Wing5's "What car do I get next?" Thread
 

Long time no see ya'll! :wavey:

So long story short: (Even shorter cliff notes in my sig.)
~I babied my 8 only to have it give me problem after problem with nearly bi-weekly trips to the dealer for work. (Most under warranty and rarely for the engine; mostly transmission). Truely a love/hate relationship.
~Got rid of the heap along with the massive GEICO bill. (Don't ask) And I've been driving an automatic $#!7box for over a year now.
~TIME FOR THE NEXT CAR

I'm looking for some suggestions/deterrents for the cars I have in mind. All come with pros and cons obviously but is there anything I should gravitate towards or avoid like the plague?

-'06-'08 Phantom Blue RX-8
-R3 RX-8
-BMW Z3 Coupe
-BMW Z3 M Coupe - '99-'00 or '01-'02
-BMW Z4 Coupe
-BMW Z4 M Coupe
-2011 Subaru WRX
-2011 Subaru WRX STI
-Wait for the FT-86 to come out.
Not really a fan of the FFs but:
-Volvo C30
-Import a VW Scirocco? If that's even feasible/importable.

The floor is open!

Edited 10/12/'10
I'll reserve this post for any subsequent poll/suggestion results. :)

VOTES Results:
2 -'06-'08 Phantom Blue RX-8
3 -R3 RX-8
-1 -BMW Z3 Coupe
-1 -BMW Z3 M Coupe - '99-'00 or '01-'02
2 (+3 -1) -BMW Z4 Coupe
5 (+6 -1) -BMW Z4 M Coupe
0 (+1 -1) -2011 Subaru WRX
2 (+3 -1) -2011 Subaru WRX STI
4 -Wait for the FT-86 to come out.
Not really a fan of the FFs but:
0 (+1 -1) -Volvo C30
1 -Import a VW Scirocco

Added to the list by suggestion:*
1 -Camaro ~Something I might consider.
Vetoed (+5) -Genesis Coupe ~Great looking car but I just can't get around that brand. =/ Call me shallow.
VETOED! (+1 -3) -Mustang ~My most hated car in the world. ......God do I hate me some dime a dozen Stangs, yes even the new one. :angel:
1 -Evo X ~Doesn't do it for me; not like the Sooby. :yumyum:
Vetoed (+1) -IS-F ~Out of my price range.
3 -BMW 135i ~Something I'd also consider but only in hatchback form.... which means I'd have to import it. :p:
Vetoed (+2) - Porsche Cayman S ~Would love to but out of my price range. As would be the same with an Audi S5 or RS5.
Vetoed (+2 -1) -Corvette ~Out of my price range. Plus my 1st Vette will be a C3 Stingray :D:


*Excluding Red Rex's votes as his list was for himself.

I'm not going to lie...the current generation Z4 gets me aroused.

I'm not a huge fan of the Z's.
Evo > Scubbie
Volvos are for girls.

Camaro?
Genesis coupe?
5.0 Stang?
Evo X?

Lexus ISF! but is not on your list!

i say

2011 STI!!... love the widebody!

Wrx sti.

BMW 135i :)

Anything but a vette or a mustang, they are a dime a dozen on any street in the USA.

Porsche Cayman S???

I have thought heavily on this the past few days, as I sought meaning and causes behind the various car designs.

The rx8 contains apsects of a family sedan, sports coupe, and an exotic. All in one, and a perfect balance between all three. Automatically, by switching to another vehicle you are going to compromise the perfect balance.

That said, you'd only go for more sedan if you are in a family situation, or need a car that can handle snow like those rally cars.

That leaves us with the balance between exotic style and hardcore sports coupe. Both taken to the max is called a supercar.

Depending on which of these two values you care about, you will end your search with either the Cayman (base or S) or the Corvette (base or Z06). Anything cheaper and you'll be sorely missing your rx8.

Currently, only the 2009 and newer Cayman have no IMS, which was a serious point of failure in previous years. Right now the 2009 Cayman are still quite spendy ($50+), while the older years with IMS potential failure have tanked in value ($38-46).

On the other hand, if you want a Corvette, you're looking at 2009 for a base model when the LS3 began, or 2006 for a Z06 model when the LS7 began. There are a lot of automatics out there, but sorting through the manual transmissions for colors that don't suck, we are starting at $35-$48. This is a reasonable jump in price for someone looking for an rx8 upgrade. Surprisingly, after doing my research (youtube), I found the LS3/LS7 truck engine can have a stumbling idle, like a ported rotary, using cam modifications. An off-rhythm, stumbling brap brap idle is what we all want. As far as aftermarket exhausts, the Corsa/BB/etc Corvette exhaust bark is like my rx8's Helix exhaust, except with higher velocity and fury. Other considerations are, no all-season tires available, stock OE run-flats being $1600, but many shops can work on your engine which is a huge plus. Insurance increase over my rx8 is negligible. The base, might always have worries that the removable roof is going to start making noises. The z06 hardtop would be better. Ground clearance is very poor, but the front dam is rubber to last for many scrapes unlike the rx8.

