NationStates Jolt Archive

Yah, it's a little blogish, but bear with me...

Since there is nothing going on tonight I thought I would give an update on my car buying thing. About a month ago I was tossing up buying either a G35 or a SAAB 9-5 aero. (As per my thread back then).

So I ended up getting a 9-3 aero. Frankly, I cannot say enough about how good this car is. It's not as fast as the G, and it isn't as big as the 9-5, but shit, this has to be the best car that SAAB has ever turned out. Also, it gets the BBC world service, which makes it worthwhile in of itself.

pixplzkthanxbi

I want a delorian, with optional flux capaciter.

I want a delorian, with optional flux capaciter.

Without a flux capacitor, it is simply a stainless steel go-kart. I've seen one up close. The flux capacitor is what makes it glorious.

I guess no-one likes my car. :(

I remember making the argument that you should choose the Saab over the Infiniti because I didn't like Skylines.

My Jedi mind trick worked! Excellent. I'm off to make people buy me burritos.

I guess no-one likes my car. :(
pwns the hell outta my car. had to wiki it though.

I remember making the argument that you should choose the Saab over the Infiniti because I didn't like Skylines.

My Jedi mind trick worked! Excellent. I'm off to make people buy me burritos.

Well it worked I guess. YAY CTOAN.

And I'm actually very happy with it. So keep the mind tricks coming. (Though I chose a compromise saab).

Still, while you are around, can you explain what the hell a 'notchy' gearbox is. Is that car people thing for crap, or is there some type of deeper meaning.

I'm glad you're happy with your car, but SAABs get a big meh from me.

Well it worked I guess. YAY CTOAN.

And I'm actually very happy with it. So keep the mind tricks coming. (Though I chose a compromise saab).

Still, while you are around, can you explain what the hell a 'notchy' gearbox is. Is that car people thing for crap, or is there some type of deeper meaning.

It doesn't slide or flow into gear, you 'notch' it into gear-a more mechanical motion that doesn't lend it self to sawing the gears in the turns.

At least that's what I've always taken it to mean.

I'm glad you're happy with your car, but SAABs get a big meh from me.

It was a weird day when I noticed I had an aversion to size. I had always kind of respected the 3000GT but then I was looking at one one day and thought, 'Christ, I couldn't drive something that big.' And it's not that big.

I'm glad you're happy with your car, but SAABs get a big meh from me.

Well that's good, because the engine is from Australia.

It doesn't slide or flow into gear, you 'notch' it into gear-a more mechanical motion that doesn't lend it self to sawing the gears in the turns.

At least that's what I've always taken it to mean.

Yah, so basically a gearbox that just 'snicks' into place. And you aren't hunting for the right gear.

Well that's good, because the engine is from Australia.

Is it a V6? If so, it's made at Holden's Fishermans Bend plant, which is about 10 minutes walk from where I work in Port Melbourne.

Is it a V6? If so, it's made at Holden's Fishermans Bend plant, which is about 10 minutes walk from where I work in Port Melbourne.

Yah, it's a Holden V6. They made a big deal about it at the dealership.

Yah, it's a Holden V6. They made a big deal about it at the dealership.

they were not calling it by the name of Pontiac when telling you did they

It was a weird day when I noticed I had an aversion to size. I had always kind of respected the 3000GT but then I was looking at one one day and thought, 'Christ, I couldn't drive something that big.' And it's not that big.

Is that Mitsubishi 3000GT? The 4WD turbocharged monster?

they were not calling it by the name of Pontiac when telling you did they

No <1% american. I insist on that.

Is that Mitsubishi 3000GT? The 4WD turbocharged monster?

The same. It seems badass, but for some reason I just think of it as too big. I just have a thing for tiny cars, I think.

Yah, it's a Holden V6. They made a big deal about it at the dealership.

Why is that?

No <1% american. I insist on that.

thats good
never get use to the Holden Monaro been called Pontiac GTO

Why is that?

