Your next car?

[MrH]

Insurance dude

Yeah, that's the fear.  I haven't gotten a quote yet.

You got any interest in motorcycles, or are you strictly a four wheel guy?

I know I will undoubtedly want a liter bike and will kill myself in a week.  4-wheel motorcycles I'll do.  Tried to follow a lead on an ariel atom years back in Cincinnati.  Sold before I could even look at it.

[MX793]

All aluminum body that could be totaled on a pot hole makes me nervous.  Roads here aren't kind.

And I've heard they're particularly frail as they get older.  I was talking with some of the local SCCA guys about maybe looking for a used Elise and got a few horror stories.

[280Z Turbo]

It's not so good to have a gingerbread car.

[MrH]

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/tips-buying-used-elise-exige-including-information-salvage-titles-26509/

AHHH.  That is terrifying.  Sounds like a Cayman or Boxster is a much safer buy than the paper mache Elise.  You know it's a fragile car when a Porsche is considered the "safer" buy.  But Caymans and Boxsters seem impossible to work on.

The more I dive in, the more the BRZ seems like the real winner.

[Onslaught]

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/tips-buying-used-elise-exige-including-information-salvage-titles-26509/

AHHH.  That is terrifying.  Sounds like a Cayman or Boxster is a much safer buy than the paper mache Elise.  You know it's a fragile car when a Porsche is considered the "safer" buy.  But Caymans and Boxsters seem impossible to work on.

The more I dive in, the more the BRZ seems like the real winner.

I looked into used Caymans in the past. Getting into one it's that bad but having anything done to them cost an arm and a leg. Any sports care will cost you but those things just seemed like too much to me.

[BimmerM3]

All aluminum body that could be totaled on a pot hole makes me nervous.  Roads here aren't kind.

Yeah, that was pretty much why I walked away from the one I test drove.

[MrH]

E92 m3 seems like the best idea if I decide to replace the brz.

For now, I plan on getting the element on Saturday and keeping the brz for fun snow dorifto.

[Lebowski]

E92 m3 seems like the best idea if I decide to replace the brz.

For now, I plan on getting the element on Saturday and keeping the brz for fun snow dorifto.

Why would you replace the brz you just got it?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Why would you replace the brz you just got it?

Not enough power to cure tiny penis syndrome.

[MrH]

Why would you replace the brz you just got it?

Just considering it.  For now, the plan is to keep it.  We'll see.

Not enough power to cure tiny penis syndrome.

The butthurt is strong with this one...

[Eye of the Tiger]

Just considering it.  For now, the plan is to keep it.  We'll see.

The butthurt is strong with this one...

You can sleep in the bed you made, with your tiny penis, your extraordinary ego, and your complete lack of how automotive suspension works.

[Raza]

I still don't get spending 20K on a low mileage beater cute ute. 

[MrH]

You can sleep in the bed you made, with your tiny penis, your extraordinary ego, and your complete lack of how automotive suspension works.

I can't tell if this is an attempt to troll, or a grown man throwing a tantrum.

I still don't get spending 20K on a low mileage beater cute ute. 

Not spending anywhere near $20k.  I own a house.  A two seater as an only vehicle in this situation doesn't really work.  Think of it more as a cargo van that can also carry people when need be.  It's far more utilitarian than something like a CR-V or Rav4.  They're damn near bullet proof, so I'm getting the newest, lowest mile example for the cheapest price I can.  Plan is to keep it around for as long as it'll run, and then I'm free to play with my fun car all I want.  I can keep the BRZ on jack stands for a few days while working on it and still have a way to get to work.

It's worth the cost in my mind.

[Raza]

Not spending anywhere near $20k.  I own a house.  A two seater as an only vehicle in this situation doesn't really work.  Think of it more as a cargo van that can also carry people when need be.  It's far more utilitarian than something like a CR-V or Rav4.  They're damn near bullet proof, so I'm getting the newest, lowest mile example for the cheapest price I can.  Plan is to keep it around for as long as it'll run, and then I'm free to play with my fun car all I want.  I can keep the BRZ on jack stands for a few days while working on it and still have a way to get to work.

