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+--- Thread: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo (/showthread.php?tid=5304)
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Jake - 08-08-2014
Jim K. from the racetrack texted me about this loaner, he got to flog a manual-trans 320i around Jefferson circuit last weekend and was, erm, unimpressed.
![[Image: MRm8q6g.png]](http://i.imgur.com/MRm8q6g.png)
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Evan - 08-08-2014
SlimKlim Wrote:Still too expensive IMO. You're looking at almost $36k for 190ish? horsepower, sport package, plastic seats, no lumbar support, no keyless, no auto-dim, no heated anything.thats why Ill never buy another 'luxo' brand. when the base model isnt even as good as a base camry, and youre paying $15k just for a badge on the hood.
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - G.Irish - 08-08-2014
Evan Wrote:I think the way BMW gets away with it is the heavily subsidized leases. If you took leases out of the equation BMW would be selling about 70-75% less cars. Same with Mercedes.SlimKlim Wrote:Still too expensive IMO. You're looking at almost $36k for 190ish? horsepower, sport package, plastic seats, no lumbar support, no keyless, no auto-dim, no heated anything.thats why Ill never buy another 'luxo' brand. when the base model isnt even as good as a base camry, and youre paying $15k just for a badge on the hood.
Just for example, leasing a Genesis Coupe or a 228i for 36 months costs $309 per month. But the Genesis Coupe is a $26000 car while the 228 is a $37000 car. And you get free maintenance for 4 years/50k miles with the BMW.
Shift that BMW lease rate up by a hundred dollars or so and BMW would be selling so few cars here that it might not even be worth it for them to sell cars in the USDM anymore.
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - BLINGMW - 08-08-2014
SlimKlim Wrote:1 drive wheel:lol: :lol: :lol: so true....
G.Irish Wrote:Just for example, leasing a Genesis Coupe or a 228i for 36 months costs $309 per month. But the Genesis Coupe is a $26000 car while the 228 is a $37000 car. And you get free maintenance for 4 years/50k miles with the BMW.That is interesting
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - SlimKlim - 08-08-2014
Do you have to cough up as much up front to lease the Genesis though? Pretty sure you have to scrape together like $6-7k to drive away in a 228i for that lease rate.
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Jake - 08-08-2014
Random but I'm bored on a Friday at work so here ya go. I said the F30 3-series feels similar in size to the old 5ers. Let's see how close they are. I'm gonna compare my old '91 535i to this 328xi.
Length:
E34 - 185.8"
F30 - 182.0"
Wheelbase:
E34 - 108.7"
F30 - 110.6"
Motor:
E34 - 3.5L Inline-6, 208 hp, 225 ft-lb torque
F30 - 2.0L Turbo-4, 240 hp, 268 ft-lb torque
Weight:
E34 - 3,450 lbs
F30 - 3,516 lbs
EPA-claimed MPG:
E34 - 14 city, 21 highway
F30 - 22 city, 33 highway
So the F30 weighs more, makes more power from fewer cylinders, and gets better mileage while doing it. Nothing revolutionary, just interesting. Kind of a shame that every model has "grown up" because I really like the size of the E36, and you can't get a four-door in that size from BMW anymore. Unless they unveil a 2-series "Gran Coupe" which wouldn't surprise me in the least.
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - G.Irish - 08-08-2014
SlimKlim Wrote:Do you have to cough up as much up front to lease the Genesis though? Pretty sure you have to scrape together like $6-7k to drive away in a 228i for that lease rate.It is cheaper at signing for the Genesis; $2700 at signing for the Genesis, $3700 for the 228. The $1000 premium for the BMW doesn't really offset the big disparity in price.
The other thing that is interesting about the heavy subsidies from BMW is that I think Hyundai for instance has better residual value than BMW as a brand. That being the case, Hyundai lease rates should be at least on par with BMW lease rates (since lease payments are based on the depreciation rate). But BMW lease rates are still far and away better relative to the purchase price.
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Sully - 08-08-2014
So are we saying it makes sense to lease cars now? I though leasing wad always a bad idea?
I like older cars better anyways. Like Jake said and what I've been saying for ever since they announced the new numbering scheme was I can't wait for a 2 series m because I like the smaller size of the e36's and even e46's.
