Car Chat

[MexicoCityM3]

For the most part, I think BMW makes turds in terms of owning experience, but Jalopnik is actually right here.  These are killer deals:

http://jalopnik.com/you-can-buy-the-best-modern-3-series-for-under-25-000-1789963835

$200 tune and you're pretty close to 328i power.

Nothing like a Korean car for real reliability, right?

[MexicoCityM3]

IMO a 4 banger Bimmer is not a deal at any price. It's like a Rustang without the V8. OK, it exists, but why sell yourself short? Get an old x35i car, a beater Corolla and an extended warranty.

It's probably the best turbo 4 in the business but w/e.

[MrH]

Nothing like a Korean car for real reliability, right?

Hey, Korean cars are arguably bigger turds.  I'm not denying that

[MrH]

IMO a 4 banger Bimmer is not a deal at any price. It's like a Rustang without the V8. OK, it exists, but why sell yourself short? Get an old x35i car, a beater Corolla and an extended warranty.

There's a lot of redeeming qualities with a 4 cylinder BMW.  It's not really a car defined by it's engine, it's all about handling dynamics and feel.  A mustang without a V8 is kind of neutering the whole point of the car IMO (muscle car that makes big power and noise).  I'm totally fine with a 4 cylinder 3-series.

[AutobahnSHO]

Why do S4s look so sexy??  Not that different than other sedans but it just looks hawt.

[12,000 RPM]

Eh.... F30 took a step back dynamically. It's midpack in dynamics and feel. IS, ATS, XE and now the Giulia are better choices for that. 3er's main draw now is the brand, the livability and the engines. Don't get me wrong; the N20 is probably the best 4 banger in class; but I feel it's almost irresponsible to pass on the only car in the segment that offers a 6 pot and stickshift w/o having to drop like 70. A 6 pot that's best in class by a wide margin too.

I mean, you can get into a CPO ATS 2.0T 6MT for like $20K. That's a more compelling deal IMO, that's CPO GTI money.

[MrH]

I'd take an F30 over an ATS.  You get usable rear seats, better looks, and no haptic touch everywhere.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Why do S4s look so sexy??  Not that different than other sedans but it just looks hawt.

It's because they are what they is.

[12,000 RPM]

I'd take an F30 over an ATS.  You get usable rear seats, better looks, and no haptic touch everywhere.

Aka, nothing to do with dynamics

I would too, even if I had to suffer the indignity of a 4 banger Bimmer.

[2o6]

Ya'll haven't even driven the 4cyl BMW's. They're responsive, and a lot more refined than the GM 2.0T, and even the ubiqutious VWAG 2.0T.

Hey, Korean cars are arguably bigger turds.  I'm not denying that

Their more basic models seem to do OK, but I wouldn't trust a turbo Korean car. I keep reading that the 1.6T engine is hot garbage in regards to longevity

[MrH]

Well, and they're really slow too.  Veloster Turbo is such a let down.

[2o6]

Well, and they're really slow too.  Veloster Turbo is such a let down.

??

It seems as fast as a Fiesta ST? Which is it's direct competitor? The Veloster is really just a sexy Accent

[MexicoCityM3]

Great article about dat engine in the M5.

http://jalopnik.com/heres-how-my-much-power-my-v10-bmw-m5-really-makes-at-t-1789985158

[68_427]

Ya'll haven't even driven the 4cyl BMW's. They're responsive, and a lot more refined than the GM 2.0T, and even the ubiqutious VWAG 2.0T.


Their more basic models seem to do OK, but I wouldn't trust a turbo Korean car. I keep reading that the 1.6T engine is hot garbage in regards to longevity

I've heard the new 2.0T in the CT6 is amazing.

[MexicoCityM3]

Ya'll haven't even driven the 4cyl BMW's. They're responsive, and a lot more refined than the GM 2.0T, and even the ubiqutious VWAG 2.0T.

I drove the 328i, 528i and also an X3 28i. It's a really good engine. The 528i in particular was miles better than an N/A 530i that I also drove.

The 4 pots BMW even handle a bit better because of less weight in front.

