Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

nyccarguy

henryn said:

Life is too short to drive a boring car. A car doesn't have to have massive horsepower / torque to be non-boring, but it certainly helps!

I agree.  That's why I've still got my Prelude.  It is light, has a very high revving engine (200 hp/156 lb ft of torque), superb handling, & a slick shifting 5 speed manual transmission.

qbrozen

I think I'm kind of at my limit with what I find reasonable in a street car. I can't imagine ever needing/wanting more than the mid-4-sec 0-60 range. Reading about the Giulia, for example, and thinking to myself "I'd like to know what the next model down in the range will be like" rather than dreaming of the 500hp top-spec model they are talking about.

Michaell

I don't think I've ever owned a car with more than about 250 HP .. and, most of those were SUV's or CUV's of some sort.

The 180HP in my daughters MINI is more than enough, when you stomp on the go pedal.

I've always looked at pounds per HP .. having lots of ponies in a too heavy car isn't much fun.

Mr_Shiftright

Like they say on the race track--"if you're a bad driver with 300 hp, you're going to be really bad with 600".

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

I think I'm kind of at my limit with what I find reasonable in a street car. I can't imagine ever needing/wanting more than the mid-4-sec 0-60 range. Reading about the Giulia, for example, and thinking to myself "I'd like to know what the next model down in the range will be like" rather than dreaming of the 500hp top-spec model they are talking about.

You've got the V-Sport, so it becomes more difficult when your daily comes from the factory with a 450 hp twin turbo V6;). I know what you are saying though.  There is only so fast one can drive on public roads in congested areas.

pretty much everything is a step up from my Legacy's 175 hp H4 in the power department.

Mr_Shiftright

If the car is SMALL and powerful, that's workable on city streets. You can scoot, dart, squirt around without doing too much harm. But driving my friends 2014 'Vette in San Francisco traffic was just awful. I can't imagine how the Italians maneuver a Ferrari around in Rome. (although I'd give it a try!).

I know a guy that has both a CTS-V and an Audi R8, and really, 90% of the time he only tracks these cars, even adding some upgrades to make that experience more fun for him. There's really nothing he can do with them in "real life" anymore.

stickguy

My RDX is the most HP in any car I have really owned (not counting a V8 nova in HS that I never registered). Fast to me. 0-60 in the low 6s. About 275 hp and 3,600#s maybe. It scoots.

Next best hot rod was my maxima SE. But torque steer on that baby!

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

My RDX is the most HP in any car I have really owned (not counting a V8 nova in HS that I never registered). Fast to me. 0-60 in the low 6s. About 275 hp and 3,600#s maybe. It scoots. Next best hot rod was my maxima SE. But torque steer on that baby!

Our Pilot has the most HP of any car I've owned (250)

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

You've got the V-Sport, so it becomes more difficult when your daily comes from the factory with a 450 hp twin turbo V6;). I know what you are saying though.  There is only so fast one can drive on public roads in congested areas.

pretty much everything is a step up from my Legacy's 175 hp H4 in the power department.

Oh, come now, its only 420hp.

The Caddy and Stang are matched at 420 for most hp in a car I have owned. The Caddy beats the Stang by 40 lb-ft, though.

roadburner

At 320 hp my MS3 has about 10 more ponies than my tweaked 1988 M6- and it's several hundred pounds lighter.

sda

My 1970 Cadillac DeVille convertible that I had as a project car while I was in college had the most horsepower of any car that I've owned, though I believe these are gross#. 1970 375 Horsepower V8-472 4 Barrel 4.30 x 4.06 472 10.0 375 @ 4400 525 @ 3000 It wasn't the quickest that I've owned. That was probably my 95 VW Jetta GLX VR-6. That was a fun car. Actually both were fun cars in their own kind of way.

tifighter

I think I'm going to do the polestar ecu flash at the next service for the XC. Will bump the HP to 325 and the TQ to 354. Because why not.

tommister2

nyccarguy said:

stickguy said:

My RDX is the most HP in any car I have really owned (not counting a V8 nova in HS that I never registered). Fast to me. 0-60 in the low 6s. About 275 hp and 3,600#s maybe. It scoots.

Next best hot rod was my maxima SE. But torque steer on that baby!

