Need help car shopping. Anyone driven these:

B

Bob W

Joined
Dec 31, 2000
Messages
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I've always wanted a small sportscar, maybe a covertible, but was always a sucker for "the ride" instead. Now there's a baby on the way, due in May, and I'm afraid if I don't buy my super-sporty car now I never will. Mid-life crisis with a deadline...

Ideally I'd like a small version of my current car (a Lincoln Mark VIII) with V8, wrap-around cockpit interior, and LOTS of toys. Unfortunately there is no such thing - not from Lincoln anyway.

So here are few cars that appeal to me initially. I haven't driven any of them and have done only basic background research. Last week I drove to town and peeked in the windows of most of these (it was Sunday and dealers were closed), hoping to eliminate some from my test-drive list. But I liked them all, for different reasons obviously, but each had it's own positive traits.

So how 'bout it? Can anyone provide any first hand insight on these vehicles? Constructive information is appreciated, "Car A handles better than Car B, but the interior is sub-par," or "Car A is nice but watch out for [insert chronic mechanical problem]"

Unhelpful information is also welcome, "I saw a commercial for Car A, and it looked like a butt on wheels."

Something to keep in mind, with a 20-30% loss of horsepower due to elevation, a vehicle that doesn't have an abundance of power at sea level is going to be unacceptable here. We also have high speed limits (75mph, with traffic flow at 80), and very steep long climbs. I won't buy anything that can't 'zip' up The Pass at 80mph. I know some of the high-revving small engines run great in Illinois, but at elevation "there's no replacement for displacement."

- Ford Thunderbird (2002 is in my price range)
I want to test drive one of these, no matter what you say. :D V8, cool interior, beautiful. Less HP than my Mark VIII, but the T-Bird weighs much less.

- Mazda Miata
I've driven an older one, and man was it sluggish. Quick, but no high end speed at all. And the interior left much to be desired. Are the new ones better? How about the MazdaSport edition?

-Mazda RX-8
The interior seems rather spartan, but the rotary engine has a very high 'cool' factor. And the miniature rear doors seem perfect for my best buddy Sadie (dog).

-Chrysler Crossfire
I can't afford one of the new high-performance models, but how do the ordinary models perform?

- Pontiac Solstice
I've only seen photos, but this is a darn nice looking car! But barely more HP than a Miata... At first glance seems like a bargain at $20,000 - $25,000 for brand new.

- Nissan 350Z
I actually sat in one of these at a dealership once. Handsome car, but wife said it looked like a clown car with me in it. :(

- Mitsubishi Eclipse
I love the looks of the new version, and the higher-grade engine seems like a good one.

Any other models worth considering? Does Lexus/Jaguar/Mercedes/BMW have anything that's available used, year 2000 or newer, for $25,000 or less? I'm not familiar with their model lineups, and the dumb-ass way that their cars don't have real names make them impossible to figure out.

Thanks for reading. I look foreward to your comments.
Best Wishes,
Bob

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And also since Baby is on the way, wife wants a four-door, front-wheel or all-wheel drive car with luxury interior and big engine. But I'll save that for another day...
 
Well I can't help you on your journey (only 16), but I just thought I'de hop in and say good luck. I'm sure it's gonna be one heck of a ride! :) (Excuse the pun ;))
 
Bob,

I guess I'm sort of confused by your list or cars. You want something fast and sporty but, you have a mixed bag listed with a couple of real dogs in there.

I like build quality so, that pretty much means Europe or Japan for me. I have had two GM rentals that lost body parts while I was driving them. And yes, it was a lack of body integrity, and no there was no damage on the offending parts that flew off.

The Volvo S40 T5 is hot little ride but, it doesn't come in a rag top model. The Turbo should offset the fact it is just a 5 cylinder. Something that works well in the Alps would probably work well for you too ;)

I test drove the 3-series BMW against the Volvo and at the same pricepoint, found the Volvo to be far superior. Disappointments in the BMW compared to the Volvo, price differences, terrible gear ratios from the line, gutless off the line. The Volvo had a sweet 6 six speed manual that was perfectly matched to the engine output. The Volvo was cheaper too :D

Personally, I'm finding sports sedans fit my life better then a 2 door couple but, YMMV :)
 
I prefer foreign, but US made cars are getting better. There are a few US cars that are truly getting close (the Corvette and Cadillac models come to mind).

