Why are the options for my perfect car so limited?

[Gemini]

540i autos are like low 14 second cars boss man...

No normal N/A H22 Accord w/full interior, A/C, P/S comes close. Maybe squirts from light to light but definitely not on the highway.

Deev... drive a 540i. I am gonna go check one out as soon as I sell my car.

540 are crazy.....I have to keep talking myself out of getting a 540 and sticking to the M5 dream but a 6spd 540 is dangerous and fun as hell to drive even in the E34 form

[Ralphie]

http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=136198

2002 Max Deev.

Its my dudes and its legit clean as fuck with 88k miles been babied and garaged.

Its not to shabby but its auto.

[owequitit]

Owequitit, The Crossfire uses the 3.2 Kompressor engine out of the C320. Plus he can get one with super low miles. Deev I think part of what you're looking for is a more refined ride without the shutters of an old car (or an economy car) for that matter, or the road noise, or the lack of styling, etc.

If ya go back to a car with 100k+ miles on it, luxury or not, you're still not going to get the luxury ride of a newer car, or the quiet cabin, plus you won't be under the hood of it every weekend, and you can actually get to enjoy driving it.

Yeah, I am well aware of what powers the Crossfire. Did you also know that it is underpinned by the ORIGINAL SLK?

Also, please re-read. I said C230 Kompressor which was a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder and was later changed to a 2.0 IIRC, which is decidedly NOT available in the Crossfire.

The engine you are thinking of was the C32 AMG, which was a different trim altogether.

[owequitit]

they know exactly what they read, they said "please consider it" because of that

turn down your condescending knob down a bit

There is no "condescending knob" to turn down. He said point blank, flat out that he did not want and would NOT consider FWD. That pretty much makes it a moot point to even bring it up don't you think?

Turn down your nosiness as I am sure they don't need you speak for them any more than they need me to point out their lack of comprehension.

[owequitit]

Scott, I'll have to check out the Benz... That's a 92-98 model though, right? It's a bit old for something I intend to be reliable. And I would like to have something that someone could mistake for a "new" car.

Other than the cheapy interior parts, I don't think they have many issues. And the nice thing about them is that they still scream money. I see quite a number around here, and all look still new(condition wise), and still look expensive. People would not look down on you for driving an older S Class.

[owequitit]

I'm struggling with the same dilemma. I have to drive my car a lot, though. The accord is a little small for a baby seat, a 5 year old, two adults, and all of the nonsense needed for the baby. Forget laundry, or groceries. Oh, and those 5 bags of whatever that we always manage to need to pick up from the parents' every time we go over there.

I was looking at this: http://prescott.craigslist.org/cto/1196660306.html

But I was also thinking about this: http://prescott.craigslist.org/cto/1177341329.html

I'm currently driving a rental of the G6 and I have to say it kicks fucking ass. FWD or not. It's got 221hp, traction control, a VERY quiet cabin, and it's FUN to take through the twisties. It's also got enough trunk space for my 4x12 cabinet, and lots of room in the backseat, too. The Monsoon speaker system is great. Honestly, I'm excited about the possibility of owning one.

Blech. If you like the G6 that much, you should try a 7th gen Accord. They are probably a little more expensive, but overall are worth it. If you want a little cushy, then stick to the 03-05 models, as they were tuned a little softer and quieter. You might be able to find one around your price range. If not, the 6th gen and Camry might be something to consider as well as some of the Altimas.

Sorry, I was have not been at all impressed by any of the G6's relative to their current competitors. They seem compelling compared to a 20 year old Accord, but not really against their peers.

[owequitit]

You make the car what it is, not the other way around.

As for making the car what it is... I'm not going to make this car anything. It's not a project. It's not a tuner. That's the point. I could make my CB7 extremely impressive, if I wanted to... but in the end, it's still 1992 Accord. I like it for what it is, but it doesn't suit this need.

You totally misssed the point Deev.

[owequitit]

I'm not really looking for speed alone. A Camaro is... well... a Camaro. I want something classy. I guess that's why I'm looking into an M3. The 330i would be barely faster than the CB7 as it sits. An M3 would be faster. Regardless, a BMW would handle well enough that it'd be fun even if it were a hair slower than the CB7. The CB7 really is plenty powerful to be fun. It's just the lack of refinement that I don't like.

