OF COURSE it was a joke! LMAO!!!! That sndwave.......what a silly!


Clover

 

I've actually seen some people defending them... I panicked... good to hear the world hasn't come to an end.

 

I don't know what kind of practicality you need, but if you're looking at used cars too you might consider a Porsche Boxster or Corvette, depending on your tastes. You should be able to snag either for under $20k

What's your driving history? Any cars you had before that you really loved?

By the way a friend just got a PT and she loves it. Of course, she was driving an old explorer before that sooo.....

 

When the PTs first came out, I really liked the retro design....until I sat in one! Horrible headroom....just didn't care for the ergonomics. I didn't even bother to test-drive it after feeling so uncomfortable in the car.

And I went from my '88 Isuzu Trooper to my first Cooper, a 2002. Hubby has a 'Vette, but likes to drive the Trooper most of the time.


Clover

 

Mmmmmm... I suppose if I was considering an array of cars... I would go to those owner's community sites and collect their opinions too... wonder what that would be like?

 

Been doing just that CooperBeagle... actually a lot of places have suggested cars that they are NOT the enthusiast site for.

The most recommended car so far is the RSX-S not even on my list. I test drove one last night and I wasn't thrilled with the comfort and feel of the car (it was a blast to drive though)

But the MCS was a blast to drive AND was comfortable for me.. so I'm spoiled.

I'm going away on bunsiness for a few days and I've test driven all the ones I want to do so with.. and now when I come back I'm going to test an 05 mcs again and make my decision after that.

I love the MCS.. but most of my mods are toast after the engine being ruined... so it is somewhat discouraging and makes me want to start anew with a new toy. Although my JCW exhaust is in perfect form - I made an offer to one guy already, but if he is not interested it will be up for grabs.

 

To be more specific...

Mazda3 people complain about their tranny and shifter - except those who have the steptronic - they dont complain. A lot of people I've spoken with that own one absolutely love them. I just don't know if I dig the style.

GTI Owners seem to think their car is the fastest in the world . But then recommend "I'd get the RSX-S" Makes no sense. lol

Scion tC owners highly recommend their car - I get the impression its cause they are so highly customizable from the dealer that you can really have it your way. I like that too.. that's what sold me on the cooper to begin with.

MINI owners love their cars but complain a lot (we all know its true :-) ) BUt recommend MINIs over anything else. And are likely right as it is the mot fun for the money.

I haven't spoken to Sentra, Altima, SRT-4 owners because I dont think I'd get any of them because I have an accord (altima) and the other 2 are too racer-boy ish for me (like someone else said)

I've got to do more research on the PT Cruiser, but I agree with the poster who said the ergonomics were bad... it is an odd car on the inside. You feel like you are driving a conversaion van. But the GT Tubo was pretty quick.

Oh and the poster who questioned the price of the Mazda3 - that's fully loaded (including NAV). I used the monthly price (with no down payment, which will change...) with how I would purchase it.

The Scion tC for example is like 310/month base but the price i posted is with an exhaust, springs, 18" wheels, etc, etc...

 

Of the ones on your list, I'd be most inclined to consider the Cooper (no surprise there), the Mazda 3, and, for something really different, the Mustang. The GTi's nice, too, but the new one will be much better, if you can wait that long.

Mark

 

sorry to hear about the car!

I'll make an evil suggestion...although it may not be practical...how about an '01 or '02 M Coupe? Would be a CPO car, 315 hp

Good luck with whatever you pick....although the VW's do have nice interiors.

 

Auto repair shop got back to me this morning. The estimate they are saying now is only about 14k (ONLY) and thus the car (IMHO) will not be totaled. Although I don't want the beautiful thing back rebuilt!

Any suggestions on how to deal with this? What should I do/what would you do?

I've read about safety issues with fully rebuilt cars, though i don't put any stock in that personally.

