Kdoubt

Hi all, I'm new here.

Anyway,

I'm looking to buy another car and am trying to get some ideas.

I guess what I'd really like to see is class, style, power, and credit where due, plus attention to detail for under $25 000. The way I see it, over 25K for a vehicle is useless, or you'll be paying some big bills for maintenance. If a car is second hand, or slightly used but pampered and the value is now selling at $25K, where as it sold for $130K new, I have no objections [ example, 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL600 ]

I just want something sporty for around town or for a country drive. Something the friends will say "wow can I drive it?", and of coarse a prerequisite: make my girlfriends friends jealous (if you've got one, you'll know what I mean).

I've been hovering on ebay motors, autotrader, and review sites gather ideas and prices for suitable cars and have limited it down to a few models. I'm more than happy to consider suggestions.

Mercedes SL500 & SL600
Mazda RX-8
Lexus IS350
Nissan 350Z
Infinity G35 Coupe
Porsche 911 (I can stretch to about $30K if the right one finds me)
BMW M3, M5, & Z3
Audi A4, TT

As you can see I'm not really interested in domestic cars, but something sporty & good on insurance is never out of the question. I've already got the four door auto down, so I'd like to stick with something a little more me.

Also, its obvious in some of the cars there that some are as old as 1993 (Porsche), but go all the way up to 2005 (Mazda RX-8)

Help me decide! I've really been bouncing between each of these cars every time I tell myself to decide already!

I know I'll obviously get some very biased reviews here (obviously rx8 fans on a rx8 site), but I'd like honest oppionons. What are the major drawbacks in the RX8? I've read mostly frequent oil changes, poor gas mileage for a 1.3L dispacement engine, odd oil maintenance placement, and to be honest, it doesnt impress the ladies nearly as much when you pull out a mazda key from your pocket, than say... ohhh.. a Bimmer (me and my buddy have done the test, 626 cronos vs 325i of 1993)

Readyyyyy..... Convince me!

shaunv74

Drive it then come back and tell us.

You won't be dissappointed....Plus every Joe metro boy has 325i. Most chicks you try to pick up will probably sit in it and say "the last metro boy I gave a blow job to had one if these too." You can run with the herd if you want...

rg200amp

you cant handel the truth about the rx8.

if and when you buy a rx8, then the truth will be intrusted to you.

but untill then, i am silent

alerx-8's

but the bimmer doesnt have a rotary in it like the 8 does which = unique

Detrich

based on your short list, the rx-8 probably isn't the car for you... for one, your list is all over the place- mercedes sl & porche? they aren't even in the same price range as the 8...

u really should test drive each car that you're interested in and then come back w/ specific questions that the dealer couldn't answer. otherwise, ppl here won't take you seriously.

mikeferz42

if you could get a decent m3 between 25 - 30k go for it. the rx8 isn't fast but fast enough. all those cars you listed above along with rx8 are all faster, except for the audi tt, a4, and z3. if you don't think hot girls are interested in rx8s, check out the girls we got in this forum. (see kimberly lynn).

Kdoubt

Well if you read the entirety of my post instead of just at the list itself, you might have seen a price range cap of $25K.

Would you like some examples of an SL or 911 for about $25k?

Also, I dont want a 325i, any 3 series would be an E46 body M3 but I definitely agree there are plenty of Bimmers around.

One thing that was mentioned was the rotary engine which is a huge turnon for me. I'm a sucker for proper engineering. the amount of HP out of a 1.3 L engine is truly impressive.

Kdoubt

sorry double post, but about chicks digging the car I have no doubt that the RX8 is definitely a crowd pleaser, but its easier to explain things without words when a universal motif is shared. I've got a great girlfriend, but I want a car that turns heads is what I'm trying to say I suppose

Aznxkaiser

In my area the huge amounts of 350z's get more head turns than my RX-8 =*( Someone even called my car a ***** car
If your looking for raw power and at the same time decent handling I would choose 350z, if you dont mind revving past 5k for power and wasting a lot of gas then the 8 is for you! I dont know, some people get orgies from the fact that they can turn into the corner with ease and can rev past 9000, and others get turned on for the torque! Its your choice, if you look past the interior the 350z is a healthy competitive choice so drive both!

ALSO DONT CHOOSE VELOCITY RED.

alerx-8's

then in ur opinion which one looks the best? then go from their

Kdoubt

The Drawback to the Z is there is only two seats. This isn't a huge deal to me, but that one time where I want to bring a few people along might be a pain in the ***. This is why the G35 Coupe is on the list, it has more seats. Its a seriously touch decision. There are so many ups and downs in the different models that my brain cant keep up. Its like doing about 15 simultaneous adding and subtracting calculations concurrently.

636

Get a minivan , strip all its interior , turbo charge it. Now that would be funny AND unique hahahaha. Smoked by a minivan , oh yeah also get bumper stickers , that has something to do with jesus...OH! dont forget to add like stuffed animals in the back seat , represent

CarAndDriver

Aveo

swoope

iTrader: (5)

link? cause i might have to have one.

beers

CarAndDriver

http://www.chevrolet.com/aveo/

I can see you in a Spicy Orange 5DR.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

yep,
chevy...

i would buy a crossfire first.. with the washing boys..

beers

Raptor2k

Don't buy the RX-8. I don't like seeing more and more of them on the road.

kbai

CarAndDriver

Love the SRT-6!

mikeferz42

i got a lot of girls in my 1997 toyota celica st with 100 hp. granted this was 8 years ago and i was a junior in high school playing VARSITY BASEBALL (had to sneak that in). you get girls with your *****, not with your car. actually, let me rephrase that. you get girls by having game, you keep them with your *****.

DarkBrew

Man, you guys are harsh.

StewC625

Crossfire.

Kdoubt

A crossfire isnt on the list. No offense to any crossfire fans, but I'm definitely not interested.

Rems31

haha Crossfire is a running joke here on the forum...you get an automatic ban for mentioning it. I guess you know why since it's not on your list. haha

Kdoubt

lol, I guess that makes sense. Unfortunate for Chrysler they released them, but I'm not surprised its a "joke"

konradk

since all the usual jokes have been pulled already, i have no choice but to make a helpful post

PROS:
- fun to drive
- fun to look at
- unique engine
- uncommon on the roads (i see maybe one 8 on the road per week, as opposed to six 350zs for every starbucks in town)
- great interior

CONS:
- crap *** gas mileage with a tiny tank (i average 14.5-17 mpg. 190-240 miles per tank. thats not enough to drive from Folsom to S.F. and back without making a pit stop at 7 am)
- poor reliability ratings (though some ppl have run 50K miles with no problems)
- poor resale value (this one is a keeper)

other than that, its all really about how YOU feel about the car. If i were you, i would add an FD RX7 TT to your list (1993-1995). Seeing how the Crossfire is discontinued and all