfinders, 4runners, Jeeps, Explorers, etc.
Or, they buy import cars and tune them. For example, how many RX-8's do you see on the road?

-- So, even though the sports car market is making a little resurgance. There is not the option there used to be. And also because the sedans are getting so fast and handle so well, more people are moving in that direction.

I would say a majority of two seater sports cars today are SECOND cars in the garage, not primary drivers.
And even in those cases, lets take me for an example. I have a 282 hp two door sports car (1997 Porsche 911) and I also have a 2004 BMW 4.8is which has 360hp. The performance difference between these two automobiles is very small. Of course I can't take the X5 to the track for DE's, but only because they won't allow me, not because it couldn't keep up. I would never have the Pcar as my daily driver. Too small inside, no cup holders, place to charge my phone, etc. etc. etc.

So my last question is, does your friend want a two door sports car to "look good in?" or does he really want the performance. If it's the "idea" of a sports car that moves him, there are some really nice options. But if performance is his goal, why not look beyond the two door?

In conclusion,
You get more bang for the buck in a sedan..
just my .02

Hope this helps.
B

Juanted · #10 06-02-2005, 07:26 PM

M3, Baby!