Thoughts on the new TL v G35?
 

Not what I had in mind. I was thinking for me. While it's no Audi RS4:

http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/02/audirs4-66s.jpg

I dig wagons and this thing kicks serious ass:

http://www.honda.co.uk/newcars/image...0_10734_07.jpg

http://www.honda.co.uk/newcars/image...0_10734_08.jpg

http://www.lifecar.de/berichte/bilde..._kombi_486.jpg

Starting to think about gettting a new car, and have been looking into the following:

Saab 9-3
Volvo S60
BMW 300 series
Audi A4
VW Passat

Might also be convinced to look at an Acura/Lexus/Infiniti, but suspect that the handling will not be as tight as I would like, so you'd have to talk me into it. Any thoughts? Suggestions?

A neighbor is telling me to use a broker to buy a used car at an auction. My life is busy enough that I am inclined to buy new to prolong having a car that needs work for as a long as possible, but perhaps someone can talk sense to me on this score as well.

Looked at the Volvo last week, and didn't think the rear seat had enough leg room even for children, let alone adults. So that's an issue.

I'm not hung up on labels and purchased a Passat. I love it -- it is also more popular in the town where I live than the other cars listed. The Passat also has more rear passenger room than the Audi. My SO drives a smaller car and I hate having no leg room in the rear.

Dua(I know, I'm leaving myself WIDE open)lit

Prior to the arrival of the Brazenette and accompanying car seat, I had a Saab 9-3 convertible that I loved. It was my high school dream car. I would have driven it forever if I could have. It was luxe without being gaudy, fast as hell, great turbo-y pickup, and awfully reliable. Plus, I got a Saab loaner whenever I needed service.

Now driving an Audi A-6 which I like quite a bit. It's really comfortable, like driving a large recliner. It certainly looks nice. It lacks in the pickup department. I get an Audi rental when I go in for service.

911
 

So, I've got a chance to get a great deal on a 1992 911 Carrera Targa 2. Ever since my old 911 was totalled (another reason I hate careless people in SUVs), this is really the car that I have wanted, and now that I work a lot, don't drive my car every day, and don't make long car trips anymore, this seems like the to get it. I've driven this car, and other Carreras from the era, and they feel amazing. The communicativeness of the steering, braking and just handling in general is phenomenal. It feels just the right amount of tail-heavy, and the Targa top is the perfect compromise in Chicago, where there's a period of the year where you certainly want to have the topless option, without being saddled by the poor look, durability and rigidity of the soft top during the other 9 months of the year.

So, here are my questions:

How do I find a mechanic I can trust to go over the car with a fine-tooth comb, and then do regular routine maintenance? More importantly, how do I find one who is going to have reasonable rates, while still having the appropriate expertise?

Am I nuts to sell my 2002 [outable], which I'm very happy with, is plenty fast, comfortable and reliable, and also has great handling and road feel, for this 911? Will this turn into a money pit in terms of maintenance? My old 911 was significantly older, and I didn't feel as bad lettinga few things go a little bit, given what it would cost to repair them (for example, $3200 for the ac). But I think I'll want to keep this guy in much better shape.

911
 

Contact the Porsche club porsche club of america and they'll let you know who the really reputable mechanics are in your neck of the woods. A lot of the mechanics race on the weekends, those are the guys you want to know. They'll have all the connections for high end parts for any upgrades you want. The specialists will probably charge more than the dealer, but if it's the right guy, it's worth it - trust me.

YOu can also check with the local Porsche dealer and if you find an honest guy there, they'll tell you straight up who not to deal with.

If you join the Porsche club, there will be social events where you can meet other Porsche owners who could tell you who is good and who sucks. POrsche club is a bunch of good people, but you can't join unless you know that Porsche is a 2 syllable word.

911
 

If there's a Porsche club in your area, call them and ask who is the best. They'll probably have serveral recommendations, and since they all have the same interests as you, they're likely to figure out who is best for what types of repairs.

My dad sold his '99 C2 last year partly because of the maintenance and partly because his knees were having trouble getting in and out of the car. It was his third Porsche, and I think it was probably the best of the lot (the others were a late 60s 912 and an early 80s 928). Drove phenominally. Handled like a dream and it was the most fun I've ever had behind the wheel of a car. The maintenance issues were a direct result of Houston road construction. He kept on bottoming out the car and tearing out fuel lines, and it got to be a pain in the ass to constantly have the car in the shop. Because of where he lives in Houston, it was impossible to find an alternate route without construction. After he sold the C2, he bought an X-5, which he says he loves.

Buy new -- TRUST ME
 

Buy new. It's a no brainer. Buying used at an auction is a great way to get stuck with a salvage/buyback/lemon.

Saab 9-3 -- Great car for the money but has some serious bugs/reliability issues. Interior is cheezy but handled great and has great pickup -- no turbo lag. Read the car discussions on edmunds.com

Volvo S60 -- Looks nice but I know nothing about.

BMW 300 series -- What I drive. Best handler in the bunch except for in snow. No backseat room.

Audi A4 -- The 1.8t is slow as shit stock. Great interior handles well. Quattro is the shit.

VW Passat -- Another good car for the money but doesn't handle as well as some of the others here. VW service bites i have heard.

Hey Pony, was that your post about the damages 325 on Roadfly?

That sucks...

I swear by BMW (am on my 2nd) and the dealership in the City is fantastic. I actually look forward to taking it there (which has only been twice, once for scheduled maintenance and once for smog).

I was thinking more like this:
http://www.audiworld.com/model/rs4/pix/header_rs4.jpg

than this:

http://www.cars-on-line.com/14100/92buick14137-A.jpg

That was me. Hopefully my insurance covers, but I do have a $500 deductable.

Exactly. I think because a car is a big ticket item, a lot of people try to approach it in an unrealistic way. It will never be something that appreciates in value; it will never be something that doesn't lose value quickly.

For me, losing 2k in theoretical value as soon as I drive it off the lot is worth not having to pay to fix it for a year.

Or find a deal like I got when I got my almost new Saab 9-5 last April. I took the 2003 that got shipped to the dealership in October '02 and that they had used as a demo and loaner car (for "preferred customers"). It had 6K miles on it. They took $9k off the sticker and I got the full warranty, i.e. 3 years or until 42K miles (36K plus 6K on it).

They did a full service before I took it. I like new but for 9K off sticker I'll take it with 6K miles.

Who needs a U-Haul when you have a car like that?