The volvo C30 is a good car and will be the best on insurance.

Next is the VW

Oh good choice! I +1 this vote!

I also +1 a Genesis Coupe

From your list, I kinda like the z4. But I really like the genesis coupe!!

Z4 M coupe.

No question

Considerably more class.

I say another 8 or a STI

r3 and wait for something else to come out.

At least with the r3 your limited to what you can mod, so you will spend less money. That money can be spent on paying the car off and saving for the next best thing. If the world survives 2012 :lol2:

You can find r3's around 26-29k depending on where you live. With the new updates there shouldnt be any reliability worries.

My options for next year:

BMW 135i
5.0 Mustang (hard to believe its still a Mustang)
Subaru WRX/STi

But more than likely I'll get a 600cc sports bike. Hauls ass, amazing fun, great mpg, and still have the "beater" RX8 for cold or rainy days.

I want one so bad! :banghead::banghead::banghead:
New one doesn't do it for me nearly as much. =/

Current tally is available for viewing in post #2! :)

Anyone have horror stories about any of the cars on the list? Rave reviews from friends?
Anybody test driven any of the listed vehicles? :icon5:

i saw this car at the state fair... its a beast and a beauty...

http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/mus...20101001111432

r3 or sti

A Ford Pinto :yesnod:

http://www.inkdryerdesign.com/blog/w...lack-pinto.jpg

Just don't get rear-ended

http://www.wvpersonalinjurylawyerblo...ford-pinto.jpg

Pinto = baller status.

werd son :smoker:

I'm going with Z4, or 135i. I do like the c30 but I think it's in a different category.
________
Live sex webshows

oh, or motorcycle. That would be cool. Ducati Monster !!!!!
________
Volcano vaporizers

Get a Honda fit and slap a turbo on it! You'll still get good mpg!

Changed my mind, 2011 Genesis Coupe R-spec.
completely mod worthy RWD, decent gas MPG, has rear seats, pretty nice interior, DOOOOO IT.

I saw one at the state fair car show, it actually didn't seem all that bad. It had nice brakes, a good looking engine, the specs weren't a disaster.

since it was linked in the socal lounge

my opinion still stands

1. Porsche Cayman


2. Genesis Coupe (as stated above)
3. Ducati
4. Series 1 rx8

....

35. Bmw :p:

I vote '06-'08 Phantom Blue RX-8, but I may be a bit biased.

I'm also looking for another car ... until the next rotary sports car comes out.

I was thinking of choosing between the 135i and the Infiniti G37. But I noticed that no one mentioned the G37. Since most of the people on this forum are fans of the 8, like me, I'd be interested in what folks have to say about both the 135i and the G37 in answer to Wing5's question.

I'm especially interested in hearing from people who have actually driven these cars.

Thanks.

Post #2 Updated!

Anyone have further input? Anyone own a 1st gen RX-8 and traded in for an R3? How big is the difference?

there are few people already who've had a S1 and went ahead and got the r3 after they came out.

It already comes with a lowered looking stance with the added 19" wheels plus the custom bilstein shocks. The handleing has been improved with those added benefits. Also the engine updates are what really matter. But we wont know their actual improvements until a few years from now. But we all agree that it should have better reliability than the S1 renny.

I can't believe nobody has mentioned a 2003-06 e46 m3. They are around the same price as the r3, evo, 370z etc.

same price retail, but if anything were to go wrong. A very hefty price tag to fix, even if you can do it yourself.

For what I've heard, they are fairly reliable as long as you do all the maintance.

Who's this "we all" you speak of? :scratchhe lol jk That's great info, thanks! Reliability wasn't a huge issue for me until I had my '04 8 which hardly ever saw the outside of mazda dealership. Good to hear.
Btw awesome profile pic. I'm not wearing swim trunks, but I've got my flippy-floppies!

M3 has crossed the mind for sure but I have my biases. (Z4 > M3 :angel:)

Hey, I had a '74 Pinto station wagon with a 4-speed. Way cool (not!). ;)

OP: You've got potential picks all over the map. Are you looking for an AWD hot hatch, RWD sportscar, sporty sedan, or what??? Need to narrow the type a bit.