No one will be surprised that I'd recommend that 350Z. What a fun ride!!! Strong engine and wonderful handling. Without going supercar (thus superprice), it's about as good as you can get.

Its sister car, the Infinity G35 Coupe is just as good (performance wise), with a little more civility. My rides in it have proven it just as nice as the Z, but with that touch of class. I very seriously will get this car within the next year. We'll see.

The Miata isn't strong enough for me, but is a nice little car.

The RX 8 is fine, but can't get excited over the rotary engine. Also, not enough torque (l like the strong starts).

I'd pass on the older Eclipses (again, a little too weak). The new ones look pretty nice, but I haven't yet had the pleasure of driving one.

You might want to consider the BMW 3 series coupe. :) For me, they have had just about everthing.

There are a few "family" friendly cars that will bring excitement to the drive.

The Lexus I300 is one on my short list for the wife (I drive it, so I need FUN)...

...as it the Infinity G sedan (also on the list for my wife). An exciting ride.

For more money is the GS 430. "Big" and "strong" come to mind.

No one needs to say that the BMW 3 series is worth a look (careful to get the biggest engine, or you might be disappointed with the performance with the smaller ones).

I'm toying over getting a 300ZX around at '95-'96 with the least amount of miles I can fine (20-40K is possible). A Supra of the save vintage is also on that list (but they go for more $$ than the Z).

Hope this helps.
 
I've owned pretty much everything on 4 wheels - from econo-coupes to the high-end exotics that draw crowds at Spago.

The only advice I will give you: don't "fall in love" with anything until you've taken a test drive. A long one.

The "car of your dreams" may have blind spots that you can't live with, a seating position that makes you look like Quasimodo, controls that require 7-foot arms, and a ride like a 2x4 on concrete rollers.

Been there. Done that. Bought the car. Hated it 3 months later.

(and that's just not fair to the car ;) )
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Maybe a BMW 130i? Not really a sports car, but very well-made. 110 kW (~149 hp), but 150 hp in a BMW "feel" like 180 in most other cars due to their setup (a bit subjective, I know). 3 liters, rear wheel drive, 0-100 kph (~0-60 mph) in 6.1 seconds.
 
The car I am about to suggest isn't on your list, but it is an excellent car: A Toyota Solar convertible. We have one. We love it. We drove every convertible, except the VW Bug; way too small. It has a ton of saftey features, AND the backseat is comfortable for adults. I drive an 04 F-250 Crew Cab 4x4, 6.0 PSD.
 
Yep, it's a mixed bag of vehicles, based almost entirely on looks. The difference, if I went with a lower-end car like the Nissan 350Z or Mazda, I could buy new. To get something nice (like the Thunderbird) would require shopping used vehicles only to stay in the same price range.

Sid Post,
Can you help me with that Volvo model you mentioned, the S40 T5? It seems all of the S40 cars are sedans...

Ron Anderson,
Thanks for the heads-up on the Infinity G35 Coupe. That's exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. Unfortunately the two-door versions seems to be quite rare in this region, at least for used models. That's a huge plus though; I don't buy cars that are like everyone else's. But it makes shopping tougher.

The '06 Eclipse GT has 260 HP. I think that's plenty for a car that size; my Mark VIII has 280 HP and weighs significantly more.

I do like the BMW Z-3. Beautiful machines. But the interior, for that price range, falls flat. And for the same $$, the Thunderbird looks better and has a V8. Just my initial impression, I'm still open-minded at this point.

Cockroachfarm,
The "car of your dreams" may have blind spots that you can't live with, a seating position that makes you look like Quasimodo, controls that require 7-foot arms, and a ride like a 2x4 on concrete rollers.
Click to expand...
Like I said, I've always been a sucker for "the ride", so have never fallen for cars with 'blind spots' as you put it. But I know they're out there. One example is something I notice about many imports, if I put the seat back to where it fits my legs, I can't reach the steering wheel - and I'm only 5'9" on a tall day. I couldn't figure out how taller people drove those, then I met some tall people and saw how - they drive with their knees wrapped around the steering wheel. When I comment to them about it, it seems they just don't know any different because they've always been tall. :)

Theknifecollector,
Toyota Solara added to my list. I don't imagine that it'll make the short list though, once I start test driving and looking more closely. It just doesn't 'talk' to me. Wife likes the Avalon though, and I think that would make a good family car. But that's for another day.

