No 370 Z for me

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Great post, I think you nailed it. Every car you remotely like, you find a way to talk yourself out of. Quit trying to find a perfect car. Quit trying to find a car that equals your '72 S. Aint gonna happen. Just find something that puts a smile on YOUR face. To hell with everyone else. You know I'm right, even your wife agrees with me.

That's what I'd hoped the 370Z would do...the smile.



Another excuse. And if you buy anything remotely common, you're totally wrong. You can build an entire classic Mustang from an NPD catalog. That goes for EVERY semi-popular classic.

Always seems to be something or other failing on an old car

Since the new stuff doesn't do it for you, why not something old? Unlike a modern car with computer diagnostics, any local garage can work on an old Mustang or 240Z, and the parts are easy to find. You can find a mint driver Mustang, 240Z, and a host of other cars for under $20k.

See above

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. There were a few mentioned here that I'm going to look at.

[gprsh924]

05 M3...it will go to the dealer twice a year, so the trip won't really be that bad. Our 04 has been to the dealer twice. The first time was to get the radio replaced (under warranty) because of the occaisonal dead pixel when it was cold. The other was to get it inspected to see if there was any work that could be done before the free maintenance period ran out.

[jwasbury]

What about MINI Cooper S? Yes the drive wheels are in the front, but its a great car with high fun factor that is easy to live with on a daily basis. If you haven't been in one, you will be surprised at how roomy they are inside. An earlier poster included it on a list of the top 5 cars that an enthusiast magazine suggested as being must haves for car folks like us.

I bet you're going to say that the dealer is in Portland... Well, a new MINI will need to go to the dealer every 10-12k miles. In my case, that's once per year. You must find some reason to go to Portland at least once per year, right?

All maintenance is included, you just put gas in it. My service plan is up (3 yrs, 36k miles) in June. Its likely that the plan will expire before the car is due for its 3rd service. The car is a keeper, so I'll be buying the extended service plan.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by DARISC

That's one fine looking motor. Respect.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Plus, if those oldies are actually as good as they look in the pics? $40K might not be enough. But yeah, these days, chasing NLA parts isn't the fun it used to be.

Plus, THere goes the walk away and not worry about deal.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by Dueller

Pontiac G8 GT.

ebay link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___2009-Pontiac-G8-GT-V8-NEW-LOW-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ270329739482QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20Tr ucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?ha sh=item270329739482&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

6spd GXP is my next car.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Dottore

That's one fine looking motor. Respect.

Thanks

Originally Posted by MMARSH

6spd GXP is my next car.

Cool!

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by MMARSH

6spd GXP is my next car.

Thanks Michael. As you may remember, the last new Pontiac I had was a '66 GTO.
The same dealership I bought it from still exists in this small town. I many stop by tomorrow. In the price range, yet looks rather "common" on the road...could be Q ship status?

[Dueller]

Like I said, I drove the G8 Gt....reminded me of an M5. Suprising quality, power handling. Is the GXP a 2 door model? Thought the were all 4 doors. Anyways...not a bad looking ride. Styling wise it has a very short front overhang...uncommon for detroit iron. I likee.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by Dueller

Like I said, I drove the G8 Gt....reminded me of an M5. Suprising quality, power handling. Is the GXP a 2 door model? Thought the were all 4 doors. Anyways...not a bad looking ride. Styling wise it has a very short front overhang...uncommon for detroit iron. I likee.

Actually the picture you posted is the GXP model. It has the 6.2 LS3 motor. 414 horsepower. Brembo brakes, different wheels and is available with a 6spd. It also has a slightly different front and rear bumper treatment then the GT. The GT has the 6.0 L76 360something Horsepower motor, but you can only get an automatic. If you could get a stick I would buy it. The GXPs are very slowly trickling into the states and I have my name at several dealers who are waiting to get them. I agree with you Dueller, very good driving car.


Paul, as much as I love this car, not sure if it's sporty enough for what your looking for. But your Q-ship comment nailed it on the head as to why I like this car so much. I already have big plans for mine. To the tune of 11.8 in the 1/4 mile and handling better then a BMW M-car. I test drove one that was done up like this by a tuner here in LA and have thought about that car everyday since.

