:scratchea

So yeah after College, the AF, a big list of contracts at SOCOM, and finally heading up here to relax and get back to the mountains and fresh Air, I decided I want a fun Car. Pretty sure I am getting freaking old. I bought my first car in 12 years last year, picked up a Mazda RX8. Just a few months after that though, coming back from Canada I realized (Much to my dismay) that the RX is TOO F#&*NG SMALL... Christ I was a hurting unit stuck at the border on a Sunday...

So now I've decided to hell with it, I'll spend the damn Money to get a car that's fun, a good value, and will keep my attention... Problem is, I dunno if any of you have been shopping recently for cars, but there is a shed-load of quality cars, that are fun and high powered... Makes it hard to settle down and really decide what you're after. Especially when it comes to ride and handling when you've been completely spoiled by the RX.

So, I find myself looking for input from other Motorsports enthusiasts. Folks that enjoy machines and can appreciate good and bad. in other words, you all.

Here's the short list... Yeah I am all over the place but I can see reasons and motivations for each. It's all balanced on the Dollar/Value scale though...

BMW 2007 335i coupe <--- Current leader (Good lease offer and I can build/order my own)
BMW M3 2004-2005 Screaming inline6 333HP and one of the best coupes on the road.

Audi 2004-2005 S4 340 V8 and AWD. Softer than the M3 but AWD up here makes sense. Vanilla styling though.

Cadillac 2005-2006 CTS-V 400HP Vette Motor, and a chassis well tweaked to handle the power. But, Do I trust GM??? Don't laugh the CTS-V is a 6 speed, and really does move.

Infiniti 2007 G35 Sport Sedan 306HP 4 doors yeah, but a 6 speed and more gadgets and bells and whistles than you can waggle an ipod at.
Infiniti 2005-2006 FX45, 320 HP AWD Sporty SUV. Love the funky looks, love the Idea of having the extra room, terrific handling and lots of bells and whistles.

Subaru WRX Sti 2006-7 300hp, inexpensive, AWD. Should be fun but I haven't driven one yet. Was asleep when the STI Limited came out without the stupid HUGE wing.. Have to get rid of that.

Lexus IS350 2007 . 300 HP, Toyota quality and reliability, Interesting looks.

Ford Mustang GT/CS 2007 I figure why not, inexpensive, throw a blower on there and you have a genuine 425-450HP fairly easily. if you Blow it up your not out much.

Anyway, I know I am freaking going on and on here, but what I'd like to here are some real opinions, thoughts, or comments. I am looking at mostly buying pre-owned and "Certified" it's a great way to save some money, I am not against new.

Theres just part of me that flat rebels against spending anything more than $500 a month on a freaking car loan. It's just pissing money away, so whatever I am going to be pissing money away on has to put a huge freaking smile on my face, or it's just not going to work...

I've been at this now for about 4 months and all my friends are sick of hearing about it. So I am getting ready to pull the trigger on the 335i lease, I figure at least this way if I am sick of it in a few years I can just take it back.

Any help is appreciated. Cheers.

 

The Holden "Pontiac" G8.

S

 

335i with DINAN software> every other option on your list. Thats what I would do if I had your kinda dough.

 

I test drove the CTS-V right after the Vette w/ the same motor in it. The CTS-V can overwhelm the tires much easier because of softer suspension and skinnier and less sticky tires. Clutch feel was a little light but otherwise quite nice. If you're gonna buy GM that's the one to get because they put all their best parts in it.

Very recently was in an 07 G35. They are fantastic too (beautiful exhaust note). Good bang for the buck, everything is perfect. Really just a styling question. Only slightly more than a STI.

Tested an STI too. They will crush an RX8 in any department you can think of except ride and road noise....and there's the rub. Also I hear they are nearly uninsurable these days.

S4 = solid

I'd say 335 is a potential concern. Yes it's BMW but it is also the first year on a new and unproven technology (BMW's foray into forced induction).

Hope all that helps

 

 

I've been looking at the B6 S4's too - AND the CTS-V.

On the CTS-V forums I found a thread called "So...just how many rear-ends has YOUR V had replaced?"

