So I had some spare time at lunch today (mainly because I choose not to eat the slop they try to pass off as food in the basement-level cafeteria) and I was thinking about cars again.. you see, before I left the comforts of Southern California, I had a 2001 Is300.. it was the car I wanted back in 2000 when Lexus made the announcement that they would be selling an “entry level sport-luxury car”.. ok, so the ’sport’ part as well as the ‘luxury’ part is debatable.. but bottom line, it was Lexus’s entry into the low-mid $30k car market.. perfect for someone like myself.. with a 1987 RX7 Turbo II project car in the garage that I could work on (that’s debatable also) and getting a little to old to be zipping around in my car at the time, a 1986 Toyota MR2 with an HKS turbo kit with an XS Engineering T28 pushing a whopping 4.5psi (just barely enough to blow a head gasket).. but, as life would have it, I couldn’t afford a 30-something thousand dollar car at the time and I was still getting used to the whole “house payment thing”.. anyhow, finally, in May of 2003, I decided to get a used IS (thats after I drove a 1994 Civic EX Coupe for 4 years and bought a new 2003 Honda Pilot as the family car).. although the car was used and in slightly-less than perfect condition (dings here and there, etc), I still liked it a lot. Driving to and from work was the best part of the day.. what was I talking about again? Oh yeah.. looking at new cars.. anyway, I figure when I get to move back to So Cal, I’ll be ready to purchase a new car.. so I’ve been thinking..

2004-2005 Infiniti G35 Sedan
I really liked the idea of this car when it was introduced.. it was perfect, 260 horsepower, 4 doors, and Infiniti quality and service.. but as I saw more and more of them on the street, I grew to dislike the sedan (I still love the coupe, but thats not practical for a family man like myself). It was kind of ugly.. everytime I saw one, I thought it looked too “tall” and it was too “narrow”.. I’m sure its nothing a 2″ drop and a set of 19″ Volks couldnt fix, but still.. the car just didnt look good to me anymore.. the new 6 speed with the Brembo brakes is nice.. but still.. kind of ugly.. whoa, I just found out that in 2005, the G35 is getting a facelift (minor change) and more horsepower! The VQ35 is going to offer 277hp now, with a new Sport coupe model offering somewhere around 295hp! nice work, Nissan!

2004-2005 Acura TL
The new one is pretty nice.. when I first saw spy pics, I thought it would be a cool car to own.. it looked good, interior was nice, Honda’s reliability, and Honda’s ability to squeeze 260 (or was it 270?) horsepower from a 3.2 liter.. problem was, it was front wheel drive.. granted, it wasnt a problem before, but after driving my IS, I learned to appreciate the balance of a rear-wheel drive car (whereas when I was in college, rear-wheel drive just meant one more thing to worry about in fast, hard corners).. then, like the G35, the more I saw the TL, the more I began to think it looked like a Chrysler Sebring (at least from the back).. I still like the car.. but another turn off was that it is based on the Accord chassis.. that would be like buying a Lexus ES330 knowing its just a Camry in disguise. But, like I said, I still like the car and what it “stands” for.. so I won’t cross the TL off my list..

2006 Lexus GS330
Its ugly and will most definitely be out of my league.. ’nuff said.. but, here’s a pic.. I dunno.. I’ve seen some “better” pics.. but still.. I dont like the back.. I like a clearly defined trunk lid.. not that sloped, wanna-be hatchback/stationwagon look.. I could care less if it has more headroom or whatever.. I’m not sitting in the back :lol:..

2006 Lexus IS
Although right now its mainly rumor and pure speculation.. fact is, Lexus will be coming out with a successor to the current IS.. I’ve read that it should be out by November 2005.. but we’ll see.. rumors have been saying that the next IS will have a 3.5 liter V6 that should be making around 250hp.. 250hp is OK, I guess.. better than 215.. but still, sounds a little underpowered compared to everyone else.. a good source of 2006 IS rumors is IS300.net and Autospies.com..

I’m also considering a used car again.. financially, its much more wise.. buy a car after its already done most of its depreciating.. maybe after 1-2 years.. thinking about it, the main reasons, for me, to want a new car are: (1) body style won’t be outdated as quickly and (2) its new. Anyhow.. here’s what I’d consider in the Used category:

2002+ Lexus IS300
Yeah, I had one.. but seriously, for about $20k (with about 30k miles and 1-2 years left on the factory warranty), its a great deal.. there’s not much new you could get for $20k and be “happy”.. a Honda Accord with a V6 would run you more than $20k.. the only thing is the new body would be coming out.. and even though you could be happier than a pig in shit with your 2002 IS300, when the 2006 comes out, you’ll feel like your car is all old and broke down n’ stuff.. I dunno.. thats how I’d feel, I think.. especially since the 2006 will probably so much better in every aspect..

2004 Subaru WRX
Can’t deny that the WRX is a great platform for “fun with horsepower and boost”.. and with Subaru’s notorious depreciation, I could probably pick up a 2004 WRX for like $15k when I get back (which is soon, hopefully) :lol:.. toss another few thousand on it for a turbo upgrade, intercooler upgrade, suspension, some modest 18″ wheels, various electronics.. and I’d be a happy camper.. shoot for maybe 300hp? Oh, can’t forget the clutch.. got to have a good clutch.. only problem is, it’s a Subaru.. the interior will always feel cheap (always reminds me of an ol’ skewl Nissan Sentra) and it may (or may not..but may, more likely) fall apart in the near future..

Thats about it.. haven’t thought about used car as much.. of course, when I get back, I will need a car ASAP.. so I might just end up buying whats convenient.. or just really cheap..

Cars | 6 Comments »