Dream Car Hierarchy

[Abstract]

Yay, another car thread!!

Pick the car you would choose within each price range. Despite being Canadian and temporarily Aussie, we're still going to use price ranges in US dollars in order to be accomodating to Americans, because that's what we do with our currencies anyway. Also, you can list old cars as well, even cars from the 1960's and what not. Just list the price for those of us who don't know better. :p


Currency Conversions:

Canadian and Aussie Dollars: Multiply price of car by 0.70
UK: Multiply price by 0.40
Euro's: Multiply price by 1.2

Car price ranges:

Below $20000:
$20001 to $25000:
$25001 to $35000:
$35000 to $45000:
$45000 to $60000:
Over $60001:

[dopefiend]

Below $20000: 2004 Neon SRT-4
$20001 to $25000: 2002 trans am ws6
$25001 to $35000: 2004 GTO red/black
$35000 to $45000: 2003 Z06 Corvette
$45000 to $60000: 2002-2003 m5
Over $60001: 2004 Ford GT <---bout $150,000


:D

[Abstract]

Why a Neon? My friend has a Neon from 2001, and its unreliable as hell. The specs look good, but its like the Windows of cars. :p

[dopefiend]

Why a Neon? My friend has a Neon from 2001, and its unreliable as hell. The specs look good, but its like the Windows of cars. :p


Best bang for your buck for sure.

Totally different engine compared to that neon of your friends as well :p

[mkrishnan]

Below $20000: Mazda 3 or Mini Cooper (I'm a chassis guy! :))
$20001 to $25000: Hmmm...I guess I can squeeze the Prius in here? There aren't many cars in this price range I care for.
$25001 to $35000: Mazda RX8 (?)
$35000 to $45000: Lotus Elise :) or maybe the new SLK
$45000 to $60000: Mercedes CLK320
Over $60001: Hmmm...I guess the SL500 is the only car in this range I would buy even if I *could* afford it...in general I don't like big cars.

But mostly Mazdas for their chassis and Mercedes for their pwettiness. :)

[Blackstealth]

Not much cash to play with but here we go (chosen left hand drive to save pennies where possible)...

Below $20000/£10908: '93 Saab 900 Aero (One of the last 'classics' built) - £5495 from UK specialist
$20001/£10909 to $25000/£13635: '95 Audi RS2 Avant (LHD) - £12,495 from UK specialist
$25001/£13636 to $35000/£19089: '98 Maserati Quattroporte Evoluzione (LHD) - £16,415 from German specialist
$35000/£19090 to $45000/£24543: '04 Volvo S60 D5 SE - £24,113 from Volvo main dealer
$45000/£24544 to $60000/£32724: '95 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (LHD) - £31,490 from German specialist
Over $60001/£32725: '97 McLaren F1 LM - Got £1m+ to spare?

[mkrishnan]

$35000/£19001 to $45000/£24000: '04 Volvo S60 D5 SE

Is D5 a diesel inline 5? How are volvo diesels (they don't sell them here, surprise surprise). The S60 does seem very nice. I would like to see how the S40 turned out soon too. I love the way the C-pillar area looks on these two cars. And the C1 focus platform can't be such a bad basis for the new S40. Add the fact that they're finally marketing volvos with manual transmission in the US. :D

[Blackstealth]

Is D5 a diesel inline 5? How are volvo diesels

Yep, the D5 is an inline 5 diesel and it's as smooth as silk. Plenty of torque (250lb/ft IIRC) and 160bhp to play with. We had a S60 for 2.5 years just after they were launched; great car, good looking, very comfortable, and very fast (even in 2.0 LPT spec). The only real downsides to it were the turning circle and the trunk opening is exceedingly narrow.

[iGav]

Below $20000/£10908: pre-owned Mitsubishi Galant Sport 2.5 V6 Tiptronic (about £8-9k)

$20001/£10909 to $25000/£13635: pre-owned Audi TT (before Audi fiddled with the aero and roll bars) (£13.5k)

$25001/£13636 to $35000/£19089: pre-owned Audi Allroad 2.7 Quattro (£19k)

$35000/£19090 to $45000/£24543: pre-enjoyed ;) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 (£24k)

$45000/£24544 to $60000/£32724: Audi S4 Avant (£30k+)

Over $60001/£32725: Like there's a choice... :) has to be the Daddy Enzo. Vroom. Vroom. ;)

[craigdawg]

< $20K = Mini Cooper
$20K - $25K = VW GTI VR6
$25K - $30K = Audi 1.8T Quattro
$30K - $35K = Infiniti G35
$35K - $40K = Nissan 350Z Roadster
$45K - $50K = Cadillac CTS-V
$50K - $55K = Chevy Corvette Z06
$55K - $60K = BMW M3 Convertible
>$60K = Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG!

