Choose Ron's new ride

[Alyssa]

EDIT: damnit, I used alyssa's login

Ok, the 04 530i is dead, again.

I am buying something else now, I am not waiting for the lemon law process to finish, at this rate it is going to catch fire and kill me:

My thoughts:

XJR 95-96 with the strait 6 supercharged or a 98/99 with the v8 supercharged.

downsides: auto, not really fluffy person friendly
upsides: dirt cheap used (96 XJR w/100k = $5000), its british, I can get parts at cost +10%, ready access to tech support

Could also get an XJ6/8 w/ or w/o L or Vanden Plas

any strait 6 v. V8 input?

993 911

1995-1997

downsides: costly used, no cheap parts, no cheap service, i know little of porche mechanics, dog won't fit with alyssa
upsides: mach schnell!, handles wonderfully, beauty, prestige, envy of other yuppies, always wanted one.

733i/735i

1984-1987

downsides: hard to find one nice, most are autos, sketchy being so old, its a BMW
upsides: dirt cheap, cool, always wanted one, disposable and basically no depreciation

P38a

1996-1999 4.6

downsides: not fast enough, unreliable, have 5 rovers already, would be cool with an R380 conversion, gas money $$$$$$$$$
upsides: I can fix it, cheap cheap cheap used, safe, comfy, ready access to them as trade in so I can get a nice one.

Lotus

not sure, espirit S4S?

Z3 maybe an M Coupe

Fast, cheap

Help me decide . . .

I will most likely be commuting 60 miles a day roundtrip, I need comfort without exceedingly high costs. I am thinking 95-96 XJR and convert to manual.

Of course I can always drive the defender!

 

[MUSKYMAN]

M coupe/Mroadster

with access to a rover for snow days


only down side is if you really drive it you will tear it apart.


but for a sweet ass comuter it will be fun fun fun.


other option...S4's are getting pretty cheap and they are rock solid

MM

 

[Gumarcel]

No M coupe, that this is fugly. I vote for S4.

 

[Steve Rupp]

I'll agree with the S4. I was researching before I bought my white disco. you can get some pretty nice ones for under 30. I'm a big fan of small turbos. Someone makes an 80 or 90hp chip for that car. Over 300 in a S4 would be pretty awesome.

 

[EricSiepmann]

Ron,

I am sincerely confused here. You're worried about reliability and want a commuter car. Yet your replacement to your problem is more potential problems. Drive the Defender, have BMW fix the 540, sell it, and buy a nice commuter car. Why roll on the bling? Why not a new Jetta with the tdi? Great mileage with the desiel. You're commuting 60 miles and all you care about are impressions?

Why bother dumping extra cash that could be invested in the market or your house or whatever into something with marginal returns at best? Hell, I'd sell off most of the fleet and invest the cash. If you look down the road a bit, if you've made the right career choices and have the talent, wouldn't you want the bankroll ready for any opportunities that present themselves in the future? Like your own practice one day?

Save you cash, get a new/lightly used import under warranty, and beat the hell out of it.

Anyone impressed by where I live, what I drive, and what I wear usually isn't worth knowing in the first place.

"Cash is King"
Eric

 

[Ho]

cmon eric, what's wrong with enjoying some bling?

 

[RoverChic]

SIDE BAR: Ron is a big shot 2L wheeling and dealing @ the biggest firms in the country. He has to look snazzzy

Here is my 0.02 cents: I have always been told Ron, that it is uncouth and unbecoming to drive the "nicest" car in the lot when your a summer intern. I am sure that most people will argue what a nice car is but a Lotus? I could be wrong, again it is obvious from previous posts that we do things a little different in the midwest/southern states versus the ivy league region. What ever you choose good luck. I second the VW. My DD is a Honda and I love it. Yes, when I graduate and make the big $$ I might jump into the 2005 RR 4.4 but for now I am keeping it simple.

