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Comments
Corvette = blue-collar sports car
Porsche, etc; = blue-blood sports car
Bob
911 buyers to me are a little more snobby, not necessarily much wealthier. You can buy Boxsters for about the same money as a base Vette. It's not until you get into Ferrari/Lamborghini/Aston territory that you are talking about really wealthy people (who are still snobs!)
Although I was watching one of the car channels and a guy was talking about Ferraris and how the 308 is a Ferrari that anyone can buy! They just won't be able to afford the maintenance! :surprise:
For me, everytime I get tempted to buy a 911 or Z0-6, a little part of the back of my brain says "don't be ridiculous, it's just an expensive toy" and perhaps that's what other people are really feeling as well.
tom
That suggests to me that for the average Corvette buyer, the lousy economy has taken much more of a toll on them, than say the average Porsche buyer. Buyers of exotics like Ferraris are even less affected than Porsche buyers, although I'm sure their sales have also taken somewhat of a hit.
Bob
Maybe it's a good time to go and pick up a ZR-1!
Ferrari's have a 2-3 year waitlist here just to get one. I'm sure the economy hasn't changed that.
tom
I bet buyers cross shopped bass boats.
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100118/RETAIL01/100119831/1- 126##ixzz0d4hF3FeF
Without question, the biggest winner of 2009 was Subaru...
This is the AWD Mini SUV. Early reports indicated that it would have a dual-range transfer case. If so, then maybe we can expect a truly off-road-capable little bugger.
Bob
If I could for certain afford another car payment, I would probably do it. I really want to bench the Outback and save it for family hauling, vacay, etc. and have something fun and tossable as my DD. It has 141k on it, it deserves the break!
1. Passionate, happy euro-enthusiasts who love them, and...
2. Furious, lemon owners who you wouldn't want another if it were free.
I'd be scared to roll the dice like that.
I prefer the WRX/MazdaSpeed3, but the latter has gotten a bit grossly overstyled lately, limiting the options.
Wait to see the Toyota/Subaru RWD coupe, maybe.
I've owned 2 VWs, and they are great cars. It's just that both of them had mechanical issues within 2 years and doing research on them in general VWs aren't the most reliable form of transportation. After being burned twice I don't think I'll ever buy another VW or even Audi product (ok, I guess I'd buy an R8).
But one things for sure, Audi/VW does know how to make a nice interior for the price.
I like Mazda's- except for how they look!
tom
I have the same experience with my VW friends, running about 75% in category 1, and 25% in category 2. And one of THOSE is an Audi...er, was. :lemon: Traded it off for a Lexus.
Come to think of it, in the years that she owned it, I only saw the Passat once or twice. I saw the Ford dozens of times (she picks up her mom from my house once in a week or so).
She was happy with it on 2 occasions - the day she bought it, and the day she traded it in for a Honda Odyssey.
If you ever meet Subie Gal in person ask her about her VW experience, too.
Of course you know me - I'm a cheapskate. Once well equipped, the GTI is in premium price territory anyway, so me being stingy pretty much rules it out anyway.
What about a non-Speed Mazda3? They're not as radical looking, and as Bob pointed out the equipment levels are well above class average.
Wait to see the Toyota/Subaru RWD coupe, maybe.
But none of those have the most important quality the GTI has - teutonic goodness and Euro soul.
My 05 Passat has been a great vehicle. I just might buy another VW or Audi when the time comes.
But, VW's aristocratic leader, sparse dealer network and lingering (if improving) reliability issues act as red flags towards my owning one any time soon. As for Audi, we have grand total of 1 dealer serving a 200 mile radius, which is not reassuring.
However, VW has a new AWD Haldex system coming in 2012 that may prove superior to anything Subaru has.
Your profile says Portland, OR and I found 2 dealers in the greater area - which suprises me. I would have expected more dealers in Oregon.
Heck we have 11 in MA.
We here in America have a fascination with Europe. And as much as I love European cars, I think it's more the fact that they are so expensive that makes them much better cars, not just because they're from Germany. (IMHO, Lexus still makes a better interior than all of them)
Besides, being stranded on the side of the road is one of those experiences I have had a few times and never want again! (twice in a VW!)
Also, I think the Mazda 3 has quite a bit of soul, and you can't deny the Miata is a great driver (as is the RX-8, the Honda S2000, Evo, and even the WRX/STi when set up right.) So unless you buy a P-car, I don't think the Germans have much on the Japanese (or Koreans for that matter!)
tom
I dunno, the head gasket thing never affected anyone in my family. We had the 98 Forester and an 02 Legacy. My cousin had an Outback like yours. Dad had an Outback Limited, sis an 03 Forester, bro an 04 Legacy. All of them have the EJ25, non-turbos, the supposed time-bombs.
No bad gaskets out of those 12 (boxers have a pair each, of course). Maybe we're blessed?
teutonic = heavy
soul = expensive
:P
Tongue-in-cheek, of course.
I haven't driven a VW lately, maybe it's time I test drive something new. I did like the new Audi A4 V6.
Haven't sampled the 2.0FSI nor a DSG, and I feel like I should.