Our Pilot has the most HP of any car I've owned (250)

The Pilot like we have is not all that fast but it sounds good (to my ears at least). Got to race the wife a few weeks ago and was surprised that our 4 cylinder Camry is faster than the Pilot. Edmunds stats confirmed it. The Camry felt faster but I always figured my butt-dyno was defective.

rayainsw

".. figured my butt-dyno was defective. "
Just requires re-calibration.
I prescribe multiple test drives.
- Ray
Dr. of TQ

Sandman6472

SDA, we had the same Caddy in 1970, light blue over white with a white top. Was quite the looker in the day and was a hoot to drive. My dad and three of his golfing buddies made a deal with an Orlando dealer to have four driven down in different color combos to the club and they'd ach take one. My mom wanted the blue which is exactly what dad gave her the keys to...SURPRISE honey!! Living in South Florida only a matter of months and knowing she hated it here, he tried to be the nice guy and surprise her with a new drop top to replace her '68 Eldorado, a nice vehicle but not for South Florida. The high school always got my brother or me to drive in all the school functions since we had one of the nicest convertibles and we always obliged.
Happy high school memories!

The Sandman

Sandman6472

Just like NY, I'm also always looking at the used car rags and sometimes go test drive something fun. As much as I am content with our garage now, still, I always look at what's out there. Still wanting a third fun vehicle and a convertible is looking better and better but the wife is fighting me on this. Funny thing is think she'd be the one to use it more if we had one...she always liked when I had a drop top rental when my '03 Sentra kept having issues under warranty. So I keep looking and save my pennies as one day, I will finally win out. A lot of good stuff out there at least down here in South Florida.

The Sandman

Sandman6472

Miami and Lauderdale airport have been pushing us to take as man of the new vehicles off their set up area as possible. Once the tags are on and the registration is in the glove box, off we go with the seats still in plastic and the hoods also. Our utility guys have been getting them road ready and our customers have been very pleased to get a brand new vehicle. Most that I picked up had between 3 and 7 miles on the clock. In no particular order, we got...Camry SE's, Altima S's, Sante Fe's, Jetta's, 200's, 300's, Pathfinder's, Tucson's, Accord's and Jeep Renegade's and Cherokee's as well as Patriot's to name a few. All sorts of colors with basic options like mats and some have alloys...just your basic rental fare.
With the amount sitting on the ground plus what the tractor trailers are bringing in, think we'll be busy for a good week or so. Hertz has made a big effort to get rid of their higher mileage iron and replacing with new...guess customer complaints have been heard and are now being addressed, a good thing truth be told. Smiling every morning when the alarm goes off on a work day...just hope they will start throwing some more hours my way!

The Sandman

nyccarguy

Saw a new style STi in white tonight on the way home.  Haven't seen one yet & it's a great color for that car (most I see are either WR Blue Pearl or Black).

While commenting this to my best friend, he said:  I can't get that STi out of my mind.  I want one.  Black on black with that gigantic spoiler.

i replied:  "you lasted 6 months with an Automatic Wrangler.  I give you the same 6 months with a stick shift STi.  The only good thing is that they hold their value like nothing else."

he then said:  "perfect, then you could take over my lease."

got me thinking how much I'd enjoy driving a WRX;)

stickguy

Hmm. a WRX. maybe should put one of those and a Civic Si on my future considerations list. Assuming I want to go back to a stick.

Not an STi though. That is too hard core for us (my wife would hate it! and it would never be a road trip car).

such decisions. Really need to move to get a better garage/driveway set-up so I can get a toy too.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Hmm. a WRX. maybe should put one of those and a Civic Si on my future considerations list. Assuming I want to go back to a stick. Not an STi though. That is too hard core for us (my wife would hate it! and it would never be a road trip car). such decisions. Really need to move to get a better garage/driveway set-up so I can get a toy too.

Yeah. I moved in September. One of the things I really wanted was a three car garage. 

Nope. 

Maybe next time. 

nyccarguy

@Michaell - don't feel bad.  We've got a 2 car garage that was built when I car wasn't a ginormous 4WD SUV.  2 cars fit if I'm REALLY careful.

stickguy

yeah, a 3 car garage is the dream (well, the real dream is 4-5, with a 2-3 attached, and a separate one for the overflow. but that might not happen.

at this point, I would be happy with a driveway spot that did not block the garage (sadly I don't have a place to put it in). so having an extra cars means playing parking spot shuffle, or parking in the road which I don't do.

