I'm not thinking the Lexus is the most practical car for the North Country. Low profile tires, rear wheel drive.. not a great mix in the weather. I'll likey wait out this Winter with it, but then get something a little more practical. I love the Lexus, I really do. And, people up here love it as well. There is not a single other IS in the area. People stare at my car every time I'm out with it, and are always commenting on it. After all, that's a reason you get a nice car... for people to notice it. When I originally got the car, that happened a lot in FL.
But, the IS was new and I got it. It was really between the Audi and Lexus, but I chose the Lexus.
So, now I'm wondering (even though it will be a few months) what I'd like next. Debating the pros and cons. First, and Dan will probably give me some ribbing about this, but I like the WRX. I still think it's kind of a fugly car, but I'm a fugly guy so it's growing on me. Also, it's all wheel drive. The WRX Sedan is cheaper, but I like the WRX STi Sedan. I sat in one at the dealership. After I got past the "What? The radio is an OPTION?" issue, I liked the 300HP Turbo. Not only that, but it comes with an ironing board attached to the trunk!! ;-) I'd probably go for a used WRX to save some money, and have some to spare for some mods. All the other Subarus are pretty weak in HP.
Then, Dodge. I already have a Durango, but the '04 Durango has a nice new look (finally!!). But, I'd probably wait until we swap out the current Durango for another truck. I like having one truck and one car (or crossover vehicle). I used to have a Stratus, and really like the car. The newer Stratus are also nice. 200HP, which is a minimum. So, not super fast. Dodge really needs to put a turbo or supercharger in the Stratus. I haven't checked the aftermarket part market for them, and if a turbo or supercharger is possible I may go for it. They aren't expensive, and are decent vehicles. Dodge, in my opinion, made the mistake of turning the Neon into the SR-4 instead of the Stratus.
VW. We have the Passats. These are decent cars, and I actually like them. I think VW has been getting better over the years (aside from the Beetle.. I hate the new Beetle). The Passat W8 is nice. It's a 4L V8 with 270HP and AWD. However, the MSRP is around $39k, and you can get the 300HP STi (with a radio) for less than that. Not sure I see the value here... which may be why I don't see any W8 on the road. Every one is doing as the name says and waiting (*rim shot*). I'll probably skip the Passats. I recall when I drove them before I didn't mind the higher end ones, but they were too expensive. They are luxary car prices, but not luxary car parts. The cheaper ones are V4 turbos with 170HP. Would have some pep with the turbo, but is kinda pricey for what you get. If I could find a used W8 for a decent price, then maybe. Or, even a 2.8L GLX (190HP V6). With a 190HP V6 you can get well over 200 for cheap. The VW Touareg is a nice SUV, but the V8 is over $40k. A nice Durango is much cheaper. Sorry VW, I don't see where your pricing is. You aren't luxury vehicles, but you have luxury prices. Maybe I'm wrong about VW nowadays.
The Mazda RX-8. Very nice looking. Would be a great weekend type of car, and is less than $30k for 238HP. Would be fun to drive in the mountains with.. but not practicle. I don't think I'd get a Mazda because of the whole "zoom zoom" thing. I'd hear that in my head all the time.
Nissan. They seem to have a crapload of cars. The 250Z is nice, but not sure I'd actually want it. The rear seat is very small. The Altima has been getting more powerful. The 3.5L SE has 245HP, and is reasonably priced. I'd have to look, but if there is a good intake and exhaust combo for it it could be decent. The new Maxima is 265HP, for less than $30k (higher with options). The Murano and Xterra are also in the mix. I'll need to go to a Nissan dealer and drive some of these vehicles. Also sit in them. When performance seems high, and price is low... I always wonder how cheap the interior parts are.
Anyways.. just sort of thinking out loud here. It will be some months before I get new cars, but car shopping is fun so may as well start now!
I think the RX-8 is RWD anyways...
I know that VW Jettas are kinda small and remind me of what college girls drive, but I'm pretty sure they get up past 200hp.
They make turbo kits for the Stratus. I think it was for the 2.7L 4 cyl.
I don't like the Jetta, cheap ass cars. The Passats aren't bad. I remember it being peppy when I drove it, but I felt like the interior bits were cheaply made. Too expensive for what you get anyways... although more practical than what I have. I'll have to look into the turbo for the Stratus. Dodge should have a turbo'd model of it, I think they would sell like hotcakes.
The RX-8 is nice, but would only be good for a sunny weather have-fun car. Of course, could probably find a nice MG which would fit the same bill.
Posted by: Kevin on December 18, 2003 11:57 AMCan't stand the new Durango - looks bloated. Like a football player who retired and opened his own Burger Hut franchise.
Love the RX-8, but it's a secondary car for sure.
I like Volvos and Audis from the all-wheel luxury category, but I'd seriously think about the WRX. There's going to be a huge aftermarket for modding that sucker.