And the current '30i engines are probably a bit better.

[SJ_GTI]

Ya'll haven't even driven the 4cyl BMW's. They're responsive, and a lot more refined than the GM 2.0T, and even the ubiqutious VWAG 2.0T.


Their more basic models seem to do OK, but I wouldn't trust a turbo Korean car. I keep reading that the 1.6T engine is hot garbage in regards to longevity

I have driven 4-cyl BMWs when I was test driving. Its not a bad engine but not as powerful as the engine in the Golf R and S3. I didn't notice any refinement advantage of the BMW engine versus the VW/Audi engine. I haven't driven the latest iteration of the 2.0T in the A4 (which has similar torque to my engine, but less peak HP), but I would be surprised if it is less refined than the older version.

I haven't driven the latest GM 2.0T. I had an ATS rental quite a few years ago and I was not impressed with that engine at all. It was smooth but felt slower than the 200 HP 2.0T in the MKV GTI.

[MrH]

Mazda sold 387 Miatas in November

They have 2700 in inventory.  7 months of production.  Come February, are we going to see the same kinds of crazy discounts we saw back in 2009 (up to $10k off loaded miatas).  And now the RF model is going to start hitting lots in the next month or so.  That backup of soft top vehicles is going to be a problem.

If the $9k-$10k discount hits, and I can snag a club model for $23k, that's really tempting...

[AutobahnSHO]

Mazda sold 387 Miatas in November

They have 2700 in inventory.  7 months of production.  Come February, are we going to see the same kinds of crazy discounts we saw back in 2009 (up to $10k off loaded miatas).  And now the RF model is going to start hitting lots in the next month or so.  That backup of soft top vehicles is going to be a problem.

If the $9k-$10k discount hits, and I can snag a club model for $23k, that's really tempting...

I can only hope the buyers dump their older ones cheap too. I could almost buy a new one but no way wifey will go for it, cuz that's our life savings..... (She gets really really anxious about money from time to time)

[CaminoRacer]

[Eye of the Tiger]

Because incomplete combustion 

[68_427]

cool

[Raza]

I kind of really want a manual Cayenne.

[12,000 RPM]

I kind of really want a manual Cayenne.

Raza in 2020: "Actually my RX350 is pretty sporty"

[giant_mtb]

I feel bad for the tires...and my ears.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmo_dkNZIHM

[Eye of the Tiger]

[Raza]

Raza in 2020: "Actually my RX350 is pretty sporty"

Dude, I'm not MrH. 

Right now the purchase plan is to
1. Either add an SUV to share with my brother (SQ5/Discovery/RR Sport/F-Pace) or an AWD manual wagon for myself (if these still exist)
2. Replace Z4 with Z4M Roadster. 

Should be within the next 2 years. I need a winter drivable car first, unless I get a job in the city where I can just Uber to work.  After those two car purchases, I think I'm done.  Z4M for daily driving, SUV for snow/hauling/friends/family (not my own, since I refuse to have children)/Home Depot trips/et al.  Maybe when I have more space I'll pick up a classic 911 cabriolet or targa for top down road trips and the like, but that's about it.  Modern cars suck.  I'll probably replace the SUV on a semi-regular basis, because, I mean, what's the point?  They're all the same, it's just about what looks cooler. 

[68_427]

Dude, I'm not MrH. 

Right now the purchase plan is to
or an AWD manual wagon for myself (if these still exist)
2. Replace Z4 with Z4M Roadster. 

How many times do I have to say the Golf Alltrak is available with AWD and a stick lol

[Raza]

How many times do I have to say the Golf Alltrak is available with AWD and a stick lol

More.  Because I don't see it on their BYO, not even on the base trim. 

[CaminoRacer]

This looks awesome. I think Baja style racing is at the top of my to-do list. I need to look into this VORE thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hth1cJUrHuE

[giant_mtb]

10 laps of their short course is $500.  Holy fuck.

A 4-hour tour of 60 miles (30 miles driving, 30 miles co-driving) is $800.

I guess that's not too bad...not like those trucks are cheap...but shiiiiiit.