I don't know. Jeez, I'm not a car guy.

I thought it might be okay because of leg spin. But anyway, it is a big deal here in the states.

Apparently it's a super fantastic engine that goes all over the world and the germans buy it or something.

The same. It seems badass, but for some reason I just think of it as too big. I just have a thing for tiny cars, I think.

To me, that car was always "We made it because we can, not because we care about it, or are interested in making exciting cars." Technically it's impressive, but that's about the extent of it. There was no passion involved.

To me, that car was always "We made it because we can, not because we care about it, or are interested in making exciting cars." Technically it's impressive, but that's about the extent of it. There was no passion involved.

I have that very feeling about a lot of Japanese supercars.

I don't know. Jeez, I'm not a car guy.

I thought it might be okay because of leg spin. But anyway, it is a big deal here in the states.

Apparently it's a super fantastic engine that goes all over the world and the germans buy it or something.

It's exported around the world. It goes into Alfas too, unless I'm mistaken. I didn't know it was that flash though.

I have that very feeling about a lot of Japanese supercars.

I hear you. Despite that, I really like the Subey WRX, and I can't help but be impressed by the Skyline GTR. I love the RX7 though. They really got it right with that one.

It's exported around the world. It goes into Alfas too, unless I'm mistaken. I didn't know it was that flash though.

Apparently it is.


Go convicts!!!!!

Apparently it is.


Go convicts!!!!!

not all of us have convict backgrounds but we still make good things

not all of us have convict backgrounds but we still make good things

Admit it, you're in jail right now. ;)

Speaking of cars, my saga is still going. I thought I was gonna buy a Renaultsport Clio 172, then decided it was too expensive - and the very same day I wanted to tell them they tell me they sprayed transmission oil or something all over it and it ate the paint.

A WRX would be awesome, but it's expensive upfront, insurance is a bit of a bad joke and I hear the transmissions explode.

So I want an Integra VTI-R ("GSR" in the States), but the few on sale are abused and ran more than 200,000 km. The VTEC Civic is too weedy, I reckon, and the VTEC Preludes are ugly.

So again I'm forced to look at alternatives...old MR2 Targa (non-turbo...but they're old), Suzuki Cappucino (they look silly, but do a few things to them and shit starts to come together...plus you can enter them in baby class racing), non-turbo Toyota Supra (V6 => expensive to run, also got an image problem). Then a bunch of Nissans (the only decent ones are V6s, namely various Skylines and very, very maybe a late 300ZX).

Dammit. Why can't the perfect VTEC Integra just pop up out of nowhere?

As for the Saab...I reckon they look alright, but that's probably where it ends. If you want a Holden, get the new VE Senator. I saw one the other day...or rather I heard it. Sounds like from another era!

Suzuki CappucinoThere is a car named Cappucino? Seriously?

And people call me girly. :rolleyes:

There is a car named Cappucino? Seriously?

And people call me girly. :rolleyes:
Apparently. It'll be sorta hard to explain to people. Though I hear with a different exhaust and a bigger turbo, you won't have to. The thing weighs less than 700kg and can be good for plenty more than 100PS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Cappucino

EDIT: Found a vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLKzc5V9bfM

A SAAB? Okay...

A SAAB? Okay...

Well I like it.

You are, of course, free to think it is poo all you want.

Well I like it.

Good for you, but why then do you seek the validation of others?

You are, of course, free to think it is poo all you want.

I don't think SAABs are poo. They're just ubiquitous to the point of haunting my dreary existence.

Good for you, but why then do you seek the validation of others?

I don't really, this was just a continuation of another thread. I was bored and thought I should round it out. No real validation needed, I was just happy with the purchase is all.

I don't think SAABs are poo. They're just ubiquitous to the point of haunting my dreary existence.

Well they aren't around here. Maybe you should buy a Chevy.

I don't really, this was just a continuation of another thread. I was bored and thought I should round it out. No real validation needed, I was just happy with the purchase is all.

