Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

breld

You can add another year-end punch for us - nothing as thrilling as a new Mustang or a potential Porsche punch, but we brought home our new minivan replacement this afternoon.

Looked at and drove a new Highlander earlier, just to consider another 3-row SUV, but the fact remained the wife and I both really were taken by Kia's new Sedona.

So we visited a dealership that had the color/model we wanted, and they fully met, if not exceeded, our pricing expectations. May have been the most painless transaction we've had. I gave them my "leasing worksheet" reflecting the terms Michael had provided and a target of dealer invoice less all incentives ($2,000) and they agreed to all that. The real kicker is they bought our Odyssey for $13,900. So no having to replace the windshield or make any other repairs, not to mention not having to show it and privately sell it.

Very pleased with it - certainly an upgrade in aesthetics and features from the Ody. Memory seats, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, large touchscreen with navigation, a "smart" rear hatch that opens when it senses the keyfob near it for 3 seconds (you can disable that). And we just really like the design of the exterior and interior. Kinda fun to try out a new brand.

brian125

qbrozen said; Now, the GLA AMG comes in at something like $5k less... but its quite a bit smaller. I dunno, I guess maybe I should at least take a look at one in the flesh. I have to admit the interior looks pretty awful in the pics, though.

The AMG version 355 h/p sounds like a lot of fun to drive. My MB dealer Ray Catena told me last week these CLA's are flying off the shelves very high demand right now. Edmunds review on this model was something to take note off with very firm ride and abundant road and wind noise. I'm sure a good test drive will determine if its that bad.

@breld congrats on the Sedona. I've been hearing they are very nice. Kia has done a wonderful job on the Redesign and updated features in this van . Did you compare it to the Toyota Sienna or new Ody.?

venture

corvette said:

Congrats, js06gv! If my count is correct, we're at 36 punches for the year, and have now surpassed all guesses from our members. au1994 was the closest guess at 35 punches.

"You've all overbid!" - Bob Barker

Any guesses for 2015? I have stever down for 39 and nobody else.

I lurk here a lot and only post occasionally, but if I'm considered a member you can count two for me in 2014.

2014 Fusion Titanium AWD and a 2015 Forester Limited.

steine13

>> [..] if I'm considered a member you can count two for me in 2014.

Sure you are!
Welcome to the club.
This group is like the opposite of social climbing.

Whether I can be in the club is a different story... I'm not planning ANY punches in '15, horribile dictu. We'll see, though, what the General will throw out there for GM Card holders...

Cheers -Mathias

stickguy

I'll try 34. And probably be way over.

Actually, make that 29 again.

qbrozen

steine13 said:

Whether I can be in the club is a different story... I'm not planning ANY punches in '15, horribile dictu. We'll see, though, what the General will throw out there for GM Card holders...

Cheers -Mathias

LOL! I didn't plan any for 2014, yet I have 2 and already planning out my next.

BTW, priced out a well-equipped X1 35i for $40k true car price. 50% less than the Porsche. Still, though... its a bimmer. Eh. There is something to be said for desirability and loving what you buy to help avoid getting bored with it too quick.

ab348

I'll take 30 for next year.

ab348

roadburner said:

Wow, I am SO glad I didn't buy into the hype and buy a Fiesta ST when all the magazines were fawning over it; Automobile magazine has one for a long term test and after only three track days the rear shocks were blown out, three wheels were bent and all four tires were DOA

I have learned over the years to dismiss any "first drive" or long-lead road tests from any of the car magazines. Unless the vehicle is an obvious dog, their initial reports are almost always glowing and overly enthusiastic. Then 6 months or a year later they do a test and there are all kinds of negatives about it.

ab348

Congrats to @breld - nothing as exciting as a Hemi Challenger but it will be interesting to see how the Sedona matches up to the usually well-regarded Odyssey. I agree that the changes manufacturers have made over the last 5 years in in-vehicle tech and infortainment are really astounding when you look back on them. In the late '0xs it was noteworthy if your car stereo even had an Aux jack available in it. Look at what we have now.

nyccarguy

@ab348‌

I too usually disregard any "first drive" as little more than a rewritten press release. "You are invited to (insert desirable location here) to come and test drive our all new, fully redesigned 2015 (insert make & model here). Please RSVP by (insert RSVP date). We look forward to seeing you."

Fly someone anywhere for a 3 day weekend, put them up in a hotel, & let them drive your car - watch what nice things they say about it.