Better believe I will. You've been giving me grief about the WRX for over a year. But yes, it is a great car; practical, beefy, and unique. Go for it.
Posted by: dbrian on December 18, 2003 10:31 PMJake, I like the new Durango style. I like trucks that look like trucks. And, the Durango rides like a car. They are good trucks in general.
Yeah Dan. I still think it's fugly. I'd wake up every morning and give myself grief for it. Doubt I'd end up with the STi, though. But, it is practical, AWD and powerful (and easy to mod).
I drove a Volvo a few years ago (V40) and didn't like it. The interior was too plain. I'd have to go for a S60 or something like that.. but that's going back into the unpractical sphere. I do like the Audi a lot. But, won't help me with saving money :-)
Posted by: Kevin on December 19, 2003 08:52 AMThe new headlights on the WRX are a huge improvement, it looks like a completely different car. Plus, there already is a huge aftermarket following.
How is the RX-8 a secondary car?
RX-8 = secondary as in "drive it in the mountains on sunny summer days".
I wouldn't have it as my primary driver anywhere with real weather.
And, I still say the Durango is fast approaching conversion van styling. I prefer the old body, personally.
Posted by: Jake on December 19, 2003 04:08 PMYou should also check out the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution if you like the WRX. I am biased since I know a lot about the Mitsubishi platform in general, and my second car shares the same engine (4G63) as the Lancer Evo, however I'd like to get a WRX wagon as a daily driver someday.
The reason the Subaru doesn't come with a radio is because its about as close to a race car as you can get as far as driving one off of a dealer lot is concerned. The exception being the Lancer Evo RS which will be coming out next year in small numbers (it lacks AC, bling bling wheels, sound deading, etc.. makes it easy to turn into a race car and weighs less) Then again I've stripped amenities like AC out of my second car because I don't need them, so it doesn't seem like it's much of stretch for me.
Posted by: Brandon on December 19, 2003 04:23 PMI drove the RX-8 today. Was very nice.. very fun. Still wouldn't want it as my primary car unless I was back down South.
I may like the new Durango style since I've been seeing the old style every day for the last 2 years :-) The style has been the same since it came out.. which was around when you (Jake) and I still worked together!
I also drove the Mazda Tribute today. I hate the 'zoom zoom' thing, but felt like giving it a try. It was nice. 4x4, V6, 201HP.. drove like a car. Not sure if I want a car or SUV yet.
But, also not sure if I can get something new. I have a great deal with my Lexus lease. To get to the same payment range, I'd have to put abour 7-8k down on any of the vehicles I'd want to get. And, having a higher payment would be stupid right now. When driving to the car place today (I was getting my alignment fixed) I took a back road. Bad idea! It was still snow/ice covered. I slid around like a son of a bitch. That's when I was like "I need to get something new, soon." But, if I can't.. I can't. I'll just not drive for the next 3 or 4 months.
Anyways.. the RX-8 was fun.. the Tribute would probably do. They only had 2 WRXs on the lot, I didn't drive either of them (time factor). I've been in Dan's, I know what it's like. The STi in the showroom is nice though.
Posted by: Kevin on December 19, 2003 04:26 PMI'm not crazy about the EVOs. Maybe it's the backend I don't like the looks of. Nothing about a Lancer catches my eye. Sort of like not being crazy about a Neon, so not looking at the SR-4.
As for no radio in the STi.. for over 30k, I expect a radio. If they include rear seats (could just lose them to save the weight and have them as an option) then a minimal AM/FM with single CD would be in order.
Posted by: Kevin on December 19, 2003 04:33 PMI know what you mean about something different being appealing (re: durango), but I'm sick of the super-oversized SUVs.
My little Rodeo is basically just a tall station wagon, and I like it like that.
I hated my Durango. It was too heavy to be really effective on the ice. My FWD Acura did 5 times better in the snow than my 4WD Durango ever did.
Posted by: MySlowGrandCherokee on December 22, 2003 12:30 PMBeen thinking. I may just totally wuss out and get something used, cheap and super practical. Like an Outback or Forester. I'll have room for packing it up for trips, AWD for winter, and could probably get one cheap enough to have a decent car payment for once. Of course, I thinking of this in the middle of Winter, and don't want to be pissed this Spring when I'm so far below a decent HP. But, right now I work out of the house, so I don't have the 40 minute commute I used to so I'd have less time in the car anyways. Of course, I like driving the twisty roads here and could get bored with a lame car. I JUST DON'T KNOW!!! I'm torn between being practical and being ME! I'm not finding any good info on turbo kits for the Legacy, although I know there must be since there are some Legacy turbo models. I guess I could just pimp out the interior.
Anyone happen to know about Legacy Outback mods? Cheap and quick to take it over 200HP?
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