17 Months....

[Raghavan]

Oh, well, you learn something everyday. Still, 24 is more than 17.

Yeah, and I don't think they'll be cheap enough by next year...
Still, you could spring for the 4 cylinder, but with everything else on your list, why would you even consider it?

[Raza]

What's that supposed to mean?

I don't know if I could live with myself if I bought a Toyota/Lexus that isn't an MR-2.  And since I already have a mid engined rear drive sports car, I don't need an MR-2.

[Raghavan]

I don't know if I could live with myself if I bought a Toyota/Lexus that isn't an MR-2. And since I already have a mid engined rear drive sports car, I don't need an MR-2.

So just because it's a Lexus you won't consider it?
Just imagine it has a BMW badge or something on it then.

Then what about your favorite car, a Tiburon?

[Raza]

Yeah, and I don't think they'll be cheap enough by next year...
Still, you could spring for the 4 cylinder, but with everything else on your list, why would you even consider it?

Exactly.  The Altima 2.5 is pretty bad.  Noisy, slow, cheaply built (the 05). 

[Raza]

So just because it's a Lexus you won't consider it?
Just imagine it has a BMW badge or something on it then.

Then what about your favorite car, a Tiburon?

I'm just saying, that it would be tough for me to live with myself if I bought a Lexus when the BMW and Volkswagen can be had at the same price.

The Tib's really not good enough to overcome the practicality factor.  If it had remarkable gas mileage, then I'd consider it, but it doesn't.

[Raghavan]

I don't understand the problem with the IS300, but it's your money (or your parents') so whatever...
What about a GTI or Golf VR6 IV?

[Raza]

I don't understand the problem with the IS300, but it's your money (or your parents') so whatever...
What about a GTI or Golf VR6 IV?

I thought about the GTI IV as well (the VR6 isn't worth the extra money), but reliability is going to be what cuts that out of the picture.  South American Volkswagens don't have the best track record.

[Raghavan]

I thought about the GTI IV as well (the VR6 isn't worth the extra money), but reliability is going to be what cuts that out of the picture. South American Volkswagens don't have the best track record.

I thought they have the same 1.8 engine as your Passat?

[TheIntrepid]

[Raghavan]

[565]

I think by 2008 August, a BMW 330 from 2001-2002 or so will be easily within the 17K range.  I've already seen some 330's with slightly high miles drop to around the 17K range right now.



Dare I suggest it?  Infiniti G35?

[ro51092]

I was going to suggest it, but it's too big.

[565]

I was going to suggest it, but it's too big.

Haha I was gonna suggest it because it's almost the same size as the Passat (similar profile too).  So it would literally fill the Passat shaped hole of Raza's life.

[Raza]

I think by 2008 August, a BMW 330 from 2001-2002 or so will be easily within the 17K range.  I've already seen some 330's with slightly high miles drop to around the 17K range right now.



Dare I suggest it?  Infiniti G35?

Yeah, but I don't want a 330i.

The G35 is a pretty good choice, actually.  I didn't think of that before.  I guess since I didn't like the 350Z, I didn't think the larger, heavier thing on the same platform was right for me.  But I'll give it a shot.

[Raza]

I thought they have the same 1.8 engine as your Passat?

Yes, they do, but apparently other parts are susceptible to breaking.  This is all hearsay; I have no firsthand accounts.

[Raza]

I don't understand the problem with the IS300, but it's your money (or your parents') so whatever...

I figured it out.  I'd feel like a hypocrite.  Like when Rush Limbaugh railed against people addicted to prescription drugs, and then he comes out saying he's addicted. 

[850CSi]

E39 5-Series wagon? They're hard to find and even harder to find in manual form, though.

My best suggestion: ~2004 A4 Avant. Current TMV is $19-22K. New enough to be nice and reliable. And we all know you love VW AG.

[Raza]

E39 5-Series wagon? They're hard to find and even harder to find in manual form, though.

My best suggestion: ~2004 A4 Avant. Current TMV is $19-22K. New enough to be nice and reliable. And we all know you love VW AG.

But I prefer 2WD to AWD.

I thought about the 530/528i.  I'm not sure though, if I need the extra size.

[850CSi]

But I prefer 2WD to AWD.

I would bet that a fair amount of them were FrontTrak models, but I'm not sure.

I thought about the 530/528i.? I'm not sure though, if I need the extra size.

Yeah, they are pretty big. ~'04 3-Series wagon would likely be in your range, but, again, it's not easy to find manual versions of these things.

[ro51092]

No point in a FrontTrak A4. Go quattro or look elsewhere.

[Raza]

No point in a FrontTrak A4. Go quattro or look elsewhere.

I agree.  No point to a front drive Audi.  I'd just get the Volkswagen and save money.

[pommes-t]

The Top Choices:
2004.5 Passat GLS (what better to fill a Passat shaped hole than a Passat?) you already know what to think about Passats... A great car.
2002 C230K Sports Coupe Wouldn't be my first choice. Not so much interior-space, soso driving abilities
2004/5 WRX Wagon Pretty nice IMO. Lots of power, AWD... IMO the Impreza is a bit outdated though. And you already have the Boxster1992/4 Porsche 968 (oddball choice, really not practical at all) Makes no sense to me. You have a Boxster
2000 BMW 323i Ohhhhhhhh, yeaaaahhhhhhhhhh 
2001/2 BMW 325i Ohhhhhhhh, yeaaaahhhhhhhhhh 
2004/5 Mazda6s five door Handles well, should be reliable. Probably a good choice!
2004 Dodge SRT-4 You mean a Neon SRT-4? Wouldn't buy it

What about an Audi A4? If you consider a 3 series you might look at it as well.

[J86]

Newest WRX I could get....

[JYODER240]

Have you considered just buying out the lease on your Passat?

[TheIntrepid]

He doesn't want an automatic.

[Tave]

Go for the WRX!

Seriously, if you buy that Benz C-Klasse sports coupe, I'll probably have to say something mean.

[SaltyDog]

SAAB has a car for you.

[Raza]

Go for the WRX!

Seriously, if you buy that Benz C-Klasse sports coupe, I'll probably have to say something mean.

I've driven about 20, and they're really quite fun cars when you wring their necks.  The 6 speed isn't too great a transmission, but I can get used to it. 

And the 2002 C230K was pretty quick, about 7.5 seconds to 60.  Decent handling (numb over 100), quick, pretty practical, nice looking, and reliable. 

[Raza]

SAAB has a car for you.

Which one?

[ro51092]

The Malibu er....9-3