Automobiles

Many automobiles today, it seems to me, suffer from one of two maladies...

1) They sacrifice all comfort in the name of economy. Or,
2) They take their role of symbolization too seriously and they wear it too prominently (i.e. they're overly masculine, overly luxurious, overly expensive).

As my old car heads north of 300,000 miles, I've been giving the topic of vehicles a bit more thought lately.

The question might be: what is the vehicle for a young American fellow that's neither incapable nor a compensatory mechanism; not conspicuous consumption but also not cheap; avoids killing the earth with fossil fuel consumption without giving off the air of being greener-than-thou? What is the vehicle for a man of the modern age?

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets...volvo_top.jpeg

It was really fugly, but my Honda element got me to start line or to the gig with no complaints.

Higher end? A used BMW 325 is the Gaulzetti Corsa of cars.

What in the world does "overly masculine" mean? I'm not going to let someone else's insecurities convince me that the Ford Mustang GT, BMW 7-Series, Aston-Martin DB9, Mercedes SLS AMG, and every full-size Ford or Chevy pickup aren't awesome.

If I could justify it, I'd buy a Ford Transit Connect.

If said young American fellow is a cyclist, a small station wagon is the logical choice.

Recent Volvo's lack any sportiness, unless you get an R model, at which point fuel consumption trends upward. BMW lacks cargo space. M-B is, well, dour. My vote would be for an Audi A4 Avant.

My Volvo is a 94 945 Turbo with 242K. I plan to keep it indefinitely and maintain it accordingly. My parents used to own a 1975 245 just like the one in the picture. Theirs was orange, I can't tell if that one is orange or yellow? Either way, I want it.

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Originally Posted by Ben

What in the world does "overly masculine" mean? I'm not going to let someone else's insecurities convince me that the Ford Mustang GT, BMW 7-Series, Aston-Martin DB9, Mercedes SLS AMG, and every full-size Ford or Chevy pickup aren't awesome.

If I could justify it, I'd buy a Ford Transit Connect.

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"Overly masculine" would best be described as anything parked on the street in the meatpacking district on a weekend night. Lime green Lambos or yellow Ferraris. Sorry, but the Aston does fit in that category. A good looker, but a "footballer's car," according to any host of Top Gear.

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Originally Posted by chasea

"Overly masculine" would best be described as anything parked on the street in the meatpacking district on a weekend night. Lime green Lambos or yellow Ferraris. Sorry, but the Aston does fit in that category. A good looker, but a "footballer's car," according to any host of Top Gear.

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Ha. I just saw that episode. Richard Hammond called it a footballer's car, a point of view to which Jeremy took vigorous exception.

In any event, Top Gear is the best thing on TV, in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by chasea

"Overly masculine" would best be described as anything parked on the street in the meatpacking district on a weekend night. Lime green Lambos or yellow Ferraris. Sorry, but the Aston does fit in that category. A good looker, but a "footballer's car," according to any host of Top Gear.

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I think my co-worker's soon to be re-delivered 800whp Nissan GT-R qualifies as the above. Crazy, but he sold a twin turbo'd Lambo Gallardo to go all stealthy and such.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/...e8b9209428.jpg


anyway, as you were.

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Originally Posted by nahtnoj

If said young American fellow is a cyclist, a small station wagon is the logical choice.

Recent Volvo's lack any sportiness, unless you get an R model, at which point fuel consumption trends upward. BMW lacks cargo space. M-B is, well, dour. My vote would be for an Audi A4 Avant.

My Volvo is a 94 945 Turbo with 242K. I plan to keep it indefinitely and maintain it accordingly. My parents used to own a 1975 245 just like the one in the picture. Theirs was orange, I can't tell if that one is orange or yellow? Either way, I want it.

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I've been giving a used Volvo XC70 some thought, as well as just taking a dive with a new Subaru since they've come down in price significantly. The only thing that scares me about the Volvo is the complex electrical system that nobody but a dedicated Volvo mechanic wants to work on. How has your 945 been?

We got a TDI Jetta wagon last year and fully plan to drive it into the ground, just like the Golf I had before that.
Fits bikes, dogs, kayaks, etc. 6-speed manual turbo, and 47mpg on the highway, even with my lead foot.

It's not sepia-toned like the Chets and Vanessas in that Volvo ad, but you could argue that this type of car is that old Swedish bucket's spiritual successor.

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Originally Posted by Ben

What in the world does "overly masculine" mean? I'm not going to let someone else's insecurities convince me that the Ford Mustang GT, BMW 7-Series, Aston-Martin DB9, Mercedes SLS AMG, and every full-size Ford or Chevy pickup aren't awesome.

