Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
They should prob ask John McAfee to update the security
The mcafee fall could be epic-
Didn't catch that. Just saw the date of tne post that was responded to. Didn't notice the link until you just mentioned it.
Carry on!
Re: spam - nothing gets "flagged" prior to posting. Everything posts, and the hosts read all of our assigned discussions in order to catch them. This was a pretty obvious bit of spam (now removed)... some are more sneaky. No obligation, but the quickest way to get spam removed is to email a host. Reported items by email get attention first, and then everything else just gets taken care of as we come across issues.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Share your vehicle reviews
It was Alfa that invented the modsern sport sedan way back in 1951 when they introduced their 1900 TI >
Can't happen soon enough IMO. Viva Alfa!
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
He seems to be a genuine car nut as well.
Wikipedia: Sergio Marchionne.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Alfa has been threatening to return to North America for about 5 years now. They keep pushing the date back.
Perhaps that's because they realize that most of their current products do not live up to the standards set by the Alfas we recall so fondly. In that case it's best that they do right rather than right away. :shades:
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
oh, its been going on much longer than that. I definitely remember reading about their return back in 2000.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Quality an reliability were not Alfa hallmarks.
Quality an reliability were not Alfa hallmarks.
That's true enough but they made up for it with character and style, something sorely lacking in most modern cars (including the current FWD Alfas). A sport sedan with modern build quality and old-fashioned responsiveness and feel may be elusive or even impossible but we can dream can't we?
If not Alfa, who, or are we condemned to overweight blandly styled luxo-boats instead of real sports sedans?
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Review attached for the gasser 5-door Hatch. It also comes in Estate form and both body styles are also available with 2.0 TDi, of course. It's fun, chuckable and very roomy. Too big ? Search for the Skoda Fabia vRS - 170bhp of 1.4 ltr gasser fun in a 5-door hatch body. :shades:
Skoda Octavia vRS TSI
Skoda Octavia vRS TSI is worth a look - or would be if VW Group would sell it in your part of the known universe
They do not sell it here of course, nor are they likely to, but my real problem with it is my belief that any real sport sedan has to have RWD. AWD might be acceptable if it mimics the dynamics of a RWD car but I have no interest in any FWD car larger than a Golf.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
But i agree, new cars dont compare in dynamics and feel to older cars. But its complicated. Older cars give more feel and feedback and are more fun and rewarding to drive, but this is partly because they have less rigid bodies and lower handling limits.
Different driving experience. For 99% of drivers, new cars are faster and safer.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The TSX Wagon with a 6-speed manual would be cool too...
Speaking of the next WRX, when is that coming out? Subaru is still selling the previous body style 1 year into the new body style Impreza.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Oh, I will acquire a Boxster eventually but none of those are performance sedans.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2018 430i Gran Coupe
That's what I am trying to convince myself of in contemplating placing an order on a new Cayman S. i.e. That if I get it, my 2004 Acura TL 6-speed will be good enough for another 5 years. Otherwise, I might end up with a 2013 M3 at near giveaway prices.
I will say that when I had my 911, my Acura TL was more enjoyable to drive then. I didn't feel like it needed to go beyond it's capabilities to be satisfying. It's a damn nice, economical to own, sporty sedan; if not an all out "performance sedan". And I could let the guy next to me in his 550i rev his engine without feeling inferior - knowing that I had a car in the garage that could run circles around it. Now the only other gas powered things in my garage are a lawnmower, leaf blower and chainsaw. Although I have to admit, the chainsaw fills a bit of my need to be manly, at a considerably lower cost than the 911 did.
So if you need to save up for a Boxster, maybe get a chainsaw in the interim? I recommend the Husquevana Rancher 460.
A new 911S scoots to 60 in 3.5 to 3.9 seconds depending upon who's holding the stopwatch. Couple of clicks faster than the M5.
But go ahead and get that 550i and chip. I'm almost ready to pull the trigger and order the new Cayman S. That should be a good race. As long as it's in a straight line.