 

Grind the repair shop and let them know that if it isn't 100% - if there is ANTHING wrong - ANYTHING that is not absoloutely PERFECT, they will continue to fix it. And if they refuse, you will see them in small claims court. I had a similar situation and put the fear of God in the shop so much ahead of time that they changed their mind and totaled the car.

 

GTI all da way. If you could wait a bit for the new GTI this spring, I would say you will not be disappointed at all. The new one comes with 280Nm of torque at only 1800rpm that's twice the power of MCS! You will feel a big different on this one.


...or get this one if you could find one new.

 

Do NOT get the PT Cruiser.

Been there... done that...
One of the worst car buys I've ever done.
You will grow tired of it in a very short time and then have a very difficult time getting rid of it.

 

I'd check out a Mustang GT. Saw a Shelby Blue one the other day with white stripes. I thought it looked great. Also, the ability to lay two 100 + ft strips of rubber with the rear tires while listening to the sound of a V-8 can be addictive...........at least to an old guy like me.

 

'05 'Stang GT dittos. Masculine, Fast, New gottahaveit factor, easily modifiable with great aftermarket sources.

Go on, ya knows ya wants it.

 

My wife's car is a 2005 Matrix XR. Nice car for a family truckster, and doesn't have the blah family truckster looks. But so far as comparing it to a MINI, not even close. It handles very average, nice comfortable ride, very affordable even with several nice options. I know your list has the XRS, which I have never been in. I know it would have more pep than the XR. We bought it because it has the room we need for family transport and we figure it should run forever.

 

I still say check out the Honda Element. We have had ours for 3 weeks. The thing is awsome. More room then you will ever need. rides like Accord. I have had a lot of complements on it since the thing is all one color. good gas milage for a box. (22mpg in town)

 

Pontiac G6 - $346/month: no way
Nissan Sentra Spec-V $360/month: good torquey, cheap interior, but drives like a roit
Scion tC 377: beautiful styling.. but isn't it a bit boyracer ish?
Mazda 3 402: good all arounder... interior a bit cheap thouhg
Ford Mustang 2005 411: .........
Toyota Matrix XRS 415: good quality, reliable.. but not very fun... no torque at all
VW GTI 1.8T 419: 1.8T i find much better than VR6, VR6 just understeers SO badly
PT Cruiser GT 429: GOD no!
Didge SRT-4 436: the one car i'd get in this list.. forget the interior...
Nissan Altima 3.5SE 443: family sedan.. no love
Cooper Convertible 450: you'd be going back to mini...

in your list... it goes in this order for me: SRT4, 1.8T, SER, Cooper Convertible, Mustang

otherwise.. what about WRX? a nice used MR2 or even RX7 are real nice too...

 

Element, xB, and Cube (Nissan version) are all pretty much the same.

I'd say the '05 Mustang looks super sexy, but dont do it, the $3 gas will make its monthly payment ALOT more than a more efficient car.

Nissan Azeal would be awesome, but wont be out til late '05, possibly eve '06.

What about a Lancer Evo, Mercedes SLK230, or BMW 3 series? (Used for the last two would probably be pretty reasonable)

 

Here is my prolly rude and biased opinion... hope it helps!
(at least i am honest!)

The Mazda:
should be wiped instantly from the list. I got in a wreck and had one for a month as a rental car. It drove so poorly that I was glad to be back behind the wheel of my Durango! I had SO much trouble switching between gears, the interior is VERY poorly done, not all features (like the climate settings) are available in the 3...
The Mustang:
A lot of bang for the buck... You get the midlife sports car look for a portion of the price (sorry if that offends anyone!)
PT Cruiser:
Looks like a little hertz (spelling???) in my world, they are overrated. I have family that spent forever on a waiting list for one and got one of the first... I have been questioning them since... lol
Dodge anything....
Coming from a current Dodge owner.... RUN RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN! I have had my durango for 10 months and have spent well over blue book value to repair/replace things... and it still has problems and gets 12 mpg... Other dodge owners that I know have had same problem...
MCC/MCSC
This is where we are all going to be very biased... I dont have my MCS yet and I am in love already. You say you want a change? This may or may not be an option then...

