3rd car shopping to commence...

[lemming]

...so we have the FX35 and the MINI.

i think we're keeping the FX35 (paid off, relatively reliable) as the dogmobile.

we're thinking to get a fuel efficient commuter to match the MINI.

already, i got asked, "when does the 'good' version of the MINI cabrio come out?"

i said, "what? what do you mean by 'good'?"

"you know, not that crappy whiny supercharger kind, the turbo kind."

:dunno:

i think this might even trump a solstice/sky because the MINI MCS cabrio is actually (hard to admit) more practical.

[John V]

The Solstice / Sky is useless as any kind of a daily driver... unless you are totally okay with stopping at home to get another car if you have to buy ... well, pretty much anything. The "trunk" is a total joke.

[clyde]

The Solstice / Sky is useless as any kind of a daily driver... unless you are totally okay with stopping at home to get another car if you have to buy ... well, pretty much anything. The "trunk" is a total joke.

These may not be perfect for lemming, but someone else might want to think about...

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=2056195

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=2039454

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=2044967

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=2036168

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=2042621

...just saying...

[bren]

2 Mini's ? You must do a lot of commuting.


...just saying...
:lol:

[lemming]

2 Mini's ? You must do a lot of commuting.



:lol:

that's the issue, really.

that and the "i've wanted a convertible for forever" thing.

i hate you, clyde. damn you. damn you.

those cars are pristine and so inexpensive relative to their cost new --it's aggavating.

[Sharp11]

that's the issue, really.

that and the "i've wanted a convertible for forever" thing.

i hate you, clyde. damn you. damn you.

those cars are pristine and so inexpensive relative to their cost new --it's aggavating.

Hmmmm...

Ya know, a nice E46 cabrio is pretty good on gas - even with my ZHP, I get 24-ish average (except during prime top-down season when the MPG drops a couple miles).

It's got a decent trunk - about 9 cubic feet (i think) and there's a back seat which can be used as storage. Lots of beautiful examples out there, Mauro Motors in West Haven CT has a couple, one's an 04 with low mileage for only 29k (it's a 5 speed too).

The E46 cab is built to a pretty high standard, with a beautifully fitted, high quality top.

Outside of that, a 1 series cab seems like a similarly nice deal.

The Mini's really nice, but there's less cargo-carrying capability than the two BMW's I mentioned and top up, there's a hell of a blind spot - however, I've got two friends who have Mini 'verts (the 'old' one) and swear by 'em.

Btw, I think the Nissan 350z 'vert is a pretty good deal, too - don't know too much about them though.

Ed

[lemming]

Hmmmm...

Ya know, a nice E46 cabrio is pretty good on gas - even with my ZHP, I get 24-ish average (except during prime top-down season when the MPG drops a couple miles).

It's got a decent trunk - about 9 cubic feet (i think) and there's a back seat which can be used as storage. Lots of beautiful examples out there, Mauro Motors in West Haven CT has a couple, one's an 04 with low mileage for only 29k (it's a 5 speed too).

The E46 cab is built to a pretty high standard, with a beautifully fitted, high quality top.

Outside of that, a 1 series cab seems like a similarly nice deal.

The Mini's really nice, but there's less cargo-carrying capability than the two BMW's I mentioned and top up, there's a hell of a blind spot - however, I've got two friends who have Mini 'verts (the 'old' one) and swear by 'em.

Btw, I think the Nissan 350z 'vert is a pretty good deal, too - don't know too much about them though.

Ed

i don't think the E46 is the world's greatest commuter car, though. can 30mpg's in 50/50 city/highway driving?

the idea here is to minimize costs due to inflation-related fueling. i don't disagree that the E46 is well-built because it is, but generally speaking it weighs some 3600lbs and has about the same torque as the MCS. i'm hard pressed to sell that to anyone as a great commuter car.

;)

[John V]

These may not be perfect for lemming, but someone else might want to think about...

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=2056195

Modded

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=2039454

Modded, but could be returned to stock without too much effort.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=2044967

Modded

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=2036168

Overpriced, and at a dealer. :ack:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=2042621

Overpriced, but I suppose that's negotiable.

[bren]

Modded



Overpriced
You're going to love Corvette shopping.

[John V]

You're going to love Corvette shopping.

I never said it would be easy.

AND THIS THREAD ISN'T ABOUT ME!!! :mad2:

[lemming]

I never said it would be easy.

