Car shopping

[START2]

I think this may be the correct place to post this.
  I've casually been shopping for different car. My son bought an 03 Acura TL and loves it. Do any of you own or have you owned an Acura? What did you think? I test drove an 04 and found it very comfy, smooth in every way and sporty.
 Btw, what kind of ride do you have now? Do you like it? Would you buy another? Were there any problems or has it been trouble free?
  I have an 04 Monte Carlo now and like it very much but I put alot of miles on it. Since day one it gets about 30-31 mpg which really surprised me.
 I'd appreciate your thoughts and recommedations.

[Stirlitz]

I drive a 1961 Volga:



It does 20 mpg on a highway and is doing quite well for such a small car as an American whom I was giving a ride in Odessa told me. With only 4 cylinders and 150 cubic inches it is indeed faster than you can expect.

It has given me a lot of trouble in the beginning, but right now my main concern (except finding new tires of the right size) is gasoline.

I would love to get another car of that make but a station wagon. I would make it 4 WD and enlarge the engine to 180 cubic inches, tune it up to 140 horse power.

But if I were in the US I would get one of those:

[KenC]

Start,
Cars are really a subjective selection.  I have always advised my kids to buy a car they love as it makes the payments a lot easier to swallow.  I rarely buy new cars/  If I go new, it is usually a 2 year lease and then if the car is a good one and I still like it, then buy it at the end of the lease.  Usually at a fairly good price.  I am mentioning new cars only because you might check out the deals available this month as Ford and GM are particularly hurting for sales and they should be offering some super deals.  Sometimes with 0% financing or a super discounted lease, you are financially better off going new.

In used cars, I like to go for German manufacturers (Mercedes, BMW).  Before you cringe about the pretentiousness of purchasing a Mercedes or BMW let me explain why I think it is a way to go.  Over the years the American and Japanese car companies have closed the gap on quality with the Germans on new cars.  In fact the German cars have a lot less "bells and whistles" (electronic gadgets) than the others.  But in long term reliability, the German cars, particularly Mercedes, hold up much better.  I have always done well in purchasing my Mercedes a few years old with low miles, keeping them for a few years and then selling them for close to as much as I bought them for.  I even bought an old 190 4 door for my son while he was in college.  It was cheap, reliable, used very little gas and he still used it as a downpayment on his new car when he graduated.  It was quite a sight though when he used it for his pizza delivery job!

Lena has gone from a C220 to a SL320 to a C320 and we are contemplating moving her up to a E series now.  The C190 was a great little car.  And little is a good way to go with new drivers.  The day I put the "for sale" sign in the window of that car, my neighbor walked across the street and bought it from me.  His wife still drives it and it looks beautiful and runs like a top with 125K miles on it.  The sporty SL320 was a youthful indulgence and was Lena's "dream" car.  After a few years living the dream, she opted for a more practical (and comfortable) C320.
KenC

[I/O]

The sporty SL320 was a youthful indulgence and was Lena's "dream" car.  After a few years living the dream, she opted for a more practical (and comfortable) C320.
KenC

  Don't they all.......!!!!

I/O who has been known to spoil his other half rotten also.

[Kuna]

Start,

I'm driving an Alfa Romeo 156 (V6 with the Qbox transmission) and even though it's now a superseded model I'm having problems giving it up.

I LOVE this car.  I've looked at the new Alfa 159 and the new GT but neither felt like my "Bella" to drive.

It's got something to do with the engine note,  something to do with the pure buzz I still get everytime I drive it, even after 4 years.

I know it doesn't make economic sense to keep it much longer but I'm really struggling with what I'll buy next.  (Kenc's post has made me think I should look at a Merc, but I see them as being more "touring cars" than "sports cars" -  I KNOW there are sports models but my impression is that anything genuinely sporty in the Mercedes range has a MUCH bigger price tag than I'm prepared to pay).

I know if I marry I'll almost certainly be "asked" to sell "Bella" because the maintenance costs are high and it's not at all economic to run...  I realise women don't appreciate a car that costs more to maintain than they do, but this is the first time I've gone "ga ga" over a car.  

I've owned other nice cars in the past and this was in a similar price range but I can say without a doubt this is a relationship driven purely by how it makes me feel rather than what makes good sense.

I would NOT suggest buying an Alfa for your children or wife.  Alfa's should probably only be bought by someone who will genuinely enjoys the driving experience, and who will accept the ludicrous maintenance costs.  I would buy another one but as I said, I don't think it would make a future wife as happy as it makes me.

 

Kuna

[SANDRO43]

Mine's a 1997 FIAT Barchetta, an 1,800 cc two-seater convertible with almost 100,000 Km on her clock.  The only pic handy only shows her rump .