If you dont want another MCS, and do want a change... I am partial to Corvettes myself... but then again they are my biggest non-MINI bias...

You have a lot options and choices in front of you... apples, oranges and more!
Good Luck making your choice!

 

hahahahaha yeah, becuase gas mileage is so great in those EVOs!

I'm only joking around. :smile:

Here's my 2 recommendations...

The new Mercury Zephyr actually looks surprisingly good. Very modern, very American. You should be able to get a good discount off MSRP, too.



Lincoln puts most of their investment into interior design, so it should be a great car.

The other sportier choice...

2000 M Coupe. Don't pay the $6000 extra for the s54 motor- the 240 horse model should do you just fine. It's a snazzy little car if you like the looks. If you don't, then you have bad taste and I have no time for you

 

Hello, Budd Hee here to help you decide what to do! I have driven all these cars before I decided on my MCS. But I am in a differant mindset than you, yet I can totally understand where you are coming from. A new car, new passion, new direction.

Keeping in mind you like to mod/tinker here is my response to your list.
Pontiac G6 - Not selling very well, look into that and you'll see why

Nissan Sentra Spec-V Nissan has a great reputation, build quality and reliability, NISMO MODS!

Scion tC - this whole list, this was the best drive. Power and torque are there. Very tuner/mod friendly. FUN and FAST It's a "decendant" of Toyota and Toyota is one of the "most Favorite" car makers in Japan.

Mazda 3 Great autoX Mazda is increasingly building back their reputation and it's working.

Ford Mustang 2005 - What can I say, if I were back in the market for a heavy sled with High HP Power , RWD etc... This is where I would start. I could care less about gas milage. But I would wait for the GT-R to be more readily available. With its 500 Horsies of Heavenly HP.

Toyota Matrix XRS - Seems very dull and mundane. Drives average and feels average

VW GTI 1.8T - Big Support community But I was not too impressed.

PT Cruiser GT - It was fallen over much the same way the MINI was when it was released. it's a Kiche car.

Didge SRT-4 - FAST. Very fun very plain (like an EVO) Many upgrades and stages to play with.

Nissan Altima 3.5SE - Nothing says "Family" more than an altima

Cooper Convertible - You are coming off one and are looking for a change, this will not offer that. But it will offer a differant yet familiar experience.

I'm sure what ever choice you make you will make the right one.

And to the guy with the Element, that is very nice!

 

First, run from the m coupe, it's a penismobile! Ugly car! Sorry, had to say that in case my m roadster friend reads this, he loves the coupe, and we are all trying to convince him to keep the m roadster and not get a coupe. None of us but him like it.


Evo mileage (with me driving, my foot is the heaviest substance known in the universe) is decent, with 350whp, I get 20-22 mpg.

None of the cars you listed would be anywhere near my short list.

My Shortlist:
Cooper S (jcw or modded) (Which is my wifes current)
EVO (My current)
STI (what my good friend drives, what got me to buy the evo)
G35 Coupe (nice car, rwd, decent)
MR2 (speaks for itself.
M Roadster (beautiful car in any engine spec)
Corvette (I get a GM Discount, so for me it's not so far out as you would think on price)

 

GM Family First!

 

not sure if anyone posted this, but if you are used to the handling of the MCS, then the GTI will be too soft. new VW's are soft even with their sport suspension and 17" wheels.

the RSX handles really nicely (much better than the GTI) and comes very well equiped for a car in that price range.


another car you might want to consider if you are looking at mods is the subaru WRX. that car has great aftermarket support and is fast. i've heard the STI suspension which is offered as an option in the WRX is pretty nice. i've got a WRX wagon with aftermarket 17" wheels and love it (though, it's time to get rid of it and i'm putting the numbers together to trade it for a MCSC). i'd like a little firmer suspension, but it is fun to drive as is now.