Replies were 4-14. Literally. That turned me off from the car.

I keep coming back to the S4. I share your views on the car's vanilla styling - but it's got classic good-looks, and is a SOLID performer. Course, It's really not buch bigger for the driver than you have in the RX8; and rear-space is probably the same or LESS (at least it was for my kids).

 

I saw that same thread. It had a similar effect, You don't suppose though that it's one of those things were we are getting lots of reports posted though in actuality it's very small percentage of overall vehicles... I've seen similar threads over at the Busa board that go on and on about a 6th gear problem. When you read the thread and you find a lot of posts it sounds really bad. However in the big picture it's only a very small group of folks having issues.

I dunno, I'd sure like to think that's the case with the CTS-V though. We know the motor is solid, we know the chassis is sound, but yeah... WTF is up with the rear end? I do know that the CTS-V will tramp REAL bad if you're trying to do a Burnout and I wonder how many of those rear ends are self inflicted.

The Owner of Cycle barn has a Blown CTS-V with 32K on it pushing a claimed 500HP. He looked at me funny when I mentioned the rear end, says he hasn't had any indications of trouble. But yeah, I notice a lack of Certified used...

The S4 is really a sweet car, and is something I'm really interested in. I've got friends that have had a few Audi's and they all swear by them. Not to mention Audi's Certified Pre Owned Program is one of the most comprehensive out there. Besides, Vanilla or the lack of candy sprinkles just means it'll be that much more fun when you rip up a Vette. Well in the wet anyway and with as much rain as we get the AWD really does start to sound ideal.

One thing about the American alternatives is cost and availability of parts. Heck if something falls off my Caddy the Parts are available just down the road. The Beemer or Audi could take a little while and cost a little more...

I was hoping for input from you, I think you and I have a pretty similar idea of what we are after in a car.

 

Yeah that's what I was wondering about with the STi, just how much rougher and louder it's going to be. One thing I do want is a quality ride, quiet and well damped is important. Insurance isn't a problem, apparently I'm old enough now that I can insure anything. The 2007 335i loaded will cost me $40 more every 6 months for full coverage than the Mazda does. Hell USAA even Insures my 1300cc sport bike with out complaint.

 

That's why your getting such good rates to begin with! Some of my friends get military benefits (most as family) and all I can say to that is I wish I was allowed such good insurance! As for me my 1000cc sport bike is <nearly> uninsured.

Yeah stay the hell away from an STI then. Its dampening is suprisingly good (way better than my old VW w/ an H&R cup kit), but the road noise I found to be just intolerable. Guess that's what happens when you make a supercar out of a base sedan that was supposed to get it's sound dampening by riding on 195/65/15's

What about a Mazdaspeed 6? Kinda fits in somewhere between the S4 and the STI (but costs less than both)

Also, you can get the G35 in AWD too, but good luck finding one. I have a family member on the hunt for that exact car for a while, and it will be at least a couple weeks before the next boat arrives.

 

You've been plenty patient enough in this regard. So, I thought I'd see if I could enlist some folks here to babble to about the mental difficulties I'm having deciding on what to drive.

 

I think I'm even older than you, and USAA wanted to charge me close to $1000/year more than I was paying on my Miata, to insure a 2004 STI (when I was car-shopping before I bought my rx8). Right now, if I bought a used STI, (2004-5) I'd still pay about $40/month more than I pay currently for my RX8.

 

That's wild... I'm 35 clean history, no accidents, no nothing. I just remember in Tampa, I almost bought a BMW328 instead of the Infiniti. They were both used, both have about the same HP and doors, etc. But for whatever reason the BMW in Tampa was going to be roughly about $1100 more every six months to insure than the Infiniti. So I was functioning under the assumption that if a 2007 BMW wasn't going to cost me much more than about $70 every six months, that I should be good to go on anything short of a Vette. I'll hop online here in a second and see what USAA has to say for me for an STI. I'm really NOT that into it, from what I've heard they are pretty "POPCanny" but I'd kind of like to try one out again and see how it feels after running round in the RX.

Also thinking I'll head back to the Ford dealership and test drive another Mustang. There is a lot to be said for inexpensive, with a big V8. I figure I'd only be a blower and some suspension work away from a real animal.

