- Nov 29, 2005
- 2,411
- 0
- 0
Short version = thread title.
If you're interested in how we got here -- and how if you keep waiting to buy a car, you'll spend ever-increasing amounts of money! -- keep reading
I've been ideating about buying a new car for the better part of two years. I currently have a 2001 Honda Accord v6 Coupe, but with only 95k on it (I work from home a lot).
My first thought was a BRZ. I remember the release reviews, and I was intrigued. I figured it'd be maybe $22,000ish for a used one. I sat in one, and it seemed like I didn't fit (I'm about 6'5", although more on this in a bit) so I gave up on it.
Then I started reading reviews of the 2013+ Accord v6 Coupe, and thought I'd try that out. Liked the styling, and the integration features (no CarPlay yet, however). Drove one, and was reasonably impressed. Figured a a used one would go for maybe $26,000ish
Then I started thinking a little bigger. Started looking at the 370z. Read reviews that said it was a pretty shitty daily driver, and one of its biggest downfalls was a lack of "modern" features (BT, iPhone integration, nav, etc.) Never drove one. That woulda been around $35k.
Then I went back and actually drove the BRZ (actually, that ugly yellow special edition FR-S, but same thing). Turns out, I fit in it. Also turns out, that whole "underpowered" thing is horribly true. Compared to the Accord, it just didn't move. Granted, I didn't get a chance to do what the car is good at, but I just wasn't impressed (although the thing certainly looks gorgeous).
So I started thinking about the Accord again.
But then I made the mistake of talking to my dad (who's an exotic car guy and cruises around in a newer Morgan Plus 8, among others, if anyone knows what that is). Long story short, I started thinking about a Cayman. Looked at some listings, and saw that I could do a reasonable one for around $40,000. I even went and drove one.
But I made a HUGE mistake and drove the Cayman S first, instead of starting at the base. Oops. It was a 2009, so not a 981, but still. The thing was pretty damn amazing.
Then, I saw a 330i Convertible and thought to myself, "Self, I bet you'd get more of a chance to make use of a convertible during your drive to work -- which is pretty much along the ocean in southern California -- than you would make use of whatever makes a Porsche a Porsche". In other words, I'd get more bang for my particular buck with a convertible. I figured an M3 was too pricey, but the 33Xi were around the same price ($45k-ish)
Then, I finally saw the 981. Soccer mom/"not a real Porsche" sentiment aside, I've never liked the styling of the previous Boxsters. They looked like cute little roadsters, which isn't my thing.
But the 981 changed that. It looks like a sports car that just happens to be a convertible. I'm digging it.
So here we are. I'm looking at 2013+ Boxsters, to get the best of all possible worlds (convertible, fast, Porsche, "new" features, etc.).
I need to test drive the base to see if I really "need" the S (before you start, you're right, nobody NEEDS the S, but some people want red calipers, right?)
Just wondering if anyone here wants to share there experiences, or offer comparable cars. No, I don't want an older 911. I'd LOVE a F-Type but that's probably too expensive, since there's no used market yet (this is why I'm not buying a Tesla). Same with some of the RC series Lexii. I'm not sold on a TTS (reliability) and I don't think the Z4 would keep up.
To be truthful, if I could wait until August, and maybe Suburu comes out with a OEM Turbo for the BRZ or something, that might make sense, given that'd it'd be half the price, but I don't know that I want to wait that long.
But I'm open to ideas. Thoughts?
(Thanks!)
If you're interested in how we got here -- and how if you keep waiting to buy a car, you'll spend ever-increasing amounts of money! -- keep reading
I've been ideating about buying a new car for the better part of two years. I currently have a 2001 Honda Accord v6 Coupe, but with only 95k on it (I work from home a lot).
My first thought was a BRZ. I remember the release reviews, and I was intrigued. I figured it'd be maybe $22,000ish for a used one. I sat in one, and it seemed like I didn't fit (I'm about 6'5", although more on this in a bit) so I gave up on it.
Then I started reading reviews of the 2013+ Accord v6 Coupe, and thought I'd try that out. Liked the styling, and the integration features (no CarPlay yet, however). Drove one, and was reasonably impressed. Figured a a used one would go for maybe $26,000ish
Then I started thinking a little bigger. Started looking at the 370z. Read reviews that said it was a pretty shitty daily driver, and one of its biggest downfalls was a lack of "modern" features (BT, iPhone integration, nav, etc.) Never drove one. That woulda been around $35k.
Then I went back and actually drove the BRZ (actually, that ugly yellow special edition FR-S, but same thing). Turns out, I fit in it. Also turns out, that whole "underpowered" thing is horribly true. Compared to the Accord, it just didn't move. Granted, I didn't get a chance to do what the car is good at, but I just wasn't impressed (although the thing certainly looks gorgeous).
So I started thinking about the Accord again.
But then I made the mistake of talking to my dad (who's an exotic car guy and cruises around in a newer Morgan Plus 8, among others, if anyone knows what that is). Long story short, I started thinking about a Cayman. Looked at some listings, and saw that I could do a reasonable one for around $40,000. I even went and drove one.
But I made a HUGE mistake and drove the Cayman S first, instead of starting at the base. Oops. It was a 2009, so not a 981, but still. The thing was pretty damn amazing.
Then, I saw a 330i Convertible and thought to myself, "Self, I bet you'd get more of a chance to make use of a convertible during your drive to work -- which is pretty much along the ocean in southern California -- than you would make use of whatever makes a Porsche a Porsche". In other words, I'd get more bang for my particular buck with a convertible. I figured an M3 was too pricey, but the 33Xi were around the same price ($45k-ish)
Then, I finally saw the 981. Soccer mom/"not a real Porsche" sentiment aside, I've never liked the styling of the previous Boxsters. They looked like cute little roadsters, which isn't my thing.
But the 981 changed that. It looks like a sports car that just happens to be a convertible. I'm digging it.
So here we are. I'm looking at 2013+ Boxsters, to get the best of all possible worlds (convertible, fast, Porsche, "new" features, etc.).
I need to test drive the base to see if I really "need" the S (before you start, you're right, nobody NEEDS the S, but some people want red calipers, right?)
Just wondering if anyone here wants to share there experiences, or offer comparable cars. No, I don't want an older 911. I'd LOVE a F-Type but that's probably too expensive, since there's no used market yet (this is why I'm not buying a Tesla). Same with some of the RC series Lexii. I'm not sold on a TTS (reliability) and I don't think the Z4 would keep up.
To be truthful, if I could wait until August, and maybe Suburu comes out with a OEM Turbo for the BRZ or something, that might make sense, given that'd it'd be half the price, but I don't know that I want to wait that long.
But I'm open to ideas. Thoughts?
(Thanks!)
Last edited: