Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

breld

I'd like to go take a look at the new Accord - sport 6MT version. I wish it had a sunroof, but with a sticker of $24k, that's quite a bit of car for the money these days. Being an Accord, I imagine once they've been out awhile, you could pick one up in the $22k's or so.

Vtec.net has a video of their test drive and the sounds of that 4 cyl are pretty sweet.

ateixeira

Don't ever sell it. Make it an heirloom that you pass down from generation to generation.

roadburner

I usually despise big sedans, but I was smitten by the 2008 Alpina B7 I drove for a couple of weeks. It was extremely fast and comfortable- it could even keep up with the newer 911s when I took it to the track for a couple of days. I'd gladly put one in my garage if I had the money...

roadburner

The E39 was the high-water mark for the 5 Series- no doubt about it.

andres3

The 3.5 in the 2013 Accord gets 34 MPG highway, which is way higher than the EPA rating on the 3.0. I haven't driven a V6 Accord in recent memory, but that same engine is very capable in the Acura TL.

Wow, 34 MPG with near 300 HP, that's darn good. I have no issues with the capabilities of Honda's 3.5 V6, I like Honda's engines. My issue is with the size and weight of the engine, which does affect handling characteristics.

People are pointing out the 4 Cylinder is adequate and handles better due to lighter weight. I am pointing out that Honda should offer a 3.0L V6 version for maximum sport and bang for your buck (getting the best of both worlds; good handling with more power), it's much lighter than the 3.5, it could be easily tuned for about 255 HP and 230 LB/FT of torque and probably get 35 MPG to boot if the 3.5 can get 34 MPG.

qbrozen

Well, fezo, I know I'm talking to a guy with a Solara, but I really can't stress enough how bad that car is. It feels OK at first. You think "hey, FWD, good gas mileage, and its sporty cause its a V6 6-speed." 3 months go by and its "ya know, its a little unrefined, tough to take off smoothly yet in a hurry, and not terribly comfortable, but I'm getting good mileage and, gosh darn it, its sporty cause its a V6 6-speed." 6 months later, "this thing handles like a horse with broken front legs, the road noise is unbearable, the seats suck on drives longer than an hour, and it is impossible to drive it beyond 7/10ths. I hate it!"

qbrozen

The reason they had to go with a bigger engine is because the damned car got too big and heavy. The 3.0 6-speed was clocked at 5.9 sec 0-60 by some mags. That same combo in the current car would probably be in the mid 6s and lose all virtual drag races to its competitors. You know how those drag racers are about their large FWD family sedans!

rayainsw

'....and probably get 35 MPG to boot if the 3.5 can get 34 MPG. '
That would mean a difference of about 1 gal / month,
assuming 15,000 miles driven per year...

nyccarguy

As of last week, I've had my E90 328xi for 6 months & LOVE the way it drives. 2 years from today, I'll most likely be BMW-less when my lease expries. I'm enjoying the tried & true Inline 6, well weighted hydraulic power steering, & other "old school" BMW aspects of it said so well by roadburner while it lasts. My September 2014 short list changes with how the wind blows. If my lease were up today, then I'd give the following cars a test drive:

Mazda 3i Touring
Honda Fit Sport
Honda Accord Sport
Ford Focus SE 5 Door

breld

I was just telling my wife the other day how I kinda miss her E90 328xi - that was while I was driving her X3. I agree about the tried & true I-6 - I had a little regret at first that we didn't hold out on her X3 until the 2.0 turbo was available, but when I drive it, I appreciate the feel of that "old" engine.

By the way, I was browsing on-line last night and came across this:

3-er M-Sport Wagon, Manual

Too bad that wasn't available earlier this year when we bought the X3 - we probably would've gone for the wagon.

andre1969

Plus, how much heavier is the 3.5, versus the old 3.0 anyway?

I just looked up some stats, and it looks like a 2007 Accord EX-L V-6/auto weighed 185 lb more than the 4-cyl (3250 lb versus 3435).

For 2012, the difference is actually less. The V-6 adds 172 lb to an EX-L (3421 lb versus 3593)

So on the surface, it looks like the 3.5 V-6 actually weighs less than the 3.0 did, since the weight penalty isn't as great. However, there could also be other factors at play...for instance, maybe in 2007, the V-6 came with bigger tires and brakes but in 2012 it didn't? Not saying that it didn't for a fact, but just using that as a hypothetical example.

ateixeira

$38k for a 2010? 2013s are coming out.