But since I'm young and unemployed, I'm still looking for my outback XT because turbo wagon. Because turbo, Yea that's a good idea!
If my post jumps around and makes no sense, I apologize but I've been in a waiting room for the last 5 hours and am losing my mind.
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - G.Irish - 08-08-2014
Sully Wrote:So are we saying it makes sense to lease cars now? I though leasing wad always a bad idea?
Leasing is a good idea if:
1. The vehicle has high residual value specified in the lease.
2. The money factor is good relative to a loan interest rate. To get an idea of how the money factor would compare to an annual loan rate, multiply it by 2400. BMW quoted me a money factor of .00175 for a F30, so that would work out to an annual rate of 4.2%. Don't let a dealership fool you with a lease rate without knowing the money factor.
3. You drive less than 10000 miles per year
4. Your situation is unlikely to change enough to force you to get out of your lease early. It can be done, and different leases have different penalties/stipulations with early termination.
Overall buying used is still the better deal. But if you're buying new, leasing is worth evaluating.
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Sully - 08-08-2014
Sooooo.....
I actually typed out a whole response but it sounded really retarded. I need to look at this another time lol
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - *insertusernamehere* - 08-10-2014
Gaahh BMW just do something that makes sense already... However, as much disappointment there is that seems to be lurking i'd bet in 10-15 years none of us will be complaining when we have really nice highly modifiable large aftermarket turbo BMW's rolling all around the place. Eh? Eh? And yeah sure BMW turbo engines are gonna have problems and whatever, but I get the feeling people will just live with it similar to how we just live with the current cooling systems and whatever other problems there are... So carry on rich boys, buy 'em up, buy em all so I have a nice field to choose from when i'm 30 :lol:
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Jake - 08-11-2014
*insertusernamehere* Wrote:And yeah sure BMW turbo engines are gonna have problems and whatever, but I get the feeling people will just live with it similar to how we just live with the current cooling systems and whatever other problems there are...
Yeah, but the cost of a new expansion tank is significantly less than that of a turbocharger.
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - RawrImAMonster - 08-11-2014
Jake Wrote:*insertusernamehere* Wrote:And yeah sure BMW turbo engines are gonna have problems and whatever, but I get the feeling people will just live with it similar to how we just live with the current cooling systems and whatever other problems there are...
Yeah, but the cost of a new expansion tank is significantly less than that of a turbocharger.
I think the turbos themselves are mitsubishi turbos so they should be fairly reliable. I know some of the n54's have wastegate problems, but they are covered under warranty for like 8 years and should mostly be out of the used car pool by the time these get older.
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Beej - 08-11-2014
SlimKlim Wrote:The price increase are pretty much in line with inflation rates since the early 00s.I guess I never really followed the prices of new cars, but this was still a surprise. $51k.
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Mike - 08-11-2014
My sister is visiting and has a Charger. So much LOL I don't know where to start. Full review when she departs in another week. For now, just don't buy a Charger. Please.
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Mike - 08-19-2014
Ok so the car was pretty close to new. Silver, AWD, some sort of V6.
Pretty sharp looking car. I'd not choose it, but I get it.
The interior. Oh God, the interior. Horribly cheap plastics, giant gaps all over the place, seats were squared off blocks of foam, a shifter that made little to no sense (you have to push a button and click down for each gear between P and D - I did find that if you were strong enough you could row all the way through the in once, but it felt like I was breaking something), oh and YOU CAN'T SEE OUT THE RIGHT HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR.
Infotainment tried to not suck, but not completely. Push button start, but then an old-school e-brake pedal just felt wrong. HVAC controls rather than telling you numbers for your heat setting used fancy gradients of colors. JUST MAKE A NUMBER UP... I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE NOT ACTUALLY DIGITAL, MR. CLIMATE CONTROL! PURPLE MEANS LITTLE TO ME. Tiny little ~2" screen too. I'm sure you can pay more for something better, but I feel really bad for those who can't afford the upgrade.
Engine had good power delivery, smooth, and a nice rumble when you get on it.
Was an absolute boat. Wallowed (barely even) through corners with the nimbleness of the Titanic. 4000+ pounds, big wheelbase... Ugh. Look out for icebergs!
