quote:

Originally posted by PartyHarlequin With the exception of a few (Mazda 787B, RX-7 (1994) and perhaps the modified celica engine going into the 2005 Lotus Elise 190), I can't stand them. Someone please explain the attraction to me? Note: Current cars; 2001 BMW M5, 2003 BMW MINI CooperS, 1999 Expedition Eddie Bauer Edition, contemplating 1985 BMW M6 (european import)... For $33k someone convince me not to get the M6 please!

Well, not everyone has the luxury of owning a M5, CooperS, and a SUV at the same time like you do. For sure I would buy a M5 over any Lexus or Infiniti if I had $150K to burn. You also seem to like the car based just on the style and performance (eg. FD3S RX-7, M6), but for majority of people who are not in the top income bracket, that is not the highest priority when purchasing a car. (eg. FD3S is a great looking car with great performance, but with huge reliability problems)

I think the attaction for most domestic cars are the values it offers. You definitely get more power, options compared to japanese/european cars in the same price range. But you pay with reliability in the long run.

The reliability of Japanese cars make them very popular I think. Plus the availability of aftermarket parts definitely attract alot of younger guys. I'm sure if you tune integra type-r or wrx right, it can beat any high-end european cars at the tracks.

European cars seem to have best of both domestic and japanese, with good quality, great power and supurb handling, but with a significantly higher pricetag to buy and maintain.

Although those ricers are quite annoying, that shouldn't make you turn away from purchasing japanese cars. I'm sure there are many new/used Japanese cars you can enjoy for $33K. And by no means I am worshipping Japanese cars. If I was looking for a car around $80K, I would get a M3 over any other car. (by the way, it is true that there is a rumour of V8 M3s coming - like S4 and C45)

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Originally posted by MarkT I can see we're on opposite ends of the spectrum in our car philosophies...it's all good...it's why Honda sells so many cars...people look at hp #s and stock 0-60 and go from there. I'll never understand the Honda image except for hard-core enthusiasts who know an old Civic can be made into a beast for relatively little money. For every Civic I respect, I see 30 I laugh at.

I'm not looking at numbers, I'm going by experience, I find my car is faster and more fun to drive then my friends A4 1.8T.

Uhhhm I don't oooh and aaahhh over Japanese cars.....






But I do over Japanese Women.. Particularly the ones from Southern Japan

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When I get older I'll move onto a nice european luxury sports car.

quote:

Originally posted by callaway If I was looking for a car around $80K, I would get a M3 over any other car. (by the way, it is true that there is a rumour of V8 M3s coming - like S4 and C45)

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love the turbinelike I6... it's old school BMW character.

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Originally posted by tw1tch I'm not looking at numbers, I'm going by experience, I find my car is faster and more fun to drive then my friends A4 1.8T.

I don't doubt that...but an A4 1.8T is quite different than a GTi 1.8T

while they share an engine (not even the same compression ratio though), the Audi has Quattro (or the CVT FWD, no diff in #s really), less power (170/166 vs. 180/173), and the Audi is 200 pounds heavier...they run at least a full second slower 0-60 and don't share the same suspension, I believe, so the ride and handling will be different too. Can't compare. The Audi's are nice cars...but sacrifice a bit of performance for refinement vs. the GTi.

German cars are sweet, but only if they are new... once they gett old, sure they last, but are a bitch to maintain $$$$

Japanese cars are teh shit in my opinion. More reliable, more fuel efficient... yet still do pretty well performance wise.

THis is from a guy that drives an A4, which i love, and used to have a civic. IMO, the only weakness of japanese cars compared to german, is they quality of the interior.

Jap cars that make me droool:

Integra Type R
Supra TT
Rx-8 TT
Skyline GT-R (only in japan)
RSX type R (only in japan)
Honda s2000
Acura nsx
subaru wrx sti
mitsubishi lancer evo
nissan 350Z <-- a personal fav
nissan 300zx TT <-- oldie but still a goody
Inifiniti G35 coupe