The cars and bikes thread!

[gnuyork]

Another vote for manual, Geoff. Get one before they become extinct.

[ck1109]

I know I talk a lot about buying a new car but I will do soon - I just got a new job and payrise. Ironically the new office is now 2 miles away so I probably shouldn't even drive there at all, and it will soon move to 1 mile away. Except that I'll want to drive to the gym after work so yes, and I still need a car. I drove a fair bit this Christmas period and need more power. I could get a polo gti with no options for less than I currently pay, but my current car has heated seats, armrest, cruise control etc so I'd want that... When spec'd accordingly it's suddenly 275pcm, whereas the m235i stock is 347pcm with a manual box so that's an absolute no brainer - especially as it includes some of the costly options on the polo as standard. And I have 5 weeks off so there's no way I'm not ordering something in that time.

I'm wondering if I should go stick or auto. The auto is £16pcm more and so much more convenient, and faster, but not as fun. Opinions? Raza need not answer as I know what he'll say.

Are you considering used cars? I will rarely ever buy a new car these days, the depreciation on BMWs, VWs etc. makes it hard for me to justify new.
Plus, when its new, always compare against lease specials, especially if you're like me who likes to change cars every 3-4 years. Sometimes leasing is a better choice.

If your car is not a DD, I'd recommend getting manual if you have that option available.

[geoffbot]

Are you considering used cars? I will rarely ever buy a new car these days, the depreciation on BMWs, VWs etc. makes it hard for me to justify new.
Plus, when its new, always compare against lease specials, especially if you're like me who likes to change cars every 3-4 years. Sometimes leasing is a better choice.

If your car is not a DD, I'd recommend getting manual if you have that option available.

Thanks for the reply mate. Leasing is the only way I can afford this car - new it's like 8k up front and 500pcm. Used is expensive too - I have no cash so need finance and the interest rates on used are high - 11%. A 3 year old 335 would cost me more per month than a new car that I want. On any option you're only paying the depreciation really (except on hpi but that's like 800pcm). So leasing it is. Knowing me I'll want to change cars every year...

[tribe125]

Autos are great. Most of the time you don't want to engage with your car, you just want to get somewhere with minimum fuss and maximum comfort. Autos are better for that, especially in traffic and on tedious roads.

I'm glad to have grown up on manuals because they give a better sense of how a car works. There's also some satisfaction to be gained from using the gearbox well, but I don't need to carry on demonstrating that to myself. I occasionally drive my wife's manual car, and whilst it can be fun swapping cogs for a few miles, it feels like a redundant chore once I hit traffic.

[Samanator]

F40 no way! It is pretty much the most prefect supercar ever including looks.



But the rest I agree with.



The E-Type is kinda of the classic example. It is definitely built in the '60s but the styling is timeless. The '80s Countache with the big wings and the like may have been the bedroom poster of lots of kids but now it looks like it came from the '80s and I don't mean that in the good way.

I think the McLaren MP random numbers, the Ferrari 458, Nissan GTR, Acura NSX will all be the '80s Countache not the E-Type in a few years.

That all being said there are plenty of what I consider dated looking cars I'd gladly own (Ferrari 308, 388 GTO are the first things to come to mind).

One of my most memorable on road experiences was back when the F40 was new, being pasted by one on 295 just outside of Baltimore (near BWI) with Mario and Michael Andretti (Michael driving) in it. I remember seeing it far back, and then a few seconds later glancing through the side window to see who was in it, then a two seconds later the big wing and the ANDRETTE tag(it may have been abbreviated some way)on back.

I'm a CPO fan also since new makes no sense with my wife, and my, whopping combined annual milage of between 5K-6K total. The only new thing I'm considering is a 2016 Z06 Corvette since preowned are holding too much value. We love our two older Jags and keeping them up post warranty has not been that bad. I'm also curious to see what the F Types prices CPO will be, now that they are a few years older. I did go test drive a 2010 Maserati QUATTROPORTE with 15K miles at a dealer down the street. Very nice, but don't think it has anything on our XJR except the exhaust note.

Depends on the auto. Most have gotten so good, and that is coming from someone who only had sticks until my current car.

[OTGabe]

Autos are great. Most of the time you don't want to engage with your car, you just want to get somewhere with minimum fuss and maximum comfort. Autos are better for that, especially in traffic and on tedious roads.

I'm glad to have grown up on manuals because they give a better sense of how a car works. There's also some satisfaction to be gained from using the gearbox well, but I don't need to carry on demonstrating that to myself. I occasionally drive my wife's manual car, and whilst it can be fun swapping cogs for a few miles, it feels like a redundant chore once I hit traffic.

Plus it's much easier to eat/drink/smoke/fiddle with the radio/hold your partners hand/text/chat on the phone/apply makeup/scratch yourself/etc. with an auto.

[93EXCivic]

Are you considering used cars? I will rarely ever buy a new car these days, the depreciation on BMWs, VWs etc. makes it hard for me to justify new.
Plus, when its new, always compare against lease specials, especially if you're like me who likes to change cars every 3-4 years. Sometimes leasing is a better choice.

If your car is not a DD, I'd recommend getting manual if you have that option available.

I only buy used cars but the most I have ever paid for a car is $3500... I may actually pay $5000-$6000 for a car this year.

Least I have paid is free.

[Seriously]

DCTs are just better automatics. They don't offer the same involvement or control as manuals.

Yesss, I knew that , was just pulling a joke because I love my DCT

but I don't need to carry on demonstrating that to myself.

Yep, needless/pointless exercise

2010 Maserati QUATTROPORTE, nothing on my Jag

Apart from the brand name to die for .... and a model name made in heaven.

Picture the scene:

Yes love, I'll move the Maserati (in a bloody minute ! )

[gnuyork]

Yep, needless/pointless exercise

I really enjoying the shifting aspect, but mainly in high performing cars. I can see where it would get tedious in a DD, though I think I'd still prefer it. Two of my current DD are autos though, but mainly for my wife.

[wschofield3]

Geoff....go for the stick!

As far as cars that, to me, are timeless, this is one that I think can be put into current rotation as new and still be relevant;