I'd take a minimally-optioned Cayman S stick-shift over a Nissan GT-R, and enjoy myself for another second on the way to 60 (and, save $25K...)
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
I would also agree the chainsaw is a manly tool- prob more so then a boxer –
It was a Tesla, and they still have it while I am contemplating my options. Get weekly e-mails reminding me that it's time to build my Model S. I don't think it will happen.
I would also agree the chainsaw is a manly tool- prob more so then a boxer –
Boxers are either dogs or shorts. But, IMO the new Boxster S is a lot manlier than the old model. On the other hand, the new Cayman S has got my complete, nearly undivided, attention. Play the video in this teaser (hit overview and scroll down to "video"):
Porsche Cayman S
I would agree. The new Cayman S is likely the best handling Porsche this side of a $400,000 Carrera GT. I am pretty much sold. Dealer here has offered me his first slot, to be delivered in April. Will likely pay full MSRP and maybe get a free Porsche logo hat thrown in. Ah well, I like a deal but I'd rather have this car.
And If I cut my brains out in a chainsaw accident and wake up wanting to turn the Cayman into a Nissan GT-R, that can be done. Simply get a turbo kit that takes it to 480hp and throw 2-3 large farm animals in the hatch to take the weight up from 2,900 lbs to 2+ tons. In which case, you, Billy, Sweeny and everyone else here has authority to shoot me and put me out of my misery.
Oh, come on. We can think of way worse reasons. :P
To be perfectly honest, though, acceleration is near the top of my comparison list, but its obviously not the only yardstick.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Don't want to get too far off track here, but have you ever driven a GT-R? I have and other than flooring the accelerator, there isn't much "super" about the experience for me. Not to be crude or sexist, but buying one would be like picking a wife or girlfriend based solely on maximum bust size. Without regard to the fact that you get an enormous waist and butt to go along with it. The GT-R is ugly outside, ugly inside and has a curb weight closer to a Porsche Cayenne than a Porsche Cayman. Yes, the performance numbers are good, but the two tons and AWD completely eliminate sense of visceral, nimble handling on public roads. "Super car" to me is a term to reserve for a GT-3 or 458.
I hope not to pay full MSRP on the Cayman S, but, as with real estate, it's better to get only a fair deal on a great car than a great deal on only a fair car.
http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-68906135/
As they say in big business - paying retail is for s@@kers
Well if you were lucky enough to be one of the few hundred buyers to pick up a brand new Ferrari 430 or 458 at the MSRP, you could have driven it for a year, sold it and bought a GT-R with the profit. Of course, that would get you quickly knocked off Ferrari's "A" list for future purchases. Me, that's not a list I'll soon - or ever - be on.
I hope this makes you almost as happy as me - I just put a deposit on a 2013/4 Cayman S at a discount off MSRP, and am #1 on their list for a customer ordered car. Porsche won't take the order for another few weeks and I won't get the car before April, but I think my shopping is over.
Regarding the GTR, if you must have 0-60 in under 3 seconds for $100k, my choice would be to buy a 2-3 year old pre-owned 911 Turbo S. The only thing that will get you to 60 quicker is a Bugatti. The Porsche is a little more refined for my tastes. And doesn't look like it was created by an uncooperative committee of Nissan designers that used the Plymouth Barracuda for inspiration. Plus, Porsche still believes in offering manual transmissions - an unfortunate rarity in the world of supercars.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1206_nissan_gt_r_black_edition_vs_por- - - - sche_911_turbo_s_comparison/viewall.html
Congrats on the order and nice work paying less then sticker.
And what track did you drive this GT-R?
How about this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUM4fM-85ZM
BTW, this video shows just how fast the GT-R is around a race track since it broke the record on this lap..
Not bad for porky car..
To fair, the GT-R is an amazing car for the speed and handling the the car can do for its weight.
No track, I-270 and the DC Beltway during some non-rush hour times. And it was last year with a 2011 model.