Materialism is surprisingly cheerful.

Well they aren't around here. Maybe you should buy a Chevy.

A US car? Are you crazy?

Materialism is surprisingly cheerful.


It really is though. I don't normally buy a lot of things because I am meaner than a scottish person. Yet this purchase has made me happy.

Win win really,

Apparently. It'll be sorta hard to explain to people. Though I hear with a different exhaust and a bigger turbo, you won't have to. The thing weighs less than 700kg and can be good for plenty more than 100PS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Cappucino

EDIT: Found a vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLKzc5V9bfM
Huh, doesn't look like a girly car at all. Never seen it before, either, at least that I know of.

But seriously - don't you think there's something off about the shape?

http://www.automobile-sportive.com/guide/suzuki/cappuccinosport/cappuccinosport-ouverture.jpg

It looks like it's hunkered down and pouting because somebody shrank it in the wash.

A US car? Are you crazy?

They are more durable than you might think...we've had our Ford Windstar for almost six years now, and it's had the same tires for the last four...and this is a minivan that has been driving up and down from Bailey to Denver for most of that time, as well as all over these mountain roads, in icy and snowy and wet conditions, with all sorts of interesting things occuring to it, including at least three separate accidents(all precipitated by the other driver involved) yet it still keeps going just fine...other than body work from the accidents it hasn't needed any real repair at all, just simple maintenence.

...

On another token...Suzuki Cappuccino, huh? I'm sorry, but that's just too funny. :D

Huh, doesn't look like a girly car at all. Never seen it before, either, at least that I know of.
I had never even heard of it until today. Then a mate who now drives a ridiculous 208PS Suzuki Swift GTI told me about it. He's at hill climbs and other amateur racing events a lot, and he heard about them there.

They're a bit of a trade secret, because they're light-weight, rear-wheel drive and can be cheaply modified because Suzuki had to deliberately restrict power to make it comply with Japanese kei car regulations.

And then I saw a really good deal for a 1999 model not too far away from here, so I'm very seriously considering it.

But seriously - don't you think there's something off about the shape?
Yeah, pretty they ain't. But I suppose when you're sitting inside you don't have to look at it.

Plus, with the right wheels and spoiler, they can look pretty mean. And no one will know what it is.

Also, ROFLMAO³! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJgxMoDn8VA)

They're a bit of a trade secret, because they're light-weight, rear-wheel drive and can be cheaply modified because Suzuki had to deliberately restrict power to make it comply with Japanese kei car regulations.Sounds cool for what you're looking for.

Yeah, pretty they ain't. But I suppose when you're sitting inside you don't have to look at it.Well, it's not exactly ugly. Just really, really odd. Like a comic book version of a sports car version of Chrysler's Al Capone car the name of which I can never remember.

Plus, with the right wheels and spoiler, they can look pretty mean. And no one will know what it is.It already looks mean as it is. Like it's going to jump at you and bite your ankle. It's just the right height for that, too. ;)

Also, ROFLMAO³! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJgxMoDn8VA)Hee. I want to see it go!

Speaking of cars, my saga is still going. I thought I was gonna buy a Renaultsport Clio 172, then decided it was too expensive - and the very same day I wanted to tell them they tell me they sprayed transmission oil or something all over it and it ate the paint.

A WRX would be awesome, but it's expensive upfront, insurance is a bit of a bad joke and I hear the transmissions explode.

So I want an Integra VTI-R ("GSR" in the States), but the few on sale are abused and ran more than 200,000 km. The VTEC Civic is too weedy, I reckon, and the VTEC Preludes are ugly.

So again I'm forced to look at alternatives...old MR2 Targa (non-turbo...but they're old), Suzuki Cappucino (they look silly, but do a few things to them and shit starts to come together...plus you can enter them in baby class racing), non-turbo Toyota Supra (V6 => expensive to run, also got an image problem). Then a bunch of Nissans (the only decent ones are V6s, namely various Skylines and very, very maybe a late 300ZX).

