I was driving around San Jose today looking at new cars. My faithful 1989 Acura Legend, which I love, is about worn out. Contenders to replace her. I've priced out the costs of various options and accessories to bring all to about the same equipment level:
An Acura TL, listing at $34 K (I’d get it in Redondo Red Pearl).
*Plusses: (a) The dealer is near where I live. (b) I like my old Acura, that go-kart feeling of sitting quite low and feeling the road-rumble.
*Minuses: (a) Some say that Acuras’ front-wheel drive doesn’t handle as well as rear-wheel drive, not that I’ve particularly noticed this. (b) Same old, same old.
A Lexus IS250, listing at $34.4 K.
*Plusses: (a) Nice modern shape. (b) Cool red color on the lot. (c) Feels very smooth and lively on the road.
*Minuses: (a) Cabin seems a bit small. (b) Hard to get it in all-wheel drive.
BMW 325xi, listing at $36.7 K (in the all-wheel drive version; rear-wheel drive would be $34.7 K).
*Plusses: (a) Fun to drive, feels very solid, brakes great. (b) Roomy cabin.
*Minuses: (a) Poor color selections, somewhat stodgy appearance. (b) If I got it, I’d become *aaugh* an aggro BMW driver! (c) costs a bit more.
Mini Cooper S, listing at $25.7 K.
*Plusses: (a) $10 K cheaper than the others! (b) Better fuel efficiency. (c) Cute. (d) Made by BMW.
*Minuses: (a) Dealer is far away and I haven't gotten up there to drive one yet, but maybe I will soon. (b) Possibly will feel cramped. (c) Possibly not as safe.
Opinions? Experiences with these cars?
Metadoubts: maybe I should be looking at hybrids or at cheaper cars or at two-seater sports cars.
March 12th, 2006 at 10:41 am
I don’t know why, but I think you’d look (and feel) good behind the wheel of a Cooper.
But I drive a ’95 Chrysler, so what do I know?
March 13th, 2006 at 5:18 am
Check out the recent issue of Consumer Reports. The annual April issue is the car issue. They report that the MINI has a very high satisfaction rate by its owners with 85% satisfaction.
March 13th, 2006 at 1:57 pm
Have 185K miles on my 528i. It rocks still. Expensive to maintain though. I have an M supension and I drive it hard, but I love it.
March 13th, 2006 at 7:56 pm
I hope you haven’t gone out and purchased anything other than a MINI. Where are you, San Jose? There’s a MINI dealer in Mountain View. Go and drive one, and I suggest you drive the “S”. Be sure to take your check book because once you drive this car, you’ll be buying one.
You will not feel cramped inside this car either. It’s quite roomy inside. I have an ’03 MINI Cooper S. Hands down the funnest car you’ll ever drive.
This is a very safe car. It scores very good in crash tests, it has six air bags, plus the handling is amazing.
Check out the websites of your local MINI Cooper club. Those are a good source of information. My personal favorite: http://www.scmm.org
March 14th, 2006 at 12:06 am
RUDY, THE COOP IS A CAR THAT MY DAUGHTER’S BEST FRIEND PURCHASED A WEEK OR SO AGO AND THERE WAS SOME DELAYS WITH IT BECAUSE THE FACTORY IS REMODELING AND SO IT TOOK A LITTLE LONGER THAN EXPECTED TO BE SHIPPED. SHE LOVES IT THOUGH AND IT IS VERY CUTE. MY DAUGHTER DROVE IT AND SAID IT WAS NICE BUT HAD TO BE CAREFUL DRIVING BECAUSE IT WAS NOT HERS.
March 14th, 2006 at 11:01 pm
We borrowed our friends’ Mini Cooper convertible when we were on vacation in Florida, and loved it. Very fun, and the engineering is nice and solid, like what you would expect from a BMW. Can’t argue with the price, either.
March 15th, 2006 at 6:56 am
I can’t help but think you’d really like an Audi A3 especially with the 3.2 engine and quattro. Beautiful interior, all wheel drive and fun to drive.
On the downside – a bit pricey.
March 15th, 2006 at 4:40 pm
Y knot go 4 1ofthose celeb-hybrid thangs… Leo Di Cappucino flexes hiz pearlies hear in the rising son land 4 ’em (as if this wer an endorsement!)
Y is “good” tech so xpensive?
Phazing out?
or, old PR thinking = more desirable?
anyway…