 

OK Just got done at USAA's website. On a brand new 2007 WRX STI I'd be loking at the biggest jump which would be $185 every six months. Or at a $250 deductible it would be $247 every six months. Makes sense I suppose, it's relatively affordable like the RX but has 300hp and legions of young 20 somethings doing silly stuff in em'. But it does strike me as strange that the $30k car costs four times more than a much more expensive to repair and replace S4 or FX...

But anyway, sounds about right. Another $40 a month or so more than the Mazda. It's the biggest jump for sure but not a show stopper if the WRX pushes some buttons I like.

Also:
05 FX45 $60 more every six months.
07 Mustang GT is $60 every 6.
07 335i is $70
05 S4 is also an additional $60 every six.

And Finally... I love USAA... Seriously. They have been such a tremendous asset over the years. Insurance, Home Loans, Vehicle Loans, always the same customer service and courtesy. Handiest part is right as I log in they have home, Auto, Personal Loans waiting for me with Max amounts and interest rates. That simplifies things a great deal.


Also I wanted to get your input on a Leica D-Lux 3. I've Been looking cause it has a real Manual focus option...

 

I'm with State Farm and I've been extremely happy with them. My 8 is around $480 every 6 months for full coverage. I'll have to check my deductible. It's either $250 or $500. When somebody hit my car with a rock my deductible was $50 (comprehensive). I was amazed when I insured my motorcycle there (VFR 750). I was paying over $400 a year for liability with a motorcycle only insurance company, and I ended up paying just over $300 a year for full coverage with State Farm. When I totalled my bike at a track day they covered it, even though it happened at the track.

Anyway, on the 8, when I test drove it the salesman told me the insurance would be pretty low because they base it more on the size of the engine than the fact that it's a sports car. On my most recent statement my 6 month premium went up about $20. The explanation said the increase was due to the overall incindent rate of the vehicle being covered. But as Revlis showed above, it's still much cheaper than many other cars that are less sporty.

 

The STI is smaller inside than the 8, rides rougher, and has much, much, much more road noise. I ride in one to lunch nearly every day. I'd go with the BMW.

 

WEll Based on what I've read here and at PNWRiders, I'm pretty much writing the WRX STI off my list now. It's pretty universal and I've heard from more than one source. Sounds like the WRX is not the Way for me to go.

Also I drove another mustang tonight and yeah... Cross that off the list. If you want to hear the ugly details I'll post em' up.

 

HaHa! You're addicted to the RX-8! Once you go rotary you never go back. Sorry buddy...

 

OK, First Harris Ford in the Hood was very accommodating, my salesman "Marcus" was also a real good guy and played his hand smooth without getting too pushy or aggressive. Well done, I am a difficult customer, I won't be "desked" and I do not follow instructions until after I've made up my mind. He was very patient and friendly, even though I could tell he was getting frustrated, and he should have been.

I drove an 07 GT, NOT the GT/CS which has 18" wheels, a lowered suspension, and different front end. I think this may be part of what was wrong. The last mustang I drove had the CS package and really felt a lot more dialed than this one last night. The Mustang I drove last night was just plain old sloppy...

It felt like I was trying to lead the drunken fat lady across a dance floor. Sure she is willing enough but her chassis just isn't up to the task. Wallowy and slow to react. The Engine on the other hand is a lot of fun, though nowhere near where it should be for a claimed 300HP. Seems like by the time you're really generating some steam, it's time to shift... I was surprised this time by it's lack of revs. I mean it just kept catching me out and combined with a monster flywheel effect, it was just bizarre. Trying to match my RPMS to my speed was difficult with the way the thing took awhile to rev, then would hang out at those revs. Did sound wonderful though. So sloppy drunk woman handling, engine that sounds the part but peters out too early, and an interior that is terrific... For 1972. OK it's not that bad unless you compare it to the RX. The Transmission is fairly direct really and has a good solid feel to it. The crappiest thing is Fords attempt at the E-brake. I dunno how hard it is to build, but this is huge, ugly, awkward to use and just in the wrong place. Again, I dunno how hard it is to get right... but Ford couldn't handle it this time. Frustrating, it's the lack of details that deals the final blow. The Mazda is just full of sweet little details, a little design with your car, a little touch here and there, that shows they are paying attention.