Plus I hate parking outside!

tjc78

My Lacrosse was the most powerful car I've owned at 303 hp but it was such a porker it really didn't feel that fast.  My 290 hp Genesis or 268 HP Avalon felt so much faster.  That Avalon surprised more than a few people for a geezer car.  I loved the Toyota 2GR V6.  

corvette

Don't get me started... Old basic ranch house had a 24 x 24' attached insulated garage and I had 1-2 midsize cars plus a riding mower, all of which fit comfortably. New house in the city has a 1 car garage and I now have a full-size SUV. I only fold the power mirrors in to pull it inside when I expect dew or frost.

kyfdx

corvette said:

Don't get me started... Old basic ranch house had a 24 x 24' attached insulated garage and I had 1-2 midsize cars plus a riding mower, all of which fit comfortably. New house in the city has a 1 car garage and I now have a full-size SUV. I only fold the power mirrors in to pull it inside when I expect dew or frost.

In Louisville?

Michaell

The HOA where I live doesn't allow overnight street parking, so I'm always moving the Hyundai around to let the Subaru or the mini out of the garage. 

stickguy

24x24 would be heaven. we have typical newer build suburban colonial. 2 car, but barely 20x20. Cars fit, though tight squeeze through the single doors with the mirrors on the wide bodies, so just have to be careful. Yard stuff goes in the shed!

cdnpinhead

Power is interesting, but driving in interesting places is even more so, at least to me. I read daily the messages of those who crave 500 hp so they can get around the on-ramp quicker and/or smoke someone at a stoplight. I'm puzzled.

Party on.

I drove my severely underpowered (by today's standards) 240-Z up and down the Fraser Canyon in B.C. for many years and had a ball. Now I drive a tarted up Honda (TSX) with twice the power, but I have almost no opportunity to really exercise it.

I read these boards wondering where those who crave all the handling and (even weirder) power add-ons actually use them. Is it all about museum pieces?

corvette

kyfdx said:

In Louisville?

The new house is. The old house was out in the sticks where nobody cared about fitting the largest density of houses into the smallest amount of land. I still like it here, though.

stickguy

what is the old saying? More fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow?

roadburner

stickguy said:

yeah, a 3 car garage is the dream (well, the real dream is 4-5, with a 2-3 attached, and a separate one for the overflow. but that might not happen.

at this point, I would be happy with a driveway spot that did not block the garage (sadly I don't have a place to put it in). so having an extra cars means playing parking spot shuffle, or parking in the road which I don't do.

Plus I hate parking outside!

You'll still wind up wanting more spaces; I have a heated 2 car garage next to the walk-out basement as well as a detached 2 car that is deep enough to handle the 328i and Wrangler along with the ZTR mowers, Triumph scoot and two bicycles. I hated to sell the '02, but it sure is nice to now have the entire fleet under roof- at least when my son is at SC...

robr2

10 years ago, I added a 26x26 garage and it's barely adequate IMHO. It's gotten "smaller" over the years.

I store the lawn tractor and snow blower out in the shed but the refrigerator and work bench take up space and for some reason, my side of the garage is the place where any work takes place. As such, my car stays outside more often than I would like.

stever

22x25 here and no mower or snow blower storage needed. The van fits fine but the big rig seems to fill up the space, compared to the sedan rental I put in there one night. Outside storage can be an issue here with the kangaroo rats trying to nest under the hood and gnaw on the wiring - people who park outside usually open their hood or put a shop light underneath the engine compartment.

Putting two cars in it would cramp my style since I have a workbench and a floor loom out there and the bikes.

First garage I've had that's finished with sheetrock. It's "cleaner" and a bit insulated, but I kind of miss being able to put a zillion shelf cubbies between the studs. Especially love the epoxy floor although it would be slippery if you were in a wet or snowy area.

Michaell

A little 'Ring action for your Friday:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/321577158048111/permalink/434099980129161/

Mr_Shiftright

The problem with all that enormous power is that you're always white-knuckling it on twisty roads. You can get up so much steam so fast that you're working your butt off in the turns.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

what is the old saying? More fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow?

Yes, that's the saying. But it leaves off the last line which is that it is even more fun to drive a fast car fast.

