LawTalkers - Cars and Other Driving Machines

Originally posted by Did you just call me Coltrane?
Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to get the baby in/out of the Acura TL (which we love) with the car seat in the middle. The wife has much diffifculty now getting her out, and I can't imgaine it will get any easier as the baby gets heavier.

So, we were thinking about leasing a small SUV. Both the CRV and RAV4 are bigger than they used to be, but get almost the exact same gas mileage as the TL. We don't want a giant, gas-guzzling SUV, but we want it to be easy to get little Condoleeza in and out of the car. Plus, it's a pain in the ass to put the giant stroller in the trunk of the TL.

I think I've said this before, but I'm not a car person. They are utensils to me, so I don't need anything fancy. I save fancy for triathlon bikes.

Any recommendations?

In my experience Honda quality is better than Toyota.

Did you just call me Coltrane?

03-27-2008 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bold_n_brazen
Baby seat and booster seat fit just fine side by side with the baby seat in the middle.

Nonetheless, I agree with Atticus. It won't be easier to get the kid into an SUV. And the kid will only get easier to move around, not harder. Plus, those travel stroller things suck.

The stroller is fantastic for the city, where it's often used twice a day for 2+ hour walks. When she's bigger, we'll travel with the umbrella stroller.

I'm leaning towards keeping the TL.

Flinty_McFlint

03-27-2008 02:20 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by John Phoenix
When do you get to enjoy what the car can do, if that's the majority of your driving? How long does 45 miles take in Northern California commuting? I'd ask if it's the reverse commute, but is there such a thing around there?

I hear this cop out all the time, especially around here or in SoCal. Traffic here is not as bad as it can be down south, but even if I lived down there, I'd still drive a manual. Though it seems year by year that there are fewer and fewer cars to drive. Either they are el-cheapo or really expensive. I am still holding out hope that I'll find a nice E39 M5 in good shape and for a good price in the next couple of years. But by then gas will be $6/gallon and I won't pull the trigger. Hello used Cooper S with afterburner!

John Phoenix

03-27-2008 02:31 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by Flinty_McFlint
I hear this cop out all the time, especially around here or in SoCal. Traffic here is not as bad as it can be down south, but even if I lived down there, I'd still drive a manual. Though it seems year by year that there are fewer and fewer cars to drive. Either they are el-cheapo or really expensive. I am still holding out hope that I'll find a nice E39 M5 in good shape and for a good price in the next couple of years. But by then gas will be $6/gallon and I won't pull the trigger. Hello used Cooper S with afterburner!

Same thing goes here. There are not many options, and more of them end up on the smaller/less powerful engine (e.g., Mercedes C class). But, every so often, you can be pleasantly surprised, as with the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, 2009 Cadillac CTS-V, and current BMW M5 (after they relented to consumer demand for a true manual and frustration with the SMG).

notcasesensitive

03-27-2008 03:17 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

I'm pretty sure I've said this here before, but that won't stop me: When Mr. Man went looking for his current car the dealerships (BMW) told him that they no longer stock manual transmissions in Southern California and if he wanted one they would have to trade out with a dealership somewhere else for one. They claim that people here won't buy them because of traffic. He held out for the manual anyway, primarily in order to avoid the collective scorn and ridicule of the Lawtalkers Cars and Other Drivings Machines Board, and he is happy that he did so. He has not noticed an appreciably larger left quadricep, despite his 35 mile commute in primarily stop-and-go traffic on the 101. Apparently mileages vary however.

Flinty_McFlint

03-27-2008 03:32 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
I'm pretty sure I've said this here before, but that won't stop me: When Mr. Man went looking for his current car the dealerships (BMW) told him that they no longer stock manual transmissions in Southern California and if he wanted one they would have to trade out with a dealership somewhere else for one. They claim that people here won't buy them because of traffic. He held out for the manual anyway, primarily in order to avoid the collective scorn and ridicule of the Lawtalkers Cars and Other Drivings Machines Board, and he is happy that he did so. He has not noticed an appreciably larger left quadricep, despite his 35 mile commute in primarily stop-and-go traffic on the 101. Apparently mileages vary however.

You got yourself a keeper, I tell you what.

John Phoenix

03-27-2008 03:47 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by Flinty_McFlint
You got yourself a keeper, I tell you what.

So does Mr. Man.

Flinty_McFlint

03-27-2008 03:49 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by John Phoenix
So does Mr. Man.

Yeah, I like BMWs too.

taxwonk

03-27-2008 04:22 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Um, I pretty much had to take it as it was ordered. They won't be doing special orders this year I don't think.
135i - pretty much fully loaded:
3.0L 24 valve, twin turbo, 306 hp, top speed 155.
sport package
Nav
premium package
paddle shifting
ipod connection
sirius connection - haven't paid for subscription yet.
upgraded stereo

Montego blue with taupe leather.
Like this one!!!!
http://www.2guysreview.com/images/BMW-135i.jpg

Serious question here. What is the attraction of a car that is smaller than a 3 series yet costs only marginally less? Is the performace that different? If so, in what way?

John Phoenix

03-27-2008 04:25 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by taxwonk
Serious question here. What is the attraction of a car that is smaller than a 3 series yet costs only marginally less? Is the performace that different? If so, in what way?

Performance differences likely will be slightly quicker, slightly better handling, better braking. But the weight differences are not that great (about 200 lbs), there likely won't be that much of a difference in performance.

taxwonk

03-27-2008 04:45 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by John Phoenix
Performance differences likely will be slightly quicker, slightly better handling, better braking. But the weight differences are not that great (about 200 lbs), there likely won't be that much of a difference in performance.

Which leaves me wondering, why bother? I would think if they were going to offer a downsized bmw, they'd offer one at an entry-level price point. If the thing is going to run $33,500, rather than $37,000 for a 3 series, why would anybody buy the 1?

NotFromHere

03-27-2008 05:30 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Speaking as someone who has driven both cars, I can confidently say that you're talking out your ass.

NotFromHere

03-27-2008 05:31 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by taxwonk
Which leaves me wondering, why bother? I would think if they were going to offer a downsized bmw, they'd offer one at an entry-level price point. If the thing is going to run $33,500, rather than $37,000 for a 3 series, why would anybody buy the 1?

Because it's almost as fast as the 414 hp M3 and about 20k less (about 1/2 second slower 0-60).

taxwonk

03-27-2008 05:38 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Because it's almost as fast as the 414 hp M3 and about 20k less (about 1/2 second slower 0-60).

Okay. So and old fuck like me who is more interested in comfort and luxury than speed would definitely go with the 3?

Flinty_McFlint

03-27-2008 05:50 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by taxwonk
Okay. So and old fuck like me who is more interested in comfort and luxury than speed would definitely go with the 3?