More shake ups at the home garage...

[Raza]

I'm going to give you the "long story short" version. 

My dad took over the Boxster completely a short while ago, and decided that it was a whimsical purchase, and that he didn't like it anymore.  As of tomorrow, it's gone. 

And he's replacing it with....


Mercedes S550
Jaguar XJ8
Audi A8 4.2


Lexus LS460. 

I know, I'm disappointed too.  So, as of tomorrow, I'll be down to one car.  Don't fret though, I'll manage.  I'm saving up to buy my own (used) sports car in 12-18 months. 

Pictures tomorrow.  I just didn't want to shock you guys with the news all at once. 

[NomisR]

Doh, how many miles was on the Boxster?  Like 5000?

[S204STi]

What cars are on your short list for used sports cars?

[the Teuton]

You have my condolences about the Boxster.

[Soup DeVille]

Of course it was a whimsical purchase, its a Porsche!

[Vinsanity]

Of course it was a whimsical purchase, its a Porsche!

lol good point

sorry about the loss. but maybe there's a silver lining yet; let's wait and see how that Lexus turns out!

[68_427]

That sucks, how often did you drive the Boxter?  Oh, and i vote corvette as your "used sportscar".

[the Teuton]

I vote Z3 M Roadster.  They're wonderful cars.

[Raza]

What cars are on your short list for used sports cars?

It's 8500 on the Boxster.  I'll be sad to see it go, but I wasn't overly attached to it, so I don't really have any problems letting it go.  I see it as an opportunity for me to strike out on my own even more.  I kind of like paying for things on my own.  It's a weird sense of pride I never had before.

As far as the short list, it goes:
(in order)

Nissan 350Z Roadster (Touring or Grand Touring)
BMW Z4 2.5i/3.0i
Honda S2000

That's about it.  The Corvette is possible, but I don't care for the convertible much and the targa is too much of a hassle.

[SVT_Power]

As far as the short list, it goes:
(in order)

Nissan 350Z Roadster (Touring or Grand Touring)
BMW Z4 2.5i/3.0i
Honda S2000

I thought you didn't like the 350Z?

[MX793]

It's 8500 on the Boxster.  I'll be sad to see it go, but I wasn't overly attached to it, so I don't really have any problems letting it go.  I see it as an opportunity for me to strike out on my own even more.  I kind of like paying for things on my own.  It's a weird sense of pride I never had before.

As far as the short list, it goes:
(in order)

Nissan 350Z Roadster (Touring or Grand Touring)
BMW Z4 2.5i/3.0i
Honda S2000

That's about it.  The Corvette is possible, but I don't care for the convertible much and the targa is too much of a hassle.

No turbo Skystace on the list?

[Raza]

I thought you didn't like the 350Z?

Yeah, the coupe is pretty boring.  It's very isolated, very Maxima-ish.  But once you chop the top off, you get a more complete experience.  I remember liking the Roadster a lot, and then not liking the coupe at all. 

[Raza]

No turbo Skystace on the list?

Price point is going to be about 15K.  I don't think the Sky Redline will drop to that price in a year.  And, on top of that, the top operation is annoying, and I'd like a little luggage space for weekend excursions.  That's why the Z4 is on the list, and higher than the S2000.  Two days ago, the S2000 was at the top of my list.

But Z4 has a 9 cu ft trunk.  That's rather large for a car that size.

[ifcar]

MX-5?

[Tave]

I've always liked the 350Z roadster, and I'm apathetic towards the coupe. I think the 'vert looks much more attractive.

[Raza]

MX-5?

Do you think NCs will be down to 15K in a year and a half or so? 

[JYODER240]

Oh man that sucks, if I were you I would put like 500miles on it between now and tomorrow. I just took a brief spin in a Cayman S and I though about how much fun you must have in the Boxster. I really like that car probably even more than the Z4 M I just drove.

I wouldn't go for a Corvette either, I don't find them as entertaining as the S2000, 350Z, or Z4's. The steering is too light and loose and they feel a little clumsy. It would be a weird transition coming from a Boxster. Besides that you don't want the gold-chain, balding-man, Lebowski-esque stigma.

The LS460 actually is a very nice car, if your a passenger. It's not entertaining by it's probably my pick to spend some time in as a passenger.

[Madman]

He's getting rid of a Porsche Boxter and buying a Lexus LS460?

NNNNNNNNNNNooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whatever you do, please try to talk some sense into that poor man.  He's obviously taken leave of his senses!  Perhaps you can have him committed, for his own good?

Failing that, you have my sincerest condolences. 


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[Submariner]

Why?

Seriously, there are many, VASTLY superior cars in that class.  The A8, XJ, S550, et all, are a step above the LS.  Save for it's cushy ride, it really isn't the godly form of transportation it was made out to be.

[Raza]

I tried that already.

He won't buy the S550 because he feels it's overpriced, on top of the fact that his 96 is irreparable and my brother's 2002 E320 has all of a sudden gone very problematic has left him feeling very angry at Mercedes.

He won't even look at the XJ8 because it's British.

