Car Acquisition

[toplessexpat]

Hey All -

After several years of wonderful pleasure, Mrs Topless (with a little bit of nudging from me), has decided that it is time for her Audi to depart us (S4, 4.2 v8, Convertible, 2004, 72k - in case anyone is interested...). Right now the 2000 Spider is being finished up for her (and will be ready for the Spring), so there's no need for a convertible to replace the Audi.

Any suggestions for moderately sensible cars that are going to cover about 100 miles a day highway commuting in moderate to heavy traffic? She doesn't fancy the spider for the daily driver (a prior altercation with a Peterbilt put pay to that).

Thoughts?

A

[narfire]

Beemer M3 cabrio ......

Perhaps a 325 Beemer then..
Does VW make a convertible TDI? Golf, Jetta or beetle great mileage, good in traffic and will cruise all day at 140kmh if required.
I do like the German cars....
Chris

[garion]

Getting rid of the S4? Could it be because you need to change the timing chain, and its in the *back* of the engine?

Please don't tell me its Dolphin Grey.. please don't tell me its a stick...

I had an 04 A4 3.0 with a 6speed until it was crunched in an accident.. Car passing me in the HOV lane (I was in the non-HOV), was hit by someone, lost control and spun into me.. Hit me right in the B pillar.. A few inches forward and I would have been seriously injured... I loved that car.. I had an early 04, which still had what I called the 007 cig lighter. It was a 'hidden' panel you flip over to get at the lighter..

[Jimb]

Beemer M3 cabrio ......

Perhaps a 325 Beemer then..
Does VW make a convertible TDI? Golf, Jetta or beetle great mileage, good in traffic and will cruise all day at 140kmh if required.
I do like the German cars....
Chris

At the risk of sounding nit-picky, Beemer is slang for a BMW motorcycle. Bimmer is slang for the car.

Jim

[vandor]

A nice used Maserati?
The price drops when they hit 30k miles, as most need a $4000 clutch job by then.

You guys might go to Carmax and walk around on the lot for a bit to get ideas and see what she likes.

[SoFlaFiat]

Get a passat!
Po mans BIMMER!!
Not BEEMER!!
My wife loves hers!!

[toplessexpat]

Thanks all for the helpful comments

Csaba - CarMax is probably a good idea... at least to get ideas! Cambiocorsa Coupe is on my downselect list! So was the 4C until I a) sat in it, b) sat in the passenger seat, c) realized that it's virtually impossible for me to drive (height) and d) would cripple me for a distance over 20 miles, e) the only local one got bought...

The S4 is Zermat Silver (or whatever the Audi color is that looks like that!), but a slushbox, not stick. Sport mode is pretty handy.. and yes... the tucked away cigarette lighter....

Bimmers will get a look, but in today's discussions Mini's have come out as an unlikely candidate, in BRG

This won't be a rapid decision - thanks all for the input!

A

[spiderrey]

Pics of the audi

[narfire]

Beemer is slang for a BMW motorcycle. Bimmer is slang for the car

Sorry, sorry sorry....sheesh...several friends have BMW's inc. the M3. They enunciate "beemer"...

Bimmer sounds like a fan of Roy Forbes's previous incarnation.

[garion]

Two birds, one stone, the Mini is a Bimmer.

[Jimb]

I had an extremely rare 1990 E30 M3 Cabrio that I found in Switzerland and imported back in 2001. I reeeeaaaly regret selling her. She had under 7,000 miles when I sold her in 2008.
Magnificent car! Only 786 made world wide and all were sold only in Europe. I've a chance now to buy another from a friend who lives in Switzerland, but it would mean selling the Volumex to make room.



Hmmm....

Jim

[azruss]

A no brainer, jimb. go italiano

[Jimb]

A no brainer, jimb. go italiano

They are both beautiful and rare cars;
Volumex 200 made in 1983, and another 300 in 1985
E30 M3 Cabrio 786 total made between 1988 and 1991.
Neither was available in North America, both cars I do know very well. Both are amazing machines to drive (only in sunny & dry weather of course), although the BMW is much more powerful with a top speed of close to 260 klms/hr. Both cars are in amazing condition and are very reliable. One consideration has to be which one will hold it's value more?
Believe it or not while it is a nice problem to have, it is a haunting one. And of course my wife is no help. She just says do what you want.
Jim

[courtenay]

"Do what you want, Jim"???
Sounds like an invitation to keep the Volumex and buy the BMW to me...

[Jimb]

"Do what you want, Jim"???
Sounds like an invitation to keep the Volumex and buy the BMW to me...

Never thought of that, but it's certainly a viable option. After all it's hard to find a better venue for driving than our beautiful island.

Jim