[KenC]

Kuna,
Admitidly I know nothing regarding the financial ramifications of what I am about to suggest, but why not keep the Alfa Romeo as your "sunday" car and purchase a more practical family car?  If the car is your passion, you should keep it.  Using it sparingly will keep the maintenance costs down too.
KenC

[Kuna]

Kuna,
Admitidly I know nothing regarding the financial ramifications of what I am about to suggest, but why not keep the Alfa Romeo as your "sunday" car and purchase a more practical family car?  If the car is your passion, you should keep it.  Using it sparingly will keep the maintenance costs down too.
KenC

Now THAT'S a great idea... 

The only draw back in a 2 car household would be needing 3 garages to accommodate a "sunday car".  I'll be going from my lovely city centre highrise apartment with one park in the basement to a more "family home" in the suburbs with 3 garages.  Next thing you know I'll be considering a "people mover".   :hairraising:

Kuna

[I/O]

Now THAT'S Next thing you know I'll be considering a "people mover".   :hairraising: Kuna

A People Mover means a good deal of rubber on the road.  Might be better to invest in rubber designed for another purpose...!!

I/O who is definitely a "Shy Breeder".

[KenC]

Now THAT'S a great idea... 

The only draw back in a 2 car household would be needing 3 garages to accommodate a "sunday car".  I'll be going from my lovely city centre highrise apartment with one park in the basement to a more "family home" in the suburbs with 3 garages.  Next thing you know I'll be considering a "people mover".   :hairraising:

Kuna

Kuna,
But if you love her (the car that is) you will find a safe place to keep her even if it is off premises.  So you drive your family car to your "sweet car" for a joy ride now and then.  So what?
KenC

[Kuna]

Kuna,
But if you love her (the car that is) you will find a safe place to keep her even if it is off premises.  So you drive your family car to your "sweet car" for a joy ride now and then.  So what?
KenC

Ken,

Are you suggesting I take a mistress so I can leave the "sweet car" there?  I've gotta say, when I'm in a relationship I'm strictly monogamous (monotonous too).

I reckon 3 garages will be safer and cheaper in the long run.   

Kuna

(You knew I was kidding then yeah???)   

[I/O]

when I'm in a relationship I'm strictly .. (monotonous too).

Kuna:

We might have to ask your "Future Ex Girlfriend" about that.....

I/O who had better shut up before he gets his block knocked off.

[Kuna]

Kuna:

We might have to ask your "Future Ex Girlfriend" about that.....

I/O who had better shut up before he gets his block knocked off.

Ahhhh... we share the same sense of humour too.   

[Turboguy]

Here is a photo of one of my few indulgences.  Most of the time I drive my Chevy Pick-up but this is the car I bought this year.  It is a 2006 Pontiac Solstice.   I have to say I have never had a car that attracted so much attention.  These are still pretty rare.  I never stop without someone asking me about it and even driving down the street people yell, "nice car".  It also is a nice handling car and fun to drive.

[Bruce]

We have one car in our family - a low mileage 1995 V6 Honda Accord which is in good shape.  I am thinking about a new bigger car, but my wife is worried she will wreck a new car and I will not let her hear the end of it if she does, which is right!  I am giving her one more year to develop confidence in her driving ability and we are getting a new car then.  Right now I am leaning toward the new RAV4-V6, but it could be a wagon.

Stirlitz, nice photos of those old great looking cars.  Why don't American car companies wake up and just make the old car bodies that everybody loves but with new updated engines and interiors / air conditioning, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, 4 WD etc.  I know they may not be the best aerodynamically, but I am sure with modern engine tweaks they could get much better gas mileage and they would have to be hot sellers because of how great they look.  Any thoughts on my theory???

[Vaughn]

I second that - a '55 Chevy Nomad body with modern
performance would suit me fine. We recently went shopping
for a new Toyota for my wife, and I commented to the
salesman how most Toyotas look so nondescript. She liked
this Scion tC, peppy but economical. For her it was a welcome
step down in size from the Explorer, which (gasp) was taken
over by our 18 y.o. daughter.

Has anyone here ever owned a Barracuda or Thunderbird?

[jinx13]

Turbo,

 How do you like the Solstice? What kind of engine is in that thing? Is it fast? The reason I ask is that I have a Porsche Boxster S, which is comparable to your car, I even thought about selling it and getting a Solstice, but I don't think I could give up the speed of my Porsche, it goes from 0-60 in 5.3 sec. and tops out at 160 mph. I went 155 once, what a rush! 




 

[I/O]

but I am sure with modern engine tweaks they could get much better gas mileage and they would have to be hot sellers because of how great they look.  Any thoughts on my theory???

Maybe with the quality of the USA roads it might be ok, but here, where cars for a very large part of my business, I think the best part about the "Good Ol' Days" is that they are gone.

I/O who loves older cars, but is far too mean to waste the time and expense with them.

[KenC]

Bruce,
Ford went retro with the Stang and Dodge is bringing back the Challenger which looks like the same as the 70's version.  They're also bringing back the Imperial nameplate.