I feel ya on this trying to decide what i wanted but since my 8s an auto i think ill just buy another one but 6spd and i want a wwp

but if i wasnt gettin an 8 it would be the sti i think the 135i is nice too though

Haha very valid point! Hadn't thought about that, mostly because it doesn't effect me too much.
-I don't have family so I don't require a lot of space.
-I work part time and go to school part time but my commutes are short or infrequent. Don't need a comfort car or good gas mileage.
-I live in SoCal so the only hazardous driving conditions I have to deal with are bad drivers in constant bad traffic. :rant: AWD vs. RWD isn't much of a difference for me as I've had and like both. (Hate FF :icon_no2:)

SO:... My concerns revolve around performance & handling, styling, and reliability. :wiggle: You might be able to group my styling tastes into coupes and hatchbacks. I loooove me some "shooting break" hot hatches. ^.^ I don't know why other than I gravitate towards them. :naughty: :smoker:

i guess the only hot hatch you would like is the subby sti. As MS3 is fwd and the same for all others besides a R32.

I love the r3, it just has everything lol. Other than that I would want to see what else is coming out around the corner a couple years from now. BMW currently doesnt have a Z4 M out in production so I would wait.. until you can buy one brand new.

Genesis Coupe or just dont give a ride to no one and get a 370z

You could do like me and go for the Mazdaspeed 3 and pocket the rest of the money! (I did see you mentioned the hatchaback look)

-I would go for a 2005-07 STI. (I hate the 08+ STIs)
-E46 M3?
-C5 Corvette Z06 (I'm biased to this one. Only got rid of mine because I needed some extra cargo room)

Please no Mustangs!!! 5.0 or not, you will see 50 other 5.0's a day in about a year from now.

Please note the following before reading my suggestions: I live in South Carolina, which is literally the asshole of the automotive universe. Things that apply in other places may not apply here. My comments are based on cars that I am considering for my own next ride, and the fact that I am bored. :)

1) I think the new Mustang 5.0 is pretty cool, but as someone has said, I think you will regret owning it 5 years from now when pizza-faced highschoolers, chain-smoking hairdressers, and Wal Mart cashiers are driving them.

9 out of 10 times when I see a Mustang GT, no matter how nice or crappy it is, the driver usually falls into the "Eeewwuughhh" category.

2) I currently own a turbo'd Subaru, and really dig the 2011 WRX. Based on what I have seen and the reviews out there, the 2011 WRX STi is NOT worth the money over the standard WRX, especially now that they both have widebody. The STi is slower than the WRX due to weight, gearing (as in my Forester, an extra shift is required to hit 60, boooo), and those fancy differentials which contribute to added drivetrain loss.

The STi is over-engineered for those who plan to go a little mod-crazy. Unless you plan to go mod-crazy or race in rallys, there really is no point in owning a STi over the WRX.

I personally would go with the WRX Premium 4-door. To me it's the sweet spot in the lineup.

Subarus, especially the turbo models, are quite rare here in SC.

3) I also like the Volvo C30. Very rare here as well. The only thing that sucks about the C30 is that I think I liked the styling better before they revamped it for this year, and they cut all the cool options out unless you place a special order through their European delivery program (which is a sweet deal unless you plan to trade your current car in, in which case you are stuck without a car for like 3 months).

4) Like many people, I'm bi-curious about the FT-86. In the BEST case, I still don't see it outperforming the WRX, and will fall short of cars like the 370Z. Its price/performance will probably be comparable to the Genesis Coupe. I think people have gotten so excited about this car and set such high expectations for it that it will end up being nothing short of a disappointment to a lot of its "pre-fans". As a $25K-$30K collaboration between Subaru/Toyota, people will definitely find SOMETHING majorly wrong with it (whether real or imagined, based on the years of hype), and it will probably be criticized for being too slow, not handle well enough, or lack in the styling/features/quality department. Shades of the Camaro in this regard. I think they said their "mid-grade" model should have a target price of $27K. For that price, it's NOT going to accelerate like a Mustang 5.0, handle like a Miata, AAAAAAND have the cabin of a Lexus. People are expecting this thing to be the second coming of Japanese sports cars, a miracle of some sorts, which it won't be. I'm sure it will be a great car, but I don't think you'll lose sleep due to regret if you go ahead and purchase a C30 or WRX before the FT-86 comes out.

Z4 M Coupe here.

I found the perfect car for you. the KIA Pop.

http://www.cardesign.tv/wp-content/g...IA_POP_006.jpg

Post #2 is updated again. The front runners by vote tally are:...

5 (+6 -1) -BMW Z4 M Coupe
4 -Wait for the FT-86 to come out.
3 -R3 RX-8

So reliability is better in the R3 than 1st gen 8s?
Glad to see I'm not the only one who likes the M Coupe but should I worry about getting a trashed car buying used?

And not really down for the Pintos, Civics, bikes, 370Zs, or Pops either. @.@ lol