Parking was always a chore because the car is 2343 feet long with a snout that pokes out 3-4 feet more than it likely needs to.
So... Ungh. Dodge continues to meet expectations. Piles of garbage. Go out of business already. I don't care how many employees Jeff personally knows or how great the company wants to be. The cars are giant terds, have been for decades, and likely will continue to be. I regret telling my sister to get the Charger instead of the Camry. Poor soul.
Cliff's - Nice engine, decent looks, but OH GOD IF YOU HAVE TO SIT IN IT, STEER, AND SEE THE ROAD. This car is only appropriate for rappers too poor to afford a 300.
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Jake - 09-05-2014
So I had that 328xi M-Sport a few weeks ago, right? Joey said something about the 320i:
SlimKlim Wrote:So it becomes quite possibly the slowest $39k car on the market.
...and I was #blessed enough to get one as my next loaner while the dealership uses an impact gun to change my oil and front brakes.
2014 BMW 320i xDrive
I made friends with the loaner guy yesterday, and he told me that in the future, I can call him ahead of time and he'll set aside keys to something more interesting, like a 535d. Unfortunately, all he had last night were 320i non-sport cars. I got to choose my color, though, so I picked "Imperial Blue metallic" - which is quite pretty in the sun (and florescent lighting of your friend's parking garage).
![[Image: je8c6w2.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/je8c6w2.jpg)
The paint color is about the only thing I like about this 320. Things I dislike include the super-cheap-looking tan interior, the flat-as-Kansas non-sport seats, and the fact that someone thought 180 crank horsepower was sufficient to spin four wheels and 3,600 lbs.
It's not. It's slow. Not "I think I might die driving this" slow - that honor was awarded to the 1.8L Z3, years ago - but "I'd like to pass someone on the Beltway and the trans dropped from 8th to 4th and I got nothing here" slow.
Since this car encouraged absolutely zero spirited driving, I decided to focus on how it drove in "Comfort" and "EcoPro" modes. Comfort is absolutely fine. It is A Car and it will take you Places. You'll impress the ladies at Zumba because you show up with a blue and white badge on the hood of your car.
I chose to commute today in EcoPro mode... which was both nice and frustrating, as traffic was horrendous and it took me 1hr 40 minutes to go 17 miles. Really.
So, EcoPro! Leave the transmission in Drive, put the "drive mode" thingy in EcoPro and drive to work. It re-maps the throttle so that 0-80% throttle becomes 0-20%. The transmission wants to be in 5th gear at 27 mph and you can access a screen on the iDrive where you are awarded blue stars for driving like a Toyota owner. I earned this many, until I had to brake exiting the off-ramp, at which point the car admonished me for not looking ahead and coasting. Never mind I would have coasted right into a CR-V... I'd have earned another star!
![[Image: TvOMCfL.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/TvOMCfL.jpg)
The lack of full throttle application was nicer than I thought it'd be, for the moments where I was smushing through stop-and-go traffic. It made it much easier to take the perfect Snapchat and scroll through Pitbull's extensive library on Spotify without worrying about my right foot. It became frustrating when I wanted to accelerate at a rate beyond "glacial" - you have to prod the pedal quite a bit, and then the transmission kicks down and you hnng up to 5k rpm.
The other nice thing was the navigation. I've used iDrive nav before, it's great in my 2009 BMW and the graphics got better in the 2012+ cars. Easy to program routes, blahblah. Well, now the car shows your next turn in the LCD screen that's under the gauges. It's a nice touch, and I know it's not exclusive to BMW. Just a random "new cars have nice things on them" thing.
![[Image: HAWNxPt.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/HAWNxPt.jpg)
![[Image: BVZTAb9.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/BVZTAb9.jpg)
I think I get to give this one back after lunch today. Thank goodness.
Other than "because I want the badge," I truly don't know why anyone would buy one of these. This particular car stickers at $42k - has the Premium package and real leather (vs. "Sensatec") and nothing else. You can get more standard features for the same money on an Audi or Benz, or you can get a fully-loaded Fusion AWD for $36k... and all of those cars will have 220-240 hp.
Sigh.
