Car Advice

Off Topic
21

[quote]Testy1 wrote:

[quote]TDub301 wrote:

[quote]Melvin Smiley wrote:
My girlfriend has a Charger and the girlfriend before her also had a Charger (weird huh?), but I fit fine in them at 6’4". BUT that could be because I’ve evolved a permanent ghetto lean when I’m driving from years of shoehorning myself into cars that are too small. I think the Charger is a good choice but that’s 100% based on personal opinion, I don’t have any actual facts to back it up ha[/quote]

Haha, those are my sentiments, too. I just think they’re awesome and so many people around here have one it’s like always in my face. I just have some worries when it comes to gas mileage and the cost to fix things over time compared to some other possibilities.

I’d go for a Pontiac G8, too, but I’m pretty sure it would end up being more expensive.[/quote]

It is a great looking car imo and fun to drive. As far as gas mileage it is not great but not awful either if you get the six cylinder. They are not as easy to find since most have the hemi but there is plenty of power in the six and you won’t pay up the ass for insurance.
[/quote]

Ah, I haven’t really thought much about how it will affect my insurance… I have a very small premium right now for almost full coverage, so that’s yet another thing I’ll have to research with my State Farm rep.

As far as the V6, I know it’s easily the better choice as far as car expenditures, but I don’t believe in V6 muscle cars. If I end up getting a V6 (which I’m fine with, since every car I’ve owned so far has been one) it wouldn’t be a Charger or G8 type of car.

My Max now gets about 20 mpg. If gas mileage ends up being the main issue, I may still spring for that V8 and see if I can do some mods that will improve the mileage (like a new exhaust system, aside from increaseing HP, they improve mileage, too, right? that’s what I always thought).

22

[quote]coolnatedawg wrote:

[quote]rrjc5488 wrote:
The lex GS’s are super nice. What about an IS? IDK if they’d be too small for you, but they’re still pretty damn nice. I think the IS would be more of a ‘drivers car’ if you consider yourself a car guy.

I would also look into the Acura TL. I had an '05 (in 06) and I fucking LOVED that car. I think the next car I’ll be getting will either be a TL-S or an S2000. [/quote]

I’m 6’2 and 240 and could barely squeeze myself into the S2K. I had to contort myself to get in the car. Not a chance anyone with decent size can make that work…[/quote]

Ya, I’m your size, but a couple inches taller. I’ve sat in many coups that I just did not fit in. I wouldn’t even think about an S2000, haha, even though I think they’re cool cars. Those TL-S’s are nice, too.

23

[quote]Melvin Smiley wrote:

[quote]Testy1 wrote:

[quote]TDub301 wrote:

[quote]Melvin Smiley wrote:
My girlfriend has a Charger and the girlfriend before her also had a Charger (weird huh?), but I fit fine in them at 6’4". BUT that could be because I’ve evolved a permanent ghetto lean when I’m driving from years of shoehorning myself into cars that are too small. I think the Charger is a good choice but that’s 100% based on personal opinion, I don’t have any actual facts to back it up ha[/quote]

Haha, those are my sentiments, too. I just think they’re awesome and so many people around here have one it’s like always in my face. I just have some worries when it comes to gas mileage and the cost to fix things over time compared to some other possibilities.

I’d go for a Pontiac G8, too, but I’m pretty sure it would end up being more expensive.[/quote]

It is a great looking car imo and fun to drive. As far as gas mileage it is not great but not awful either if you get the six cylinder. They are not as easy to find since most have the hemi but there is plenty of power in the six and you won’t pay up the ass for insurance.
[/quote]

Yeah, one girl had the 5.7 Hemi and got mid-upper teens (IF you can keep your foot out of it). Other has the V6 and gets low-mid 20s, doesn’t have as much power but does fine for daily driving.[/quote]

Now this is definitely something I was looking to find out. Upper mid-teens may be a little too much… did she live in the city? Do a lot of highway driving? I like to accelerate, too, which isn’t good if you’re worried about mileage…

24

What about a Acura TSX? I know they’re wrong wheel drive, but they have an available 6 speed, decent power, great mpg, and look pretty good for a japanese car.

25

[quote]TDub301 wrote:

[quote]Melvin Smiley wrote:

[quote]Testy1 wrote:

[quote]TDub301 wrote:

[quote]Melvin Smiley wrote:
My girlfriend has a Charger and the girlfriend before her also had a Charger (weird huh?), but I fit fine in them at 6’4". BUT that could be because I’ve evolved a permanent ghetto lean when I’m driving from years of shoehorning myself into cars that are too small. I think the Charger is a good choice but that’s 100% based on personal opinion, I don’t have any actual facts to back it up ha[/quote]

Haha, those are my sentiments, too. I just think they’re awesome and so many people around here have one it’s like always in my face. I just have some worries when it comes to gas mileage and the cost to fix things over time compared to some other possibilities.