Mileage is super-low, at least.

fezo

Well, I've driven loads of Hondas so by comparison it has less road noise than I'm used to.

It's just about to a year now and it's just fine. There's not much that competes for someone who wants a convertible that seats four pretty comfortably and has a 13 cu ft trunk - and is high on dependability.

fintail

I have a fun decision ahead. A few months back a motorcyclist co-worker started trying to get me to start riding, as he knew I have some interest in bikes and am capable of riding. I recently went out and completed the MSF course, and now have my endorsement. I am thinking about what I should buy - as my likes are all over the map, heart vs head. I generally like sportier bikes over cruisers or choppers. I am tolerant of some sport tourers, but they seem larger than what I want - I don't plan to go cross country. I love the S1000RR/Tuono/KTM superbike and Duke, and a few Ducatis, but they are more than I want to spend until I have some more riding under my belt, and probably too much power for a newbie, even if I am more mature. I also have an interest in 80s vintage sportbikes - I've seen nice ones pretty cheap, I can imagine them becoming collectible, and I remember them from when I was a kid.

I also actually like some scooters - I used to smirk at them, but I've been on a full sized Vespa and Yamaha clone, and I found them to be a hoot. The sportbike-y Yamaha scooter or a cool BMW scooter have some interest. I am thinking maybe getting some kind of used more relaxed sporty bike for road use to start with, and a scooter for city use. I'll admit there is an aesthetic desire in this too, looks have value. As the riding season here is ending soon, prices should be easy fairly quickly. Anyone here have any type of bikes?

houdini1

For the reasons you just stated fezo, that Solara is just fine for you or anyone else who values comfort and reliability. It will get you where you need to go and do it trouble free for many years.

isellhondas

If you MUST ride a motorcycle, buy a Harley.

Nothing compares.

andre1969

If you MUST ride a motorcycle, buy a Harley.

Depends...is Fintail old enough, chunky enough, and can he grow a long enough beard to join that crowd? :P

houdini1

I haven't owned a bike since I was a teenager, but had tons of fun on one back then.

I would love to have one to just tool around the neighborhood , no interstates or main roads, thank you. For something like that, I would buy a Honda Rebel in a heartbeat, but I am afraid my wife would divorce me or have me committed. It might be too small or under powered for what you want, but would suit me just fine.

fezo

I should have mentioned in responding to Q that if he worked in the idea that the longer one has it the stranger it look angle that would be hard to defend against. Every so often I'll look at it and what all Japanese cars look like to lemko....

ateixeira

I've owned 2 scooters (Yamaha ???, Honda Aero 125) and 2 enduro motorcycles. The scooters are far more fun than you'd think, and more than most people are willing to admit. Oddly enough they were more fun to own than the motorcycles I had.

Even the boys at American Chopper bought scooters to fool around in.

Just don't let your friends see you on one.

I work across from the GWU campus and every other person rides a Ruckus or a Zuma. But I'd skip those and look at one of these:

http://powersports.honda.com/2013/pcx.aspx

Big diameter wheels and the seating position should make it smoother, but you still get the simplicity of a scooter. 150cc so it can get out of its own way.

$3500 is less than a set of tires for the E-AMG.

Yamaha has the Majesty, that's probably the sportbike-y one you refer to:

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/415/0/home.aspx

It's a 400cc engine but it also costs $6850. At that price I'd choose a more substantial bike.

If I got a Beemer it would be a F650GS dual-purpose bike. Their cruisers are cool but cost about what a MINI would set you back.

jayrider

Check out the Triumph website. I still have my cycle license but don't trust myself on one. The Triumphs have some new models with classic styling -- in between sport and cruisers. I love the looks. 15 years younger and I'd have one.

breld

$38k for a 2010? 2013s are coming out.

Mileage is super-low, at least.

Well, not saying it's necessarily a good value, but that wagon, as equipped, probably stickered crazy high for $45-$50k. BMW really sticks you for those "M-sport" packages. So, 20-25% off for 13k miles, plus the CPO, and it's at least a reasonable starting point.

roadburner

Depends...is Fintail old enough, chunky enough, and can he grow a long enough beard to join that crowd?

Also, is his wife obese?
And does she like to wear halter tops and Daisy Dukes?

roadburner

I'm partial to Triumphs as well; I ride a 1996 Speed Triple. I also like the Scrambler and the Street Triple. The Rocket 3 and Thunderbird are outstanding cruisers, if that's your thing.

fintail

The only Harley I would even get close to would be some kind of de-chromed Sportster - most of the marque is too big and too loud for me. And even then, not really on my list right now. They do seem to have insane resale value, anyway. The typical rider seems to be a good 10-20 years older than me, or more.