He drove the A8 once a few years ago and claimed not to like it. 

It's his money, his decision.  He's getting old, and the ride of the Boxster just got to be too much for him.  He likes it, and that's fine.  We're taking delivery today at 2PM.  It's too late to talk anyone out of anything.

[Submariner]

I tried that already.

He won't buy the S550 because he feels it's overpriced, on top of the fact that his 96 is irreparable and my brother's 2002 E320 has all of a sudden gone very problematic has left him feeling very angry at Mercedes.

He won't even look at the XJ8 because it's British.

He drove the A8 once a few years ago and claimed not to like it. 

It's his money, his decision.  He's getting old, and the ride of the Boxster just got to be too much for him.  He likes it, and that's fine.  We're taking delivery today at 2PM.  It's too late to talk anyone out of anything.

I'll pray for his automotive redemption someday.

[Raza]

I'll pray for his automotive redemption someday.

I understand the S550.  It is overpriced, and with the recent reliability of our Mercedes cars, I can see why someone wouldn't want to put up 100K for another one. 

I don't understand the XJ8.  Sure, my dad has a bias against the British in general, but I thought he'd give Jag a try.  He liked the look of the XK, but never drove one.  He also has mentioned that older Jags are very unreliable, and I told him that they're much better now, but he wouldn't even give it a try.

And I definitely don't get the A8.  It seemed like the perfect car for him.  Solid feel, German engineering, and I thought it was the most like his W140.  The car we drove had a light wood on the interior trim, and he didn't like that; I think that distracted him from the overall driving experience.  My dad can be very picky about these things. 

[ifcar]

Do you think NCs will be down to 15K in a year and a half or so? 

Some already are.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=239142577&dealer_id=601615&car_year=2006&model=MIATA&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2006&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&sownerid=1329231&showZipError=n&make=MAZDA&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=20744&advanced=&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=&max_price=17000&cardist=61

[Raza]

Some already are.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=239142577&dealer_id=601615&car_year=2006&model=MIATA&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2006&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&sownerid=1329231&showZipError=n&make=MAZDA&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=20744&advanced=&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=&max_price=17000&cardist=61

Interesting (although that one has cloth seats, which I'm not too keen on).  The MX-5 is definitely a very good car, but with 2005 and even some 2006 350ZRs going for the same price, it feels a bit outgunned, doesn't it?  And on the handling front it's probably no sharper than the S2000.  And even the Z4 2.5i will keep with it or surpass it on a straight.  Of course straightline speed isn't all that important to me, that's true.  I'll keep it on the list; it's a fun car.

[ifcar]

Would you also consider the pre-2006 model for even less money?

[Submariner]

I understand the S550.  It is overpriced, and with the recent reliability of our Mercedes cars, I can see why someone wouldn't want to put up 100K for another one. 

I can understand that too.  Granted, they are excellent cars that havevastlyimproved reliability, but given his experiences, I understand.

I don't understand the XJ8.  Sure, my dad has a bias against the British in general, but I thought he'd give Jag a try.  He liked the look of the XK, but never drove one.  He also has mentioned that older Jags are very unreliable, and I told him that they're much better now, but he wouldn't even give it a try.

That is a damn shame.  The whole XJ lineup is really wonderful.  Much like the Mercedes, they are at the top of their game, but old biases die hard.


And I definitely don't get the A8.  It seemed like the perfect car for him.  Solid feel, German engineering, and I thought it was the most like his W140.  The car we drove had a light wood on the interior trim, and he didn't like that; I think that distracted him from the overall driving experience.  My dad can be very picky about these things. 

[sportyaccordy]

Damn that sucks

As far as sports cars the S2K isn't that thrilling until you turn the wheel... to quote Mark Wan, "in normal driving conditions the S2000's 2.0L motor doesn't feel different from that in a base Accord". Plus the ones in your price range have no safety nets AND are really snappy at the limit.

350Z is so heavy.

Z4 might be the best bet but it's ugly. I think the Skystice might be the best bet if you're looking for a pure sports car. Personally I would go for something like an old M3

[ifcar]

The S2000 does have a particularly sharp shifter, so even if you aren't accelerating all that fast, you're still having more fun than in an Accord.

[Submariner]

Damn that sucks

As far as sports cars the S2K isn't that thrilling until you turn the wheel... to quote Mark Wan, "in normal driving conditions the S2000's 2.0L motor doesn't feel different from that in a base Accord". Plus the ones in your price range have no safety nets AND are really snappy at the limit.

350Z is so heavy.

Z4 might be the best bet but it's ugly. I think the Skystice might be the best bet if you're looking for a pure sports car. Personally I would go for something like an old M3

An older M3 is a solid choice, but the abuse they suffer may turn me off from them.

[NomisR]

I'd put S2k on the top of your list if you're looking for fun.  350Z chassis feels a bit soft and floppy after the top got chopped off, and the Z4 just doesn't feel as tight as the S2K (that could be both good and bad).  Are you planning to do anything else with the car or just simple 2nd fun car to drive around?