It's worth the cost in my mind.

Still think a Forester 2.5XT would be a better overall experience.  That way your second car could still be fun to drive. 

But, if the Element works for you, it works for you.  Hope everything goes well. 

[Eye of the Tiger]

I can't tell if this is an attempt to troll, or a grown man throwing a tantrum.

Not spending anywhere near $20k.  I own a house.  A two seater as an only vehicle in this situation doesn't really work.  Think of it more as a cargo van that can also carry people when need be.  It's far more utilitarian than something like a CR-V or Rav4.  They're damn near bullet proof, so I'm getting the newest, lowest mile example for the cheapest price I can.  Plan is to keep it around for as long as it'll run, and then I'm free to play with my fun car all I want.  I can keep the BRZ on jack stands for a few days while working on it and still have a way to get to work.

It's worth the cost in my mind.

Yeah I'm smashing my keyboard and foaming at the mouth. I just can't wait for you to be a bigger asshole.

[NomisR]

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/tips-buying-used-elise-exige-including-information-salvage-titles-26509/

AHHH.  That is terrifying.  Sounds like a Cayman or Boxster is a much safer buy than the paper mache Elise.  You know it's a fragile car when a Porsche is considered the "safer" buy.  But Caymans and Boxsters seem impossible to work on.

The more I dive in, the more the BRZ seems like the real winner.

Most of those problems aren't really problems...

The body problems are pretty much mostly due to the cost of replacing the front and read clam shells than anything.  I think they're about $5000 each, so as long as you don't run into anything, you're fine.  And just remember, these do not have 5mph bumpers..

Toe links aren't really an issue either for daily driven cars, if you track it though, I would recommend an aftermarket upgrade which is pretty cheap as well.  Or if you car has a track pack, it's not much of an issue. 

Pretty much, most of the recommendations are what you would look out for with any used cars.  As long as you don't get a 05, most of the problems are avoided.  The standard items are no more expensive to maintain then a regular car and is really easy to do yourself.  Oil change is kinda a pain to do w/o a lift though simply because you have to remove the rear diffuser but it's cheap and easy. 

Actually, I would say the biggest pain i've had with the car was replacing the headlights because you have to pull off your front wheels to do it..   Other than that you're ok... oh and the fact that you'll likely have to replace your rears every 5000 miles if you want stock quality performance, and 7500 to 10000 for the fronts.  You'll most likely heat cycle them out before you run out of treads. 

[MrH]

Still think a Forester 2.5XT would be a better overall experience.  That way your second car could still be fun to drive. 

But, if the Element works for you, it works for you.  Hope everything goes well. 

Yeah, it'd be a lot more fun to drive, no argument there.  They're really tough to find though.  I've got a coworker who's been looking for one and he can't find a clean one anywhere.  There's quite a substantial difference in cargo space between the two too.  I'll give up some fun in exchange for practicality at this point, sadly.  Hauling things like dry wall and flooring is much easier in an Element.

[Raza]

Yeah, it'd be a lot more fun to drive, no argument there.  They're really tough to find though.  I've got a coworker who's been looking for one and he can't find a clean one anywhere.  There's quite a substantial difference in cargo space between the two too.  I'll give up some fun in exchange for practicality at this point, sadly.  Hauling things like dry wall and flooring is much easier in an Element.

Do you put up a lot of walls?

[GoCougs]

Two car lifestyle I found to be a PITA. More insurance and state taxes, more work to keep cars clean and maintained, and then of course sacrificing parking and storage. The G37x pretty much fills that role for me, what with ski and bike racks, and dedicated snow tires. I will say I no longer do my own house and lawn work, so in the couple times a year I do need to haul stuff I have a handyman that will do it.

