leejo

Hehe, I just grabbed a pic off edmunds. We don't have palm trees or mountains in Houston.

With regard to the Japanese cars, I just don't like they way the japanses cars I've driven handle compared to the german cars I've driven. The german cars simply feel better grounded to me, and have a sharper response. They tend to have sky-high safety ratings, and yes, they're more comfy-cozy inside.

But I don't think there's anything magic about german v. japanese. The G35 and M35 are supposed to be terrific, for example.

USN_Squid

Man, I still want that Charger that Cing linked to. But I'll probably be driving this Acura 3.2TL until an M5 comes into my price range This Acura is very deceptive. It looks like a Mom car, but has a Bose system w/100w sub and just flat out hauls butt. And with an all leather interior and navigation system it's perfect for my hi mileage business.

I thought about tints, ground effects and all that, but that would come right out of the kids' college fund.

Here's some Japanese love:

__________________

Mirfee

Ever since the new Miata came out (completely redesigned w/ no shared parts from previous generations) I've been eager to get one. It's no powerhouse... it's no luxury machine... it's not meant to be. Just pure spirited driving. I used to be all about the exotics... the Ferraris, Porsches, etc, or aggressive machines... Viper, Vette, etc. But I've really developed a fondness for small, nimble, quick roadsters. As few frills as possible too (no AC or power anything, please). My dad has been restoring a Triumph TR3, and has an MGB for fun. Really surprising how enjoyable that simplicity is compared to the more 'refined' machines. Of course, the engineering leaves something to be desired, and so having a modern vehicle that still lives in that classic period of driving just sounds freakin great.

Not that I wouldn't still want an exotic AND a muscle car AND a super car... But the Miata @ $20k is unbelievable value, especially given my budget (not that I could afford that either right now... but it's at least a dream with some possibility). And yes, the Civic Si is comparable... but it aint no 2-seat roadster.

My '97 Neon has been enjoyable, but it's getting very tired. It was affordable when new and has been fun to drive.

__________________

leejo

Yeah miatas are cool, but then you have to wear denim hot pants, a tank top, scuffless combat boots and grow a handlebar mustache...

Dad had a midget about 20 years ago. It was a lot of fun but whenever it rained the fuel pump would punk out. At least is was a breeze to push!

Mirfee

Unless you bring it up to SCCA specs and race it on weekends. Then you can hide all that under a race suit and helmet. Well... at least 1 day out of the week.

__________________

perry

Is this really a Saturn???

__________________

leejo

true! There's a race track and driving school near here that uses hopped up miatas. But why not buy a 15-20 year-old 911 if you aren't afraid of "bringing a car up to spec" aka "live under your car in your garage"?

El_Gringo_Grande

I got a very used Volkswagen Scirocco in college. No AC (in Oklahoma summers a bad thing) and the odometer had many miles on it, and was broken.

But that thing could go and handled nicer than anything I have ever driven. It's beauty not readily apparent., it was ugly until you understood it.

I hear they are coming out with a 2008 model. I will be waiting.

leejo

Scirocco's rocked!

El_Gringo_Grande

http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/gossip/...008-130364.php

http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/gossip/...008-127771.php


*Edit. Volkswagen 2008 Scirocco links. And somewhere in the 24k price range!

icky

I have an old Talon TSI AWD sitting in my driveway, collecting rust. It was my car for having fun and driving to work for a few years. It was cheap and it was fast. I used to be giddy when I was tearing up the gravel on the dirt roads through the countryside. I'm glad I survived.

Now that I've had my fun with going fast, I have turned to a far more practical VW Golf TDI. I only use about 1/3 of the fuel I used to use, which is a very good thing these days.

__________________
Peace through fear... since 1947!

Apophis

It sure is:

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2007/satu...chlanding.html

__________________
Diplomacy is the art of saying "good doggie" while looking for a bigger stick.

AzzMan

not. Not TECHNICALLY at least.

It's an Opel GT but marketed as a Saturn in America as (I BELIEVE) all Opels that come over are. So it's a Saturn but it's not Saturn's car.

Just like the new GTO isn't a GTO.

Apophis

Sure it is. If you choose to use that logic then not even a non-Sky Saturn is a Saturn. It's a GM. Opel is also owned by GM.

The Saturn Sky is built off the same chassis as the Pontiac Solstice.

__________________
Diplomacy is the art of saying "good doggie" while looking for a bigger stick.

Mateo

I've got one of these.



Heavy as hell, but lots of low end torque, and the turbo spins freely all the way up to 130 (that's as far as I went on the Mass Pike).

Drives like it's on rails. Completely unflappable.

The only car that I have driven that is a better all-rounder was a BMW 540i.