jmj, boy racer?

jesus marion joseph · January-21st-2005, 04:54 PM

February will be a landmark month in the automotive life of jmj. I will make the last payment on my 97 Passat, which means I have owned it for five years, a watershed event for me. For a while, in my 20s, I could crack 'em up as fast as they could make 'em.

Anyway, in celebration, I've begun shopping for another car. Five years is just too damned long for one man to remain faithful to one car, IMHAO.

The leading contender is a 2002 Subaru WRX. My friend and hiking buddy, Steve (the guy who tore the front bumper cover off of our rental SUV in Arizona), has the same car, and it is a blast to drive. 227 horsepower and 217 lb. ft. of tourque from a 2 liter engine. They move. Steve is actually on his 2nd WRX, as he managed to leave the road surface on an exit ramp and totaled the first one. The second one definitely sticks to the road better.

Anyway, if things work out (i.e. if I can persuade mrs. jmj that I'm due for a new car), that's what I'll be scooting around in soon!

Chris D · January-21st-2005, 04:57 PM

Subes have some institutional trouble with axle seals, CV boots and such. I know two people who have had to replace both front and rear axles at 60K, but those were on all-wheel-drive Foresters. Is the WRX all wheel? I would bet not.

January-21st-2005, 05:02 PM

The WRX is truly a monster of a car!!

Very fast, smooth ride, razor sharp handling.

But if you really want to go all out, why not go for the WRX STi? 300 horsies, 300 torque!!! 0-60 in 4.5

It is arguably the most amazing car ever built price being relative.

And Chris, yes, the WRX is indeed all wheel drive(all Subaru's are). It has been winning rally car championships since it was first built. Those problems you speak of are from cars that were built by completely different teams.

The WRX is THE world class car of world class cars.

jesus marion joseph · January-21st-2005, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris D

Subes have some institutional trouble with axle seals, CV boots and such. I know two people who have had to replace both front and rear axles at 60K, but those were on all-wheel-drive Foresters. Is the WRX all wheel? I would bet not.

All Subarus (currently in production) are all wheel drive. Steve hasn't had any trouble ith his, and believe me, he's not easy on his (or anyone else's) cars. I'll have to look into that, though.

My Passat has had wheel bearings replaced twice, and I have 134,000 miles, so I don't think Subies are alone in the early wearage department.

jesus marion joseph · January-21st-2005, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

But if you really want to go all out, why not go for the WRX STi? 300 horsies, 300 torque!!! 0-60 in 4.5

Cuz then I'd definitely end up like Steve's first WRX!

January-21st-2005, 05:09 PM

Well if you can't handle a machine any better than that, better go with a Ford Taurus.

jesus marion joseph · January-21st-2005, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Well if you can't handle a machine any better than that, better go with a Ford Taurus.

That hurts, coming from Scott "I drove home from North Carolina sideways in an SUV " Dolan!

January-21st-2005, 07:39 PM

Dirty motherfucker...........

jesus marion joseph · January-22nd-2005, 10:22 AM

I'm encountering much opposition from mrs. jmj in my quest for the Subie. This one could take 1. a lot of convincing, or 2. arbitrary, capricious and unilateral action on my part.

January-22nd-2005, 12:40 PM

This calls for for what I call the "turnaround".

Jmj, you must now move into this mode. It's njot always easy, and will take a lot of thought and meditation on your part. But if executed properly, you'll be wrecking your new Sube in a matter of days.

You MUST convince your wife about how beneficial the new car will be for her. Show her how it will make life easy for her, and how if she really thinks about it, she will actually reap more benefits from it than you.

Good luck, soldier.

tippy · January-22nd-2005, 12:58 PM

LOL. Go, Flash, go!

Dr Dave · January-22nd-2005, 01:11 PM

This here is a Toyota MR2 Spyder. It goes like hell, it corners even better, it doesn't cost a TON of money, and it's a Toyota, and therefore inherently practical and economical. I used to own an '88, which I paid $13,000 for brand new, and it never needed anything except oil changes. And it felt completely stable going 110 mph on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Connecticut at 3 am. If you know the road, you know this is no small achievement.