I’d go for a Pontiac G8, too, but I’m pretty sure it would end up being more expensive.[/quote]

It is a great looking car imo and fun to drive. As far as gas mileage it is not great but not awful either if you get the six cylinder. They are not as easy to find since most have the hemi but there is plenty of power in the six and you won’t pay up the ass for insurance.
[/quote]

Yeah, one girl had the 5.7 Hemi and got mid-upper teens (IF you can keep your foot out of it). Other has the V6 and gets low-mid 20s, doesn’t have as much power but does fine for daily driving.[/quote]

Now this is definitely something I was looking to find out. Upper mid-teens may be a little too much… did she live in the city? Do a lot of highway driving? I like to accelerate, too, which isn’t good if you’re worried about mileage…[/quote]

I would drive one before I discounted the V6. My wifes charger has much more acceleration than my truck with a V8. It is a newer charger though, which are around 300hp in the V6.

26

[quote]TDub301 wrote:

Now this is definitely something I was looking to find out. Upper mid-teens may be a little too much… did she live in the city? Do a lot of highway driving? I like to accelerate, too, which isn’t good if you’re worried about mileage…[/quote]

She drove like an idiot everywhere she went, city or highway. It got 14-16 when she drove 18 to maybe even 20 if I drove (but I drive like a grandma on her way to church). Fun car to drive though.

If you’re going with a V6 I’d stick with the 3.5 for sure. The 2.7 isn’t enough engine for a car that size, IMO

27

[quote]Melvin Smiley wrote:

If you’re going with a V6 I’d stick with the 3.5 for sure. The 2.7 isn’t enough engine for a car that size, IMO[/quote]

I agree, the 3.5 is what both the magnum and charger had that my wife owned/owns.

28

Love the Charger. Rented one a couple of years back, great rig. What about a Taurus SHO?
The problem with the Japanese luxury cars is having to use premium fuel.

29

[quote]Aggv wrote:
What about a Acura TSX? I know they’re wrong wheel drive, but they have an available 6 speed, decent power, great mpg, and look pretty good for a japanese car. [/quote]

An Acura is a possibility, I’ll definitely keep that in mind, thanks.

30

Check out this:

And these links from that article:

http://members.wolfram.com/nickl/QualityIndexRating.html

http://members.wolfram.com/nickl/reports/Lexus.html

At least according to these guys Lexus pretty much smokes everybody on long-term reliability.

31

[quote]Testy1 wrote:

[quote]TDub301 wrote:

[quote]Melvin Smiley wrote:

[quote]Testy1 wrote:

[quote]TDub301 wrote:

[quote]Melvin Smiley wrote:
My girlfriend has a Charger and the girlfriend before her also had a Charger (weird huh?), but I fit fine in them at 6’4". BUT that could be because I’ve evolved a permanent ghetto lean when I’m driving from years of shoehorning myself into cars that are too small. I think the Charger is a good choice but that’s 100% based on personal opinion, I don’t have any actual facts to back it up ha[/quote]

Haha, those are my sentiments, too. I just think they’re awesome and so many people around here have one it’s like always in my face. I just have some worries when it comes to gas mileage and the cost to fix things over time compared to some other possibilities.

I’d go for a Pontiac G8, too, but I’m pretty sure it would end up being more expensive.[/quote]

It is a great looking car imo and fun to drive. As far as gas mileage it is not great but not awful either if you get the six cylinder. They are not as easy to find since most have the hemi but there is plenty of power in the six and you won’t pay up the ass for insurance.
[/quote]

Yeah, one girl had the 5.7 Hemi and got mid-upper teens (IF you can keep your foot out of it). Other has the V6 and gets low-mid 20s, doesn’t have as much power but does fine for daily driving.[/quote]

Now this is definitely something I was looking to find out. Upper mid-teens may be a little too much… did she live in the city? Do a lot of highway driving? I like to accelerate, too, which isn’t good if you’re worried about mileage…[/quote]

I would drive one before I discounted the V6. My wifes charger has much more acceleration than my truck with a V8. It is a newer charger though, which are around 300hp in the V6.
[/quote]

[quote]Melvin Smiley wrote:

[quote]TDub301 wrote:

Now this is definitely something I was looking to find out. Upper mid-teens may be a little too much… did she live in the city? Do a lot of highway driving? I like to accelerate, too, which isn’t good if you’re worried about mileage…[/quote]

She drove like an idiot everywhere she went, city or highway. It got 14-16 when she drove 18 to maybe even 20 if I drove (but I drive like a grandma on her way to church). Fun car to drive though.

