2016 retirement vehicle thoughts..

[John Ulrich]

OK..here goes...I think I'll be able to take it. I really like our Jaguar XK convertible. I'm outa here!

 Nothing wrong with a Jag! 

[charlie b]

As long as it's not a 60's version with the 'dark' electrics.  :)

[Kev m]

Nothing wrong with a Jag! 

The new F-types are something else! 

[pikipiki]

Your retired, you need to go see places:

As I'm in UK I don't know all your state side options but you can't go far wrong with a Landrover Discovery 4. Comfortable for long journeys, towing stuff - bike trailers,caravans..and hauling gear.

[not-fishing]

Ha ha - perspective is a funny thing.

And THEY all still lose to the smallest bike in our garage! (M696) at 12.21 or even a new Hipster Scrambler at 11.91.

Not a Bone Stock Cadillac CTS-V with street tires.

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2013/06/bone-stock-cadillac-cts-v-coupe-runs-11-97-second-quarter-mile-video/

The real question is can a Hipster hang onto a Scramble @ 120 mph let alone 180.  and I bet it's a little skinny 130 lb hipster

Also one thing about those Porsche's;  look up intermediate shaft failures........... ....

[blackcat]

Youngest daughter absconded with the red Mazda 3 last night.  She still has designs on it in NYC, but no firm plans.

It was costing me $800 bucks a month(more like $1,200-$1400 now) to park a truck and four bikes in Manhattan and that is not counting tickets. She might want to consider the downsides, as there are a few. Location of course is a factor.

[Kev m]

Not a Bone Stock Cadillac CTS-V with street tires.

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2013/06/bone-stock-cadillac-cts-v-coupe-runs-11-97-second-quarter-mile-video/

The real question is can a Hipster hang onto a Scramble @ 120 mph let alone 180.  and I bet it's a little skinny 130 lb hipster

Also one thing about those Porsche's;  look up intermediate shaft failures........... ....

Fair enough, but I didn't mention the CTS so it wasn't really part of the comparison, but it can be.

And my point really was just about perspective.

I did say that vehicles are getting stupid fast and stupid powerful.

So much so that bikes we now consider slow are as fast as cars we once considered fast.

BOOM - goes our heads.

 

[Devildog]

No one has mentioned the Alfa Guilia due out soon?
The Fiat website shows a 2017 124 spider- with turbo - that might be worth waiting for.

[LowRyter]

They've been advertizing those new F type Jags with big discounts on local TV ads. 

[jas67]

The new F-types are something else! 

 

[nowgrn4]

The answer is always a Miata. We love traveling in our '00 NB with factory hardtop. The only thing you hear on the highway is the AC running. When my DW retires in the spring of '18 were buying a Motor coach and pulling the Miata behind it.

Can't wait.

[lucydad]

Miata owners often love their cars!  2016 Miata will get a test ride and careful evaluation sometime in March.  Love what I have read and seen so far.  The convertible would be perfect on a day like this.  Just guessing and projecting:  the Cayman S used market is the wildcard.  If the "perfect" car appeared, it might prompt a rapid decision.  I have seen a few come and go over the past year.

New Jag is out of price cap range.  Ms LD's flexibility is a key.  If she won't share her Lexus, the sports car is toast.

Didn't mention the VW GTI.  My nephew had one, and loved it.  I like the car.  But, VW is in the doghouse in my book, blacklisted.

Again, thanks for everyone's comments. 

[Kev m]

I dunno, used Cayman S vs. Used F-Type, could be in same price range (I.e. lapping at the top of your limit).

[Gary]

The Miata is nice choice (I had one in 2000) and one I considered before I bought my Boxster S 550 Spyder Anniversary Edition. A beautiful GT Silver with Cocoa Full Leather. The new ones are even better. The thing is that the Miata does many things well, and a few not so well - while the Cayman / Boxster does nearly everything well. "There is no substitute"

[BRIO]

Since you asked for advice, mine is buy a 911 because that's what you really want. After you've gotten out of your system you can sell it for little to no loss, you'll lose more on the cayman would be my guess. Or, you can do like my father-in-law did, buy the 911 new when your in your 20s (it's a 1968 911L) and keep it forever until you have grandkids to stand in front of it. I rode in it last weekend to a local car show, lots' of fun.

My favorite Porsche of all time. What a beauty!

[alanp]

The cover story of the Jan issue of Car and Driver is the "10 Best Cars of 2016".  The mag leans pretty hard toward German and big power (Corvette, Mustang, etc.) but Mazda is the only brand with 2 cars in the top 10.  The Miata and the 3.  The new series of Mazdas really do a great job of combining the best of German and Japanese engineering. 

[steven c]

My favorite Porsche of all time. What a beauty!

Yup.

[lucydad]

Found the right Cayman S at the wrong time.  Damn.  Have to wait until we close on this existing house and get the big check.  Sometime after 2/15/16.  Beautiful red/sand with lots of upgrades, Porsche dealer trade-in here in Houston, right mileage, right price.

Oh well, there will be others.  Or, maybe this one will sit for a while. 

Patience grasshopper.  Need to stick to Miata test drive plan.

[rocker59]

  Need to stick to Miata test drive plan.

Maybe also swing by the local FIAT/ALFA dealer and test a new FIAT 124.  And while you're there, an ALFA 4C.

The 124 is sisters with the Miata, and has the Abarth's 160bhp turbo engine.  The 4C is just badass.

[lucydad]

Rocker,

Hmm on Fiat 124, thanks for that suggestion.  We have several really good Houston Fiat dealers.

Would I be crazy to put the Fiat Abarth on my short list?  Seems like it checks a lot of my boxes.  Lot of car for dollar.

Serious shopping will start late February.

[John Ulrich]

Would I be crazy to put the Fiat Abarth on my short list? 

I'd vote 124 spyder when it arrives.  That's gonna be a head turning car you will sit in the garage and look at with your cycles.

[rocker59]

124. 
http://www.fiatusa.com/en/spider/


Now, if a family sedan is more in order.  A back seat to haul the poodles, etc.  Then Giulia is calling your name:
https://www.alfaromeousa.com/cars/alfa-romeo-giulia

[LowRyter]

[oldbike54]

 Did you pull the trigger John ?

 Dusty

[Guzzistajohn]

Here's your rig, you grumpy old goomers!

[LowRyter]

pulled the trigger got a bull's eye.

[oldbike54]

pulled the trigger got a bull's eye.

 You're gonna need a bigger garage  So give us some details .

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

got it in Udall Ks.  47k miles. one owner.  6 speed manual,  LS3 engine.  Really clean.

putting the Camaro on the market. 

[Gliderjohn]

Very nice John!
GliderJohn

[TodkaVonic]

A Miata would tick all the right boxes: reliable as can be, fun, well-under your $50K ceiling, and fits a dog just fine. It's clearly the correct choice. But the heart wants what the heart wants my friend. If your heart's going pitter-patter every time you spot a Porsche, I'd recommend you do what it's saying or be prepared to have a super-reliable, fun, and inexpensive car that you regret buying.