At least I'm not looking for 25mpg this time!


And I will NOT get an auto. Anything. Unless it's a GT-R. And if you can find me an $8,000 GT-R, I'll buy it right now

No offense, but unless you are just looking for the badge, the E36 is a fun car, but not hugely more refined than the Accord to be honest. Especially not if the miles are way up there.

[owequitit]

540i autos are like low 14 second cars boss man...

No normal N/A H22 Accord w/full interior, A/C, P/S comes close. Maybe squirts from light to light but definitely not on the highway.

Deev... drive a 540i. I am gonna go check one out as soon as I sell my car.

No they aren't. They are more like mid 14's. The 6 speeds are low 14 second cars.

The speed differential between a low 15 and low 14 isn't all that much anyway.

The advantage the 540i would have would be at speeds above 80-90MPH, and how often is that going to matter?

[owequitit]

Deev, if you want refinement, luxury and status, with a decent amount of performance, I would go E39 5 series, or E39 740i. You will have to settle for the auto in the 740i, but honestly, I don't think you would mind. 5 speed, plenty of low end, and it would just smooth along. Or you could step down to a 528i/530i and get a manual and stay in your budget. Not as fast as an H22 Accord maybe, but plenty of handling etc, and it will be more effortless.

Same with the 540i. Even if it isn't that much faster, it will be much more pampered offering similar performance.

For the record, the E38 540i was a bit of a porker at nearly 3800lbs, which with its power to weight ratio, gearing etc would make it slower than a Mustang GT, which can't exactly destroy a swapped CB7.

[wrichards2005]

Yeah, I am well aware of what powers the Crossfire. Did you also know that it is underpinned by the ORIGINAL SLK?

Also, please re-read. I said C230 Kompressor which was a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder and was later changed to a 2.0 IIRC, which is decidedly NOT available in the Crossfire.

The engine you are thinking of was the C32 AMG, which was a different trim altogether.

I know you were talking about the 2.3 and I was talking about the 3.2. But both are Kompressor engines so I figured since you were raving about the 2.3, you may have insight on the 3.2.

Don't worry, I did pass reading komprehenshun.

[owequitit]

I know you were talking about the 2.3 and I was talking about the 3.2. But both are Kompressor engines so I figured since you were raving about the 2.3, you may have insight on the 3.2.

Don't worry, I did pass reading komprehenshun.

I wasn't raving about the C230 in anyway shape or form, merely pointing out that it was about the first Benz I have been in that I wasn't afraid to touch stuff in the interior for fear of it breaking.

[deevergote]

I know the E36 isn't all that much more refined... but honestly, it's FAR more refined than my CB7, which is quite raw! And the Fit has everything good BUT refinement... it's not far off from the CB7 itself.

If I got the E36 M3 vert, it would be an older car, and I'd assume that it would have some wear and tear. I'm also aware that although it's the top of the line 3 series, it's still BMW's low end (at least then... pre- 1 series in the US). It's BMW's Civic Si.
BUT, it's RWD, it's got plenty of sportiness, a famously accurate shifter, a fair amount of luxury, and a prestious image (the BMW badge for the general public, and the M badge for the tuners). Not really ideal, but it may very well be the closest thing to ideal I'm going to get for the money.


The 5 series always looked more dated to me... I never liked them until the more recent models, and those won't be in my price range for quite some time! Plus, the 5 series being so heavy would probably bother me. I hated the mass of the GTP. RWD would help that a bit, since driving a bunch of power to the front wheels to move a car that weighed nearly 2 tons wasn't a fun time... but still. The 3 series is more nimble.



I'm going to have to get out there on a day off (if I ever actually get a day off) and drive some cars. I'm not really looking to impress anyone but myself, but I do want something "impressive". I consider a 3 series to be relatively impressive, and the M badge makes it more so. The E36 isn't nearly as impressive to me as the E46... or even the E30 (though I wouldn't want to pay so much for one of those... worth it, but too old for my needs) Still, I like a well-kept E36 M3, and I think I would like to own one.

I'm still stuck on that. Of course, the Crossfire was a definite not too long ago... and last week I was all about the S4... so we shall see.