[Abstract]

I would like to see how the S40 turned out soon too. I love the way the C-pillar area looks on these two cars. And the C1 focus platform can't be such a bad basis for the new S40. Add the fact that they're finally marketing volvos with manual transmission in the US. :D
Well, the new Focus itself is boring, but the Mazda 3 is based on the same platform, so yeah, you're probably right about it being a decent basis for the new S40. Hope they get it right and make it a real Volvo, though.

Below $20000: Mazda 3 Sport (hatchback)
$20001 to $25000: Toyota Prius. :cool:
$25001 to $35000: Acura TSX or Mazda RX-8
$35000 to $45000: Nissan 350Z Roadster
$45000 to $60000: BMW M5
Over $60001: A brand-spankin' new Porsche....any kind (except the Cayenne). :D

[mkrishnan]

Well, the new Focus itself is boring, but the Mazda 3 is based on the same platform, so yeah, you're probably right about it being a decent basis for the new S40. Hope they get it right and make it a real Volvo, though.

Are there pictures out of what the new *european* C1 focus looks like? I haven't been able to find any. :( You know that the upcoming Focus in Europe and the "new" Focus in the USA are completely different beasts, right? The former is a new platform share with the 3 and S40, but the latter is just a refresh of the current US C170 focus, because poor whiny US Ford couldn't amortize their tools quickly enough. :(

The TSX is a good choice BTW. Both that and the new TL look like a move in a really good direction for Acura....

[poopyhead]

Below $20000: alfa ossa di seppia/duetto
$20001 to $25000: alfa gta twinspark (1970's)
$25001 to $35000: new alfa gtv6
$35000 to $45000: bmw z4
$45000 to $60000: morgan plus 8
Over $60001: Auburn boattail speedster or maybe a cord l-29 cabriolet

[Counterfit]

under $20k: Mazda 3
$20k1-$25k: '04 Buick LeSabre :D (just kidding. Man, I wish my parents had gone for an Impala instead :()
$25k1-$35k:'04 Subaru Impreza WRX STi (got enough acronyms? :p)
$35k1-$45k: '04 Volvo S60R (I considered the Audi RS6, but I couldn't find a price)
$45k1-$60k: '04 BMW M3
>$60k: Ferrari F2004 :D Street legal alternative: 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO *drool*. Modern alternative, Mr. Enzo :)

[Abstract]

Are there pictures out of what the new *european* C1 focus looks like? I haven't been able to find any. :( You know that the upcoming Focus in Europe and the "new" Focus in the USA are completely different beasts, right? The former is a new platform share with the 3 and S40, but the latter is just a refresh of the current US C170 focus, because poor whiny US Ford couldn't amortize their tools quickly enough. :(

The TSX is a good choice BTW. Both that and the new TL look like a move in a really good direction for Acura....

The TSX is god-like. Why would I want a TL when the TSX is so incredible for the price? Japanese cars kick some major ass. I don't know what they're smoking over there, but they get it. To me, Honda is the Apple of the car industry. They reliably bringing out cars that are top notch for their price. Toyota is as well, but their designs are more boring, not that Honda is a trailblazer in that respect. European cars are nice, but the reliability of the new cars is very poor.
Toyota only get a thumbs up because of the effort they put into their hybrid tech out there. US companies are bringing out hybrids because Toyota showed the industry that it can be done well, and that people genuinely show interest.

@mkrishnan: I didn't know that the Euro and US versions of the Ford were different. I believe I saw a picture of the Euro version, and the edges were rounded so that it would have a greater apppeal to "the masses". :mad: Other than the fact that its the most unreliable car in history, the Ford Focus was really a great car. ;)

[IIvan]

under $20k: Used porsche 911 or 944 maybe
$20k1-$25k: 04 prius
$25k1-$35k:
> something sporty and convertible
$35k1-$45k:
$45k1-$60k: Mercedess SLK or whatever- the Kompressor thing
>$60k: buy 30 POS cars and run them all into the ground and give the rest to charity!

btw- those new GTOs- what the **** was GM thinking?

[dopefiend]

btw- those new GTOs- what the **** was GM thinking?

They aren't new.

They are just an Import from Australia, but they do the 1/4 in the 13's with a 0-60 of 5.3 .....love that ls1 making 350hp/365tq :D

[mkrishnan]

btw- those new GTOs- what the **** was GM thinking?

They were thinking...original Mad Max Mel Gibson hot rod action, baby! :)

But seriously, I thought that car was mega-ultra-super ugly when I saw pictures but in person I thought it was okay. Nice interior. But I like the Ford and DCX reinterpretations of the muscle car *look* better than the GTO. :(

[snooziums]

Car price ranges:

Below $20000:
$20001 to $25000:
$25001 to $35000:
$35000 to $45000:
$45000 to $60000:
Over $60001:

Below $20000 = Ford F-150 with vinyl seats and no radio
$20001 to $25000 = Ford F-150 reg. cab
$25001 to $35000 = Ford F-150 super-crew
$35000 to $45000 = Ford F-350 dual
$45000 to $60000 = Ford F-350 dual with class-V towing
Over $60001 = Ford F-770 Semi-Tractor with all the trimmings

[Abstract]

^^Unless you're farming or in construction....... :confused:

Here's what happened: Holden is an Australian company, and is owned by GM. Holden makes a good, fast car. GM can't do it themselves, so it looks at Holden, see's a very good car that they just happen to own anyway, rebadge it, and called it a GTO. New car model in minutes!