Thanks for all of the suggestions and feedback. I may visit fan-sites for specific models and I'll definitely read every review available before buying a particular car. But I wanted to start off asking here for general ideas, since you all seem to be a well-balanced and broad-ranging bunch of gearheads - that's a compliment.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
when it was time for me to sell off my beloved Supra.

I'm a big fan of BMW's, and this 2001 330i was the right price and has fit the bill nicely.

There are pros and cons to owning one....they handle like stink and are built like a brick s---house, but they cost an arm and a leg to have serviced.

Fortunately they don't require much service.

eg; oil changes ever 16-17k miles.

It's not the fastest, but plenty quick, and I can haul the kids in it.

I love a manual transmission, so that was another plus in BMW's favor.

My wife has a 5 series that is a far superior car, but this one suits me fine.

Have you considered a new Mustang?

Lots to choose from out there, Best of luck!

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I am driving a '98 Eclipse RS. If you really want something that leans more towards a sports car I am not sure how happy you will be. I also really like the looks of the car, and it drives well enough. It really is more of a looker than a performer in my opinion though, which for me is a good thing as I am 22, live in NY, pay ridicuously high insurance, and tend to drive to fast anyway. At least for me it works out that have a nice sporty looking car that I can't really get myself into to much trouble with.

Min is the Chrysler engine base model. I haven't had any problems with it losing oil but I have heard it is a problem on some. Not sure about the newer ones, but those new V6 models sure are appealing. Just wish I could hurry up and land a job in my field so I could afford to get a new car.
 
Bob W said:
Ron Anderson,
Thanks for the heads-up on the Infinity G35 Coupe. That's exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. Unfortunately the two-door versions seems to be quite rare in this region, at least for used models. That's a huge plus though; I don't buy cars that are like everyone else's. But it makes shopping tougher.
Click to expand...
For the "right" car, you may wish to broaden your search. I've had friends buy cars that they had to "fly" to the purchase location and they've been very happy...low volume cars are hard to find. If you're frugal on the trip, you could do it for a few hundred dollars. Compare that with the $30-40K (plus or minus) you'll be spending on a car. It's a very small price to pay. I'm drooling over this car. It is a sweet ride. I'm not into "pimping" rides, but subtle upgrades (like tinted windows, upgraded tires, along with factory upgrades...like the rear spoiler) and this car will look even better.
 
TickDoc,
I really looked foreward to the enw Mustangs. They look great and the engines are real performers (my Lincoln uses the same engine as the Cobra - 4.6L DOHC, and my old Cougar had the same engine as the GT - 4.6L SOHC). But now that they've been out a few months, the damn things are everywhere! I bet there's a dozen of 'em in out small town already.

You know what I would go for, an upgraded Mercury-Lincoln version of the Mustang, like the early Cougars were.

Ron Anderson,
I've been searching AutoTrader for those Infinity cars. There are a couple of them within 300 miles. Man, those are great looking cars. I definitely want to see one in person. I do wish the price of them depreciated faster though.

Eric D,
Thanks for the comments on the Eclipse. I've known people who had the bottom-of-the-line older models and the cars seemed mostly trouble-free.

I can afford a car because I didn't get a job in my field of study. My degree's in recreation... talk about self-inflicted poverty. :)

Thanks for all the comments,
Bob

(so anyone driven a Crossfire?)
 
If you can afford it a BMW will satisfy your needs. However, make sure you get at least a 2.5 litre one. That's what i drive back home in Malaysia (BMW 325). In the UK a Nissan Almera. Everytime i go home i drive the BMW and that first drive out with the car is always exhilarating. There's so much power in it. Accelarating is effortless and the handling and ride comfort is well balanced. When i come back here and drive the Nissan Almera i miss the BMW terribly and sometimes just have no mood in driving the Almera.