[dd74]

G8 would be my choice. Mike, Costco in Burbank had a G8 for sale for $29K.

One of the mainstream American car magazines tested an even more powerful G8 that Pontiac is offering. I think it has 400+ horsepower and a better suspension.

Yeah - forget the M5. Who needs it when these Aussie/GM beasts are half as much and probably just as good.

[JeremyD]

I don't like the four door - which is why I mentioned the 06 GTO. Still has the LS motor - but in my opinion smoother look without the boy racer stick on vents.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by dd74

G8 would be my choice. Mike, Costco in Burbank had a G8 for sale for $29K.

One of the mainstream American car magazines tested an even more powerful G8 that Pontiac is offering. I think it has 400+ horsepower and a better suspension.

Yeah - forget the M5. Who needs it when these Aussie/GM beasts are half as much and probably just as good.

That's the one I'm talking about. it's a G8 GXP

[goat]

I just bought a 08 Subaru WRX wagon. Real fun car to drive, and can still go to the hardware store.

[Jims5543]

Man it sucks to be you. Your snobby, nothing is better than my 911 attitude is causing you to miss out on a LOT of fun cars in the last 40 years.

Off the top of my head.

- Corvette - yeah the whole gold chain thing. I hate them too but appreciate a good sports car when I see one.

- Mitsubishi Evolution - 4 doors!! OMG!

- Subaru WRX STi - yeah AWD and the handling is remarkable

- MINI Cooper S - Until I owned one I would never believe a FWD car could be so much fun, I still feel bad for the guy in the C5 Vette on the track that was going nuts trying to get me off his rear bumper.

Mazda Miata - I know you hate verts and its too bad this is a remarkable drivers car.

1993 Mazda RX7 - as pure a sports car as your beloved 911 yet much faster and better handling, but you might have to duck your head getting into, gasp, a sports car!

Lotus Elise - yeah that whole getting in and out of a sports car thing again.

Nissan 350Z - I rented one for a weekend and it was a hoot!! I want one one day and the prices for used ones are getting to the point where I can.


You complain about ergonomics yet were fine with a stick shift in a 911 that is more fitting for a 4x4 truck than a sports car. That really bothered me about my 911 I never like the stick shift and as I recall from my 911 the ergonomics were pretty poor in it as well. I never got used to nor liked the layout of the dash, it was pretty screwed up.

Have a nice weekend everyone, I am off to Jackass Junction to pick up a set of slicks for my car.

[pwd72s]

Sorry I upset you Jim...but you know, I did have a lot of fun with sports cars over 40 years. Bought my first Porsce in 1967, and had 3 others. Passed the '72S on in 2007.

I guess I do like to hang on to the things I like for long periods of time.

What's wrong with that?

[dd74]

Originally Posted by JeremyD

I don't like the four door - which is why I mentioned the 06 GTO. Still has the LS motor - but in my opinion smoother look without the boy racer stick on vents.

I've seen one at the track. Or rather, the blur of one. (i.e. they're fast)

Have you tracked yours yet?

[porsche4life]

Only problem with the 6.0l GTO is that they go everywhere sideways if you get into the throttle. Pitch in and steer by foot.

[RWebb]

Back to Paul's "problem"....

What brands have a dealer within your range?

We know you won't got to PDX, but what about Salem? Corn Valley? Albany? Greater Metropolitan Nimrod?

[pwd72s]

Drove a base model G-8 today...for a 4 door, I liked it. Now will go through a print out I was given...options, features, etc. on the GXP. Still in the learning stage.

Salem driving is getting nearly as bad as Portland, Randy. But my favorite pool hall is up there, so we do go there from time to time. There is a BMW dealership there, but...well, won't say more. Corvallis has a volvo dealer, also VW...volvos not my bag. I've read enough bad luck stories on VW's here...plus aren't they all front wheel drive?

Oh, anybody here who'd like a Z-06 'Vette? Local GM dealer has one sitting on the floor. They also had the 2 seat roadster...I couldn't even pack my pool cue case in one if I had a passenger.