AND THIS THREAD ISN'T ABOUT ME!!! :mad2:

actually, if you can hold speed steady (not a lot of stop n go) and manage highway miles, you could almost hit 30mpg with the LS1 cars easy.

i'd like to own a c5z06 again, so i'm enjoying looking at these. no time soon, but eventually.

is it still competitive in its respective class for autoX?

[John V]

Yes

[clyde]

Modded

Modded, but could be returned to stock without too much effort.

Modded

Overpriced, and at a dealer. :ack:

Overpriced, but I suppose that's negotiable.

Only examples of a certain 405hp train of thought.

I never said it would be easy.

Which is why someone should get started right away to find the right one by early September. :eeps:

AND THIS THREAD ISN'T ABOUT ME!!! :mad2:

You sure?

[lemming]

Only examples of a certain 405hp train of thought.



Which is why someone should get started right away to find the right one by early September. :eeps:



You sure?

The c5 is so much more visceral than the c6. I don't miss the c6 but do intend ok getting a c5 again. The same logic is why the r56 is so much more involving than the e46 to drive every day.

[wdc330i]

I am suddenly seeing a number of Clubman versions of the Mini. Very odd looking tailgate. Why bother?

[lemming]

I am suddenly seeing a number of Clubman versions of the Mini. Very odd looking tailgate. Why bother?

:dunno:

i think it's pretty cool, but i see how it's not the most practical execution.

[Rob]

I am suddenly seeing a number of Clubman versions of the Mini. Very odd looking tailgate. Why bother?

B/c it retains some of the MINI cuteness, most of the MINI frugality, increases storage space by something like 20 million, and makes the back seats somewhat useable. Even though lots of people seem to love to hate them, they are sold out at my local dealer until something like December.

[John V]

B/c it retains some of the MINI cuteness, most of the MINI frugality, increases storage space by something like 20 million, and makes the back seats somewhat useable. Even though lots of people seem to love to hate them, they are sold out at my local dealer until something like December.

Maybe because it's the trendy car du jour in California?

(edit: I don't want one, but the car actually makes a lot of sense given how much gas costs now)

[wdc330i]

I actually think that Honda Fit looks like the ultimately practical little thing.

[FC]

You know, I love the MCS, but two MCS's seems like a bit much.

[rautox]

I actually think that Honda Fit looks like the ultimately practical little thing.
:+1

[equ]

I actually think that Honda Fit looks like the ultimately practical little thing.

I had a really lovely test drive in a 2008. The handling was spot on for a FWD. The only minuses were slightly light, noisy feeling at 80+ and, to me, a dated appearance. I'm wondering how the 2009 update will fare out.

The 08 fit has been out in RoW since 2001 or so. It was a sensation here in the US even with such an old design. I just couldn't stomach paying msrp for a 8-yr old design, thought the quality, handling & economy make it worth it for most people.

[lemming]

You know, I love the MCS, but two MCS's seems like a bit much.

yep.

i know.

i like the idea of the Fit, too. i'm not overly fond of its power to weight ratio, though.

[Rob]

The fit is a great car for what it is - but what it is is a tiny car with decent cargo capacity and no power. It's a great commuter car with better driving feel then, say, a Yaris. But it's definately a very inexpensive car and it shows if you compare it to BMWs or something similar. The new version makes getting the current version questionable as well.

If I were buying a commuter car it would be on my list of considerations (in fact, I considered one before I bought the 328).

[JST]

yep.

i know.

i like the idea of the Fit, too. i'm not overly fond of its power to weight ratio, though.

Yes. The Fit is too slow for me to consider for any purpose, *especially* commuting. If I am going to be driving the damn thing 2 hours every day, it better have some frigging power.

[FC]

Yes. The Fit is too slow for me to consider for any purpose, *especially* commuting. If I am going to be driving the damn thing 2 hours every day, it better have some frigging power.

:+1

[ff]

I am suddenly seeing a number of Clubman versions of the Mini. Very odd looking tailgate. Why bother?

Some people like that saloon door look. I guess.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/27/60953507_110f4422a8.jpg

[clyde]

Some people like that saloon door look. I guess.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/27/60953507_110f4422a8.jpg
proud to be a midwesterner again, I see

:lol:

[lupinsea]

Yes. The Fit is too slow for me to consider for any purpose, *especially* commuting. If I am going to be driving the damn thing 2 hours every day, it better have some frigging power.

Yup.

Or at least a good power:weight ratio.

[lemming]

Yup.

Or at least a good power:weight ratio.



Gimme a 1.5L version of the Si motor.