To answer the other fun questions - I am not small (over 6', not exactly skinny), but not gigantic. Sadly this is a problem, as many sporty Japanese bikes seem to be designed for someone who is about 5'7" and 140. I think some Euro bikes are built for bigger riders, and I was surprisingly comfortable on a larger scooter. I'd probably be OK on dual sport types too.

And fintail has no wife - so he can drive the car he wants, travel where he wants, dress as he wants, etc :shades:

xwesx

A friend of mine purchased a 2011 Street Triple R. The styling is unique, for sure, but that is one heck of a bike. As I recall, it was a pretty decent value, too, compared to many of the other contenders (all of which were over $10K).

fintail

I actually like the idea of tooling down the interstate at a low traffic hour (just not on a scooter). I live in an area with dense traffic - one thing I fear is clutch pain in my left hand, which I have already experienced while practicing. My evening commute would probably have what seems like 100 clutch squeezes. I'd need to adjust it to be light. Some bikes do have clutchless upshifting now.

In a training class, I rode a Suzuki equivalent to a Rebel. Not the style of bike I want, but it moved along fine for suburban use.

xwesx

My college roommate is 6'5" and probably around 300# again (was down to 250# a few years ago and fit as a fiddle, so he's no small guy!). He owns a 2004 Hayabusa (sp?), and it fits him really well. I think he bought it in '06 (maybe '05?), so he's had it quite a while and loves it. Of course, you're talking serious power there, too, so that's always a consideration (not necessarily a positive one, depending on what you want).

I personally like the 2007 FJR1300A, but my wife is dead set against me having a motorcycle, so I haven't seriously considered it. I do check For Sale ads for them at least once a year. I've considered more than one trip to the midwest to buy one! I think the going price is around $7K for a nice example now, though (vs. $15K new), which makes it tougher to resist. *sigh*

fintail

I was surprised at how fun a scooter over 125 or whatever is - I had only been on a small one before. I'd be laughed at for sure...but I was getting a feeling I could even do tricks on it. I wouldn't be against one as a commuter or in town errand runner.

The Yamaha I am thinking of is the TMAX. It lists at over 8K! But I bet they depreciate fiercely. That Honda you list is interesting, I will keep that in mind. I also like the idea of an old looking scooter, kind of to go with the fintail. The Vespa I rode was like a 2006, but it had a vintage feel.

I bet the BMW scooters aren't cheap either. I like the GS series bikes, but I also like faired bikes for their looks. The S1000RR is awesome to me, and so high tech. I want something with ABS and preferably selectable modes (rain, etc) and traction control. But it costs as much as a basic new car.

I have a lot to decide on anyway....I want to have something, at least a scooter, or maybe one of each, relatively soon.

fintail

I forgot about Triumph...co-worker who egged me on also suggested a Speed Triple to me. But he had suggested a Tuono too, and somehow that one scares me. He went straight from a little dirtbike practice to a tuned Ninja 636 and had no issues, so he thinks I can make a jump too. I don't know if I want something as aggressive as his bike. I am not against a Triumph.

I saw a Triumph Thruxton (I am pretty sure) this morning. Very cool, looked like it was from the 50s or 60s. I got a feeling I might be too tall for it though.

fintail

Yeah, a busa is big. Maybe too big for me, and too powerful. If I was going to get something insanely powerful, I'd go BMW for the weird looks and tech.

FJR can be had as automatic and ABS, I think. I am actually not against some gearing assist. A clutchless bike wouldn't hurt my feelings. I like to shift, but clutch work gets tedious, maybe because I am a novice. I don't mind those bikes, but they look kind of heavy to me, probably more than I need.

jmcbmw

Ah yes, the beautiful E39. And those on yours (with sport pkg) are my favorite rims of all time I think.

xwesx

They are heavy; the FJR nets at about 650# and the Hayabusa is about 575#. In comparison the Triumph Street Triple R is a whopping 415# or so. Along with that, the two sport touring bikes are 1300cc while the Triumph is a little under 700cc. So, for the weights, they are all quite powerful (in my opinion!). Even then, all those bikes are pretty light compared to some of the behemoths Harley puts out!