 

[FIVESPDDISCO]

$13500 you can have my 1997 Z3 2.8 5spd

 

[GregH]

While an Audi S4 or S6 is fun to drive (I have a 2001 S4 and lust for a 2004 S4 with 350 hp V8) if you're going to simply rack up commuter miles, I don't know why anyone would pick an expensive to repair AWD vehicle. And while a Jetta TDi would be very economical there is virtually no back seat room. Maybe a Passat?

If you're worried about looking good (?) and want something for a daily commute how about a MB C280 or Audi A6 (without quattro). You might find a good low mileage used one that someone else has taken the depreciation hit on and so racking up miles isn't so expensive. My vote would be the MB. Decent room for hauling clients or fellow shysters.

 

[GregH]

Why bother dumping extra cash that could be invested in the market or your house or whatever into something with marginal returns at best? Hell, I'd sell off most of the fleet and invest the cash.

That's a very UnAmerican statement!

 

[EricSiepmann]

Ho:"cmon eric, what's wrong with enjoying some bling? "

Nothing if you're into that sort of thing. If you feel the need to impress society at large, by all means do so! Spend! Spend! Spend! Damn my my Midwestern upbringing!

RoverChic: "SIDE BAR: Ron is a big shot 2L wheeling and dealing @ the biggest firms in the country. He has to look snazzzy"

That's good that Ron has worked hard and is reaping the benfits. I agree to a point that it is beneficial to present the best professional picture of yourself. Personally, I don't equate success with BMW's, Rolex's and Bling. If you're the real deal people will know and quickly.

Guess I am rare in the fact that I realize the ultimate bling is health happiness and the things money can't buy.

 

[EricSiepmann]

That's a very UnAmerican statement!

Yes, I am a Red Commie Ditch Troll. With no Bling!

 

[RoverChic]

SIDE BAR: Ron is a big shot 2L wheeling and dealing @ the biggest firms in the country. He has to look snazzzy

I was being sarcastic Eric. Hence the wink, wink.

I agree with Eric..Re-Read back thru my last post (the latter portion - I believe my position on $$/bling to be self- explanatory). I know that I certainly did not go to law school for all the bling (it will be nice though to not be a student for once) that is associated with it..I had other more personal reasons.
Ron: Out of curiosity, your working?

 

[EricSiepmann]

RoverChic,

Sorry about that. Kinda glanced over the second part. I agree with you wholeheartedly. If Law Firms are as political as the old Big 6 accounting firm I used to work for.... Might be better to drive a less conspicuous vehicle.

Anyway, the beautiful fall day beckons. Time to get a moutian bike ride in....

EwS

 

[Str0ud]

It's all about the 928. The only production V8. Just the right combination of ugly and badass. It's the practical supercar.

 

[FIVESPDDISCO]

That GTS is very nice. watch the T belt 1 slip and BOOM!. I have had many 944's but have always been afraid of the 28

 

[Blue]

:

 

[Str0ud]

Blue, I don't see the handbrake option on that.

 

[FIVESPDDISCO]

nice blue style and performance

 

[NVRover]

I agree with Eric, though if I were wanting reliability and low maintenance costs I would look at Honda or Toyota. Especially if you're commuting 60 miles/day. If you want something on the premium scale, then look for a good used Acura 3.2TL or Lexus ES300.

We have a 97 3.2TL with 106k miles on it and it's cost me nothing but oil changes and parts for scheduled maintenance. I have to say it is very tight. We had bought a 97 RR HSE to replace the Acura (thought it would be cool to have two Rovers) but that was a dumb decision...the more I paid in maintenance bills on the two rovers the more I liked the Acura.

I have a buddy who had a 95 XJ6 and sold it late last year with 100k+ miles and never had a problem with the car. Apparently Ford really improved Jag's reliability, though the new ones look too much like the Taurus.

So anyway, if I were you I'd get a good Honda/Acura or Toyota/Lexus and save the cash you would have spent on repairs/maintenance. I think you might also be viewed as having sound judgement by those evaluating you as an intern. Just my opinion.