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Jake - 09-22-2014
This wasn't a loaner or rental, but I did drive it for six days. My mom tore a ligament in her knee, so driving manual and getting in/out of a sports car are both on the "difficult" list right now. She offered me her fair-weather car for the sake of it getting driven and someone, even if it weren't her, enjoying top-down motoring in this super-nice fall weather. So, here's my take on the...
2005 Chrysler Crossfire Limited Roadster
We got this car when I was in high school. It's got 14,600 miles on it, because it only gets driven when the weather is 72* and sunny. This is a good thing, because the rear window is the size of a mail slot. Anyway, the color is "Aero Blue" and probably isn't one I'd pick, but I like it enough:
![[Image: 6CB2XXZ.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/6CB2XXZ.jpg)
I left the 128i with my parents, so this was my only car (the M3 had no battery in it) for the six days. I figured I would compare it to my dad's 2013 Miata, as I've had a bunch of seat time in that car lately as well (a mix of highway and back roads).
First off, for those who aren't aware, this "Chrysler" is an R170-chassis'd Mercedes SLK320 in drag. Body by Karmann, interior by Chrysler, running gear by Benz. It's a 3.2L V6 making 215ish hp, with a six-speed manual. Mom wanted the 330 hp SRT6, but balked when she learned it was automatic-only. No supercharger for mom
Unfortunately, I think the car would be better off as an automatic. Really. Mercedes can build some great slushboxes, but they've never been known for a snickety-snick manual. The clutch is heavy, with an engagement point the size of an S-Class. You either feel like you're slipping the clutch to get a smooth start/gear change, or you drive it like any other manual and buck and jerk around. The shifter demands a firm hand (#pimphandstrong) but squishes into gear. Not paying attention from a stoplight will give you a 1-4 shift, over and over.
The motor is torquey but doesn't love to rev. Fuel cut is 6,200 rpm (ish) but you get no joy from revving it beyond 4k. It's more torque than (thrashy) power. Combine that with the stick's properties and you can see why I'd prefer to have a "D" option and let it slush its way around without my involvement. That said, it will bark the tires (pretty hard) going from 1st to 2nd if you wind it out.
Oh, and the "Infinity" radio is actually a Becker unit from Germany. Extensive searching has revealed there is no option to add an auxiliary input, so you're stuck with FM or CDs unless you replace the head unit, which will be difficult because just try matching this stupid silver console.
![[Image: BBAbMfm.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/BBAbMfm.jpg)
There is an element of cheapness to this car, which I suppose is appropriate given Chrysler couldn't give them away. Really, they tried selling them on Overstock.com back in the day. Doors flex if you lean on them, the glovebox has the E36-sag going on, the dash lights up mostly-green (the buttons, at night, are not evenly lit) and so on.
Given all of my whining, I have to say, it was actually a pretty decent commuter.
The seats are worlds better than Miata seats, for the sole reason that I actually fit in them. They have good thigh support and the back is sculpted out nicely for shoulder support. They are heated (strongly) and the car's excellent heater combined made 50* mornings with the roof down a non-issue.
The chassis is far more planted than the NC Miata and soaks up bumps with much more composure. You still get a bit of nervous feeling, but I think that's from the short wheelbase than anything else. It is 100% a cruiser, not a "sports car" the way we all consider them. Steering generally felt good and firm (it's hydraulic) but gives you zero feedback as to where the wheels are pointed. Brakes uh, stop the car. Pedal feel is poor (and it has Super Blue in it) but they work.
I'm not the target buyer for this car. I never was. But as a semi-soft, comfortable commuter that had no roof, it was not bad. Not great, but not bad.
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Ken - 09-22-2014
Wow, I had to search that to fact check.
http://www.autospies.com/news/Chrysler-dumping-inventory-a...today-eBay-tomorrow-4502/
That's unreal, hahaha.
Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Jake - 09-22-2014
Ken Wrote:Wow, I had to search that to fact check.
http://www.autospies.com/news/Chrysler-dumping-inventory-a...today-eBay-tomorrow-4502/
That's unreal, hahaha.
You could buy a brand-new 0-mile Crossfire for next to nothing in 2007/2008. And used ones are worth pennies, they depreciated supremely hard.