My Story

10 years ago I owned a 1999 Mercury Cougar, not the big tank but the Ford Probe like car. It was a good car but after a few years I had a kid and a child seat just wouldn’t fit. I also had an older Honda CBR 600 sport bike which I loved. I sold that too when the baby came. You know “A baby changes everything and all that”. So it’s 2003 and I need to be the responsible parent, need something family oriented.

Looking back I probably should have gotten a nice used 3 series sedan or A4 but I chose the then radical looking Nissan Murano. Great vehicle loved it and would highly recommend it for anyone shopping for a family hauler who doesn’t need 3 rows. Only one problem; it was completely boring to drive, no changing of gears because it had none, you just stepped on the pedal and it went, like a golf cart, a roomy, well appointed, reasonably quick, great golf cart.

Three more years go by, kid number two arrived some months back, I get a good promotion and figure the wife and I can both afford new cars. Bless her she couldn’t care less what she drove so mini-van was fine for her and I even like it now too, as long as I don’t have to drive it every day. I figure I can get something sporty and a manual and hey look the RX8 is family friendly, it’s got 4ish doors, those kids seats fit, barely but they fit. Sure it needs some extra care but that’s no big deal. Oh gotta get some rims and snow tires and store them at my brothers’ house since I don’t have room, minor inconvenience. “Oops sorry honey I forgot to move the car earlier, we’ll need to wait until it warms up before we can take your car to your moms house, only be a few minutes while we sit in the drive way.” Good thing the kids have a DVD player to watch.

Fast forward another 2.5 years and the little things have becoming annoying. Need to take the wife’s car and she can’t drive mine because my aging parents can’t ride in my car and now she’s stuck at home we two bored kids. My 2 year old daughter takes a perverse joy in kicking me in the back any chance she gets. I have to park out far in the parking lot so I can open the doors wide enough for everyone to get out. Having to drop 3 gears when going 70mph just to get around somebody is fun the first 20 times but gets old after a while not to mention the modified Jetta or Cobalt SS will out run you. But, but I can beat you in the twisties looses its appeal when you never have time to go to any twisties, when you are taking kids to school and changing diapers and your daily commute is more or less straight.

So now we come to present day. I sold the RX8, took a bath on it and feel a little sick about it. Still love the car and I’m sure I’ll have fond memories of it (it’s still a beautiful machine even after 5 years despite its fish mouth, and felt a little sad walking away from her) but it just wasn’t the right car at the right time in my life. I don’t know if my new car is or if it’s just another 2-4 year chapter in my life searching for what makes me happy automotively but it will do for now. Its fast, not stupid crazy fast but you get the “hell yeah” look on your face, my kids can’t kick me, it still has a manual transmission, I can carry more than just 3 bags of groceries and I don’t have to take my wife’s car to transport anyone. Oh and no more damn snow tires, yes I know summer and snow tires are still the best but I can get by in MD with performance all-seasons (or I think I can as I got better traction today in stock summers than I did with my snows on the RX8 (cold tires both)). The only thing is its, well, I wouldn’t call it ugly but I’m sure most of you here will. I know it’s cliché but it really does look a lot better in person and I couldn’t pass up over $12,000 off MSRP with financing factored in for a new car.

So can anyone guess what I got or even care to guess?

And as is customary with this board I’d be disappointed without a few one word posts like “bye” “see yah” so feel free.

Good luck everyone I'll still pop by.

 

Did you get a Civic?

 

Am I missing something or did you say what you got?

 

F-350 Diesel 4x4 with Crew Cab?

 

Saab?

 

Crossfire?

 

Scion? :p

 

screw design, just code he got a civic lol

 

bye...

and hmmm... we might think it's ugly and it's cheap, u get a hyundai or sum'thin? or is it one of those cars from a brand GM is proposing to cut?

 

Is there anything in it for us if we guess correctly?

 

Would it not be better to sell the kids?

Just kidding!!!

 

of..course...not...

 

I'm guessing you got an ugly-**** Honda Element, or some form of truck. 'Cept I'm not sure how that has the "hell yeah" feeling when driving.

Those are about the only things I know of that can come with a Manual tranny, and still prevent your kid from kickin' ya' in the back of the seat.

And yes, they're fugly.

Ooh, oh! I forgot...there's that god-awful lookin' Ford stretched station-wagon wanna' be SUV but sits too low... I think it comes in a manual, too, but not certain.

 

The only "family" car is CX-7 nothing else

 

You bought a Volvo bahahahahaha! My Volvo just kicked in yo...it just kicked in.

 

Wrx?

 

Seems like you got a Dodge Magnum. Fugly as hell, but Very fast if you got it with the HEMI. Also, I've seen them with huge discounts in dealerships lately. Don't know if they come with a manual tranny though...

 

I fully agree with the quote above. We've got a CX-7 and an RX-8. Best of both worlds.

 

hmm ponitac G something . btw nice read tc. take care and happy holidays.

 

Dodge Caliper SRT-4?

 

^ LOL!

pontiac g8 is not available with a manual transmission yet. the GXP (with 6 speed manual) comes out next year.

$12k off definitely sounds like a truck.

 

Now I said $12k off including FINANCING. Vehicle was $7,500 off and about $4,600 saved in financing costs. (7-8k off depending on trim and 0% financing for 63 months)

Just got it yesterday afternoon so don’t have pics so full disclosure, I’m stealing a few of Roksax’s photos from his member gallery as I got the exact same thing more or less and these are the best pics I’ve seen of it (hope you don’t mind Roksax).


rotary.enthusiast was closest











And look RX8-like rims!


Roksax full gallery: http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gr-membe...ilver-sti.html

 

^ very nice!

I love the STI... though I am not a fan of the exterior on the 08+

 

Really great but!! An WRX STI its not more practical than an RX-8? why?

i understand if you what to change of the sake of chang but.... RX-8 is almost as practical, anyway I hope i enyoj your new car!

Happy Christmas and New Year from Sweden!

 

I would say the STI is much more practical...

Full 4 doors -- easier to get in and out, especially with kids.
Full hatch -- much more cargo room.