If you’re going with a V6 I’d stick with the 3.5 for sure. The 2.7 isn’t enough engine for a car that size, IMO[/quote]

[quote]Testy1 wrote:

[quote]Melvin Smiley wrote:

If you’re going with a V6 I’d stick with the 3.5 for sure. The 2.7 isn’t enough engine for a car that size, IMO[/quote]

I agree, the 3.5 is what both the magnum and charger had that my wife owned/owns.[/quote]

[quote]BCFlynn wrote:
Love the Charger. Rented one a couple of years back, great rig. What about a Taurus SHO?
The problem with the Japanese luxury cars is having to use premium fuel.[/quote]

It may not be logical, but I have a general disdain for V6 muscle cars. I can’t help seeing them like bulls with their nuts cut off…

I’d get a car that is supposed to be a 6 cylinder (like pretty much every other car that’s been mentioned) before getting a V6 Charger.

But because you guys are suggesting it, I’ll give it a test drive and see what it’s like. Maybe I’ll be convinced that I was jumping the gun.

I didn’t really think much about the premium gas. Do G37s require premium? They probably do…

My mechanic told me years ago that I should put premium in my 2000 Max and I did for quite a while (figured he had nothing to gain from telling me that putting regular in it is like hanging the engine and beating it with a club at the same time). I started getting cheap a little while ago going with regular and haven’t seen much to tell me it’s bad.

32

[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
Check out this:

And these links from that article:

http://members.wolfram.com/nickl/QualityIndexRating.html

http://members.wolfram.com/nickl/reports/Lexus.html

At least according to these guys Lexus pretty much smokes everybody on long-term reliability. [/quote]

It would appear that way, huh? I have no doubt that it’s the truth.

I’m going to look up some specs on a GS very soon.

I can’t really bring myself to get a Toyota. My dad has been getting Toyotas since I was in high school, so I’ve gotten plenty of experience driving them.

They always felt cheap (or maybe flimsy is a better word to describe them?) when I was in them. The first car they got that doesn’t feel cheap is a newer Prius. I looked at a newer Avalon, but the specs made it look unappealing. But even though Lexuses are basically expensive Toyotas, I don’t look at them in the same light.

33

[quote]TDub301 wrote:

[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
Check out this:

And these links from that article:

http://members.wolfram.com/nickl/QualityIndexRating.html

http://members.wolfram.com/nickl/reports/Lexus.html

At least according to these guys Lexus pretty much smokes everybody on long-term reliability. [/quote]

It would appear that way, huh? I have no doubt that it’s the truth.

I’m going to look up some specs on a GS very soon.

I can’t really bring myself to get a Toyota. My dad has been getting Toyotas since I was in high school, so I’ve gotten plenty of experience driving them.

They always felt cheap (or maybe flimsy is a better word to describe them?) when I was in them. The first car they got that doesn’t feel cheap is a newer Prius. I looked at a newer Avalon, but the specs made it look unappealing. But even though Lexuses are basically expensive Toyotas, I don’t look at them in the same light.[/quote]

Lexus and Toyota are the same company and they share some parts but they are different cars. They have better suspension components and better interior components and are just better all the way around.

34

[quote]jjackkrash wrote:

[quote]TDub301 wrote:

[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
Check out this:

And these links from that article:

http://members.wolfram.com/nickl/QualityIndexRating.html

http://members.wolfram.com/nickl/reports/Lexus.html

At least according to these guys Lexus pretty much smokes everybody on long-term reliability. [/quote]

It would appear that way, huh? I have no doubt that it’s the truth.

I’m going to look up some specs on a GS very soon.

I can’t really bring myself to get a Toyota. My dad has been getting Toyotas since I was in high school, so I’ve gotten plenty of experience driving them.

They always felt cheap (or maybe flimsy is a better word to describe them?) when I was in them. The first car they got that doesn’t feel cheap is a newer Prius. I looked at a newer Avalon, but the specs made it look unappealing. But even though Lexuses are basically expensive Toyotas, I don’t look at them in the same light.[/quote]

Lexus and Toyota are the same company and they share some parts but they are different cars. They have better suspension components and better interior components and are just better all the way around.
[/quote]

That sounds exactly how I figured, without having much experience with Lexuses. I’m honestly not even sure if I’ve ever ridden in a Lexus before, haha.