If you can't get a BMW then get the Nissan 350z. There's a reason it won Top Gear Car of The Year and even Canadian Car of the Year. It's great looking. I've been a big fan of the 300zx (especially like the one in Ron's avatar) and the 350z doesn't disappoint.
 
I just saw a black Thunderbird with the licence plate MY SR71 !!! A dreamer for sure !
 
BobW...

My dad is currently on a hunt somewhat similar to yours, only for him it's now his second or maybe even third 'midlife' crisis. In any event, I've done a lot of car test driving w/ him lately, and have 2nd hand experience with a few of the cars on your list. I also live in Albq, and been up Raton way few times, plus some of the other higher spots around here, and know why you mean w/ respect to the altitude, my non-turbo Subaru tries hard enough at sea level, let alone 6000 feet.

You list kind of a wide variety of cars, some are two seaters, some have nominal rear seats, etc. I was going to kinda rule out a powerful RWD V8 for the winter, but you're dealing with one now, apparently w/o trouble.

Thunderbird - I won't deny the design makes a statement, and if that's what matters to you, then consider it. However, on my test drive of a brand new one, it squeaked, rattled, and whisted more than an '05 car should. Although it wasn't a slug, it didn't seem to have the oomph a V8 should. More of a cruiser with some extra power reserve than a true sports car.

Crossfire - Drove that too. Nice design, tight, but, so are most sports cars. It's shares most of it's critical parts with the last generation Mercedes SLK convertibles, so it's a pretty tested design. Good power for it's size.

Pontiac Solstice - Haven't seen one in person yet, much less driven, but, if you're looking at this car, check out it's GM twin, the Saturn Sky. At least IMHO, it looks better in picutres. Also sold as a Vauxhall and Daewoo it other parts of the world. All are sharp looking cars, and even Mazda has admitted they're a threat to the Miata.

Mazda Miata - New version is a tad more powerful, and a great handler, but not the kinda V8 grunt I think you've got in mind. Also, although plenty of people use them daily, not much trunk or passender room.

Mazda RX8 - Sharp interior, at least in my humble opinion. My brother rented one for a few days while shopping for his last car. Big, practical trunk, easy to live with. Yes, the rear doors are kinda tiny, but, it's one of the few cars you're looking at to even have a back seat. Odd quirk is that the manuals make more power than the automatics.

Eclipse (new models) - Lots of power from the V6, and nice curves, but it's a pretty heavy car for what it is. Let me know your review if you test drive one.

Merc/BMW/Lexus - I won't argue for even a sec that BMW makes some fine machinery. So fine, in fact, that one you find under 25k might be more tired than some of the other cars you're considering. The last generation Lexus IS 300 would be available around 25k, has a V6. I've got several friends with them, and all are very happy. Can't readily name a late model Merc in that price range that's not a used 4 cyl sedan.

Infinity - G35 coupe, is mechanically similar to the 350Z, another gorgeous car, at least to my eye. One friend of mine just bought one used, 2 yrs old, for 28k, pretty well equipped.

I'll further confuse the issue by throwing two more ideas out there:

Pontiac GTO - Big two door, huge V8, making massive power, nice interior, not just for a GM, but in general. Usable backseat. Design is kinda mild, but, that means it goes under the radar, and has resulted in slow sales, meaning good discounting. I daresay you could get a new '05 around $25k. Enough power to keep up with most any car for it's price, or even a good bit more, plus a usable interior.

Dodge Charger - Yes, I know it's a four door. Does look somewhat coupe-ish, though. More practical, shares, IIRC, some Merc parts (transmission). Available with a nice V8 and pretty good looking. Price is right.

That's about all I can come up with.
 
wheres the displacement on your list?

none of your cars have 300 hp:D :eek:

a honda s2000 is a true sports car in your price range but small
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the new lexus IS models have me interested

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but out of your choices, I would look harder at the nissan 350 and less at the Mazda's(they are overated on horsepower)
 
I was going to suggest the Honda as well. I haven't driven one, but they sure catch my eye when they blow by me. :D

Jack
 
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the Subaru STi yet. If you're looking for performance/dollar, the STi is a great great car. At least take one for a test drive :).
 
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