Car thread! Need a car better than the S4, but within some restraints

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vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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Yeh, my first thought was...hmmmmmm ZO6. Then I read the "Can't be RWD".
 

flood

Diamond Member
Oct 17, 1999
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I think the Viggen will be too hard to get. There arent too many made.


The new BMW's have an option of all-wheel-drive for $2k more. (im pretty sure, but correct me if im wrong)
 

Triumph

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,031
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what the hell are you talking about vi, "the passat is a slug" ??? the V6 engine makes it to 60 in 7.3 seconds, and the 1.8T engine does 8.2 or so, which is NOT slow, by any means. and the 1.8T is a real tuner's engine. get a specially programmed chip for the cars computer for 400 bucks and whala! 197 hp and 247 ft/lbs of torque. that's good enough for ~7 second times. a slug my arse.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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Triumph, when you have 50k to work with, the cars in that class would make the VW look like a slug.

For a 25k sedan that has the options that it does, it's a great performer. But, when you start getting into S4, Z06, and M3 range, then the Passat is a slug in comparison.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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Also, the 4motion Passat that I drove w/ the slushbox auto was by no means a "rocket".
 

d33pt

Diamond Member
Jan 12, 2001
5,654
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Damn..what kinda parents get their kids $50k cars?!?!?!? I'm jealous...my dad got me a $1500 car once...
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
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My parents get me no car. I have to buy one myself, which is why I don't have one yet..

I'm jealous too. :)
 

tHa ShIzNiT

Platinum Member
Feb 15, 2000
2,321
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Just went to the Los Angeles Auto Show and after weighing all the options I have to say its a damn shame he can't get the new M3...which is a thing of beauty to look at. I would give up...certain body parts...for that car. But anyways, instead he should get a Lexus IS300, the new ones look really really awesome, and while they were formerly only automatic, the 2001 model will feature a PHAT looking spoiler and 6-speed (!) manual transmission!!!!!
It rocks majorly,
Shiz.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
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ooooooh, a SPOILER!!!

Hey! That's $700 well spent for a decrease in top speed. Sheesh!


























:D
 

UN1Xnut

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
371
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I'm going to get lynched for these suggestions, but here goes...

First off, I hate FWD cars. Notably the high powered ones. They all have torque steer problems with Ford and Saab being the worst offenders. Volvo being the least offensive.

What is it with people believing that RWD is not safe? I have an 83 Olds Delta88 that is a 4700lb RWD monster and it is one of the best winter cars that I have ever owned.

Although none of these are in the same class as the S4, they are very much worth looking into and not RWD:

Audi RS4 (otherwise known as the S2 Avant Review)
Acura 3.2CL Type-S
Subaru Impreza WRX (cheap I know, but runs like a bat out of hell)
Volvo S60 T5 (I would take it over the S80 because the S60 is more of a sports car and has a real manual transmission)
Volvo C70 Coupe (if you prefer 2 doors over the 4 of the S60, I'd take this one)
BMW 330xi (AWD optional)

-nut
 

Buddha Bart

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
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Thanks for all the replies guys, it seems you're all as stumped as I.

as for some of your answers

RWD- I wasn't kidding, its out. The dude is giving his kid a free car in the $50K range, if he says RWD is out, its out!
American Made- bwahahahahahahahahahahaha
TT- way to weak, and a little to impracticle
Maxima, Lincoln LS, prelude, camrey, passat!?!? No where NEAR S4 class.

RS4- decent idea, but i looked into it, and the one source i found pegged it at around $63K, please proove me wrong.

330xi w/AWD- I'll push this one again, but the last time i brought it up it was kinda laughed off as a 3-series (not by me!! both my parents car's combined don't cost as much as a 330)

CL TypeS, Viggen, etc- I said no RWD, and peforming at least near an S4. There's basically no way to do that with FWD, hell i get torque steer on my 140hp sentra SE-R, and i've got a LSD.

Impreza- I'm gonna make sure we at least test drive this car when it comes over. I've been an imprezza fan for years, and i bet its a really nice car. I think the only reason the magazines are ragging on it is because its a dumbed down version for americans. But it still kicks some ass, just not compared to the true-blue imprezzas.

Jag X-type: good tip, i'll look into it.

SUV's- eff off and die (don't take that personally)

thanks for the info, anyone got anything else?

bart
 

DarK SagE

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,330
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Can you ask your freinds dad if he'll adobt me?

Make sure to mention that i'll settle for a 30,000 dollar car?

;)
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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The A6 w/ the 2.7l bi-turbo is no slouch. It's not in the same class as the S4, but it's still respectable.

I really, really, really think this guy is being unreasonable here. If you don't want an S4, and you don't want RWD, and you don't want FWD, then that really doesn't leave a whole hell of a lot left.

I really think about your only option is to hope that Jaguar makes it over here next fall, and that there isn't an 18 month wait to take possession of one.

Your friend either needs to lower his standards, swallow his pride and take an S4, or manage to talk his father into a RWD car.

Christ, if I was him, I'd take the 50k, dump it into a mutal fund, let it grow in a mutual fund for 3 years, and then get myself something like an NSX or have a Skyline imported.
 

geno

Lifer
Dec 26, 1999
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<< Maxima, Lincoln LS, prelude, camrey, passat!?!? No where NEAR S4 class. >>


Yeah, you're right. The Lincoln surpasses them all.
 

SuperGroove

Diamond Member
Dec 17, 1999
3,347
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What the hell does this guy want? DOESN'T WANT RWD, but requires S4 performance?! What the HELL is he on and can I get me some of that?!


Damn, why not the 911 Carrera 4?! Best damn car mentioned in the thread that meets the strict criteria. Dare I say it? How about the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4. Make sure you get a pre '95 Mitsu. The ones after that look butt ugly and weigh a teensy bit more. Still no?


/me pulls out shotgun

I hate you:eek:
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
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Guy sure is picky. Get a A4 and have some professional mod that to be better than the S4. :D
 

MissingLinc

Senior member
Dec 30, 2000
227
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Is there anything wrong with AWD? Most Audis can be had AWD. There is an RS4 and that will kick the S4's butt and looks pretty cool, especially on the inside.
 

bUnMaNGo

Senior member
Feb 9, 2000
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shiznit- I was just at the LA Auto Show today, and the red IS300 that they had there was a 5spd, not a 6spd as you said. The info thing they had there said that it was a 2002 model, scheduled for a Fall 2001 release. Maybe your friend can wait for that long? As for the non-RWD thing, that's a damn shame- I just saw the new M3 at the show, and the sticker price on that is $46k- but I'm sure dealers will be marking that up like a biznatch. Speaking of the LA Auto Show, I'll have about 50 pix or so posted up as soon as I get back up to school. I'll be sure to send a link this way ;)
 

arcain

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
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The Audi RS4 is not the same as the S4 Avant. The S4 Avant is simply a station wagon version of the S4. The RS4 builds on that by using a Cosworth tuned version of the same engine that gets 380 hp (vs 260 in the S4). The RS4 is also wider. The RS4 is also not available in the US (except for one guy selling it in Colorado for ~$80k under the new &quot;special car&quot; import rule that lets you drive it 2500 miles a year).