driving impressions(long)

[Doolbnroht@aol.com (Doolbnroht@aol.com)]

today and yesterday i went on test drives, convinced i need a new car. the scirocco needs more creature comforts and i am tired of wondering when my wheel bearings,cv joints, timing belt, waterpump....etc.. are going to go out on me. i want a small reliable car. 

-mazda-
    -protoge 5 wagon... nice car. agile for a wagon, decent acceleration and power. roomy for a compact. i like the outside lines of the car. just a little too blah for me. but $18k after tags title fees and such nicely equipped. it was the lowest price so far. 
    -mazda speed protoge.... same as above with a nice stereo, quick, 4 door, minimal choice in colors(black or orange). calloway turbo seems to be plenty of power for a small car. i would like to try this  car out on a auto-x course. a little pricy at $26k after dealer markup taxes tag and title. also the interior is one that you love or hate, i like it.
      -mazda 6. nice car except for the interior. for the "effort" that mazda put into this car you'd think they'd hired something more than an 8th grader to design the seats and such. but a nice smoot car. didn;t get the prices on this car because the interior drove me away.

-subaru-
     -impreza wrx sedan- wow! everyone knows all about this car. all i can say is that it is awesome. handling,awd, turbo, tourqe, and hp.. sexy blue color and multitudes of upgrades avalible. 0% financing through subaru for 24 months... at $27k the most expensive of the group, payments would kill you. also no dealer option for leather interior. 

-mini-
     -mini cooper s- very very short, but as wide as a normal compact. this car is like a go cart. very well balanced. not alot of storage space as expected... but wow. 160 supercharged hp, 17" wheels, leather, 6 speed) creature comfprts out the wazoo, nice harmon kardon sound system. very unique. very quick for an ultra compact(just happened to beat a type-r on the interstate) very smooth at 105mph in 4th gear. i beat on this car alot. taction control can be turned on and off. lots of dealer options. and the 2nd least expensive at $23k out the door. and the coolest thing was the sevice at the dealership. very low key, the sales person remebered me for 2 weeks ago. handed me the key, told me there was a full tank of gas, and to have fun. no supervision in a car that is not your own. thats fun. 

so in conclusion.. does anyone have $23k i could have? the mini wins this weekend. more to come later if anyone cars. i'm going to take my car shopping very seriously. 

later!
-alan