Next car?

[BoredSysAdmin]

If you insist on a Japanese thing, have you considered the Acura TLX with the V6 and AWD?

TLX according to the internets seems slower [5.7-5.8]. Looking for about 5 seconds 0-60 or very near it
2014 RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD is measured to do 5.1s [2018 is a bit faster], but 2014 RLX Hybrid AWD is rare and 7-8k more expensive. Not sure if extra $ is worth it.
M56 does 4.8s. Actually looks like 2014 Q50s Hybrid performs about same and cost same. fuel savings would be nice, but not that important.

Seems like the general consensus is against Lexus, and I'm fine with that. They have slightly better reliability, but lack of road feel is a big issue for me.

 

[Drunkpenguin]

I bought it in my 30s for my first mid life crisis. This was 10 years ago. I read an article somewhere, can't find it now, but heres one where they voted it 3rd worst vet of all time. Now that I think about it, I probably meant it was voted worst vet, not worst car.

1980 CA 305. (Mine had a 350 in it by the time it got to me, but was built with the 305)
https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/features/top-10-worst-corvettes-of-all-time.html

3. 1980 Corvette 305
In general, 1980 was a lousy year. Inflation was rampant, the economy was in the doldrums and the Corvette was awful. But in California it was doubly awful, as Chevrolet that year gave up trying to certify the Corvette's 350-cubic-inch V8 for that state's more stringent emissions requirements. So if you wanted a new Corvette that year in Los Angeles or San Francisco or Sacramento, you had to settle for one with a 305-cubic-inch V8 and a three-speed automatic transmission. That's right: a lousy, lazy 180-hp, 5.0-liter lump of small-block agony. It couldn't pull out a dangling baby tooth.

The rest of the country wasn't getting anything special in '80 either. After all, the base "L48" 350 was only rated at 190 hp and opting for the "L82" high-performance version only netted 230 hp. It was a year that sucked.

 

[Drunkpenguin]

Here's a pic. It was a gorgeous car, just a pain in the rear to work on. I let me son drive it to school for his last year of HS so he had more fun in it then I did. The older I get the less I wanna fix stuff and that car needed a lot of attention. I sold it for a new HVAC system for the house lol.

 

[slipperybidness]

It is interesting how people identify with one brand and hate another. I've always liked Nissan. My first vehicle as a 16 year old was an 88 Nissan mini truck. But I've hated Chevy for years. I find them very unattractive. Especially the latest camaros. I've had 2 camaros in my life, the 69 was amazing and I should not have let it go, but also had an 84 which was a major piece of junk. I rebuilt a 1980 corvette several years ago which was another big mistake. That year car was voted the worst car ever made in the US and I can vouch for that. Nothing on that car fit together properly and I had to re-engineer a lot when I rebuilt the interior. Granted these are old cars I'm talking about, but I've had a lot of cars over the years and the Japanese stuff is just built better. I hate to say it, but it's true. So thats what I buy now.

I'm in agreement on Nissan. They just run, forever.

My old 85 Z, it still just cranks right up on the very first turn over on the engine. The wife drives a Murano, and that is the perfect car for her.

I've had relatives and coworkers with Maximas and Altimas, and they have all just been rock solid.

 

[slipperybidness]

I'm probably the least brand-loyal person you'll ever meet, and Japanese cars are neither better designed nor better built than European cars. As I've already said, I like a Malibu better, which is quite an insult. Hondas are probably the best of the bunch, IMO, but nothing short of an NSX gets me excited. Even Audi can't get transverse engine architecture to drive well. Last year I was on a late flight and could only get a Corolla rental car. Terrible. I also had a Camry early this year, and I just don't understand what Car and Driver sees in it. Maybe Toyota advertising is just worth stretching the truth for.

Lest you think I'm somehow biased towards domestic cars, I haven't owned one in 12 years (and that was a Corvette that didn't impress me like I thought it would). I think GM and Ford are lost, and I'm not a Jeep fan so Fiat/Chrysler doesn't wow me either. I'll admit though, I don't know anything about Japanese trucks. I know some folks who think a Toyota pick-up is awesome.

FWIW,

In 2016, the Toyota Camry was actually the "most American" car on the road in the USA
https://www.cars.com/articles/the-2016-carscom-american-made-index-1420684865874/

Toyota trucks are built in San Antonio, Tx.

And, Toyota has long been recognized as pioneers in 6Sigma (Statistical Process Control).

 

[Out-Of-Phase]

I give up. Cars are so expensive.

Public Transit.
When I turn 65, I get 50% off fares in the place where I live.
I get even more off if I buy a yearly pass.
You can't beat it.