[IIvan]

Couldn't they have made it at least a little more different from all there other cars i.e. Pontiac? Its like they were just desperate for some sort of gimmick to boost sales and thought hmmm..... lets rebadge one of our products and spiff it up a little and call it THE NEW GTO- seems tasteless to me

[bousozoku]

^^Unless you're farming or in construction....... :confused:

Here's what happened: Holden is an Australian company, and is owned by GM. Holden makes a good, fast car. GM can't do it themselves, so it looks at Holden, see's a very good car that they just happen to own anyway, rebadge it, and called it a GTO. New car model in minutes!

That's scary--a Holden. Of course, it's not the first time Pontiac has used outside help. There was a Pontiac LeMans which was a Dae Woo. :eek: It was an Opel Kadette design but not well executed. Then again, the Chevrolet Chevette was also build from an earlier Kadette design. :eek: :eek:

It's scary to think how far the GTO has fallen. My mum had a 1969 GTO with 400 cu. in. (6.6 litre) engine and 4 barrel carb. and automatic transmission. Driven badly, it could rip the (bias belted) tires off the rims. With all that torque, it would slide in an instant on snow but on a dry road overtaking another car, it was something else. (Don't ask about the 1973 or 1974 models.)

[blackfox]

Below $20000: early to mid 80's 300TD Mercedes Wagon...love those things...possibly Saab 900, before it was bought by GM and still had ignition key in center console...
$20001 to $25000: mid 80's AWD limited-edition VW Westaphalia
$25001 to $35000:late 70's/early 80's Citroen CX...so futuristic...
$35000 to $45000: mid 60's Jaguar XKE...most beautiful car ever IMO...
$45000 to $60000: mid 60's Aston Martin (a la James Bond)
Over $60001:1964 Jaguar XK 13...very sleek, very fast...
prices approximated, plus upkeep/restoration considerations

[krimson]

Car price ranges:

Below $20000: VW GTI ($19.9k)
$20001 to $25000: Mini Cooper S ($20.5k)
$25001 to $35000: VW R32 ($29.6k)
$35000 to $45000: Infinity G35 ($33.5k)
$45000 to $60000: Audi S4 Tip ($47.5k)
Over $60001: Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II ($80k US imported price)

(Over $100,000: RUF Yellowbird)

[parrothead]

I'd have to say that there really are not all that many dream cars for me. I don't really categorize by cost, I just would love to own these cars at any price (given I had the money!)

1979-1984 Toyota Landcruiser FJ40 (fully restored condition)
Late model Toyota Landcruiser FJ78 Troopcarrier
Any 5 speed Land Rover Defender 90
Any Land Rover Defender 110

[Counterfit]

$45000 to $60000: mid 60's Aston Martin (a la James Bond) A DB4 eh? And you think you can find one for under $60k? AAAHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH *breathe* AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Yeah, that's not going to happen :D

[blackfox]

A DB4 eh? And you think you can find one for under $60k? AAAHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH *breathe* AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Yeah, that's not going to happen :D
I was guessing, I am afraid...I am not that much of a car fanatic...I stand corrected.

*edit* I did find a '63 for sale for 49,000 pounds...pretty good condition...so I was reasonably close...

[Abstract]

If you don't consider inflation, maybe that's how much James Bond would have paid for it in the 60's!! :p

Its a nice car, but seriously, a James Bond car from the 60's may cost more than that.

[_bnkr612]

$20K = 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sahara {green}
$20K - $25K = 2001 Jeep Cherokee Limited {silver}
$25K - $30K = Mint 1965*Porsche 912 {catch me if you can red.}
$30K - $35K = 1996 Land Rover Defender 90 {navy blue}
$35K - $40K = 1994 Soft Top Hummer {schwarzenegger color}
$45K - $50K = 2003 Porsche Boxster {black}
$50K - $55K = 1998 27' Tradewinds Motor Home {ugly motorhome color}
$55K - $60K = 2003 A8 Audi Quattro {midnight blue}
Priceless = My father's homemade car, 1965 JRP. {aluminum body no color}

[blackfox]

If you don't consider inflation, maybe that's how much James Bond would have paid for it in the 60's!! :p

Its a nice car, but seriously, a James Bond car from the 60's may cost more than that.
You know, just to allay any confusion, I just wanted a normal model, not one w/ a bullet-proof screen, oil-slick capabilities, ejector-seats and machine-gun bays...that does bring the cost down a bit :)

[mkrishnan]

You know, just to allay any confusion, I just wanted a normal model, not one w/ a bullet-proof screen, oil-slick capabilities, ejector-seats and machine-gun bays...that does bring the cost down a bit :)

Come on, go for the bespoke Vanquish. You deserve it. :D