Paul M. wrote:
>>But the WRX, EVO and S2000 are very expensive. And
>>that's
>>before the gouging the dealers are getting.
>
>
> Hmmmm... I don't know about that. What's expensive
> anymore? The SVT Focus is around $20k. The SRT-4 is
> around $22k.
I left the SRT-4 and SVT out of my statement.
> The WRX and EVO start in the mid-20's
> and go up to the low 30's.
For a sub-compact, those are pretty expensive. The STi
starts over $30k and I think the Evo does too.
> Those prices, like it or
> not, are not that expensive any more. Check out what
> a nicely-equipped Accord will set you back these days,
> or a midrange minivan, or a decent SUV. All these
> vehicles are in the mid twenties to low 30's, and as a
> result, the prices for modern performance alternatives
I know, I'm going to have to buy a car next year. We're
hoping that Mazda USA brings the 6 wagon. I've got mail
from them that says that they are, but the press have since
said that they aren't. The 6 with the big engine and a bunch
of stuff is about $25k.
> seems every bit as reasonable as the prices for our
> old MGs must have seemed compared to the competitors
> of the day. I mean, let's be realistic - the days of
> the cool $14k car are over (potential Razor
> notwithstanding, but their price prediction seems
> unreasonably low to me, even if it makes it into
> production). And dealer gouging? Build more cars,
> generate more competition in the marketplace, and the
> gouging goes away.
The thing is, for me now, a sports car is a 3rd car. An
extra fun thing. I can not spend $30k on something. In the
3 years that I've owned the 'B, I think I may be coming up on
$5k including buying and license and insurance.
>
>>I think you're right here. Bring the ZS in full boy
>>racer
>>mode, and you have something that the 'fast and
>>furious'
>>crowd might be interested in. That, whatever old
>>curmudgeons
>>want to argue against, is where the future of
>>motorsports
>>is.
>
>
> Couldn't agree more. Modern hot rodders, modern car
> enthusiasts, and they put their money where their
> mouths are. And I honestly don't beleive a car like
> the WRX or SRT-4 would exist over here if it wasn't
> for the sport compact market.
>
>
>>Sports sedans of the 90s to today are much better in
>>performance, handling and convenence than our old
>>sports
>>cars.
>
>
> I don't know about this. There has been "progress" in
> a sense, but regression in another sense. Are they
> really "better"? I read an article in Grassroots
> Motorsports some months back where a new Honda Odessey
> minivan spanked a Porsche 356 and Jaguar XKE around an
> autocross course. Modern tire technology is primarily
> responsible, but still. So cars are quicker and
> quieter and safer and heavier and more luxurious, but
> also (in my opinion) more homogenous and dull.
I never said anything about excitement. The 911 of today
is an amazing vehicle. Me, I'd perfer an early 70s version,
like the RS, complete with the "if you make a mistake driving,
the rear end is going to be in the lead" handling.
> Everything sorta looks the same to me and sounds the
> same and everything sorta has the same crap on it.
> There are a million different bland 2.0L fours running
> around, a million different 3.8L sixes... nothing with
> any passion. Occasionally a car like the BMW M-Coupe
> will come along and shake things up a bit, but not
> often (another dismal sales failure, I note...)
Yeah, odd styling, that I personally liked.
But then, I'm odd.
--
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