Again, great numbers on paper and there is no disputing the 500+ hp and AWD ability to get the 2-ton car around a track quickly. But until you drive one, it's hard for me to explain the unsatisfactory experience I had. This is just a sledgehammer of a car, nothing scalpel like about it, when you are driving it anywhere but the Nurburgring track. Nissan's answer to the Viper, not a Ferrari or Porsche. And, by the way, the RWD 911GT2 took back the title from the GT-R with a lap time of 7:18. Again, not that this matters that much to me. I want a sports car that is attractive, light, enjoyable to drive at 30 mph as much as 100+ and still let's me row my own gears, no matter how bad or slow I am. The GT-R is a hell of a deal for the right buyer, just not me.
We all have our likes and dislikes, you like the S2000 over a NSX, you like the Cayman and I like the Boxster.
Now if Nissan can shave off 750 pounds from the GT-R I highly doubt you will fine a better car for the money...
That 750 lb "shave" may involve a few hours with my chain saw and end up with something that looks more like a Cayman than a GT-R. No I suspect Nissan will continue to produce a nearly two ton GT-R and be unapologetic for its girth. As they have every right to be.
My preference for a lighter weight, more refined, manual transmission coupe like the new Cayman S over the GT-R is just that, a preference. Most of my time in the driver's seat will be in sub-sonic speeds where nimble handling - and interior design - will be noticed, but the raw power of 545hp will not. Would I like more power? Who among us wouldn't? But if it's a trade off between 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and 2.9 seconds vs. giving up the enjoyment of shifting my own gears, a marginally ugly interior (IMO) and Barracuda inspired exterior, and a car that is "clunky" around town (Edmund's quote), I'll take 4.5. But that does not mean that I don't respect your choice to go with the GT-R based upon your preferences.
It may be valid to call something "better" based upon a single attribute. But my choice of cars - and I suspect yours - involves several attributes, some of which are in conflict with each other and change over time. In 2005 I bought a 911S Cab at $10k more than the coupe. The soft top was a detriment to absolute track performance, but a joy for my daughters in the mini-back seats. Now I'm about to pay $3,000 more for a Cayman coupe than a Boxster. Go figure.
Bringing this back to ELLPS, the trade-off preferences can be even more subtle. Nissan is often dinged on the lack of refinement relative to the G37 vs. the BMW 335i or even Acura TL-AWD. Other's might take the raw power and performance of a Subaru WRX and ask why anyone would consider a more expensive ELLPS. As you said, it all comes down to likes and dislikes and weighing preferences, not just a single attribute.
As much as I love the Cayman, it's overpriced and they still haven't really fixed the problem with the output shaft bearings. The Nissan is simply too heavy to be considered.
My understanding is that the infamous Intermediate Shaft bearing failures were cured when they eliminated the entire part with the adoption of the 997 motor circa 2007. I don't think this problem ever affected the 987s (Cayman and Boxster after 2005)
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Once again, personal preferences. I still like playing baseball with 20- and 30- somethings, but I'm a couple decades and entire headset past wanting to have something that would characterize me as a boy racer. I'll pay up and forego that $10k difference. No argument that Porsche pricing isn't a little painful...they didn't become the most profitable car company on the planet by accident. But, to their credit, the craftsmanship and engineering is right up there with the best on the planet. I sometimes wish Honda had evolved their S2000 into an S3500, but for now, there really isn't anything in a sports car format that appeals to me as much as the Cayman and/or 911. So I guess I'll pay up for that preference as well.
The good news is that they did fix the rear main seal leak, if that is what you are referring to. Some time ago, in fact. I had a 2005 911S (997) and it didn't drip a drop of oil in 5.5 years and 30k+ miles. That problem pretty much went out the door with the 996 model of 911 and the pre-2008 (I think) Boxsters and Caymans. My independent Porsche mechanic has a 2007 Cayman with 120k+ miles that looks brand new, and he would claim it was all about proper break in.