Dammit. Why can't the perfect VTEC Integra just pop up out of nowhere?

As for the Saab...I reckon they look alright, but that's probably where it ends. If you want a Holden, get the new VE Senator. I saw one the other day...or rather I heard it. Sounds like from another era!

Dude, what happened to the MX-5?

And I had a Cappuccino...in Gran Turisimo...it was fun. They actually export those to Australia? I thought that was a Japan only car.

Dude, what happened to the MX-5?
Long story short, I decided it wasn't for me. I had a test drive in the second generation model, and didn't like it much.

Which may or may not mean that I won't like the Suzuki either, but I'll give it a shot.

Also, ROFLMAO³! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJgxMoDn8VA)
Me wantee...

And how could they not show it going? gah

And how could they not show it going? gah
Maybe this will cheer you up instead then: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPQIizRp9ck

Made me lol.

Maybe this will cheer you up instead then: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPQIizRp9ck

Made me lol.

Me wantee also...a whole lot of street racers would be mighty embarrassed to be taken by a tiny little Smart. hehehehehe

They are more durable than you might think...we've had our Ford Windstar for almost six years now, and it's had the same tires for the last four...and this is a minivan that has been driving up and down from Bailey to Denver for most of that time, as well as all over these mountain roads, in icy and snowy and wet conditions, with all sorts of interesting things occuring to it, including at least three separate accidents(all precipitated by the other driver involved) yet it still keeps going just fine...other than body work from the accidents it hasn't needed any real repair at all, just simple maintenence.
Six years? That's not that bad. Still, in a year or two, that van is going to be at the end of its life.

Speaking of cars, my saga is still going. I thought I was gonna buy a Renaultsport Clio 172, then decided it was too expensive - and the very same day I wanted to tell them they tell me they sprayed transmission oil or something all over it and it ate the paint.

A WRX would be awesome, but it's expensive upfront, insurance is a bit of a bad joke and I hear the transmissions explode.

So I want an Integra VTI-R ("GSR" in the States), but the few on sale are abused and ran more than 200,000 km. The VTEC Civic is too weedy, I reckon, and the VTEC Preludes are ugly.

So again I'm forced to look at alternatives...old MR2 Targa (non-turbo...but they're old), Suzuki Cappucino (they look silly, but do a few things to them and shit starts to come together...plus you can enter them in baby class racing), non-turbo Toyota Supra (V6 => expensive to run, also got an image problem). Then a bunch of Nissans (the only decent ones are V6s, namely various Skylines and very, very maybe a late 300ZX).

Dammit. Why can't the perfect VTEC Integra just pop up out of nowhere?

As for the Saab...I reckon they look alright, but that's probably where it ends. If you want a Holden, get the new VE Senator. I saw one the other day...or rather I heard it. Sounds like from another era!

How about a Nissan Silvia/180SX/200SX. They're a pretty decent car, particularly the final version. I test drove a 2nd hand version of the 200SX (I was thinking of trading in my 306) & it was a hoot.

The Honda Integra Type-R is pretty good too. The CRX isn't bad either, but it's getting pretty old now.



Edit: The Smart is fucking awesome! :D

Dude, what happened to the MX-5?

And I had a Cappuccino...in Gran Turisimo...it was fun. They actually export those to Australia? I thought that was a Japan only car.

Probably not an official import by the manufacturer, but as a limited numbers "grey" import. We get quite a few Japanese exotics (Skyline GTR, Pulsar GTi-R, Supra, Soarer, etc) that way.

How about a Nissan Silvia/180SX/200SX.
Hmm, I was considering them as a sort of final option if all else fails. I don't really like the look of them, nor the image. And insurance is silly.

To be honest, before I take a 200SX, I'd probably claw some more money together from somewhere and get a Scooby.

The Honda Integra Type-R is pretty good too.
Definitely, but I can't afford one, so I have to go with a VTI-R instead.