Personal computing discussed
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Welch wrote:Sorry, no way in hell would I ever put the Ford Focus on the list as a "practical and fun to drive". Granted he Focus moved up in the world with the introduction of the feista but it is still a "SBOV" as my dad used to call them... A "**** box of value". Nothing fun about that car, although I hear that the the UK gets a completely different version of the focus that is considered top notch.
Want a damn good fun car to drive... pickup on a pre 2011ish Subaru Impreza Wagon "Outback" when that was a package. This was the 2.5l engines which now like in my 2013 are a 2.0 standard. Once you drive a Subaru 4 cylinder and then try a Ford or Mazda you will want to cry. I swore I'd never own a 4 banger as they just never felt smooth or refined. Even my entry Impreza feels like a refined engine compared to all of the other 4 cylinders I've driven. The only other engine that was a fair bit more smooth was the Audi A4.... duh it is about another 15 grand starting for an A4.
The only thing in the Mazda lineup I'd consider is the CX-5 if that is your kinda vehicle.
Want a damn good fun car to drive... pickup on a pre 2011ish Subaru Impreza Wagon "Outback" when that was a package.
bhtooefr wrote:The problem is that finding something relatively normal FWD 5-door that behaves like an RSX and is cheap to run likely requires modding it. RWD, you might find something, but you're going to be pushed into luxury makes if you want 4/5 doors, and the costs that are involved there.
Flatland_Spider wrote:BMWs have the same problems VW have. As my mechanic friend used to say when people brought up buying a BMW, "Don't do it."
cjcerny wrote:There isn't anything "family friendly" about a WRX or a GTI or a BRZ or a Si.
ludi wrote:The Legacy 2.5GT was sold through 2012, and the previous-owner demographic tends to be a bit more restrained for that model.
Flying Fox wrote:Flatland_Spider wrote:BMWs have the same problems VW have. As my mechanic friend used to say when people brought up buying a BMW, "Don't do it."
Depends on the year and model too. My circle of friends have decent records of 328s, 330s, and 335s. I got a sample of one where an X3 was not so hot.
TwoEars wrote:VW is the IKEA of cars, they're great value and look and feel good but are unlikely to hold up well over the long run. In Germany you buy VW's as company cars and keep them for 1-3 years, then the warranty is expired and VW couldn't care less.
TwoEars wrote:VW is the IKEA of cars, they're great value and look and feel good but are unlikely to hold up well over the long run. In Germany you buy VW's as company cars and keep them for 1-3 years, then the warranty is expired and VW couldn't care less.
Flying Fox wrote:TwoEars wrote:VW is the IKEA of cars, they're great value and look and feel good but are unlikely to hold up well over the long run. In Germany you buy VW's as company cars and keep them for 1-3 years, then the warranty is expired and VW couldn't care less.
Totally off-topic: my IKEA Galant desk and Expedit shelf disagree with you on the reliability bit.
JustAnEngineer wrote:BMW have really lost their "ultimate driving machine" mojo in the past couple of decades. My cousin and his wife owned a BMW X5 that was quite unreliable. It was expensive to repair and it didn't ride, handle or brake as well as a less expensive Acura MDX, either. For that matter, the BMW X5 didn't ride or handle as well as the minivan with which they replaced it.
LoneWolf15 wrote:The Scion FR-S/Subaru BR-Z just aren't practical for a family. For an effort by Toyota and Subaru, they have an abysmal reliability record, ranging from fit/finish issues, to odd chirpy fuel pumps to other complaints that even owners/lovers of the car admit some work needs to be done to improve the vehicle.
JustAnEngineer wrote:If you want a family sedan that still lets you enjoy driving it, the second-best-selling car in the U.S. may be the one for you.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/201 ... -up-review
A lightly-used 9th generation will set you back under $20K, which is just a slight discount from the $25½K MSRP of a new one.
JustAnEngineer wrote:Does hers have the CVT? I found it to be surprisingly tolerable on a test drive. My V6 coupe has the conventional 6-speed automatic transmission.