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Shifty Needs Your Help in Buying a Car
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Comments
The S is a nice car, but I would think even a base new one is peppier than an XA.
Just be forewarned about the "free" servicing, it's a load of nonsense... they pay for a fraction of what the car truly needs but you knew that I know
Hey, whatever happened to your 164LS?
Is the '07 base Mini sufficiently more satisfying than the xA to justify the cost of trading the xA in? How do the ride and handling of the two cars compare? The reason I ask these questions is that, regarding the power advantage of the Mini over your xA, I believe Scion sells a supercharger for the Scion, which might give the power advantage back to the xA, at a lower cost than trading the xA for the Mini. Of course, adding a supercharger wouldn't address the image issue, which you indicated mstters for your work.
Well yes, the xA could in fact be made into a credible MINI Cooper; however, a supercharger would add at least $3,500 to the cost AND would immediately void the warranty, at least on the drivetrain.
So essentially, as I see it, I would be turning the xA into the exact same situation as the used 2003 S -- a car that costs me more but still has no warranty protection.
Without modifications, the MINI is clearly superior to the xA in handling, even after I've put on sway bars and strut bracing. The xA could be further improved in handling with new tires and wheels, lowering springs, and different struts...so perhaps $2,000 to make the xA a real handler. Not an unreasonable alternative.
To do Supercharger + handling package, well over a $5,000 investment, seems pointless, as I could just buy a new MINI, put $5,000 down on it, and have basically very similar car payments to what I have now.
If the xA had an engine equal to the base MINI, I might very well just modify the suspension and be happy enough.
But you can really notice that the xA's low end power is from gearing, not from torque. The power curve seems to flatten out rapidly, while the MINI's power curve feels quite broad.
Of course, ultimately, none of us "needs" a new car or a good-looking one. We could all grit our teeth and drive beat up ten-year-old Corollas and get to where we need to get to.
Natch, I don't want to show up to a client's fine home in a beater; but the Scion doesn't "lose" me any business I don't think. Probably it just requires me to spit out a little more car nomenclature to assure the client that I really do know the difference between a Ferrari and an Odyssey.
Bottom line? I'm in a car sometimes all day for 200-300 miles. I need AC, I need satellite radio, I need fun, I need gas mileage, I need legroom, I need to scoot, scurry, dodge and dart.
Now really, what car does all that?
Exactly.
james
If a small car works for you, I think the Mini is absolutely the ticket.. I have heard good things about the 2nd generation ones but am holding off personal judgement until I get seat time in one.
Also, it's a really "cool" car, especially for someone in the car business.. it's the kind of car that car people will respect and appreciate so I think it's a good image car for you.
Now what happened to your Alfa Romeo???
No Argument there....
The Mini is a great choice. Very hard to go wrong. Unfortunately when I was kicking tires at a local car lot (one that has nice toys but overpriced and hasn't figured out that not everyone wants an automatic) with my 15 year old daughter in tow she spotted a sweet red and white Mini and decided that would suit her just fine. Fortunately she's the sort that if I buy a relatively new American car that has has all the depreciation wrung out of it she'll be fine with it come time. I admire her taste, though.
On the other hand, you could look for a pristine '05 Acura RSX "S" 6-speed... Naw, you've got to put a value on your time. A new Mini's the way to go.
RSX
james
Oh the Alfa 164? That went away to a friend. I told them what to expect (lots of clutches and electrical glitches) and that proved to be true. Fun car but I really do need absolute reliability these days. I'm often out in the boonies (California farm country) and a long way from home base.
SO ANYWAY--dealer tells me in the showroom that there's no bargaining...I say okay, let me sleep on it...well today they call me and maybe there IS some bargaining...heh...heh...
Funny how that works. He told you the truth, just not the WHOLE truth. There is no bargaining... with overly-eager buyers. :P
james
This strategy allows me the highest card in negotiation---the ability to always get up and leave the table. If you simply can't leave the table because you are too invested in owning the thing, you can't really negotiate.
Also I don't grind to the last dollar. When I hit "fair price" I'm done. I don't care if I leave a couple hundred on the table. Let the salesperson have it. (if the dealer will give it to him/her).
NEXT STEP: Now we do the "dance"...coordinate selling Scion, getting used car to drive around while MINI is built (8-12 weeks!). This part drives me nuts, makes me want to say "Why can't you just leave well enough alone".
But then if Bell, Columbus and Edison thought like this, we'd be living in a dark flat world without a telephone!
The 164 that got away was no loss. Sure, it, or some other interesting orphan, could be fun as an extra vehicle, but not as the car you must depend on for your livelihood. No way!
RE:Run flats and 17 inch tires: They just ruin the car. Over 200 lbs of unsprung rotational weight on a car that small is stupid. That is why when I ordered my car I bought the sport package in pieces so I could leave out the 17 inch wheels. I got a better ride and it saved me 400 bucks or so.
My plan was to buy a set of light weight 17 inch forged wheels and summer tires from... ehh I forget the company name but they were great wheels and a decent price plus half the weight of the factory 17s and a few pounds less then the factory 16s. I would buy snow tires for my 16 inch wheels and run them all winter.
I sold the car before that happened and the buyer wanted run flats on it so I just replaced the worn front tires.
Putting lighter weight 16 or 17 inch wheels with go flat tires on a S with the 17 inch run flats completely changes the car. It is much faster since you can usually lose 80 or so lbs of unsprung rotational weight. The steering quickens up and the ride is much, much better. Going to lighter weight wheels in tires is worth a couple of tenths in the quarter on a Stock MCS.