The instrument cluster though and the ability to change the led colors is kind of a fun toy for about 6 minutes though. Now then, the damn useless "Shaker 1000" stereo system... THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS ANNOYING. I dunno who or if they employed a sound engineer but the sound out of this "SHAKER 1000" is comical. Sounds like a High school kid with overly baggy pants, feeling "pretty Fly" dropped his two twelves in his trunk and called it good... Not to mention that where they mounted the subs in the trunk is completely in the way and even eliminates the possibility of getting golf clubs back there. So WTF? Very frustrating.

So, For looking at and cruising around slowly listening to the motor. The GT should be plenty fun, but if you're a driver, and like a communicative chassis, and inspirational engine? Stay away from the Mustang GT, pisser. Feels quick in a straight line though...

 

I guess you'll just have to keep your 8 and drive faster so you can make more pit stops while keeping your schedule. FI kits are showing up now, and maybe, just maybe, we'll even see the AFSC this year.

 

IT's all done!!! Providing the BMW dealership doesn't do anything weird, it's on like Donkey Kong... I am still Just blown away.

Handling, Better than Rx-8? At least it "FEELS" better, more planted, tighter. 335i Just feels amazing. I am pretty positive that on a tight road course I could drive laps around myself with the RX VS the 335i... But the 335i just felt really solid, planted.

Brakes, had to dig my sunglasses off the dash board after hitting them once. Simply amazing, terrific feel.

Automatic Tranny.... NOT so much, good stuff I'm sure, but the 6 speed is where it's at, longer throws than the RX but better and smoother shifting. Clutch take up is a bit more progressive than mine and felt light.

Finally the two little Turbos and an inline 6... Just wonderful. Felt like a V8, drove like a V8, but with a wonderful little whistle and sigh under the hood. Great exhaust sound.

Size wise the 335i isn't much bigger inside than the RX8 but the head room is there, and it fits really well. Will probably take me an hour to get it just right, but the seats have more adjustments than a chiropractor so I should be good to go.

Top it all off I get to order it to my specifications and it'll show up brand new? I'm all over it.

I think I am pretty much DONE shopping...

I am actually floored. I'm a skeptic, a pr!ck, a cynic, and more than a little bit of a misanthrope. But, despite my best efforts to really find something to dislike the best I can come up with is that the Gear shift is over to the right about an inch to far... That's about it.

I was expecting it to be good, after all not ALL BMW customers could be doing it for image, but I wasn't expecting to actually be blown away by how much better dynamically the BMW is than most anything I've ever driven.

Anyway, I'm still giddy....

 

One other thought, what better eay to find out how it does out there with an RX-8 than to show up for a group drive?

 

Absolutely! I think it's mandated by law. You go on and on about a car like that, you're required to show up for a group run.

 

When I am in a car that fits me just right, I'll be there... Though I'll have to wait for it to be delivered.

ALSO,

FOR SALE 2005 RX8 GT Package, extra mats, trunk liner... 10K miles (almost). Extended Transferable warranty for um....whatever it is now, 100k or so.... $25k obo

 

Well So assuming everything works out... Now I have options... ****, don't they know I am not good at this stuff?

-Black leather seems to be the obvious choice, but the wife likes the gray leather, heck, red and black could be cool.


ONE BIG Decision though... Navigation sytem that includes a large display, integrated voice control, Ipod display, controls HVAC, and a few other things... Worth $2100???

Oh and it adds another arch..


Without the Navigation... and with the gray interior.


And what About THIS? Bright Red Seats? Kinda fun...


Seriously though, Prolly black interior with the dark wood.

Exterior wise.

Black is of course an option.



BUT this is "Arctic" something, and it color shifts a little, kind of neat.


Then we have this Blue that is pretty tight.


But the Silver is calling


And finally a good grey...


I've always been drawn to a dark, CLOSE feeling interior, but a lighter color might be really nice looking...

 

(sigh)....Congrats man - really! I'm a little jealous, I must confess.