 

[Mikado463]

Here's a pic. It was a gorgeous car, just a pain in the rear to work on. I let me son drive it to school for his last year of HS so he had more fun in it then I did. The older I get the less I wanna fix stuff and that car needed a lot of attention. I sold it for a new HVAC system for the house lol.
View attachment 25855

yes the Ca 305's were a POS and those of us in the Corvette community are well aware of that. Generally speaking the last of the St Louis C3's are not the best investment. I know Irv mentioned the first year C3('68), the only real problem was body seam issues that unless you own a 'survivor' one would assume you've fixed them.

Unfortunately the C3 , Corvettes longest running generation went from the pinnacle of performance ('69 ZL1) to what you owned in the end. Of the 6 Corvettes I've owned over the past 41 plus years, three of them were C3's ('69, '73, '79)

 

[Mikado463]

FWIW,

In 2016, the Toyota Camry was actually the "most American" car on the road in the USA
https://www.cars.com/articles/the-2016-carscom-american-made-index-1420684865874/

Toyota trucks are built in San Antonio, Tx.

And, Toyota has long been recognized as pioneers in 6Sigma (Statistical Process Control).

my sons Tacoma has a vin # starting with a '3' (Mexico)

 

[Drunkpenguin]

I would have preferred a 70s model but the 80 was the only one i could fine within driving distance of me. I always hated the bubble back window.

 

[Irvrobinson]

FWIW,

In 2016, the Toyota Camry was actually the "most American" car on the road in the USA
https://www.cars.com/articles/the-2016-carscom-american-made-index-1420684865874/

Toyota trucks are built in San Antonio, Tx.

And, Toyota has long been recognized as pioneers in 6Sigma (Statistical Process Control).

I know. I'm just not one who cares much about that.

 

[Drunkpenguin]

Of course we would all prefer to buy American (well, those of us in America anyways),but I'm not throwing my money away. I've got kids to raise and if a better deal exists from another country thats the route Im going. In my personal experience with cars, Japan makes em better. Thats my experience and mine alone based on what I've owned.

Your Mileage May Vary. (See what I did there!) lol

 

[John Parks]

My next car is either going to be this:

Or this:

I'm having a hard time making up my mind - seriously...

 

[slipperybidness]

my sons Tacoma has a vin # starting with a '3' (Mexico)

Yeah, I'm not sure about the Tacomas, but I think the SA plant builds the Tundra.

 

[slipperybidness]

I know. I'm just not one who cares much about that.

Oh, you care about 6Sigma, whether you realize it or not. SPC is critical for modern manufacturing.

 

[slipperybidness]

Of course we would all prefer to buy American (well, those of us in America anyways),but I'm not throwing my money away. I've got kids to raise and if a better deal exists from another country thats the route Im going. In my personal experience with cars, Japan makes em better. Thats my experience and mine alone based on what I've owned.

Your Mileage May Vary. (See what I did there!) lol

With the modern global economy, the lines for Japanese vs. American cars are not clear cut any more.

Personally, I have been Ford or Nissan for quite a long time now.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Oh, you care about 6Sigma, whether you realize it or not. SPC is critical for modern manufacturing.

I meant the "most American" part. Of course I care about excellent manufacturing processes.

 

[panteragstk]

My next car is either going to be this:
View attachment 25856
Or this:
View attachment 25857
I'm having a hard time making up my mind - seriously...

One of these things is not like the other...

 

[shadyJ]

With the modern global economy, the lines for Japanese vs. American cars are not clear cut any more.

Personally, I have been Ford or Nissan for quite a long time now.

I rented a 2018 Nissan Maxima recently and quite liked the ride. I wouldn't mind owning one!

 

[John Parks]

One of these things is not like the other...

Indeed! The Alpha Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is a beautiful, serene luxury sedan that, which switched to "race mode" becomes a snarling 505HP beast that is a complete blast to drive!

Now that I take the train to work, my drive commute is basically nothing. Having an electric car, like the BMW i3, makes a lot of sense. Of course it is totally futuristic, eerily quiet, has the proper "boops" and "beeps" ("Where's the machine that goes 'Bing!'?) and (in the model I want) has a 13 speaker Harman Kardon audio system!

If only I could afford both...

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

So I've said it bunch of times before, but Until now a used 2012-2013 Infiniti M with 5,6L block and AWD was my top runner, but not I'm starting to have second thoughts.
You see there is Honda Accord 2018 2.0T Touring which I think is a solid car, decent performance (0-60 5.7sec vs 5.2-5.4 on 5.6L M). Definitely has better gas mileage and nearly the same or better gadgets.
Used 2013 Infiniti M 56x is about 20-22k [+7% sales tax] and I could lease Accord Touring (I'm assuming here) about $380-400 lease [ALL in]. Later comes with full 3-year warranty and I guess dealer may throw in oil change or two.
While the prior - is likely as-is (except NJ Car Lemons law)
So two questions:
Which one is more:
Fun?
Practical for a family of 4 (two little kids) as a second car
Makes more financial sense for 5-6 years? [including possible break-fix costs)