Fun to drive 'grown-up' car?

[M-Sport fan]

I was really looking into a 25th anniversary edition gli. They are very affordable. But I'm not 100% sold on how it looks or the cheap interior. Along with VW reliability on their performance models.... Still a consideration. Also afraid I'd want to mod it.

In southern California, BMWs and Mercedes are just as numerous as any other car. AMG and M models aside, one wouldn't be too flashy at all.

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Around here, AMG Black, and Bimmer M models, as well as any RS Audis, any GT2RS/GT3/911 turbo variant P-cars, and even the various Maseratis-> (there's a dealer in Doylestown) and prancing horsies are ALL solely, purely status symbols, albeit, given how dirt common they are around here, it is impossible to call them "exclusive" status symbols when they 'pass themselves' so often on the roads.

One can see how they drive them on the streets, and their appearances when getting out of these 'rolling fur coats/Rolexes', and tell that these spaceships will never, ever see an open track day, or the like, as long as these owners have them.

Ironically, I personally would be at least 1000x more 'impressed' if someone pulled up to the local Giant in an RS200, or even an Escort Cossie RS/WRC, even though they are not the 'popular' and 'household name' status symbols, but MUCH MORE rare in this land than the 'expected' super/hyper/whatever car exotic rides.

 

[HBEcoBeaST]

Around here, AMG Black, and M models, as well as any RS Audis, any GT2RS/GT3/911 turbo variant P-cars, and even the Maseratis and prancing horsies are ALL solely, purely status symbols.

One can see how they drive them on the streets, and their appearances when getting out of these 'rolling fur coats/Rolexes', and tell that these spaceships will never, ever see an open track day, or the like, as long as these owners have them.

Ironically, I personally would be at least 1000x more 'impressed' if someone pulled up to the local Giant in an RS200, or even an Escort Cossie RS/WRC, even though they are not the 'popular' and 'household name' status symbols, but MUCH MORE rare in this land than the 'expected' super/hyper/whatever car exotic rides.

You're a car guy though. Unfortunately my industry has the drug dealer/scammer stigma. Tuner cars are associated with the drug scene in many investor and city officials eyes. In an emerging industry I'm trying to play the game as it's finally started paying off.

If I was trying to impress enthusiasts it'd be easy.

Most investors I deal with drive Audis or Tesla's [emoji42] I'm not looking to wow them, just fit in without losing my soul to a boring car.

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[M-Sport fan]

You're a car guy though. Unfortunately my industry has the drug dealer/scammer stigma. Tuner cars are associated with the drug scene in many investor and city officials eyes. In an emerging industry I'm trying to play the game as it's finally started paying off.

If I was trying to impress enthusiasts it'd be easy.

Most investors I deal with drive Audis or Tesla's [emoji42] I'm not looking to wow them, just fit in without losing my soul to a boring car.

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FULLY and completely understood, just commenting in general.

Around here, ALL variants of the Tesla sedans are more common than even Camrys/Minis/etc., kind of hard to consider them anything close to a status symbol (regardless of their co$t), given how dime-a-dozen they are locally.

 

[Ford ST]

Well since you don't like Mazda, and you don't like the Kia stinger I would go with a Honda Accord.

Sorry you have to deal with judgemental assholes.

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[M-Sport fan]

Is the current regular Civic SI coupe (or sedan if they make one) still considered not conservative enough, or too Fast N'Furious-ish??

 

[Brianmc27]

Is the current regular Civic SI coupe (or sedan if they make one) still considered not conservative enough, or too Fast N'Furious-ish??

They’re Fast and Furious straight from the factory these days. Fake vents and grills all over the place.
Too bad because it’s an otherwise very competent car.

 

[M-Sport fan]

They’re Fast and Furious straight from the factory these days. Fake vents and grills all over the place.
Too bad because it’s an otherwise very competent car.

True, but the NON Type R, much less so, at least.

 

[AZSP33D]

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-project_e92_335i_n54

 

[Dpro]

Understood. Yes I was referring to my location in Orange County and Los Angeles county. There are more Tesla's than Prius. More Range Rovers and g wagons than Suburbans. Just the way it is [emoji1745]

This car is going to be mostly about appearance. Nice, professional and fun to drive without being gaudy. But I may have started this thread at the wrong time since scheduling test drives isn't the easiest with covid19 restrictions.

My top pics are currently
Used g70
Avalon TRD
BMW 340i
Used E63 wagon

Not really into Mazdas. Need to familiarize myself with Acuras and Honda's a little more. I'd rather drive a fully loaded car than a bare bones luxury brand.

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I would say steer clear of Hyundai in General. While they have gotten better I have seen first hand experience with a friend who was a long time Hyundai owner. They have pretty much followed the German car route of everything is fine for the first 100k and then it all starts to go to hell in handbasket with things breaking and falling apart on a regular basis.