I love to read long term tests & owner reviews to get a perspective about what the car drives like.

stever

@venture, maybe we should track dollar amounts too - I guesstimate "we" spent ~$1.2 million in cars just in here the last year, just going by sales prices. Pretty soon we're going to be talking real money.

venture

stever said:

@venture, maybe we should track dollar amounts too - I guesstimate "we" spent ~$1.2 million in cars just in here the last year, just going by sales prices. Pretty soon we're going to be talking real money.

You might be on to something there. Use sticker price for a more satisfying result. You know how we buy cars for almost nothing and leave the sales people in tears when we drive away.

breld

@brian125 Thanks! When we bought our used Ody 3 years ago, the current versions of the Ody and Sienna had recently been released, so we did take a long hard look at those, but decided to go used to "test the waters" on the minivan.

This time around, we looked again at a new Odyssey, but just couldn't get all that excited about it. While it obviously has more modern features, it just doesn't feel all that different from our '09, which speaks very well for how well that last model has held up.

The Sienna is solid - but we chose the Honda 3 years ago over it, and nothing has really changed. AWD would be nice, but the Ody with Blizzaks have served me well for 3 winter seasons.

All in all, I still think the Honda offers the best ride and handling. And it certainly has a great track record. If the minivan were a primary car, I'd be hard pressed not to go with an Odyssey, but since ours serves as my car about half the time if not a little less, it makes it a little easier to "try out" something new.

The Kia offers more features for the money, which is expected, but with their latest models, they're starting to be more desirable from a styling perspective too. Same goes for Hyundai. Jury's still out on LT reliability and durability, but I'm certainly willing to give it a shot.

breld

qbrozen said:

LOL! I didn't plan any for 2014, yet I have 2 and already planning out my next.

BTW, priced out a well-equipped X1 35i for $40k true car price. 50% less than the Porsche. Still, though... its a bimmer. Eh. There is something to be said for desirability and loving what you buy to help avoid getting bored with it too quick.

On the way home with the new Sedona, I asked my wife if she thought we could go for no punches in 2015. She said she's happy with her car, but gave me a 50/50 chance of finding something different to replace my 5. I didn't disagree.

Q - you already know this, but that X1 would just be too much like your 135i. Can't imagine you'd sit in it and find anything desirable compared to the (admittedly much more expensive) Macan or even the GLA.

venture

breld said:

@brian125 Thanks! When we bought our used Ody 3 years ago, the current versions of the Ody and Sienna had recently been released, so we did take a long hard look at those, but decided to go used to "test the waters" on the minivan.

This time around, we looked again at a new Odyssey, but just couldn't get all that excited about it. While it obviously has more modern features, it just doesn't feel all that different from our '09, which speaks very well for how well that last model has held up.

The Sienna is solid - but we chose the Honda 3 years ago over it, and nothing has really changed. AWD would be nice, but the Ody with Blizzaks have served me well for 3 winter seasons.

All in all, I still think the Honda offers the best ride and handling. And it certainly has a great track record. If the minivan were a primary car, I'd be hard pressed not to go with an Odyssey, but since ours serves as my car about half the time if not a little less, it makes it a little easier to "try out" something new.

The Kia offers more features for the money, which is expected, but with their latest models, they're starting to be more desirable from a styling perspective too. Same goes for Hyundai. Jury's still out on LT reliability and durability, but I'm certainly willing to give it a shot.

It didn't take you long to buy after you finally figured out what you wanted. Good job.

Sandman6472

Think y'all made an excellent choice with the Kia Sedona, excellent choice! Hyundai/Kia has really come a long way and are no the equal of the big dogs in reliability and offer more bang for the buck actually, all that needs to be fixed is the depreciation plus the public and their mindset. In all honesty, I was all set to keep my Tucson for the long haul, the usual 8 to 10 years. It did everything I asked it to and was comfortable for my daily commute, the tech was excellent and honestly, had no intention of doing a thing with it. The size wasn't making me love it either because deep down, I just prefer a small vehicle and always have. It was nice sitting a little above traffic but I've done it and can move on. But I wasn't in love with it, and with the lackluster mpg's, it became an appliance for me and that's o k to. But with all the looking for the other half, it got me thinking about me.
Figured I'd test the waters and see what happens. The wife's reaction was basically do what you want and I know she never thought I'd jump so soon. So I decided on an top limit that I'd spend plus the trade and would not go above that point. With the Lexus, I was a few grand over so I knew I would not be purchasing there. The Subaru was in the ballpark and we still plan to go trty a sedan when they come in just to see what we missed. But since I did fall in love with the A3, the Golf was really the best alternative for me getting something very similar. And that's just what I got, and that it did come in under budget was just the icing on the cake here!