I like the FJR primarily because even though it is a powerful bike, it feels quite comfortable to sit on it (never driven one *insert blushed emoticon here*), which I think would translate to comfort over a long trip. While I *would* commute with one, I would want to take trips on it, too. That's a major reason why I don't consider it more - my wife wouldn't be caught dead on one, so what's the point?

kyfdx

but my wife is dead set against me having a motorcycle

Yeah.. that's when I get to have a bike.. :surprise:

nyccarguy

In motorcycles, but those Can Ams (2 front wheels, 1 rear wheel) are kinda cool. Until you see the $20 something thousand dollar price tag.

roadburner

but my wife is dead set against me having a motorcycle

My wife was just happy that my mid-life obsession had two wheels- instead of two legs... :P

jayrider

I never liked the sitting position on a scooter. Always felt like I might slide off when pushing into a turn. Being astride the cycle just felt more secure.

xwesx

Hahaha; nice. I'll have to play that card if it comes down to it!

andres3

That same combo in the current car would probably be in the mid 6s and lose all virtual drag races to its competitors.

They don't have to drop the 3.5 V6 just to carry a 3.0 or 3.2 (TL years 2004-2008). They could have 3 engine options. Keep the 3.5 for ultimate bragging rights on the straight line drag strip, and have the smaller V6 for people that like V6 power but don't want too much added heft.

As far as comparing 2007 to 2012 weight figures, there are far too many variables involved, but I'm sure Honda could make the 3.0 lighter than it used to be 10 years ago these days.

stickguy

hard to imagine that a 3.0 version will be that much lighter than a 3.5. Not enough to make a noticeable difference.

I will say that based on my RDX, the new 3.5/6 AT combo is very nice. Smooth, quick, and reasonably economical (and dropping 4-500#s, some drag, and the AWD should really help the Accord!

fintail

Yeah, those are too heavy for me, I think. I bet closer to 400 is a more ideal weight. Weight makes for nice cruising, but that's not what I want. I'm not going to take a bike to Montana or something - at most I'd go a couple hours each way, with a stop in the middle.

I guess you're lucky wifey lets you have your old beasts - many won't even allow that :shades:

ateixeira

TMAX. It lists at over 8K!

At that price, just get a bike. Yikes.

I also like the idea of an old looking scooter

When I was searching, Yamaha and Honda also had classic-look scooters. Very Italian looking.

Way back in college when I had the Honda Aero, I was neighbors with Brian Williams (played for the Terps as a freshman, then transferred to AZ). He had a Vespa and use to borrow my tools. He lost some, should I sue for some of his millions?

I'd take a good Beemer over that Spark your friend bought. :shades:

fintail

The bike would beat that car in about every way, when it isn't raining anyway.

I think I might go look at this next time I can make it down there - coworker who egged me on to get a license recommended this model as something to start with and grow into. I know a later model one with fairings and ABS is rare. Price is maybe a little high, but that can be taken care of. I like it, color works well with my car. I have mods in mind already. And somehow I'd still like to have a scooter to play with, too.

ateixeira

I'm not sure I could get comfortable with that forward-leaning riding position. At least not for distance.

Scooter as a runabout makes a lot of sense. I used mine a lot even when I finally got a car. Perfect for college campuses, too.

The Aero had a small gas tank, 1.1 gallons IIRC, and once I left my wallet at home. Bummed a quarter from my passenger and I was good for a couple of days.

Back then I remember gas was $0.999 a gallon!

fintail

The SV is actually fairly upright, not as aggressive as a real super sportsbike. Not like being on a cruiser, but I don't want that anyway. I do want cool looks though, and ABS. And though it might sound lame, I want a gear indicator. Eventually I think I'd like something kind of overdone, but I don't want to jump into it directly.

Maybe a bike for dry Sunday play, scooter for dry commuting/errands, car for longer trips or bad weather.

ateixeira

I want a gear indicator

Not lame, in fact my Honda XL250 has 6 forward gears and I often looked for "7th".

fintail

I'm afraid I will forget what gear I am in if I am paying attention to heavy traffic. Maybe because I am not very experienced. I am also lazy, easier to look. I have seen aftermarket indicators, some bikes have them integrated (GSXRs from 08+, among others, but I think those wouldn't be comfortable enough).

andre1969

to make a 1979 New Yorker look petite:



Just park something bigger next to it! :P

ateixeira

Truck looks like it could almost drive right over it. :shades:

rayainsw

What size wheels & tires on The Truck?