Vaughn,
I had a couple Cuda's in the 70's along with the original Roadrunner in 68.  My Dad was an executive for Chrysler and I got a new hot car every year. He had great taste in cars and loved the big engines.  My Mom drove a 72 Challenger RTS with a 440 magnum engine with a six pack carb.
KenC

[Turboguy]

Jinx, I love the car.   It has a 2.4 liter 177 HP engine and they are just coming with a turbo charged version which should be a little faster.    I waited almost 6 months after I ordered it for mine to come in.   I think they still have a wait but maybe not as bad.  

It corners like a dream.  I have not pushed it very hard on speed and probably won't.   155 is way faster than I have ever driven.  I had a chance (but not enough time)  to co-pilot a Nascar car on the Texas Motor Speedway and they were only doing 175.  You were darn close to those speeds.  

I just visited the Pontiac site and I see the prices have gone up but I think they may be discounting a bit now.  When I ordered mine most of the dealers were selling them at over list.  Compared to the other cars out there like the Boxter it is a heck of a buy.  For those that don't know the base list price when I bought mine was $ 19.990.   They are now up to $ 22,000 with the Turbo Charged version going for $ 27,000.   I got every option available at the time and mine hit $ 25,000

I see

[Vaughn]

KenC,

  Your Dad was a wheel w/ Chrysler? THAT must have been
a dream! My Dad, who was very conservative in vehicle taste,
suddenly surprised the family in '65 with a Barracuda, white
but with a slant-6. The following year he added another, but
with the V8. Good guns, when I drove either to school the
girls' mouths hung wide. GREAT date car, too. The backset
as you probably recall folded down. I was back there with a
certain Lynda one night at the county park when a huge light
was cast thru the fastback glass - two cops really spoiled that moment.

  Chrysler stole the show in Flushing Meadows at the '64
World's Fair with (no kidding, Ray) the Turbo Car. Or was
it TurBINE? I still have Kodak Brownie photos of that revolutionary prototype.

[groovlstk]

In used cars, I like to go for German manufacturers (Mercedes, BMW).  Before you cringe about the pretentiousness of purchasing a Mercedes or BMW let me explain why I think it is a way to go. 

If you want the luxury and reliability of a German car without too much pretension, go for an Audi About 10 years ago I moved into an income bracket that was a few rungs higher than most of my friends - pals from hockey or my childhood, mostly blue collar workers - I bought a new A4 Quattro because I didn't feel too pretentious behind the wheel. It always seemed to me that the vast majority of BMW owners are more interested in the prestige than the BMW marque (I base this on the rarity of seeing a 5- or 6-speed, most BMWs I see are automatics. What's the point of having a driver's car if you don't really control it?)

[TexasBoar]

This was my car in high school:



I've never had anything remotely as cool since. 

But the next new vehicle I buy will be a hybrid SUV.  I'm just waiting for supply to catch up with demand . . . in the meantime, my truck's paid for and has less than 60K on the clock.

~Boar

[viking]

I had the pleasure of a '55 Nomad, then a '65 Chevy Impala SS, then my favorite a '69 Goat with the retractable headlights, then a slant 6 'Cuda. Got married and went with a Honda Accord. Sigh. After that there was a '70s something MB 280 SL (four door was an SL or SEL, I forget) with a big 8. That was a road car.Took it twice cross country. Now its a Jeep Cherokee LTD. Nice truck but those Infiniti G35's are looking real sweet. The Ex is driving an Infiniti FX35. That puppy has some gonads and handles fantastic but  I dont like the exhaust note. Too tiring.

[KenC]

KenC,

  Your Dad was a wheel w/ Chrysler? THAT must have been
a dream! My Dad, who was very conservative in vehicle taste,
suddenly surprised the family in '65 with a Barracuda, white
but with a slant-6. The following year he added another, but
with the V8. Good guns, when I drove either to school the
girls' mouths hung wide. GREAT date car, too. The backset
as you probably recall folded down. I was back there with a
certain Lynda one night at the county park when a huge light
was cast thru the fastback glass - two cops really spoiled that moment.

  Chrysler stole the show in Flushing Meadows at the '64
World's Fair with (no kidding, Ray) the Turbo Car. Or was
it TurBINE? I still have Kodak Brownie photos of that revolutionary prototype.

Vaughn,
The turbine was a flop for Chrysler.  My Dad's bud on the next street was in charge of the project.  Ugly car too.   Fastest car I had was a 68 Roadrunner with only a 383 in it.  Stripped down race car, but my Dad built it at his plant so mine was really a crossbred GTX/RR with options from both lines.  He would put it on the line 2 hrs after start of shift and pull it on the side 2 hrs before the end and repeat the procedure the next day.  I used to beat Corvettes and Z28's with that car!

I was at that Worlds Fair in NY!  Chrysler had a crap exhibit but GM had a great one!  It was a ride into the future as I remember.  Hey, I was only 12!  Still have a little Unisphere here somewhere.

Groov,
Audi is a great car too!  A pity they were ruined for years because of the bad press received on 60 minutes years ago. 
KenC