The Sandman

abacomike

@breld‌

Enjoy the new wheels, bread.  I knew you couldn't let a year go by without a punch.  You picked a good one - good luck with it.

sda

that's a blast from the past

"You've all overbid!" - Bob Barker

Any guesses for 2015? I have stever down for 39 and nobody else.

carnaught

corvette said:

Congrats, js06gv! If my count is correct, we're at 36 punches for the year, and have now surpassed all guesses from our members. au1994 was the closest guess at 35 punches.

"You've all overbid!" - Bob Barker

Any guesses for 2015? I have stever down for 39 and nobody else.

Put me down for at least one, maybe two punches, personally, for 2015. The one lease I have is up, and the other car will be 2 y.o.....time to move on. Also, I only have two cars currently, whereas I usually have had three.

ab348

sda said:

Any guesses for 2015? I have stever down for 39 and nobody else.

Check the thread again. Several of us made predictions.

qbrozen

breld said:

Q - you already know this, but that X1 would just be too much like your 135i. Can't imagine you'd sit in it and find anything desirable compared to the (admittedly much more expensive) Macan or even the GLA.

Yeah, that's kind of the problem, too. "Been there, done that." haha.

js06gv

breld

@sandman_6472‌ Thought of you when I was re-reading Motor Trend's "COTY" where they picked the Golf/GTI. In their review of the A3 as a contender, they basically said they liked it quite a bit, but just couldn't stop thinking about how the Golf, sharing the same platform, did everything as well if not better, for less money.

Lucky for you and the misses, you have both!

corvette

Nice pics, js06gv! I now have our group at 40 punches for 2014.

Breld gets special mention for having five punches in 2014 alone: A Passat, TT, 535xi, GTI, and now a Sedona. Amazingly, he still owns the last three of those!

abacomike

js06gv said:

This is no Asian vehicle.  this is ALL AMERICAN with oodles of horses!!!

fintail

Hot car. It'll be fun to keep clean, too The styling works well, for me anyway - the first retro design needed a rework, and they made it exotic this time. Ignore the cliches about any coupe with an upkick in the C-pillar being like an Accord - it's to the point of being a tired meme now. Lots of bang for the buck there.

js06gv said:

abacomike

My guess for punches for 2015 is 29!  Why?  Sandy has shot his wad as has Breld.  I have no plans until the 2016 E Class appears.  There is a point of diminishing returns and I think we've hit that point for at least 2015.

fintail

Congrats. Talk about a quantum leap for the Sedona - went from an ancient thing to one of the best looking in the class.

breld said:

You can add another year-end punch for us

Michaell

@corvette - can you post the list of punches for 2014?

Put me down for 27 in 2015 ... nothing planned for the household here.

Mr_Shiftright

I'm definitely in for a used Porsche 911 or Corvette in 2015.

Took my recent truck purchase in for an alignment, got the typical "upsell" like I was some kind of rookie.

"Oh, we can't adjust the toe-in as you asked, because you need (long list follows). We estimate $2250 to rebuild the front end".

ME: "what readout did you get on ball joint play?"

THEM: "readout?"

ME: "You know, from the dial gauge...."

THEM: "UMMMMM...."

ME: "What about the tie rods?"

THEM: (squeezing them with slip lock pliers---OLDEST trick in the book)..."see how they go up and down?"

ME: "Any tie rod will do that, even a new one. Did you measure the play laterally?"

THEM: "UMMMMM...."

ME: "How much was the inspection? I have to go now".

breld

Again, not nearly as impressive as the Mustang pics (beautiful, by the way), but here's our new swagger-van. Excuse the sun glare and finger in the side-view pic.

