Car Shopping, Cool or Not Cool?

[Shizelbs]

Don't worry about the car. Not that you need more gear, but a car payment can really eff the fun fund.

[dagame27]

c'mon guys the 944 turbo isn't that bad. Other than a timing belt every 20000 miles the maintenance isn't that bad. Of course I am the guy the reccomended a 12 cylinder BMW to my friend with gas at $3.00 a gallon.:D The 944 has been used often as a drivers education racing car because of its ease of modification and forgiving handling. The maintenance is high, but when you factor in total cost, my friend has spend more on his dodge neon in the last 5 years than I have my Porsche, what would you rather have? Hey russ, you said you had a 944, I am curious what year. They have many problems, but electrical is not supposed to be one of them. They were actually very simple machines.

[dorokusai]

If you spend more maintenance money on a Dodge Neon, then you do on a Porsche 944....he should be placed in a firing squad. The 944 is no longer a drivers' school car...that ended a long time ago. It's a great car, but the golden years have past.

[dagame27]

yea, I don't think anybody has accused my friend as smart. He was pretty pissed when he found out what I paid for my car! They still do use 944 turbo's as drivers ed race cars in chicago and wisconsin on the Blackhawk racetrack, although they are modified, as is mine. It is inefficient as an everyday car, but great as a secondary car, toy. It is amazing that only 20 years later, that cheap SRT's can beat it in a drag race ( although not in the twisties!) Hell, nowadays the suburu WRX can beat just about anything in a race for the money. Even the new Vette can outrun just about anything for about half the cost (if you have 50K to spare). I am a Porsche man, but no way do I spend a 100k on a car.

[dorokusai]

You'll find all kinds of vehicles raced at club locations like Blackhawk.

[TroyD]

Porsche? Cost effective???

Man, I gotta write that one down.

BDT

[dagame27]

the 944 would surprise you, it is cheaper to keep than you would think, look up some of the parts prices.

[mrbigbluelight]

Good motor.

The 2002 Intrepid ES we just bought for my son was bought for $5000. Nice car, no problems so far. We happen to like the looks of the car, plus it has a lot of room and functionality. Decent gas mileage for a 240 Hp car.

[Tour2ma]

A retired 57k cop car screams "lotta shop time"...

I've talked to three Scion "box-on-wheels" xB owners lately and all love them. Also made Consumer Reports recommended list. If you can find one, and can resist pimping it out, it just might be the ticket.

[shack]

A retired 57k cop car screams "lotta shop time"...

If you find one with less than 200K, may be issues there.....

I've talked to three Scion "box-on-wheels" xB owners lately and all love them. Also made Consumer Reports recommended list. If you can find one, and can resist pimping it out, it just might be the ticket.

My Brother in law traded in his Subaru Baja for one....he liked it so much he bought another one for his wife.

[Sami]

944 really isn't expensive to keep. It an economy Porsche, never intented for rich folks. Considering how much work Porcshe did with VAG I would say they had knowledge of how to do "people wagons" (volks wagens). :)

[bobman1235]

My Brother in law traded in his Subaru Baja for one....he liked it so much he bought another one for his wife.

So he's the one that bought a Baja. One of the top 5 ugliest cars in the past 20 years.

[faster100]

speaking off topic, but after the mention of dodge neons repair cost, I now have a 95 dodge neon for work/save on gas... what a POS!! wont idle, blows coils, and eats gas because of it... Im selling it for parts soon and will never own another.. So i don't doubt maintanance was more then the porsche :D

[uncyogi]

STYLING: Totally a matter of taste. Some folks like Intrepid, some don't (I do), but if you're considering it, you must not hate it so not an issue.
COP CAR LOOK: Easy to loose the cowcatcher and add some rims or wheel covers if you want. Now just another car, so not an issue.
COOL FACTOR: Definitely sounds like it'll be great fun to drive with all the cop add-ons.
RELIABILITY: Very likely rode hard so go over it (or have a mechanic go over it) with an extra-fine toothed comb before parting with any cash. It was designed to take a beating so there's a chance it's OK.
BOTTOM LINE: For me the most important factor is whether this is a good buy for the final price.
AND THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT OF ALL: Hey! You don't know me! what the *@&% do you care about my opinion? If you really like it... buy it, enjoy it, melt off a few sets of tires and to hell with the nay-sayers ! :D :D :D Anyone can go to Wally-World and get a complete, functioning and reasonably reliable 'stereo' for $200 but some will spend for something else just because WE LIKE IT, even if it's not the 'smartest' choice in everyone elses eyes. :p

[Tour2ma]

So he's the one that bought a Baja. One of the top 5 ugliest cars in the past 20 years.

LOL... and one of the few that make the xB look good...

[steveinaz]

Actually government vehicles are very well taken care of. Case and point, my 2004 Ford 3500HD V-10 has 3850 miles on it, and the oil has been changed 3 times! The motorpools have maintenance schedules that have to be followed in order to stay in accordance with the contract.

Ditch the bang-bar and buy it, Intrepids are huge.

[MrNightly]

You owe yourself a test drive of the new GLI by VW's. Won't eat your alive money wise, and personally, I like the way it drives better than the BMW's. 4 Doors, with their new Direct Shift Gearbox (Paddle Shifters on the wheel) which is a major breakthrough in technology and not used in any other competitors vehicles. You talk about seamless shifting, you have to try it.

Also, VW's have one of the best warranties out there. Get into a dealership and give the GLI a spin.

