AKA "The Car Thread"

The new issue of Car and Driver came in the office mail, so I'm perusing it as I check the boards and wait for lunch to be delivered.

I was surprised at the outcome of their high-end performance comparo: BMW M3 vs. Porsche 911 Turbo vs. Nissan GT-R. For those of you who want to be surprised, I'll use the fancy spoiler button:



So I'm thinking, what will my next fun car be? I miss my 1997 BMW Z3. I would really like another convertible, but alas, with the new practice still getting up to speed, student loans, yada yada, it's probably not in the cards for a couple of years. That said, it's still fun to speculate what I'd get if I had the ready cash. In my price range, I'd consider the BMW Z4, although I only partially warmed up to their styling, or a used Boxster, or a new Mini, or a 350Z.

For 4-seaters, the Volvo C70 and BMW 3 series look good.

If price were no object, I'd get a low miles BMW Z8, my dream car.

Many of you (Dennis' recent post leaps to mind, as well as HomeDad's NSX and mdrew's various toys) have shared what automotive toys you have or would like to have. How about the rest of you? What cars get your guys' motors running?

I'm not really a car guy, but I'm interested in the Tesla Roadster.

I'm pining for more money. Then I'll pine for a new car. With the price of gas, perhaps a 6-seater moped?

Yeah, I've checked it out (not in person, in print/web), but between the price ($100,000) and it being based on the ultra-tiny Lotus Elise, sounds like it's not a good fit for me.

But if they embiggened it and money were no object, then ...

MD,

I have always loved the Z8 as well, when I get enough money someday, I will sport that convertible for sure! My other dream car is a BMW M5, I love how its the wolf in sheeps clothing, with the current generation sporting 500hp, it truly is the master of disguise.

AC Cobra(427), the original supercar. I am sure I will have to build a kit version, I am pretty sure I will never have the ~$1,000,000 to get an original.

That's my dream car. But like you, I will have to settle for a kit. I've been looking at the latest offerings from Factory 5 Racing. They have a rolling chassis with carbon fiber body now that looks like it might be worth a closer look. I’d drop a LS7 crate motor and vette six speed into it.

Either that or I’m probably going to buy a new Shelby Mustang convertible. That is if I can find one that the dealer hasn’t added 20K to the MSRP.

Grr, tell me about it with the dealer mark-up on the nice, select cars. Just because a person is discriminating with cars, the bargaining power goes out the window. Stupid law of supply and demand!

How big are you? I saw on JayLenosGarage.com that he drove one just fine. But then you still have the price tag....

I am a fan of "less common" cars. I was a fan of Lamborghini back before anyone knew what they were. I liked De Tomaso Pantera back then too. Always a fan of the 427 Cobra, and with Gone in 60 Seconds, I'd love to drive an Elanor. You can keep the Porsche and Ferrari, for massive fun in a small package, give me the Ariel Atom!!!! That car is INSANE in performance but doesn't cost $1.5M like the Bugatti Veyron.

If I could ever afford to buy a car for someone else though, I'd pick a 1967 Pontiac Firebird convertible for my dad. He bought one new and had it for 2 years before he had to sell it for a STATION WAGON when my sister was born... He talks about that car to this day.

Porsche Carrera GT, Ferrari Enzo (GT's prettier, I'm sorry to say), Ferrari 250 GTO. Hell, pretty much any Ferrari.

In the vaguely more affordable realm, I think the Porsche Cayman is gorgeous (better looking than the Boxster), Corvettes are always a good option, and of course the M3 is marvelous.

In my affordable realm... well, nothing, really. Sigh.