January-22nd-2005, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

This here is a Toyota MR2 Spyder. It goes like hell, it corners even better, it doesn't cost a TON of money, and it's a Toyota, and therefore inherently practical and economical. I used to own an '88, which I paid $13,000 for brand new, and it never needed anything except oil changes. And it felt completely stable going 110 mph on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Connecticut at 3 am. If you know the road, you know this is no small achievement.

Love the Mister 2, always have!

Almost got one of the new ones when I bought my Celica in 2000. But I didn't simply because I needed a back seat for my boy to ride in. And man oh man, do I love two-seaters!

The ride I traded in for my Celly was a sweet '95 Del Sol

Targa top, baby!!!

Thing is, Finch, I think Crash is looking for something with a bit more power. The MR Spidey has the same 1.8 liter engine that my Celly has, yet produces two fewer ponies at 138.

Although, as addicted to power as I am, I would have an incredibly tough time choosing between the WRX and the Spyder. Simply because the Spyder is about 500 lbs. lighter and has a much shorter wheelbase.

Which essentially means it will do anything you ask it to. Sometimes lightweight and agile trumps horsepower. I'm just not into the straightline power as much as I used to be. But that's likely because there aren't many straight lines around here.

Dr Dave · January-22nd-2005, 08:35 PM

Amen, brother. Amen.

Jimmy Cantiello · January-22nd-2005, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

And it felt completely stable going 110 mph on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Connecticut at 3 am. If you know the road, you know this is no small achievement.

I know the road well, Dave. Drove that bad boy many times. BTW, I'm awaiting my newest car as we speak. I ordered it October 26, 2004. Being a little older than you sportster kind of guys I opted for a more comfortable ride. The SL model to be exact. An old man's sedan that can muster a sweet 265HP. I got all the bells and whistles. Unfortunately I'm still waiting for delivery.................

January-22nd-2005, 10:00 PM

Sweet ride, Jimmy!

I dig the Max, but it would be way too big and heavy for my tastes. But don't think I'd be bitching too loudly were I behind the wheel of that monster.

Actually, Finch will be interested in hearing that I have been eyeing the Scion tC quite closely as of late. It's is the car that is essentially replacing the Celica(a subject that Finch and I briefly touched on when we met last month and I was eyeing his gorgeous black Scion xB). The '05 model year will be the last for the Celica. Which really pisses me off because I love my buggy.

Thing is, if any of you have ever tried to trade in a car than is no longer in production, you'll fully understand why I've suddenly become somewhat anxious to get out of it.

And the only two car makers I really have any respect for are Honda and Toyota. And since Honda doesn't build anything that excites me(within my price range, that is)I'm seriously thinking about the tC.

Not too high on it's styling, but then again, I said the same thing about the Celica until I saw a beautiful jet black one rolling down my street one day. But the 2.4 liter engine pumping out 160 horsies along with 163 lb.-ft. has definitely caught my attention. That type of torque motoring a 2900 lb buggy is actually quite impressive.

I put one together online with a few bells and a handful of whistles and still came in under $19k!! Plus, TRD is making a supercharger for it which should bump its HP/Torque numbers up to 200/210!!! What a wicked little sleeper THAT would make! Throw a TRD sports exhaust in with that, and you'd be looking at numbers that would at least earn a respectful nod from the next level of cars like the WRX, RX-8, and 350Z.
Sweetness!!

GoodSpeak · January-22nd-2005, 10:33 PM

This is what I drive:

steve(thelil) · January-23rd-2005, 09:57 AM

I'd love to take that owner's manual around the block a few times

Dr Dave · January-23rd-2005, 10:58 AM

Power is cool, of course. But did I mention that the MR2 gets 32mpg highway? (I'm coming at this from the "convince Mrs. jmj" perspective).

PS: This is the first time I've ever heard the xB2 described as "gorgeous." Most people who see one for the first time say things like "What the hell is that?"

Noj · January-23rd-2005, 12:31 PM

I drive a 2004 Honda Element, which was designed by an Art Center student. Awesome use of materials, full time four wheel drive, and very roomy inside.

Jimmy Cantiello · January-23rd-2005, 04:41 PM

While shopping for my ride I was totally impressed with the Acura RL but the tab on that baby was a little more than I was willing to spend.......