Which leads one straight back to the Japanese cars and ya the Mazda’s are really good these days.
Get a BMW under warranty same with modern Mercedes. Toyota is pretty damn reliable. I have a friend that actually looked at both the New Camry and the new Corolla and wound up buying a new Corolla Sport and its a nice car that drives good.
Looks completely professional,

Oh and he came from a 2013 Hyundai Elantra GL. He said he would never buy another Hyundai. Of course Toyota’s are the better cars anyways lol.

It comes with a flappy paddle gearbox that shifts really damn quick. It was actually shocking how well it worked. He loves the car. If you do decide to go Toyota I have a friend who works at Manhattan Beach Toyota really nice guy and easy to deal with.

 

[DaleFredriks]

Understood. Yes I was referring to my location in Orange County and Los Angeles county. There are more Tesla's than Prius. More Range Rovers and g wagons than Suburbans. Just the way it is [emoji1745]

This car is going to be mostly about appearance. Nice, professional and fun to drive without being gaudy. But I may have started this thread at the wrong time since scheduling test drives isn't the easiest with covid19 restrictions.

My top pics are currently
Used g70
Avalon TRD
BMW 340i
Used E63 wagon

Not really into Mazdas. Need to familiarize myself with Acuras and Honda's a little more. I'd rather drive a fully loaded car than a bare bones luxury brand.

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Shameless plug for the company I work for, but we've got a couple 340i's that we can bring out to you in HB for test drives. We don't have anything else in your shortlist but we got some Audi S4s, S3s, Infiniti Q50s Red Sport 400s, and other similar cars to look through.
https://shift.com/car/c194561

 

[Dpro]

Shameless plug for the company I work for, but we've got a couple 340i's that we can bring out to you in HB for test drives. We don't have anything else in your shortlist but we got some Audi S4s, S3s, Infiniti Q50s Red Sport 400s, and other similar cars to look through.
https://shift.com/car/c194561

Q50 Red sport 400 are kinda dope classy but fun. Sebastian Vettel had a hand in the tuning of those cars when Infiiniti was still sponsoring Red Bull and providing them with Engines under the Renault auspice.

 

[maestromaestro]

His is a 2015 s60 t6. So id say its pretty up to date.

And, there is a 'real' Polestar (2) coming out (hopefully) soon. If load up an Avalon/Camry, you'd be looking at not too much of a difference, I'd think. The launch edition is a bit dear, I'd admit

 

[Crystals]

Well since you don't like Mazda, and you don't like the Kia stinger I would go with a Honda Accord.

Sorry you have to deal with judgemental assholes.

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I second that. More specifically, I suggest the Honda Accord Sport with the 2.0L turbo and a manual. Conservative looks and can still have some fun. New ones are around $32k.

 

[maestromaestro]

This car is going to be mostly about appearance. Nice, professional and fun to drive without being gaudy.

A used XJ. Seriously.
(I had one, and it is smooove. Best lines in its class. Supercharged has 470 hp; Supersport - 510. They go from mid 30s to mid 40s (and that's ASKING price) for a 2016 or so. Seriously...)

 

[M-Sport fan]

I second that. More specifically, I suggest the Honda Accord Sport with the 2.0L turbo and a manual. Conservative looks and can still have some fun. New ones are around $32k.

Performance/bang for the buck wise, I would have to agree, but they in sedan guise, just look too long and stretched-out to me,hence why I threw the Civic SI into the mix, and let's not forget the Accord COUPE (IF they are still making one now ).

 

[Intuit]

Just get the biggest gazguzzl'n tank you can find. It'll fit right in.

Ford has already announced that they'll be a truck company.

Here's a good place to start...
https://www.lincoln.com/luxury-vehicles/

 

[Quisp]

Q

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[ghodge]

I made the jump to a Kia Stinger GTS and it has definitely been the best car choice I have ever made. I have yet to take my 2017 Fiesta ST out this year (will start driving this weekend).

 

[HBEcoBeaST]

I made the jump to a Kia Stinger GTS and it has definitely been the best car choice I have ever made. I have yet to take my 2017 Fiesta ST out this year (will start driving this weekend).

I don't hate the stinger. But it's more of a muscle car than I was expecting. Really happy with Kia and Hyundai for producing fun cars though.

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[HBEcoBeaST]

I appreciate the input. Shopping for cars right now is a little challenging and I'm starting to see prices dropping. A couple tempting options are popping up:

- fiance's client is selling their 2018 cts-v. checking it out tomorrow (she says no Corvette if I go this route due to upper budget range)

- local dealership will sell me a golf r below MSRP. I know I shouldn't, but.... Golf r

- new f150 fx4 for $10k below MSRP

-new plug-in hybrid polestar for slightly below msrp (no Corvette if I go this route [emoji22])

Scratching off my list:
-Hyundai gv70 don't think it's out yet or none available
-vw gli, drives great and affordable, but ugly and cheap interior
-infiniti q50 red sport really nice all around but dated interior
-toyota Avalon overpriced for what it is IMO. equivalent accord is almost $10k less.

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