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

[DBA]

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

Might as well drive a prius...

 

[lambertpix]

The last time I drove an American car, it felt way too heavy to me. In fact, the last time I shopped for cars, I drove a couple Hyundai Genesis coupes. The 3.8 was a lot of fun -- I can't claim to have scared the salesman quite the same as Jeff Gordon in his Pepsi commercial, but it was a blast to drive a RWD car again. ;-)

Still, the car just felt huge. Not my cup of tea. I imagine the Camaro is probably a lot like that. I do believe if I were to consider an American car again, I'd probably start with a Focus ST. I might actually buy a Focus RS if they'd bring it to the States.

 

[bentcountershaft]

Lap time of 7:37:47. Not bad for driving in the rain.

 

[TheLost]

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.

I've driven a $30k Focus ST... and it was AWESOME! however... at the end of the day it was a $30k Focus

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.

The Cayman screams "Couldn't afford the 911"... which is sad... because today's Cayman is more like yesteryear's 911. I would take a Cayman over 911 any day.

Full disclosure... other cars i've looked at:
BMW M3 (E93) coup .. getting harder to find
Mini Cooper S (John cooper works edition) .. Another car my wife thinks i'd look silly in.
Audi S4/S5
Infinity G37x... boring.. but my wife likes Infinitys.
Ford Mustang GT...

The question of this thread should be.... If your wife said "Go get a fun car.. priced within reason" (lets say up to $60k-ish).. what would YOU get?

 

[TheLost]

Next on my list is one of the New Ford Explorers.

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

Fun fact!! The new Ford Explorers where designed while Ford owned Land Rover... They used quite a few LR3/4 'Rover' type features in the 2012+ Explorer.
(example
http://www.drivearabia.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ford-explorer-2012-4.jpg

 

[runnah]

Go for a M3 if you want RWD that is actually fun to drive. Cameros and mustangs drive like crap. Not to mention they are built cheap and the interiors look bargin bin plastics.

Or go with an Audi for AWD fun.

 

[TheLost]

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

Might as well drive a prius...

If you've never driven a Miata... you don't know what your missing.

I owned a 2002 BMW Z3 2.5..

.. And the same year Miata was (IMHO) more fun to toss around. The Mazda would also be a lot cheaper to keep running

 

[TheLost]

The last time I drove an American car, it felt way too heavy to me.
[..]
Still, the car just felt huge. Not my cup of tea. I imagine the Camaro is probably a lot like that.

While the Camaro is 'heavy'.. it doesn't feel as heavy as an Audi S4.. If you are ever bored one weekend i suggest you try a test drive.. Its not your old American Car

(and that puts a weird taste in my mouth just saying that )

 

[bentcountershaft]

What does a used GT-R go for?

 

[JacaRanda]

I am considering this Top 10 Cheapest New Cars You Can Buy | AutoGuide.com News - Part 10 so I can get this Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM

 

[TheLost]

Go for a M3 if you want RWD that is actually fun to drive. Cameros and mustangs drive like crap. Not to mention they are built cheap and the interiors look bargin bin plastics.

Or go with an Audi for AWD fun.

I always thought that!!!

Of all the cars i've ever had (and i am an addict).. The A4 has been my favorite (interior, handling).. and the most reliable! (160k miles with no issues)

(ignore the RC airplane.. this was the only picture i could dig up on short notice )

But... In my quest of my new toy im finding things have changed...

I don't like the current A4's (only 4cyl) and the interiors have cheapened up.. BMW interiors today look just as cheap as they did 15 years ago.. IMHO, the interior of the Ford Fusion is better then you'll find in an Audi (it hurts to say that).

Heck.. did you know that most Mercedes cars/suv's don't use real leather any more? My wife was looking at a GL450 this spring and the dealer was happy to tell us how MB-Tex (Benz fake leather = vinyl) was better... IMHO it felt CHEAP!! (and in the end why we didn't get it).

The leather in the Camaro i drove had a nice soft black leather with 'thick' white stitching.. the Interior was 'clean' (boring) but nice.. i was a little shocked at how 'not-bad' it was

 

[lambertpix]

While the Camaro is 'heavy'.. it doesn't feel as heavy as an Audi S4..

That's surprising. I've got a VW GTI now, and I'd have expected the Audi to be closer in feel to that than the Camaro. Part of what bugs me about most American cars these days is the high beltline -- it feels like you're sitting in the bottom of a bathtub.

The M3 actually sounds like a lot of fun, or maybe a C63 AMG? ;-)

What about a WRX? Could be a different sort of fun altogether. I didn't see any drop-tops in your list, so I assume the Boxter is out? Audi TT? 370Z?

Lots of fun choices in that price range. I think I'd plan on taking a *lot* of test drives.

 

[TheLost]

What does a used GT-R go for?

~$55k for a 2010 and low (30k) miles... The question is.. How bad was it trashed

 

[Braineack]

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

Might as well drive a prius...

that's why the prius is the most raced car in motorsports right? My miata is faster than most corvettes on the road and still makes over 30mpg putzing around.

 

[TheLost]

While the Camaro is 'heavy'.. it doesn't feel as heavy as an Audi S4..

That's surprising. I've got a VW GTI now, and I'd have expected the Audi to be closer in feel to that than the Camaro. Part of what bugs me about most American cars these days is the high beltline -- it feels like you're sitting in the bottom of a bathtub.

The M3 actually sounds like a lot of fun, or maybe a C63 AMG? ;-)

What about a WRX? Could be a different sort of fun altogether. I didn't see any drop-tops in your list, so I assume the Boxter is out? Audi TT? 370Z?

Lots of fun choices in that price range. I think I'd plan on taking a *lot* of test drives.

The quattro system in Audi's add a lot of weight.

M3... With the end of the 3 series coupe (now the 4 series) M3 coups are hard to find.. and $$$.
WRX... My wife is from Seattle. In her mind all Subaru drivers are lesbians (no offence to lesbians or subaru drivers).. She wouldn't let me get our son a Legacy
Boxter... I like the Cayman... it looks better and drives better (bit more power).
Audi TT... Exactly like sitting in a bathtub!!!
370Z... Not sporty enough. Bad driver position.. Didn't like it at all!!

My 2nd car was a VW Rabbit GTI... Man i wish i still had that car