I need a new car

[Onslaught]

I had to take a 4+ hour drive in my car today and I found out something. I'm now 35 years old and while I still love my little MX-5 for "fun" I can't do it as my only car anymore. I've over 6'4" and I can hardly walk after getting out of that tin can today. And with the lowered and stiffened suspension I have on it I feel like my kidneys have been beat and my back and ass feel violated. And it's never had the best A/C in the world to begin with so I was hot for most of the drive. And with the air on the asmatic hamster of a motor hasn't got enough power to pull a greased string out of a cats ass. I love my car, but GD it sucks for stuff like this.

So on the drive home I started to think about what I need in a car at my age. I have friends that like to go out eating and they always have to drive me and my girl around because we both have 2 doors. So it would be nice to return the favor now sometimes. And I've taken up the old man's game of golf last year so it would be nice to have a car that could actually carry my clubs in the trunk. And I have a Rodney Dangerfield in Caddy Shack size golf bag so a big boot would be a plus. I also take many 4+ hour drives over the summer to my parents beach place in the summer so some comfort and leg room are needed.

I hate FWD so that kills most of the cars out there for me. And I've never really looked into cars that aren't impractical before so I don't keep up with them as much as you guys do. Off the top of my head I came up with.

New cars at or under 36K that are preferably imports (it's what I work on so I like them more when something breaks)

Lexus IS 250 RWD Manual - with X-Package is $32,180.00
Infiniti G37 Sport 6 Speed Manual  - $35,115.00
BMW 328i base with nothing - $34,975.00
Mazda RX-8 Grand Touring with Nav and Premium Package -$34,570.00  But we all know I could get it for WAY less than that.

The RX-8 is really just a 3 person car for me. I have to have the seat all the way back so the rear seat behind me is useless. And the trunk is big for a car in it's class but still small. I just added it because of the price and I work on them and know them rather well.
I've never looked into a Lexus IS before so I know nothing about them at all.
I don't see myself in a BMW. And it cost almost as much as the others and is just the base one.
I kind of like the looks of the G37 and for the price it seems to be the overall best choice. Any of you ever driven one?

[CALL_911]

135i maybe? I know it's got 2 doors, but it's got 4 seats.

[2o6]

135i maybe? I know it's got 2 doors, but it's got 4 seats.

If the RX8 is a useless 4 seater, I can't imagine a 1-series being any better.



Not RWD, but maybe an Audi A4 quattro? It's the roomiest luxury car in it's class.

[Rich]

WRX?  Evo GSR? Audi A4 2.0 Quattro? C300 Sport Sedan?

[TBR]

If the RX8 is a useless 4 seater, I can't imagine a 1-series being any better.



Not RWD, but maybe an Audi A4 quattro? It's the roomiest luxury car in it's class.

The RX-8 is definitely not a useless 4-seater.

G37 or Legacy Spec B

[Onslaught]

135i maybe? I know it's got 2 doors, but it's got 4 seats.

I kind of find that car a little on the ugly side. And as one person pointed out the rear seats are useless


The sad thing is I can't think of many cars that are RWD and under 36K. I can think of many FWD cars like that. But God I hate any form of torque steer what-so-ever

[CALL_911]

Didn't you have an RX-8 once before?

[2o6]

The RX-8 is definitely not a useless 4-seater.

Onslaught just said the rear seats were useless.

The sad thing is I can't think of many cars that are RWD and under 36K. I can think of many FWD cars like that. But God I hate any form of torque steer what-so-ever

Don't press the gas so hard? For a DD I can't imagine it really being too jarring.......

[Onslaught]

The RX-8 is definitely not a useless 4-seater.

G37 or Legacy Spec B

It's not useless for normal people. It's actually really good for what it is. But with someone like me it's just a 3 seater.

[Tave]

I'd go with the Infinity or Lexus.

[Onslaught]

Have any of you had any time behind the wheel of a G37?

[TBR]

It's not useless for normal people. It's actually really good for what it is. But with someone like me it's just a 3 seater.

Yeah, I understand what you're saying, 206's implication seemed to be that it was in general worthless as a 4 seater.

Though, it is worth noting that the IS would probably be a 3-seater for you as well.

[Tave]

If not an import maybe the 300C or G8? Maybe you can get a screaming deal on the G8 once Pontiac kicks the teetering chair out from underneath its feet.

[2o6]

What about a G8? They're sitting on dealer lots and can be had for pretty cheap.

[Tave]

Have any of you had any time behind the wheel of a G37?

No time behind either, but the press seems to be in love with the G especially.

[MrH]

If the RX8 is a useless 4 seater, I can't imagine a 1-series being any better.



Not RWD, but maybe an Audi A4 quattro? It's the roomiest luxury car in it's class.

Have you ever even sat in an RX-8?  Or are you just an idiot?

You must have some long legs Onslaught.  I'm 6'3" (I got a crazy long torso though, so that probably explains it), but I can set the driver seat for me, and fit just fine "sitting behind myself" so to say.

I'd go with a G37 if the RX-8 is too small.  Have you considered going used?  What about a G8 GXP?  They have to be selling those at HUGE discounts.

[CALL_911]

The 328i's a fun car.

[2o6]

Have you ever even sat in an RX-8?  Or are you just an idiot?

I MEANT FOR ONSLAUGHT, HE SAID IT HIMSELF.

[Onslaught]

I don't really like the looks of the G8 much. And I'm a cheap ass and try to keep cars for 10-20 years so I'd like to know that all the parts would be around then.

[TBR]

Carsdirect price on a G8 GXP is $37,755 (zip code 28201)

[MrH]

You said it's useless as a 4-seater, and can't imagine the 1-series being any better.  The RX-8 is loads more comfortable in back than a 1-series.

It's really not useless as a 4-seater at all.

[2o6]

You said it's useless as a 4-seater, and can't imagine the 1-series being any better.  The RX-8 is loads more comfortable in back than a 1-series.

It's really not useless as a 4-seater at all.

Are you nitpicking over a stupid car?


If it's a three seater for onslaught, it's not a four seater therefore it's useless for his needs.

[Onslaught]

I'm going to go and drive them all. Well, not the RX-8. I've been in so many of them already. I even have half of one in my back yard.

I've got to save up the money to get one anyway so it's not going to happen anytime soon. I just want to start getting ideas about cars I know nothing about.

[2o6]

I'm going to go and drive them all. Well, not the RX-8. I've been in so many of them already. I even have half of one in my back yard.

I've got to save up the money to get one anyway so it's not going to happen anytime soon. I just want to start getting ideas about cars I know nothing about.

Huh? 

[Onslaught]

Hold on guys. Lets not fight over this. I'm just a freak that can't fit in many cars.

But I dive an MX-5  

[MrH]

I'm going to go and drive them all. Well, not the RX-8. I've been in so many of them already. I even have half of one in my back yard.

I've got to save up the money to get one anyway so it's not going to happen anytime soon. I just want to start getting ideas about cars I know nothing about.

What half do you have?

Renesis + Miata?

[Onslaught]

Huh? 

Parts, I have lots of MX-5 and RX-8 parts. If I could find a smashed one then I wouldn't even need a new car. I could build one for next to nothing.

[68_427]

G8?  Buy a Holden bumper if you want import.

[the Teuton]

If you're going to be working on it yourself, a warranty does not matter.  I say G35 and pocket the difference.

[BimmerM3]

I've got to save up the money to get one anyway so it's not going to happen anytime soon. I just want to start getting ideas about cars I know nothing about.

Why not buy used? That opens up the door a bit more too - E46s, E39s, W211 E-class, G35, etc.