Cars and Other Driving Machines

[Flinty_McFlint]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
I think the huge grill on the front is quite unattractive, but based on the review other than that it doesn't sound too bad to me, which is surprising.

Wow, it's a good thing for you I'm in my kinder, gentler phase right now, or I would have made a mean joke out of this post.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Tyrone_Slothrop
Do I want all-wheel drive? If so, why?

Does it snow where you live?

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
I think the huge grill on the front is quite unattractive, but based on the review other than that it doesn't sound too bad to me, which is surprising.

What I find attractive is that is is essentially a MB e-class under the skin. I agree that the grill etc. is going to take some getting used to.

[leagleaze]

I got my RSX December of 01, it's an 02. I'm planning on keeping it through the warranty period which is 4 years and then selling it. (I bought it outright.)

So now I am starting to think in a broad way about what to get next. I'm really happy with Acura, and I think I might like to stay with them. The only trouble I have had was when something slammed into my radiator and burst a hole in it. (800 dollar fucking rock.)

Anyway, I'm thinking the next car should probably have four doors, you know, since I am getting old and mature and all. But I like something a little sporty. Logically, if I go with an Acura that would be the TSX http://www.acura.com/models/model_index.asp?module=tsx

It goes for about 26-30k.

What do you guys think are comparable cars in that range?

Thanks

L

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by leagleaze
I got my RSX December of 01, it's an 02. I'm planning on keeping it through the warranty period which is 4 years and then selling it. (I bought it outright.)

So now I am starting to think in a broad way about what to get next. I'm really happy with Acura, and I think I might like to stay with them. The only trouble I have had was when something slammed into my radiator and burst a hole in it. (800 dollar fucking rock.)

Anyway, I'm thinking the next car should probably have four doors, you know, since I am getting old and mature and all. But I like something a little sporty. Logically, if I go with an Acura that would be the TSX http://www.acura.com/models/model_index.asp?module=tsx

It goes for about 26-30k.

What do you guys think are comparable cars in that range?

Thanks

L

I'm partial to german cars, but...

Audi A4. I really like mine and it would satisfy your desire for 4 doors and sporty. I'm sure there is a BMW in that range too, though I know less about those. And you could get a decked out Jetta for that amount.

I know less about current japanese cars (though I had a couple of Nissans in the past). I'm sure there are comparable Lexus and Infinity cars in that range. Didn't Infinity just come out with a newer model sporty car?

[bold_n_brazen]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
I'm partial to german cars, but...

Audi A4. I really like mine and it would satisfy your desire for 4 doors and sporty. I'm sure there is a BMW in that range too, though I know less about those. And you could get a decked out Jetta for that amount.

I know less about current japanese cars (though I had a couple of Nissans in the past). I'm sure there are comparable Lexus and Infinity cars in that range. Didn't Infinity just come out with a newer model sporty car?

I echo casey. I love my Audi A6, and have found Audi to be a really accomodating company. Would recommend the Audi without reservation.

[baltassoc]

Originally posted by leagleaze
It goes for about 26-30k.

What do you guys think are comparable cars in that range?

You should look at the Mazda RX-8. It kind of has four doors.* A little more sporty, a little less lux, but a very nice car.

Of course, you would be dealing with a Mazda dealer instead of a luxury dealer, which I think you mentioned at some point is a plus for you. Nonetheless, I think you'd find it worthwhile to look at the RX.

Or maybe I just want one.

You might also consider the Volvo S40 or S60 (at the low and high end of your range). I really like our Volvo. But it's the other end of the spectrum when it comes to image.


*See the pictures. The reviews all say the unusual configuration works. I thought they were a little akward in appearance, but worked well. The back seat is surprisingly roomy for a car its size and weight.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by baltassoc
You should look at the Mazda RX-8. It kind of has four doors.* A little more sporty, a little less lux, but a very nice car.

MotorWeek, which usually offers superficial advice but is on PBS so I trust it, did a track head to head between the RX-8 and the new 350Z. It was the first close look I'd had of the RX-8, and I think I'm in love. In performance, the 350Z (my previous crush) has more straight-up muscle, but they gave the overall edge to the RX-8 because of its better balance and cornering. The RX-8's styling is dead sexy --- get one in silver or gray and it almost passes for an Aston Martin design.



balt, since you've actually driven one, can you tell me how the rotary feels any different from a V or inline configuration? They didn't do a very good job of describing the technology or the basis for its supposed superiority, and they didn't tell me how the driving experience feels different (if it does).