I’m getting interesting responses from the various enthusiast forums. Hardly anyone responded on the Bimmer forum, but basically said that a good one is out of my price range (which I was already suspecting, no surprises, there).

The Lexus people basically said get a Charger since it seems like that’s what I want most, they didn’t tell me shit about any Lexuses, haha. (I did go to that link that Sieze posted, though, which was informative).

The Maxima forum people are giving a lot of varied responses, about half are saying go with a Max or G37.

The Charger people definitely love Chargers, haha.

It’s going to be time soon to start test driving some cars. I’m hoping to have this new car by the end of February, mainly because my Max is due for another emissions test by then, which it will fail again because of the 2 bad cats that I would like to avoid having to fix.

Thanks again to everyone for their input, you’re helping me out a lot.

35

One thing that I was told when choosing a new car is, that makes sense is to really make sure you enjoy the interior, since that’s where you’ll be spending the most of your time.

36

[quote]rrjc5488 wrote:
One thing that I was told when choosing a new car is, that makes sense is to really make sure you enjoy the interior, since that’s where you’ll be spending the most of your time. [/quote]

You really have to sit in the car and drive it. My last 2 cars, Altima and Malibu, had great dash layouts. Everything was easily visible and easy to reach. I test drove a new Accord some years back, the main dash controls for the radio and heater was way too big in scale.

I’d go no older than a 2010 and look to have it under 50k miles. The leap from a 2008 is not that far. Cars I like, Maxima, G37, Dodge Challenger STR8, Cadillac CTS.

Rob

37

I agree with you about V6 “muscle” cars, but on the other hand, which would be more useful in your daily life, the extra V8 power or the extra V6 gas mileage? But on the other other hand, if you aren’t as concerned with your gas budget… the V8s are pretty damn cool.

38

[quote]Melvin Smiley wrote:
I agree with you about V6 “muscle” cars, but on the other hand, which would be more useful in your daily life, the extra V8 power or the extra V6 gas mileage? But on the other other hand, if you aren’t as concerned with your gas budget… the V8s are pretty damn cool.[/quote]

In 2008 I sold my gas guzzler when gas hit $4 a gallon. I was spending $75-90 a week. I got a 4-cylinder Altima and the car payment was = to the change in gas consumption.

I drive 300+ miles per week, so economy trumps power. I was really hesitant to go with the 4, but it was peppy enough for what I did with it. I got the 2012 Malibu next, mileage is a bit better than the Altima with the 2.4 Eco 4. Good power and good on the wallet. I do miss the punch of a V6 or V8. My wife has the Highlander with the V6, that has plenty of balls and she has a heavy right foot.

Rob

39

[quote]beachguy498 wrote:

[quote]Melvin Smiley wrote:
I agree with you about V6 “muscle” cars, but on the other hand, which would be more useful in your daily life, the extra V8 power or the extra V6 gas mileage? But on the other other hand, if you aren’t as concerned with your gas budget… the V8s are pretty damn cool.[/quote]

In 2008 I sold my gas guzzler when gas hit $4 a gallon. I was spending $75-90 a week. I got a 4-cylinder Altima and the car payment was = to the change in gas consumption.

I drive 300+ miles per week, so economy trumps power. I was really hesitant to go with the 4, but it was peppy enough for what I did with it. I got the 2012 Malibu next, mileage is a bit better than the Altima with the 2.4 Eco 4. Good power and good on the wallet. I do miss the punch of a V6 or V8. My wife has the Highlander with the V6, that has plenty of balls and she has a heavy right foot.

Rob
[/quote]

If you want something sporty, that has some balls and torque out the ass, and gets damn near 40 on the highway, the 3 series diesel isn’t a bad choice.

I’ve seen a few sub-20k-miles cars for less than $30k around here recently.

40

If you want a car idea, I got one. I’m also 6’4’’ so I know what it’s like to find a car that you’ll fit in properly.
I recently bought a 2009 Hyundai Genesis 4.6L Sedan
Nobody thinks about the Hyundai but it’s a killer car. At 375hp & 333lb/ft it’s clearly no slouch in a drag and it handles pretty well too for a big car. It has all the luxuries of the competative BMW & Benzes at a MUCH lower cost…It’s even faster than all the E Class & 5 Series models other than the E550 & E63 or 550i & M5 models.

Gas wise, it’s no worse than the V6 Genesis and you can use premium or regular gas. My average is 11L/100km (I don’t know this in MPG) and that’s with getting stuck in traffic daily as well as highway driving. It may not be your thing, but it’s an underrated car, check it out.
The newer Genesis R-Spec (2011-2014) has a 5.0L engine at over 400hp as well.