Since there's a good market for xAs (unlike an Alfa 164, VW Phaeton, or a Maserati 164, say), why not sell it just before the Mini arrives, or immediately after?
(My aftermarket xm for my Accord only has so so sound, I think because it transmits via fm signals to the radio. It sounds better when I plug it in at home. That's why for my next car I'd like to have xm as part of the factory equipment.)
Oh.. and Mr Fezo Sir.. the 527i is a 1988 528e (aka "Super Eta") with a 325i head, intake and cam and custom software.
185ish HP, 28mpg or the power of my 535i and the economy of a 528e.. building it for 5erFest 08 out in Cali.. too long of a drive to take the M5 on and the Turbo 535i won't be done in time.. of that I am sure.. still gotta do engine, trans, Euro bumpers, bodywork, dash, clutch, standalone engine management, etc...
I am certifiable!
How does the "Super Eta" differ from mine, and was it a U.S. market engine?
"Good for buyer, good for seller"
Better than whoever bought a Jaguar in 2005 at any rate. :P
MINI Equipment?
So far for options it's premium package (sunroof, auto AC, 6-speed Getrag trans, multi-function sport wheel), sport seats, front fog lights, rear fog light, arm rest, map light.
That's it so far. If I can bargain down the price I'll throw in Sirius radio--they want $950 for it!!!!! Seems to me for $950 I can have a radio with a carrera marble front and ruby-encrusted dial faces--GEEZ!
No stability control for this kid.
950 bucks for Sirius???? I hope that includes a life time subscription. Sirius on our Land Rover is a 400 dollar option and then Sirius offers a lifetime subscription that is transferable from receiver to receiver for 499 or so.
If life time Sirius is included for that 950 then that is an ok deal.
Blitzafe makes after market integration units for XM and probably Sirius too that work with most BMWs.
http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_catalog/blitz_catalog.html
I tell you, people are really whining about run-flats. This has got to be a big liability for BMW. One poor slob had the car a couple weeks, and picked up a nail, and had to shell out $448 for an RFT on his Cooper S. Not a happy camper.
Were they 17 inch tires?
I paid 325 dollars for two 16 inch run flats plus mount and balance 16 months ago when I sold my MINI. Bought them from tire rack and had one of the little independent shops down the street from my dealership install them. I would have just had it done at my shop but they weren't comfortable working with the runflats.
Toying with the idea of a supercharger tho... :shades:
Its crap.
I had seen V8s and V10s in various 3 series but I never saw anything like that in a 1 series.
Nah not yet that I know of.. I'll wait till I see the first ones arrive.
I've kinda given up trying to score a 911 at a decent price....the problem is that these owners want the book value but have not taken proper care of the cars. So every 911 I look at needs a quick $5K at least. And it's hard to offer $10K to a guy looking for $16K on a car that, to the casual observer, looks fine. I can't stand to drive a car that has major needs.
Are you only a one car guy right now, or do you still have the 928?
I did drive some 80s era 911s for sale, but you know, cars have come a long way in 30 years, especially Porsches which now feature actual ventilation, working AC, not leaking targas, and buttery smooth shifting, unlike the 80s cars.
I'll get something soon. I HAVE to. I sold the Scion xA to a friend who was desperate for a car (just about out of warranty on mileage anyway). I did GREAT on that xA....34,000 miles, trouble free, in just two years, and sold it for $2,000 less than I paid for it (minus sales tax of course). That ain't bad. Consider the poor Jaguar owner who bought in 2006 and sold yesterday. Can you say whiplash?
Do you have an extra set of wheels to tide you over, or are you taking public transportation, as needed?
I like the C5.
C5 is pretty nice. Kind of a big butt but you can't beat the "bang for the buck" and a good driver can get around 28 mpg on the highway.
I don't really care for the "image" of a Corvette but that's also what makes it appealing....to get outside your own version of yourself.
Natch it would have to be a 6-speed.
Hmmm, I wonder if they'll nail me on insurance?
High teens $ gets you a late 80s 911 or a late 90s C5. The C5 has a great stereo, a/c, etc in addition to its monstrous V8 with good gas mileage. I would guess it is no less reliable than my 1998 3-series. And like you said, parts are cheap.
Yeah, or cam covers or a rear main seal. KA-CHING!
"Oh, it shifts great. The clutch pedal is a bit stiff though. Must need adjustment".
Yeah, or a new clutch, as this is the first warning sign. KA-CHING!
Geez, the local GAS STATION could fix a C5. (well some things anyway--he'd run screaming from an old 911).
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I wasn't suggesting a used one.. :surprise:
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Having owned eight (8) Honda products, I probably won't get one.... but, I can't help wanting one..
Nothing is worse than the Land Rover Freelander forum, though... :surprise:
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My father-in-law also had one that he bought new. He had to replace the entire top half of the engine at around 80K miles.
I've researched the MINI for tragic flaws and the only one that seems to pop up are motor mounts and maybe some rear spring glitch. With VW you are facing a myriad of hidden coronaries.
My neighbor just bought a used Cooper S with 60K miles on it. In the first two weeks he had it, it got stuck in limp home mode for no apparent reason and unrelated to this it left a beach ball sized pool of oil underneath it one night. My neighbor said the dealer "replaced some stuff" to fix it. He has no idea what. He loves the car anyway. I drove it and I liked it pretty well.
I spend so much time in a car that this decision might be more important for me than for most others. I've got to weigh things like 4-5 hours of seat time a day (on some days), and 200 miles + a day fuel costs, with other factors like depreciation (important to a small businessman) and fun factor.
There aren't many cars that fill all these needs!