What's on your test drive list?

[ST185RC]

In some regards I view the 2012 Mini Cooper S like how a Genesis owner views the FR-S. I test drove one and honestly, it's a great handling car for a FWD, but at around $38,000 how is this thing worth it? Everything inside looks like it came from Hotwheels or Fischer-Price. People have to be insane to think that the FR-S is over-priced. Does the Cooper S even hit 200HP? I didn't care to check the specs but it did feel quite torquey and can get up to speed but the perceived power on FI'd cars always makes me feel like it's more powerful than it actually is. I was hoping that it would be able to speak for itself when I drove it. It didn't, except on how it handles and it's willingness to accelerate, but I guess that can be attributed to it's wheel base and somewhat light-weight characteristics. For what it's worth, I like the Cooper S, but at the price they are charging for this thing and maintenance for this car? I could never see myself owning one.

Has anyone even seen the back seats in the mini? It's like a bench and non-contoured. Only thing I can praise over the FR-S is that it's rear leg-room is enough to fit an actual adult around 5'10", 190lbs, like myself.

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

You always want to argue, so I'm not going to get in to this with you. .

But you did anyways LOL. I'd say the same thing about you - always having to try for the last word.

Obviously affordability is on a sliding scale but to me the issue is this - would you make a different decision if you had practically unlimited resources? If the answer is yes then to some degree you are by your decision indicating that there are financial constraints that affected your choice. So it's at best a qualified affordability vis-a-vis the more expensive car as there is a definite opportunity cost to you that you are acknowledging implicitly by making the choice to go with the cheaper less desirable vehicle.

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by King Tut

I am not sure it is really worth giving him a response. I consider all cars up to $80k when purchasing my next new car. Here are my past 4 new car purchases:

2013 Subaru BRZ
http://brz.ridedomain.com

2012 Porsche Cayman R
http://cayman.ridedomain.com

2009 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
http://z06.ridedomain.com

2009 BMW M3
http://e92.ridedomain.com

You will notice a trend in those car purchases. Each time I went lighter. Price is not a primary factor in my car selection process. I test drove a 370Z, Genesis Coupe 3.8, and STI before I bought my Cayman R.

Interesting history, but your case is very likely a real statistical anomaly - I'd be very, very surprised if given the choice and taking all associated costs out of the equation 99% of potential sports car buyers wouldn't take a new Cayman S over an FR-S without batting an eye. Maybe after years of Cayman ownership they'd make a different choice, but they'd want that ownership first.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

This is not true at all. You can see the value in something regardless of how much money you have, or what you can afford. You don't always have to go balls to the wall just because you can.

You always want to argue, so I'm not going to get in to this with you. Believe me when I tell you that I could definitely afford any of the cars that were listed, but I chose not to. Not BECAUSE of the value the twins represent, but what that value represents in a fun, but depreciating lump of metal.

Agree with this completely.

Originally Posted by Sport-Tech

Interesting history, but your case is very likely a real statistical anomaly - I'd be very, very surprised if given the choice and taking all associated costs out of the equation 99% of potential sports car buyers wouldn't take a new Cayman S over an FR-S without batting an eye. Maybe after years of Cayman ownership they'd make a different choice, but they'd want that ownership first.

Not as rare as you might think. Value is important. People who are educated enough to be making deep into the 6 figure range understand that.

[Burrcold]

Sport-Tech I don't get you. You're a glorified troll in my opinion. Your name is the trim level of a BRZ, your avatar is of a BRZ yet you don't own one. Not that big of a deal, however you take every chance to say how cheap the car seems, how your short list of cars pretty much negates the twins now, and you argue with so many people here.

I have never had a problem with people joining forums that have a genuine interest in the car but don't own one. But in this case, I would love to see you just move on from the forum. I'm not too sure what value you add, other than to get members annoyed. Go back to your Tibby, and hit up the many Hyundai forums...or conversely just buy an FRS or BRZ and shut up already.

[Luis_GT]

My test drive list when picking the FR-S (Which I'm still waiting for) where:

1) Scion FR-S


That's about it since there's basically no other rear wheel drive cars I would consider in my price range.

Outside my price range I would include:

1) BMW 135i
2) BMW Z4
3) Mercedes SLK 250

[steelertown]

1. 2013 brz limited
2. 2013 v6 mustang premium
3 2010-11 g37
4. 2007 lexus ES 350
5. 2011 lexus is250

Thats the current list im working on and have been looking the past maybe 4 months, I have been having a horrible time deciding what to do, added and x-ed off many different vehicles. Hopefully will test drive a couple more in the next week

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by steelertown

1. 2013 brz limited
2. 2013 v6 mustang premium
3 2010-11 g37
4. 2007 lexus ES 350
5. 2011 lexus is250

Thats the current list im working on and have been looking the past maybe 4 months, I have been having a horrible time deciding what to do, added and x-ed off many different vehicles. Hopefully will test drive a couple more in the next week

I have to say, I was tremendously disappointed in the V6 'stang. Sure, it's a lot faster in a straight line (on paper) than a BRZ/FR-S, but it sure didn't feel like it. The engine just didn't seem all that willing to accelerate the car, and it didn't sound great when it did so. The GT on the other hand... that was a glorious motor. If the handling feel wasn't so pitiful, I'd have a Mustang GT right now, just for that engine.

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Not as rare as you might think. Value is important. People who are educated enough to be making deep into the 6 figure range understand that.

Sure, but the suggestion in the quote was that pretty much everyone would take a Cayman over an 86 if all costs were taken out of the equation (and I think you'd be pretty hard pressed to argue that one). Obviously, it isn't a realistic comparison, since there's always some cost to consider (even if it is just the maintenance).

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by chrisl

Sure, but the suggestion in the quote was that pretty much everyone would take a Cayman over an 86 if all costs were taken out of the equation (and I think you'd be pretty hard pressed to argue that one). Obviously, it isn't a realistic comparison, since there's always some cost to consider (even if it is just the maintenance).

Yep, if you completely throw all cost and practicality considerations out the window, everyone would take the Cayman. But that's an empty statement to 99% of the population. The only people who can afford to completely ignore all cost considerations are the ultra-rich. And people in that income bracket shop Ferraris, not Porsches. For everyone else, value/bang-for-the-buck means something.