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For me, working in academia, it's anything I feel self conscious driving for a variety of social functions. Or, it's anything I see someone carefully washing/waxing/armor-alling in a middling suburb.

I love my old truck but it loses on the fossil fuel count. I mitigate that by driving it once in a blue moon.

My wife's car is an Element and it's hard to beat for the OP's definition. Get a stick shift so the underwhelming engine isn't so noticeable, drop a few bucks on shocks, and go.

If I were in the new car market I'd look at Mazda. They drive well in my experience, have the decency to offer manual transmission, and have several wagons.

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Originally Posted by fatchanceti

I think my co-worker's soon to be re-delivered 800whp Nissan GT-R qualifies as the above. ][/url]

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My roommate's friend has one of those. He's the kind of guy who brags about his income and buys his way into cheeseball clubs; while crashing on my goddamned couch.

Further discussion of the Nissan GT-R should be directed to the old "geigh bars" thread on V-Salon, or any thuggish message board where things like New Era hats are a hot topic of discussion.

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Originally Posted by caleb

For me, working in academia, it's anything I feel self conscious driving for a variety of social functions. Or, it's anything I see someone carefully washing in a middling suburb.

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1. Teddy Roosevelt called. He said "'manly' and 'academic' aren't mutually exclusive, you simpering pussy."

2. As someone who routinely washes his vehicle in the driveway of his suburban home, I'm not entirely sure how I ought to take that.

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Originally Posted by chasea

My roommate's friend has one of those. He's the kind of guy who brags about his income and buys his way into cheeseball clubs; while crashing on my goddamned couch.

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Funny. This guy also get minimal pity around the office when he complains of having no $$$.


FCTi

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Originally Posted by Ben

1. Teddy Roosevelt called. He said "'manly' and 'academic' aren't mutually exclusive, you simpering pussy."

2. As someone who routinely washes his vehicle in the driveway of his suburban home, I'm not entirely sure how I ought to take that.

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I don't object to masculinity, but lately Brett Favre has been reminding Minnesotans that understatement, discretion, and modestly are always the greatest elements of fashion. Letting it all hang out can be a gamble.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/187730/sat...ler-commercial

I do like the idea of the Ford Transit Connect, though. Sprinters are cool, too.

Casino Royale, Bond drives a rental. Masculine enough for ya?

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/1...bondmondeo.jpg

i like my Tacoma. really want a Volvo XC70.

I don't see practicality anywhere in your post (and I'll probably get laughed at) but I used to be into cars. Did lots of racing (SCCA/Rally/stoplight) and lots of driving (stationed in Germany for most of my military career) and I've owned a bunch. A 69 Fastback, 94.5 TT Supra, WRX, STi, Evo...and my favorite car of all time...

My Miata. Holy shit I loved my Miata. It was raced, driven, drifted, rallied, Autobahned and made loved in (on?) all over the world. Hands down, without a shadow of a doubt the most fun, most reliable and most economical car I've ever owned. I really don't plan to buy another car, but if I ever do it will be another NA Miata. Put a small turbo on it and drive it until it blows up. If it ever blows up. Then swap an LS6 into it.

Best car. Ever.

No doubt the TDI Jetta wagon fits your model. That said I like the idea of recycled cars. Look at all the inexpensive 70's and 80's GM cars that can be had for dirt cheap. Take that car, lightly restore it with an modern LS engine out of an SUV wreck with an overdrive automatic...got it? If you spent $10,000 you did it wrong. Furthermore that vehicle will not go into an landfill (several times) or have to be manufactured several times, nobody will put a gun to your head for it and it will last as long as you care to maintain it. These cars are ridiculously comfortable and reasonably safe. With regards to the question do these make an "statement" or not? Well no kidding, but you have to make yourself happy and me personally I will never stop appreciating all the thumbs up I get when driving my 1951 or 1966 chevys. FWIIW the best d@mn car I ever had and hope to have it again someday was an 1968 chevy Fastback three on the tree 327. Super reliable, fast, comfortable and would hold 10 dead bodies in the trunk http://www.autoantigos.com/apps/phot...otoid=55187004

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Originally Posted by chasea

Higher end? A used BMW 325 is the Gaulzetti Corsa of cars.

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This is the correct answer (if enjoying the drive is high on your list).
E36 versions (mid-late 90s) can be had all day for sub $10k (no wagon/touring in the US)
E46 versions (00's +) in the $teens (wagon/touring available)
E90 versions (2006+) in the $20ks now. (wagon/touring available)

Back in late 2007 when we were shopping for a car for my wife I tried very hard to get her into an E46 325 touring, she chose one of our new models instead. Then a year later a friend sold his very very nice E90 325i for $22k or something ridiculous like that. If I wasn't company car'd, I would have been all over that.

FCTi