Welcome to City-Data.com Forum!
U.S. CitiesCity-Data Forum Index
Go Back   City-Data Forum > General Forums > Automotive
 [Register]
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
View detailed profile (Advanced) or search
site with Google Custom Search

Search Forums  (Advanced)
Reply Start New Thread
 
Old 06-23-2010, 11:47 PM
 
Location: Texas
44,254 posts, read 64,351,440 times
Reputation: 73932

Advertisements

I'm having a tough time with it. Especially since they have discontinued some models of cars I would have looked at that fulfill my criteria (XLRV, Viper).

Looking for a car to get at the beginning of next year. Criteria:

New.
Convertible (vastly prefer a hard-top convert, but I realize not necessarily possible)
0 to 60 time 4.5 or LESS
Modern accessories/comfy for a 25 mile commute (all highway)
Prefer a 2 seater, but again...not married to that as a requirement
Something that looks a little bit different...you know? I like unique-looking cars.

Thanks! I know y'all will have great ideas.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message

 
Old 06-24-2010, 12:02 AM
 
Location: Chicago
38,707 posts, read 103,166,939 times
Reputation: 29983
2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS.

Two-seater, 335HP, 0-60 mid-4s, folding metal hard top, unique (though polarizing) styling, and a dual-clutch 7-speed manumatic transmission that gives you full control over gear selection when you want it, or you can let the computer shift for you if you're dealing with traffic during your commute.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-24-2010, 06:22 AM
 
1,329 posts, read 2,629,074 times
Reputation: 959
Tesla Roadster?

Tesla Motors - body
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-24-2010, 06:47 AM
 
8,652 posts, read 17,238,439 times
Reputation: 4622
Quote:
Originally Posted by stan4 View Post
I'm having a tough time with it. Especially since they have discontinued some models of cars I would have looked at that fulfill my criteria (XLRV, Viper).

Looking for a car to get at the beginning of next year. Criteria:

New.
Convertible (vastly prefer a hard-top convert, but I realize not necessarily possible)
0 to 60 time 4.5 or LESS
Modern accessories/comfy for a 25 mile commute (all highway)
Prefer a 2 seater, but again...not married to that as a requirement
Something that looks a little bit different...you know? I like unique-looking cars.

Thanks! I know y'all will have great ideas.
These are different.. And look at the sound system on the second one...

http://images.icanhascheezburger.com...2957641829.jpg

http://images.paraorkut.com/img/funn...ride-12631.jpg
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-24-2010, 06:48 AM
 
8,652 posts, read 17,238,439 times
Reputation: 4622
Can't believe I missed this one....

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1193/...f07fc3c538.jpg
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-24-2010, 07:59 AM
 
Location: Texas
44,254 posts, read 64,351,440 times
Reputation: 73932
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drover View Post
2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS.

Two-seater, 335HP, 0-60 mid-4s, folding metal hard top, unique (though polarizing) styling, and a dual-clutch 7-speed manumatic transmission that gives you full control over gear selection when you want it, or you can let the computer shift for you if you're dealing with traffic during your commute.
Thank you! Didn't realize the Z4 was that fast. I will check it out. I like the styling.

My only issue is that BMWs are abundant around here...everything from 3 series to M6...you see all day every day. So the uniqueness factor would be lacking. However, what it may say is that everyone enjoys their BMWs so they are worthwhile to get.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-24-2010, 08:00 AM
 
Location: Texas
44,254 posts, read 64,351,440 times
Reputation: 73932
Quote:
Originally Posted by nico7 View Post
Tesla Roadster?

Tesla Motors - body
I need more driving time than you can get on a charge and there's no one here to service it. Don't think I haven't considered it!!
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-24-2010, 08:45 AM
 
14,780 posts, read 43,682,136 times
Reputation: 14622
Corvette? For the price of the Z4 you could get a very well optioned out Vette with the LS3 and the upgraded interior. Given it isn't as "nice" on the luxury scale as other options, but the performance makes up for that and it gets fantastic MPG and is very comfortable for commuting and long distance drives. They also have the removable roof panel that stow's in the trunk so you can get the open top feeling whenever you want, but aren't making the weight and structural sacrifices that come with a convertible.

The new Infiniti G37 hardtop convertible is a good choice as well and makes for a nice alternative to the BMW. It has 4 seats, but in my experience if this is going to be your only car it is nice to have the extra seats even if they are small. You are going to give up a bit on the performance end though.

I would also like to plug the Audi S5 convertible. It's a softtop, not a hardtop and the performance is not in the same league that you are looking for (similar to the G37), but it is a drop dead gorgeous car inside and out and you don't see many of them tooling around so it gives you that unique factor.

The last thing I would mention is just finding a used XLR-V. They were never popular and their price mildly used represents a fantastic bargain for all you get. It's fast, luxurious and unique. Do you really care if it's a couple years old with 15k miles on it? It will most likely be certified so you will get a nice extended warranty with little to worry about. I wouldn't be so hung up on a new car if there is a used one that you really wanted. You can pick up a 2006 - 2008 V with low miles for as little as $45k for a 2006 and $60k for a 2008. That isn't bad at all for a car that cost over $100k brand new.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-24-2010, 10:40 AM
 
Location: Chicago
38,707 posts, read 103,166,939 times
Reputation: 29983
Quote:
Originally Posted by stan4 View Post
Thank you! Didn't realize the Z4 was that fast. I will check it out. I like the styling.

My only issue is that BMWs are abundant around here...everything from 3 series to M6...you see all day every day. So the uniqueness factor would be lacking. However, what it may say is that everyone enjoys their BMWs so they are worthwhile to get.
If nothing else, a Z4 is pretty unique among BMWs and its styling is distinctive enough to stand out from the "BMW crowd" such as it were.

Keep in mind the Z4 comes with three engine options ranging from a "mere" 255 HP all the way up to 335HP. If you want mid-4's acceleration, you'll need to step up to the top-of-the-line engine. If you can settle for upper-4's, the mid-level engine, at 300HP, will suffice and will cost you about 10 grand less. But, the extra 10 grand of the top-level Z4 also buys other performance upgrades besides just the engine.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-24-2010, 10:52 AM
 
Location: NYC & NJ
747 posts, read 2,758,687 times
Reputation: 342
Budget? Without knowing much else, 3 cars come to mind:

M3/335iS convertible (4-seat, hardtop)
Z4 (2-seat, hardtop)
The new Boxster Spyder:

Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.

Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.


Reply
Please update this thread with any new information or opinions. This open thread is still read by thousands of people, so we encourage all additional points of view.

Quick Reply
Message:


Over $104,000 in prizes was already given out to active posters on our forum and additional giveaways are planned!

Go Back   City-Data Forum > General Forums > Automotive
Similar Threads

All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:30 PM.

© 2005-2024, Advameg, Inc. · Please obey Forum Rules · Terms of Use and Privacy Policy · Bug Bounty

City-Data.com - Contact Us - Archive 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 - Top