My alignment was out (wandering really bad on the freeway) and the local tire shop said the alignment can't get much worse - was super bad. I do a lot of gravel road driving, and have hit some massive pot holes at speed, so the G is taking a bit of a beating. I'm surprised that with 18" wheels and 45 series tires I have blown a tire or nuked a rim. Meh, small price to pay. All in all though it's holding up well to the (ab)use.

[MX793]

Do you put up a lot of walls?

There's a lot of home ownership type stuff where it's just handy to have a midsize (or larger) truck.  Drywall is just one example.

[NomisR]

There's a lot of home ownership type stuff where it's just handy to have a midsize (or larger) truck.  Drywall is just one example.

Renting a truck from Home Depot for an hour would actually be way cheaper than paying insurance, maintenance, taxes, gas on a dedicated truck.  Unless that truck only costs $500 and you have plenty of garage space and so forth..

[MrH]

Do you put up a lot of walls?

I'm redoing my garage and basement, so yes, I do

[Northlands]

Well, we pick up the Elantra Touring on Tuesday.

2010 GLS Sport
26500 kilometers.
Clean vehicle history. One owner, zero accidents. Recent trade in.

Also comes with a set of winter tires and rims. Command start too. 

My wife is thrilled. It's replacing her car.

Photos to follow. 

[MX793]

Renting a truck from Home Depot for an hour would actually be way cheaper than paying insurance, maintenance, taxes, gas on a dedicated truck.  Unless that truck only costs $500 and you have plenty of garage space and so forth..

If your only other vehicle is a 2-seater (or near-2-seater), having a second, practical vehicle makes sense.  Useful for hauling stuff, useful for carrying passengers when you need to, and you can buy something that's better in the snow if you live where it snows (as well as save your fun car from a salt-induced corrosion death).  I'd maybe save $300 a year (most of that being insurance) if I ditched the Mazda and ran the Mustang year-round.  But looking under at the underbody of the Mustang and seeing no rust at all, I consider that a small price to pay.  Not to mention that the Mustang has a lot of features that would make it miserable in the snow (windshield washer nozzle placement is such that they're sure to ice up and potentially be damaged while removing ice/snow, windows are extremely prone to freezing shut due to the way the seals are designed, among others).

Maintenance is a wash since when you're driving one car, you're not driving the other (and therefore not putting any wear and tear on it).  By my owning a winter car and a not-winter car, I drive each car less than if I drove either year round.  I doubt my annual maintenance costs with two cars are any higher than with one since I only drive one at any given time.

[Raza]

I'm redoing my garage and basement, so yes, I do

Ah, then I get it.

But still, you should have let them finish building your house before you moved in.   

[Eye of the Tiger]

Renting a truck from Home Depot for an hour would actually be way cheaper than paying insurance, maintenance, taxes, gas on a dedicated truck.  Unless that truck only costs $500 and you have plenty of garage space and so forth..

Or a goddamn utility trailer that any car can pull

[MrH]

Ah, then I get it.

But still, you should have let them finish building your house before you moved in.   

That was actually one of the reasons I bought this house.  The garage has drywall up on half of it.  The basement is studded and wired in (but that needs some work), but no drywall or floor.  It's 2, simple, relatively low cost projects that'll add instant equity.  I kind of view it as risk assurance that if I need to sell quickly, I have justification for listing higher than I bought.

[Rupert]

I'm redoing my garage and basement, so yes, I do

Use plywood for the garage walls instead of drywall. Better for hanging tools and stuff.

[MrH]

Use plywood for the garage walls instead of drywall. Better for hanging tools and stuff.

I'll end up just hanging racks from the studs.  Plywood does not make for good resale.

[Rupert]

Psh, weak. Paint it or something, then. Maybe use hardwood plywood or some other finished stainable plywood.

IMO, a garage with drywall is just a place to park a car, and a garage with wood walls is a place to work.