As for importing something like an MR2 or RX7... I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER TUNER PROJECT.

I'm not looking for anything that I EVER plan on modifying. I'm not looking for something that kids with fart cans are going to rev at. I'm not looking for something that will make people expect Vin Diesel to step out of at any moment.

I'd take a mid-life crisis car over a tuner car. I have a tuner car. I don't want to modify, swap, kit, slam, boost, juice, cam, tune, or hook up anything.

[gloryaccordy]

No they aren't. They are more like mid 14's. The 6 speeds are low 14 second cars.

The speed differential between a low 15 and low 14 isn't all that much anyway.

The advantage the 540i would have would be at speeds above 80-90MPH, and how often is that going to matter?

Regular H22 Accords are more like mid 15 sec cars

My dad's M45 is prob marginally faster than an E39 540iA, and that was definitely noticeably faster than my second CB which was no regular H22 Accord. Plus more importantly, for what I think Deev is looking for, a big V8 hooked up to an auto box in a big cushy sedan would perfectly complement the Fit. The M3 is an awesome car, and is a bit more luxurious than even an SE CB7. But it's still a stiffly sprung, somewhat loud stick shift sports sedan/coupe. While I'm not sure it's running Deev already has the fun car in the CB. I would go completely left and get something luxurious. It will make a huge difference.

Plus, worst comes to worst there are some dirt cheap 540i 6 speeds out there. There is one by me at a dealer w/a warranty for about 7K.

[owequitit]

I know the E36 isn't all that much more refined... but honestly, it's FAR more refined than my CB7, which is quite raw! And the Fit has everything good BUT refinement... it's not far off from the CB7 itself.

If I got the E36 M3 vert, it would be an older car, and I'd assume that it would have some wear and tear. I'm also aware that although it's the top of the line 3 series, it's still BMW's low end (at least then... pre- 1 series in the US). It's BMW's Civic Si.
BUT, it's RWD, it's got plenty of sportiness, a famously accurate shifter, a fair amount of luxury, and a prestious image (the BMW badge for the general public, and the M badge for the tuners). Not really ideal, but it may very well be the closest thing to ideal I'm going to get for the money.


The 5 series always looked more dated to me... I never liked them until the more recent models, and those won't be in my price range for quite some time! Plus, the 5 series being so heavy would probably bother me. I hated the mass of the GTP. RWD would help that a bit, since driving a bunch of power to the front wheels to move a car that weighed nearly 2 tons wasn't a fun time... but still. The 3 series is more nimble.



I'm going to have to get out there on a day off (if I ever actually get a day off) and drive some cars. I'm not really looking to impress anyone but myself, but I do want something "impressive". I consider a 3 series to be relatively impressive, and the M badge makes it more so. The E36 isn't nearly as impressive to me as the E46... or even the E30 (though I wouldn't want to pay so much for one of those... worth it, but too old for my needs) Still, I like a well-kept E36 M3, and I think I would like to own one.

I'm still stuck on that. Of course, the Crossfire was a definite not too long ago... and last week I was all about the S4... so we shall see.





As for importing something like an MR2 or RX7... I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER TUNER PROJECT.

I'm not looking for anything that I EVER plan on modifying. I'm not looking for something that kids with fart cans are going to rev at. I'm not looking for something that will make people expect Vin Diesel to step out of at any moment.

I'd take a mid-life crisis car over a tuner car. I have a tuner car. I don't want to modify, swap, kit, slam, boost, juice, cam, tune, or hook up anything.

I don't think you would find that to be the case with the 5 series and certainly, using the GTP as a basis of comparison is NOT a good idea.

It still has 50/weight distribution, sophisticated chassis tuning, and BMW actually puts correctly sized tires on sport pack equipped cars. I understand your hesitation, but it is probably unfounded. Keep in mind that the M5, while more hardcore than a 540i, was one of the most visceral and capable cars every built period, regardless of weight, number of doors or make. If the fundamentals weren't good, that wouldn't happen.

Your CB must be terrible because I never felt jealous of the E36 vs my Accord. The plastics are harder and cheaper, it is a little smaller and less useable inside, and it isn't appreciably quieter (mine might not be as loud as yours) but it did ride and handle nice, and it did look good. Still to this day probably my favorite Bimmer looks wise.