While you're at it, any word on why they're called "suicide doors"?

[leagleaze]

Damn, this is pretty sweet




Almost enough to make me consider a Mazda. Never owned one before though, anyone have any experience?

I do have to wonder one thing. If I want to get leather seats they insist on this whole touring package which adds a lot of stuff I don't much care about. What's up with that?

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by leagleaze


I do have to wonder one thing. If I want to get leather seats they insist on this whole touring package which adds a lot of stuff I don't much care about. What's up with that?

Check with a dealer. Sometimes they can order options outside of the packages.

[baltassoc]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
balt, since you've actually driven one, can you tell me how the rotary feels any different from a V or inline configuration?

I'm not sure I'm sensitive enough to such differences to a give a really meaningful comparison (I probably couldn't tell the difference bewteen an inline and a v just from driving a car), but it does feel different. It's very smooth in reving up. It doesn't whine at high revs like a piston engine, so you can't tell be ear that it's time to shift. The car apparently beeps when it hits the redline, just in case.

In general, it doesn't feel like driving a monster in terms of power. It just seems to go, and respond quickly. I didn't get a chance to really push it (friend's car, friend in it), but it was plenty fast.

While you're at it, any word on why they're called "suicide doors"?

As I understand it, this derives from the original suicide doors' tendency to pop open at high speed. Old school doors weren't built in the overapping configuration like in this car; they still had a B-pillar and a seperate door handle. A combination of older latch technology and aerodynamics could lead to some nasty door ripping off the hinges incidents. With the RX configuration, that's not a worry.

I can definately see this happening. In high school I had a girlfriend who drove a Karman Ghia that would pop open its passenger side (non-suicide) door when she took left turns at the high speeds she liked. I almost flew out the first time. I've never sat in a moving vehicle without a seat belt on since. Still, I miss that car, if not so much the girl. That car probably extended our relationship several months. Sigh.

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by leagleaze
Almost enough to make me consider a Mazda. Never owned one before though, anyone have any experience?

I do have to wonder one thing. If I want to get leather seats they insist on this whole touring package which adds a lot of stuff I don't much care about. What's up with that?

My ex had a RX-7. Vintage somewhere around 1990. Not sure of exact year. It was a fun car, but at that time they had no backseat (not a small unusable one. none.). Anyway, the O-Rings in the engine (not sure that was the exact term but it was something like that - I'm no mechanic) started to go and all this poofy white smoke started coming out. We had to dump it right quick before the entire engine went out. That was sometime around 1995.

Of course this is all dated, and they may be great now, but the one thing that I think is constant is that the Mazda engines are different than most. My ex was very mechanically minded, but he could not figure anything out about the engine of that car by opening the hood.

Now that most car stuff is computerized anyway my understanding is that the folks who grew up fiddling with american cars are pretty much SOL trying to decipher anything going on in today's foreign cars (not sure if this is true for american as well now).

And I will add my gratuitous story about how my mom and I successfully changed the distributor cap in my 1980 Rabbit when I was 16. Only attempted home car repair. As Hank would say, I'm 1-0.

[pretermitted_child]

Originally posted by baltassoc
A combination of older latch technology and aerodynamics could lead to some nasty door ripping off the hinges incidents.

I'm guessing that the aerodynamics could be explained by Bernoulli's equation (which governs how/why airplanes achieve lift). In a nutshell, Bernoulli's equation states that air speed is inversely related to pressure.

In the case of car doors, I'm conjecturing that if the air speed on the outer surface of the door is fast enough, an appreciable difference in air pressure may be created between the inside of the car and the outer surface of the door -- wherein the air pressure on the outer surface of the door is lower than the air pressure inside the car. This would cause the door to "achieve lift" not unlike a large airplane wing (except that it's sideways) by opening.

p(I didn't major in mechanical engineering, so I could be totally wrong)c

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by pretermitted_child
I'm guessing that the aerodynamics could be explained by Bernoulli's equation

Anyone ever notice that when you stick your hand out the window of a moving car, it's forced backwards?

[baltassoc]

Originally posted by pretermitted_child
I'm guessing that the aerodynamics could be explained by Bernoulli's equation (which governs how/why airplanes achieve lift).

I think it has more to do with the door not shutting completely flush and catching the oncoming airflow like a sail. Not a big deal at 20 miles per hour, but at 80 it's at least as much pressure as is exerted by the weight of a door going around a curve at 35-40 mph, and the more the door goes out, the more force, until - BAM - no more door.