As it was parked right next to our Ody before we left, it was interesting to note the styling differences - the "blunt" nose and the higher taillamps make for a pleasing look. The interior cinched it for my wife (and myself as well) - that tasteful two-tone leather and the "SUV-like" center console are really nice touches. The sporty steering wheel with the contour grips at 10:00 and 2:00 are amusing for a minivan - but nice indeed.

js06gv

Great looking van! I think it's the most impressive one on the market. The dash looks very similar to my daughters Optima, a car with which I've been very impressed. Kia is starting to follow the now popular trend of a high level of brand familiarity between models in terms of grille, interior, etc.

rayainsw

Congrats to the 'just before year end' punchers!
- Ray
Still awaiting arrival.....

abacomike

If you are on the cutting edge of "to buy or not to buy," BMW and Mercedes have pulled out all the stops to be the #1 luxury import for 2014!  They are really dealing on every opportunity.  

You can just about name your price.  Mercedes has extra trunk money as does BMW.  Now is the time to move up!

corvette

Michaell said:

@corvette - can you post the list of punches for 2014?

That's dangerous... The year's not over yet! But here goes:
01/02/14 breld 2014 VW Passat Wolfsburg 1.8T (lease)
01/06/14 sda 2010 Honda Pilot EX-L RES 50k
01/18/14 au1994 2005 BMW 330cic ZHP 77k
02/14/14 js06gv 2014 Kia Optima SX turbo (lease)
02/17/14 stickguy 2014 VW Jetta SE (lease)
03/05/14 robbieg 2014 Toyota Highlander AWD XLE
04/04/14 akangl 2001 Chevrolet Silverado LT 2500HD 113k
04/11/14 nextcar3 2014 Infiniti Q50
04/12/14 michaell 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
04/16/14 breld 2008 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro coupe 10k
04/22/14 steine13 2014 Subaru Outback Premium
05/15/14 stevedebi 2014 VW Passat SE TDI
06/04/14 stever 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan xxk
06/08/14 breld 2011 BMW 535xi M-sport 22k
06/14/14 qbrozen 2014 Chrysler Town & Country Limited
07/03/14 kyfdx 1995 BMW M3 coupe 205k
07/11/14 jpp5862 2014 Ford Fusion Titanium Energi (lease)
07/17/14 glayfan40 2014 VW GTI Autobahn (lease)
07/20/14 breld 2015 VW GTI Autobahn
07/30/14 tifighter 2015 Nissan Leaf SL (lease)
07/31/14 gouldn 2011 Acura TSX wagon xxk
08/15/14 henryn 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 111k
08/25/14 rny421 2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD 24k
09/13/14 tommister2 2014 Ford Mustang GT
09/19/14 sb55 2014 Chevrolet Silverado
09/24/14 qbrozen 2015 Honda Fit LX
09/27/14 nyccarguy 2015 Subaru Legacy Premium
10/27/14 ab348 2014 Cadillac ATS 2.0T
10/29/14 graphicguy 2014 Cadillac CTS Performance
10/30/14 stevedebi 2014 Ford C-Max Energi
11/08/14 stickguy 2015 Hyundai Sonata Limited (lease)
11/11/14 fintail 2014 Mercedes E350 (lease)
12/02/14 sandman_6742 2015 Audi A3
12/12/14 sandman_6742 2015 VW Golf
12/14/14 abacomike 2015 Mercedes E400
12/23/14 Mr_Shiftright 1998 Dodge Dakota ext. cab "high miles"
12/27/14 js06gv 2015 Ford Mustang GT
12/27/14 breld 2015 Kia Sedona
xx/xx/14 venture 2014 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD
xx/xx/14 venture 2015 Subaru Forester Limited

abacomike

corvette said:

@corvette - can you post the list of punches for 2014?