2.0 Turbo Charged 200 HP. It plain kicks arse. And still sports a family, if need be. And 20K less than the M3. And... need I go on?

[Sami]

2.0 Turbo Charged 200 HP. It plain kicks arse. And still sports a family, if need be. And 20K less than the M3. And... need I go on?

Are you seriously comparing a 200hp sedan to a M3? Those two are in a completely different category.

[MrNightly]

Are you seriously comparing a 200hp sedan to a M3? Those two are in a completely different category.

Have you driven the GLI? and the M3? Do it, then get back to me. Sure, the M3 is a bigger engined car, but for 20K or so less, the GLI holds its own.

[PhantomOG]

Are you seriously comparing a 200hp sedan to a M3? Those two are in a completely different category.

ditto... I'm not a fan of either german maker but the comparison seems like a stretch.

[MrNightly]

ditto... I'm not a fan of either german maker but the comparison seems like a stretch.

Show me an engineered vehicle that compares to the German's and I'll be impressed.

And it's not a stretch, if you have actually driven both of them. The New GLI is a vehicle that has recently slid under the radar and not many in the States know about it.

Do yourself a favor and before you start making comments on it, test drive it for a month or so, then give me your opinion.

[Sami]

Have you driven the GLI? and the M3? Do it, then get back to me. Sure, the M3 is a bigger engined car, but for 20K or so less, the GLI holds its own.

I really do not need to drive another Jetta to know the M3 is well worth the extra money over it.

[PhantomOG]

I'm more than happy with my 2.0 turbo 227hp AWD WRX. With all the mechanical issues my friends with BMWs/VWs have, I wouldn't trade it in for either. Sure, they might have a nicer interior, but I don't need an electric butt warmer/scratcher with leather seats to get me to and from work everyday. My radio works, the AC is very cold, has plenty of zip for passing when needed, and awesome handling.

I've had my car for 5 years now without one single issue. My sampling group may be small, but everyone I know with either VW/BMW is in the shop every couple of months. I'm sure they are capable of making great cars, but based on my personal experience I just wouldn't risk it. To each his own though.

[MrNightly]

I really do not need to drive another Jetta to know the M3 is well worth the extra money over it.

Than you don't know what you are talking about. I wouldn't have believed it either. Give it a shot, and you'll be amazed. And it's not, "Another Jetta." But whatever. I just think you'd actually be amazed and quite pleased.

Then again, I may be the only one with an open enough mind to care. :D (That was a joke)

[MrNightly]

I'm more than happy with my 2.0 turbo 227hp AWD WRX. With all the mechanical issues my friends with BMWs/VWs have, I wouldn't trade it in for either. Sure, they might have a nicer interior, but I don't need an electric butt warmer/scratcher with leather seats to get me to and from work everyday. My radio works, the AC is very cold, has plenty of zip for passing when needed, and awesome handling.

I've had my car for 5 years now without one single issue. My sampling group may be small, but everyone I know with either VW/BMW is in the shop every couple of months. I'm sure they are capable of making great cars, but based on my personal experience I just wouldn't risk it. To each his own though.

You are right there. The Old VW's (prior to 2005) have had more than their fair share of issues. Their new models are amazing, and completely redesigned. (Sounds like I am trying to sell them.. geez) Do some searching on the new engines, and their issues, before automatically lumping the New designs into the same old group.

End of VW/BMW rant

[bobman1235]

Actually government vehicles are very well taken care of. Case and point, my 2004 Ford 3500HD V-10 has 3850 miles on it, and the oil has been changed 3 times!

Ick. Changing your oil too often is worse than waiting an extra thousand miles.

[audiobliss]

I'm fairly sure VW's engines haven't changed for the new exterior designs. And I don't care how well any of the new VW's handle...they're sooo ugly I'd much rather have the previous style.

Also, what GLI are you talking about? Golf? Jetta? Passat? Wagon?

Ick. Changing your oil too often is worse than waiting an extra thousand miles.

How so?

[cmy330go]

....Also, what GLI are you talking about? Golf? Jetta? Passat? Wagon?....

I think he probably means the GTI. Just a guess.

BTW I have spent significant time in both the GTI and M3, and in my opinion, there is NO COMPARISON. M3 all the way! Don't get me wrong VW builds nice cars, and the GTI is pretty cool, but it just can't hold a candle to an M3.

Later:)
Dave

[shack]

I'm fairly sure VW's engines haven't changed for the new exterior designs.

Actually it is. A new 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged engine replaced the V6 from last year int the GTI. Remember, the VWs and Audis share a lot of sheet metal and drivetrain parts.

Also, what GLI are you talking about? Golf? Jetta? Passat? Wagon?

I think he probably means the GTI. Just a guess.

Nah....I think he means the GLI

GTI = 2 door hatchback



GLI = 4 door sedan

[MrNightly]

BINGO. And if you have the cash, sure, a M3 is surely the way to go. I don't have 50K laying around, and for 25K I think the GLI holds it own. My view, i guess, since nobody else here agrees. Regardless, i say you have no room to knock it unless you've experienced it first hand.

Out.

EDIT: The pics of the GLI don't do it justice at all. They just took stock photo's of a Jetta and slapped the GLI logo on. You gotta see it in person to appreciate it! Honeycomb grill, 19" wheels, Red brake calibers... it is quite striking.

Actually it is. A new 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged engine replaced the V6 from last year int the GTI. Remember, the VWs and Audis share a lot of sheet metal and drivetrain parts.





Nah....I think he means the GLI

GTI = 2 door hatchback



GLI = 4 door sedan