I'm probably most intrigued by the GTI 5 door. Too bad it doesn't look as nice as the 3 door does, not even close. Plus the R/AWD models cost a fortune if we ever even get one.
Assuming I stay in my current job, a MCS is not really an option, as I do occasionally carry a couple of other adults around...even a clubbie would be a little embarassing, especially if luggage is involved. So the idea is to capture some of the fun and fuel economy in a package that works better for business.
So far I'm striking out main issue is milege. The landcruiser gets 12mpg right now. A newer model like a 2000 - 2008 only gets around 16mpg so no reason to get crazy and buy a newer or new one.
GM builds a few 7passenger SUV like vehicles only they just break the 20mpg limit with a tail wind and grandma driving. So really not all that excited about dropping 40K on a GM product for essentially 16-20mpg performance.
Crazy thing is I've found the Mercedes GL CDI 320 really high on my list. I always viewed mercedes as sort of a really expensive Buick - they are for old people and require you to hock body parts on the black market to get them serviced or fixed.
However doing my own maintance on one vehicle vs two is much easier shell out some money for some good MB tools and shop manual and it might just work.
Though why in the hell did MB put run flats on a big SUV? They didn't even offer a tire carrier option. MB truly is targeting the cellphone packing major city dweller given finding a replacement for a run flat in Moab has less odds than winning the California Lotto.
I was thinking cash-4-clunkers but I bet it's still worth a lot more than $4500.
You'll be jealous - his were diesels! Manual transmission, steelies, vinyl seats. Real sport-utilities, fleet cars meant for overseas UN duty.
They also felt the '09 Forester chassis quivered from steering corrections.
They liked the RAV4 AWD the best.
I've noticed the '09 Forester's rear shocks seem to have weak rebound damping. If I hit a speed bump, the leading edge of the bump is not anywhere as dramatic as the trailing edge liftoff bounce and sometimes loud suspension bang my '09 gives me as it extends its shocks to their limits. There's also a couple of rear end bobs after the bump is gone over.
One badly rutted road caused a lot of rear wheel tramping.
Might this be the "crashthrough" C & D's talking about?
By comparison, a RX400H Lexus just goes over the same speed bump or road ruts without any trailing bouncing.
What turns me off towards diesels is local pricing here in Potomac. Even if we forget that only a few stations even carry it, it's priced like liquid gold.
I think regular is $2.93 and diesel is $3.25. :surprise:
The CVT is overdue, and maybe DI for the 2.5l engines, too.
But for fun let's do the math, GTI vs. TDI for a normal driver. Cars cost about the same in the end, but the TDI earns a tax credit of $1400, which we'll spend on the optional 18" wheel package.
Here in Baltimore, Premium (GTI) is $3.07 vs Diesel (TDI) $2.96. Plus there's a biodiesel co-op in the area.
Assume a 15k year, the GTI gets 25mpg according to Edmunds = $1842 in fuel
TDI gets 34mpg = $1306.
that's $536 savings for almost as much cornering fun, same seats, same amenities, less flash. I bet the insurance is lower too.
hmmm.......
Very often, that's the case. Here in the US, the wannabes put Opel and Holden badges on their Astras, Bora badges on their Jettas and Axela badges on their Mazda 3's. They swap out red tail lights for orange/red. They want Polo's and diesels and B classes.
In Europe and Japan, they want Jetta and Pontiac and Saturn badges as well as red tails. Dodge vans are huge in Japan right now. They want Ram 1500's.
It's a crazy, mixed up world we live in.
teutonic = heavy
soul = expensive
Tongue-in-cheek, of course.
I prefer to think:
teutonic = solid
soul = purpose.
Your translation is for those who prefer to drive Toyota Vans - the ultimate in beige!!
:P
-Frank
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/20/mini-countryman-crossover-officially-unveiled- - - /#continued
http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1041782_2011-mini-countryman-preview
Apparently rumors of a 2-speed transfer case were wrong.
Bob
I was gonna ask you that.
I know gas is much cheaper. If I'm in the Inner Harbor or at an O's game I always make it a point to fill up. There's a Shell station on that road that runs along the West side of Camden Yards, I think, and it's a good 20-30 cents lower than Potomac prices.
I did a break-even calculation on the Forester diesel when it came out. At 25k miles/year it wouldn't take you long at all, maybe 3-4 years. Catch is they'd need to add urea injection and the cost would go higher as a result.
In your case the TDI is probably less than a GTI, no? After the credit it ought to be. So you'd be saving from day one.
soul = purpose.
Your translation is for those who prefer to drive Toyota Vans - the ultimate in beige!!
Ouch! You got me! My mouth was open!
Is this better?
People think a van is a compromise but it's not - take anybody anywhere anytime and quickly. Ultimate function-for-the-buck.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4713713
http://www.unixhelper.org/van/images/van_rgt.jpg
Juice, you'll love this: It got 8 mpg—on a good day!
Bob
Bob
-Frank
Yup, we fall within that 40%.
My dealer buddy jokes that he sees most Subaru buyers once every 7 years (to buy a new one) and they always pay cash.
That said, I definitely have a soft spot for vans. I still have my '69 Econoline, though it get used quite rarely anymore. I will eventually finish rebuilding it, but it is a long way back on the queue. For now, it has "character."