That's dangerous... The year's not over yet! But here goes: 01/02/14 breld 2014 VW Passat Wolfsburg 1.8T (lease) 01/06/14 sda 2010 Honda Pilot EX-L RES 50k 01/18/14 au1994 2005 BMW 330cic ZHP 77k 02/14/14 js06gv 2014 Kia Optima SX turbo (lease) 02/17/14 stickguy 2014 VW Jetta SE (lease) 03/05/14 robbieg 2014 Toyota Highlander AWD XLE 04/04/14 akangl 2001 Chevrolet Silverado LT 2500HD 113k 04/11/14 nextcar3 2014 Infiniti Q50 04/12/14 michaell 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4 04/16/14 breld 2008 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro coupe 10k 04/22/14 steine13 2014 Subaru Outback Premium 05/15/14 stevedebi 2014 VW Passat SE TDI 06/04/14 stever 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan xxk 06/08/14 breld 2011 BMW 535xi M-sport 22k 06/14/14 qbrozen 2014 Chrysler Town & Country Limited 07/03/14 kyfdx 1995 BMW M3 coupe 205k 07/11/14 jpp5862 2014 Ford Fusion Titanium Energi (lease) 07/17/14 glayfan40 2014 VW GTI Autobahn (lease) 07/20/14 breld 2015 VW GTI Autobahn 07/30/14 tifighter 2015 Nissan Leaf SL (lease) 07/31/14 gouldn 2011 Acura TSX wagon xxk 08/15/14 henryn 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 111k 08/25/14 rny421 2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD 24k 09/13/14 tommister2 2014 Ford Mustang GT 09/19/14 sb55 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 09/24/14 qbrozen 2015 Honda Fit LX 09/27/14 nyccarguy 2015 Subaru Legacy Premium 10/27/14 ab348 2014 Cadillac ATS 2.0T 10/29/14 graphicguy 2014 Cadillac CTS Performance 10/30/14 stevedebi 2014 Ford C-Max Energi 11/08/14 stickguy 2015 Hyundai Sonata Limited (lease) 11/11/14 fintail 2014 Mercedes E350 (lease) 12/02/14 sandman_6742 2015 Audi A3 12/12/14 sandman_6742 2015 VW Golf 12/14/14 abacomike 2015 Mercedes E400 12/23/14 Mr_Shiftright 1998 Dodge Dakota ext. cab "high miles" 12/27/14 js06gv 2015 Ford Mustang GT 12/27/14 breld 2015 Kia Sedona xx/xx/14 venture 2014 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD xx/xx/14 venture 2015 Subaru Forester Limited

You forgot driver100's 2015 E400 purchased in October, 2014.

tommister2

I also purchased a 1997 Jeep Wrangler this year, in September.

qbrozen

Nice looking van. I dig the 2-tone interior.

so wifey asked why I'd keep the Fit. Well...to keep miles off the Porsche, of course. Then after some discussion, we were thinking "why not share the volvo and cut us down to 3 cars?" Guess I'll have to put some thought into that. Would certainly be shortest new car ownership in my life thus far. Probably wouldn't lose much money on it, either.

venture

corvette said:

Michaell said:

@corvette - can you post the list of punches for 2014?

That's dangerous... The year's not over yet! But here goes:
01/02/14 breld 2014 VW Passat Wolfsburg 1.8T (lease)
01/06/14 sda 2010 Honda Pilot EX-L RES 50k
01/18/14 au1994 2005 BMW 330cic ZHP 77k
02/14/14 js06gv 2014 Kia Optima SX turbo (lease)
02/17/14 stickguy 2014 VW Jetta SE (lease)
03/05/14 robbieg 2014 Toyota Highlander AWD XLE
04/04/14 akangl 2001 Chevrolet Silverado LT 2500HD 113k
04/11/14 nextcar3 2014 Infiniti Q50
04/12/14 michaell 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
04/16/14 breld 2008 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro coupe 10k
04/22/14 steine13 2014 Subaru Outback Premium
05/15/14 stevedebi 2014 VW Passat SE TDI
06/04/14 stever 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan xxk
06/08/14 breld 2011 BMW 535xi M-sport 22k
06/14/14 qbrozen 2014 Chrysler Town & Country Limited
07/03/14 kyfdx 1995 BMW M3 coupe 205k
07/11/14 jpp5862 2014 Ford Fusion Titanium Energi (lease)
07/17/14 glayfan40 2014 VW GTI Autobahn (lease)
07/20/14 breld 2015 VW GTI Autobahn
07/30/14 tifighter 2015 Nissan Leaf SL (lease)
07/31/14 gouldn 2011 Acura TSX wagon xxk
08/15/14 henryn 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 111k
08/25/14 rny421 2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD 24k
09/13/14 tommister2 2014 Ford Mustang GT
09/19/14 sb55 2014 Chevrolet Silverado
09/24/14 qbrozen 2015 Honda Fit LX
09/27/14 nyccarguy 2015 Subaru Legacy Premium
10/27/14 ab348 2014 Cadillac ATS 2.0T
10/29/14 graphicguy 2014 Cadillac CTS Performance
10/30/14 stevedebi 2014 Ford C-Max Energi
11/08/14 stickguy 2015 Hyundai Sonata Limited (lease)
11/11/14 fintail 2014 Mercedes E350 (lease)
12/02/14 sandman_6742 2015 Audi A3
12/12/14 sandman_6742 2015 VW Golf
12/14/14 abacomike 2015 Mercedes E400
12/23/14 Mr_Shiftright 1998 Dodge Dakota ext. cab "high miles"
12/27/14 js06gv 2015 Ford Mustang GT
12/27/14 breld 2015 Kia Sedona
xx/xx/14 venture 2014 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD
xx/xx/14 venture 2015 Subaru Forester Limited

The Fusion was 2/08/14 (I think) and the Forester was 12/23/14.

