ACK! i may buy my first american car.. need convincing!!!!

[TheLost]

The title isn't really true.. I did buy a Jeep wrangler back in 2005, but that was for off-road-red-neck-fun.. and i technically own my 16 year old son's car BUT i didn't pick it out or pay for it (ford explorer he got 3 months ago).... but other then that...

I have never had/wanted/liked American cars! I've only owned VW's, BMW's, Audi's, Porsches and the odd Land Rovers (British/Indian still not american)

But a few years ago i started to get an itch... American muscle?! I've never had one! Over the past few years my eye's have strayed to higher end Mustang's and Camaro's.. but only passing glances..

And that brings us to today..... My office has moved closer, My older son is driving his own car, My wife is happy with her car... and i got the OK to buy based WANT and not NEED!!! The stars have aligned... I should be out looking for my 2008-12 Cayman S!

But instead... I brought home a 2014 Camaro 2SS yesterday on a test drive.... and my wife and kids couldn't stop laughing

To be fair, they liked the car but couldn't see me driving it.. (a few jokes of my lack of hair and the ability to not grow a mullet)

Talk me into buying an American toy!!!!

 

[Designer]

It usually starts with first one, then several more car magazines, followed by countless hours on the internet reading reviews, options lists, prices, and even (gasp!) EPA estimated fuel economy.

THEN the test drive.

 

[limr30 3]

Make sure to include twisty roads on a test drive. If you're used to European cars, the handling might feel a lot more different from what you are used to. American muscle cars tend to be great and powerful in the straights, but I've watched as Minis dance right around them in the corners.

Of course, I don't know where you live, so depending on that, you might not even have twisty roads so it might not matter (My years living in Florida for college where the most boring driving years of my life.)

 

[Braineack]

I couldn't do a camaro. I'd only consider Ford right now for an american car and the Mustang is impressive on many levels (interior not being one, but when is it on an American?).

 

[TheLost]

It usually starts with first one, then several more car magazines, followed by countless hours on the internet reading reviews, options lists, prices, and even (gasp!) EPA estimated fuel economy.

I've owned 2 Land Rovers... Reviews and reliability reports don't mean anything to me

I traded in my last car to get something with better fuel economy... but for once that doesn't matter .. (see next comment)..

Make sure to include twisty roads on a test drive. If you're used to European cars, the handling might feel a lot more different from what you are used to. American muscle cars tend to be great and powerful in the straights, but I've watched as Minis dance right around them in the corners.

Of course, I don't know where you live, so depending on that, you might not even have twisty roads so it might not matter (My years living in Florida for college where the most boring driving years of my life.)

For the past 15 years I've had a 35 mile commute (each way)... 15 of those miles where up a canyon road to a ski resort (Suburbs of SLC to Park City, UT). Twisty roads are high on my addiction list.

However, My office has moved down to the 'valley'... I now have a 10-15 minute BORING commute.

I was impressed with the Camaro's handling.. and its hard not to grin with 430HP RWD.

Here is what my wife said... "Pretend you pull up to a Dr's office the same time 2 doctors pull up... One is in a Porsche, the other is in a Camaro... Who do you want operating on you?"

Followed by my son... "Plus.. if you get pulled over in a Porsche for speeding the cops don't automatically expect you have a dead body in the trunk like they would in the Camaro!"

 

[TheLost]

I couldn't do a camaro. I'd only consider Ford right now for an american car and the Mustang is impressive on many levels (interior not being one, but when is it on an American?).

I think that's why i cant do a Mustang... It screams 'AMERICAN!'. I have friends that drive Mustangs... they all wear True Religion jeans and tight fitted t-shirts. I wear cargo shorts, polo's and sandles 90% of the year.

 

[molested_cow]

WAIT! Are you comparing a Cayman to a Camaro?

A Cayman S?????????????????????????????? Dude that's not even a question! Taking one of those home will be like taking a mistress home with you. Your wife surely won't be laughing if you did.

 

[Braineack]

Just tell them: Direct injection, Dual variably controlled cams, 12:1 Compression Ratio, but yet 87 octane and 420hp and still makes 26mpg on the hwy. Even the v6 makes 300hp and 30mpg.

The technology Ford is using in their latest cars is impressive and outdoing foreign counterparts, you should look at what they did with the Focus ST, it's FWD car, but they individually control the brakes to send the power to the outside wheel and even got the car to rotate like it's a RWD.

To me Camaro screams 'Merican redneck, where the mustang screams chick in her 20s.

But there's absolutely no chance I'd choose a camaro over the cayman.

 

[limr30 3]

I guess I don't really care about the cultural implications of the car. For me, the ultimate test is whether or not I enjoy driving it. If the Camaro puts a smile on your face when you're behind the wheel, and it's got the specs that you're interested in, then go for it! Who cares what other people think?

Going on looks alone, I'd go Porsche myself, but my ultimate test would once again be how it would suit my driving style. I might completely change my mind after a test drive of both. And it's not like the Camaro is an ugly car.

Edited to add: Okay, maybe I do care a little bit about cultural implications of a car. For me, gold-toned Camry screams out, "I have given up!" Lucky for me, I also wouldn't enjoy driving it so I can pretend it's all about the drive

 

[Braineack]

I mean I drive a miata and everyone calls me a little girl; even my wife.

 

[Juga]

My only advice is if/when you do it don't half ass it...go all out and either get a V8 or nothing. It bugs me to see V6 'muscle cars.'

 

[limr30 3]

I mean I drive a miata and everyone calls me a little girl; even my wife.

I was honestly surprised the first time I heard that the Miata is supposedly a 'chick car'. I mean, I'm a chick and I want one, so I suppose mine would be a chick car, but I've never thought twice when seeing a man drive one.

 

[TheLost]

WAIT! Are you comparing a Cayman to a Camaro?

A Cayman S?????????????????????????????? Dude that's not even a question! Taking one of those home will be like taking a mistress home with you. Your wife surely won't be laughing if you did.

YES!! I NEED HELP!!!

Problem 1- I don't want a new Cayman... for $70k i'd have a diffrent car(s). I've been looking at used 2008 - 2012 (Gen1) S models... Which leads to...

Problem 2 - I don't live to far away from a track (Motorcycle Riding & Driving School | Racing & Group Events | Miller Motorsports Park). It is VERY, VERY, VERY had to find a used Cayman in my area that hasn't been tracked. To make things worse... its been tracked by somebody who shouldn't be driving (aka... my neighbors). The words 'Track Day' are fun until you start looking for a used sports car... Which leads too..

Problem 3 - IMS failure on used Cayman/Boxters is a nightmare! It's why i sold my 911 (996) years ago... Its always is in the back of your mind (Once you've had it happen to you... even more so)

Problem 4 - Oil Change = $300.. Breaks = $1400.. Granted i can do a lot on my own.. but damn they are spendy to run.

Problem 5 - 2012 430HP Camaro 2SS w/9k miles = $23k.. Leaves more for other toys

 

[snerd]

I don't know jack about cars, but the CTS V looks really slick!

 

[DBA]

To me Camaro screams 'Merican redneck, where the mustang screams chick in her 20s.

Seriously? You must think we're all rednecks then. lol This is a redneck vehicle, they prefer old trucks.
http://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/5a4/02c/5a402c7f-985c-49ed-b187-1aa0d4cab0dd

For the record I'm not a fan of the camaro and mustang, I along with a lot of other Americans prefer the Crossovers/SUVs/trucks over cars. Heck I used to drive a Ford F150 SuperCrew as my daily driver, until I finally switched to a smaller SUV. Next on my list is one of the New Ford Explorers.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8355/8289067433_245da19844_o.jpg