Mr_Shiftright

Yes but only in certain circumstances I think. Here's a thought exercise. We'll pick a narrow mountain road with gorgeous views but two-way traffic. First we'll put you in a Miata, then a Corvette. I think (if I might presume), you'd enjoy the Miata better.

stever

Highway 1.

Mr_Shiftright

Now there's a road where only the most expert of drivers should take a Corvette, of all things, full-bore

stever

I might be swimming in a Miata on the Carmel to SLO stretch just loafing along. Shoot, could happen even in a Prius.

iluvmysephia1

Highway 1 would be a nice highway ta take a Mazda 2...I...I mean a 2016 Scion iA on. With a manual transmission, of course. Punching it to get every bit of the 104 horses ta good use.

Mr_Shiftright

You'd better grap that Scion if you want it. The brand doesn't look to have much of a future.

iluvmysephia1

After feeling a gut punch from our '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS experience and still enjoying the '11 Kia Soul 5-speed base, I'm just gonna hold. The iA desire is slowly fading away, but, I don't think Okio Toyoda wants ta let the Scion brand die. The FR-S is actually getting a pretty good car enthusiast's reputation amongst those who are 'Fast and Furious' RWD types.

The Scion xB needed to go, why the tC is still around, I don't know. I always liked the Scion xA, too. I am a Scion fan, but I do see the brand's struggle as being a going thing. Kia seems ta provide me with what I want at a good pricepoint with good durability and Warranty, though. And the Soul, if you get a stick, is fun ta drive, too.

stever

A reporter is looking to talk with someone who recently bought or leased a small crossover SUV (such as a CR-V or RAV4). If you're willing to help, please contact pr@edmunds.com by no later than Tuesday December 22, 2015.

stickguy

My daughter. Such a chip off the block. Mentioned today she saw a nice blue TLX at the store. And that we should go drive one.

Wife pointed out we were not in the market. Kid's response? Doesn't matter, should do it just for fun! Believe the wife rolled her eyes and mumbled something about an apple and a tree.

stickguy

OK, I really need to stop shopping. Because I keep finding things I like.

I love this car (could be perfect for sandy, other than the stick!). Fantastic interior. and 3 pedals! no clue about price.

http://www.delawarevalleymotors.com/inventorymanager.php?action=view&Id=753352

Sandman6472

Yes...perfect!!! Have seen a few white over black and white over cream with the slushbox and I was in lust. Did sit in a white over beige X1 today, a 2014 with just over 51K...very nice but crazy mileage for an almost 3 year old vehicle. Really liked the size truth be told and will seriously look at BMW and MB next time around as well as Audi. During my initial search back in late 2013, did go see a 1 Series, white over black with the nicer alloys like on that convertible, and it was in the showroom. The damn battery was dead and they wouldn't do anything to let me test drive it. Really was simply gorgeous and would've been just perfect had things been different...might have even bought the sucker I liked it so much. I know I was super excited inside when I first laid eyes on it.
It's funny, on all my vehicle purchases, I've always had that excited feeling in the pit of my stomach, something I think many of you guys have felt to. The only vehicle I didn't get that overwhelming feeling of happiness was with the Tucson, for some reason I just knew I should wait a bit. I had originally wanted the Limited model, it just looked so much better to me. I liked it almost as much as I liked the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ES, the vehicle I really did want. I know now that I settled for the SE model I ended up buying, think I knew it that whole afternoon when it was pouring. It just wasn't what I really wanted and I settled just to get it over with. And that was wrong.
Did learn a valuable lesson from the whole situation. Get the exact vehicle you really want and do not settle...when one settles for anything in life, they feel a bit cheated. And that's exactly how I felt, like I settled for second best. So when I got the Golf, I again got that exhilerating happy feeling that I am indeed getting what I want, right at that moment. And I'm still feeling that same feeling whenever I get into it!!!


The Sandman

corvette

Nice 128i. That is probably the correct engine choice for that vehicle, given the problems with the turbo six in the x35i cars of that era. The 1-series seems to share a lot of interior parts with the E90.

stickguy

If I ever did get one of these, I would go with the smaller, NA engine. more than enough power for me, and cheaper to run!

stickguy

OK, I decided I want this for Christmas. Feel free to group up to get it if too pricey individually. Just let me know when I can run over an pick it up.

http://echelonford.com/Stratford-and-South-Jersey/For-Sale/New/Ford/Mustang/2016-GT-Premium-Red-Car/44023712/