Mr_Shiftright

Surprising Discovery: When shopping around looking for C4 and C5 Corvettes, the number of automatics vs. manual seems to be about 10 to 1. Now of course I know this is not the actual proportion produced, but it looks like the automatics are offered for sale at a much higher rate.

Too bad. There are some real bargains out there---excellent bang for the buck.

Another interesting observations---very few high mileage C4s or C5s are listed.

Who drives these things? Old men like me?

qbrozen

Mr_Shiftright said:

Who drives these things? Old men like me?

That was rhetorical, right? ;b

au1994

Great looking van Breld. Love that color.

For 2015 I'll go with 33 punches.

jayrider

Mr_Shiftright said:

Surprising Discovery: When shopping around looking for C4 and C5 Corvettes, the number of automatics vs. manual seems to be about 10 to 1. Now of course I know this is not the actual proportion produced, but it looks like the automatics are offered for sale at a much higher rate.

Too bad. There are some real bargains out there---excellent bang for the buck.

Another interesting observations---very few high mileage C4s or C5s are listed.

Who drives these things? Old men like me?

We are looking for higher T med free.

Mr_Shiftright

I have yet to spend any real time in a C4 Corvette. I may ditch this pursuit right after the road test.

One thing I hate in a car is squeaks and rattles.

Second thing is awkward orientation between driver, foot pedals, bottom of window, and steering wheel.

breld

qbrozen said:

Nice looking van. I dig the 2-tone interior.

so wifey asked why I'd keep the Fit. Well...to keep miles off the Porsche, of course. Then after some discussion, we were thinking "why not share the volvo and cut us down to 3 cars?" Guess I'll have to put some thought into that. Would certainly be shortest new car ownership in my life thus far. Probably wouldn't lose much money on it, either.

I just noticed a Honda dealer advertising a USED 2015 Fit EX manual for $18,400 on cars.com. Isn't that about MSRP?

Yeah - you probably would lose very little on the Fit.

driver100

corvette said:

Michaell said:

@corvette - can you post the list of punches for 2014?

That's dangerous... The year's not over yet! But here goes:

Hi Corvette and other CCBA fans! Abacomike sent me over to add my car to the list.
10/28/14 driver100 reporting in with a 2015 Mercedes E400.

Count me in!

kyfdx

Mr_Shiftright said:

I have yet to spend any real time in a C4 Corvette. I may ditch this pursuit right after the road test.

One thing I hate in a car is squeaks and rattles.

Second thing is awkward orientation between driver, foot pedals, bottom of window, and steering wheel.

I don't see the appeal of the C4. I'd guess that the 10 to 1 auto/manaul split is about right... On the C5, I think the ratio was a little lower.. but, not a lot. Most of that because the Z06 was only available as a manual.

corvette

I think the C5 driving position is improved compared to the C4.

My corrected list now has 42 entries. We had purchases on October 27, 28, 29, and 30. Two members bought cars on dates of December 23 and December 27.

Mr_Shiftright

The appeal of a C4 is this---You can get a competent 150 mph car for around $4000 bucks, pull 1g on a skidpad, and do the 1/4 mile in maybe 13.6. Better yet, you can get parts at Autozone.

Call it "cheap thrills" if you will.

Status: Teensy, Nil or maybe (depending on where you live) Minus
Styling: Meh
Reliability: Eh
Comfort: What's that?
Fun Per Dollar (FPD ratio): Excellent
Bang for the Buck: Priceless


kyfdx said: "

I don't see the appeal of the C4. I'd guess that the 10 to 1 auto/manaul split is about right... On the C5, I think the ratio was a little lower.. but, not a lot. Most of that because the Z06 was only available as a manual.

"

stever

I drove a great "motorcycle" road this afternoon...hairpins in the minivan. I'm ready for something smaller than a semi.

Wasn't my 39 for this year? I need to go find and, ahem, edit that post.