On the subject of cars: I'm thinking about either a Mustang or Charger - or -rather my husband is. He was also eyeing the Challenger, which didn't interest me. Quite frankly unsure if I want the other two either!

I like to the look of the Saturn Sky.
Won't mind one of those small Infiniti's too.

Any opinions? We've been kicking around the idea for over 6 months and reading and reasearching. Now ready to start test driving. I know they say it should take you 6 months to purchase a car. We're at that mark and no closer to a decision.

You can scratch the Challenger...all the 2008s have already been sold.

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Won't mind one of those small Infiniti's too.

Personally, I would stay away from any from any U.S designed car in it's first year of production, there's a long history of quality problems. This might be an alternative-

The Infiniti G37 Convertible will go on sale in February 2009 in the United States with other markets like Europe, Russia and Taiwan not yet confirmed. The G37 will have a metal folding roof, unlike its rag-top M30 predecessor from the early 90's, so we should be calling it a Coupe-Convertible. The G37 CC will feature the same 3.7 liter V6 engine producing 330 hp as its coupe brother.

Get out! Really? the challanger that is.

That Infiniti looks great! There was one they were advertising months back with a woman driving, it was a coupe, I never caught the name because I never gave the car company a second thought. I have/had hear though they are insanely fast. Any one know that commercial or car they were advertising in the winter?

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Originally posted by GESince1958:
Test drove an '08 Mini S at Bill Jacobs yesterday. What a cool little car! Wheeeeeeee!

When asked about used S's they looked at me like I was crazy. "We almost never see them... and there's no point. They hold their value all too well. Most go to friends, relatives.. Just order up a custom car—seriously."

Not one to take that as fact (the eternal skeptic that I am, as those of you who know me can attest to), I just clicked up Carmax. There are 35 used Mini's total in the entire country, and only a handfull of 3-yr. old or newer cars. And their "no haggle" prices? Oh my word! At or higher than new. Really. Even if those prices are over-jacked, still... good grief!

Swore I'd never buy another car new. Now am re-thinking that. And yes, Clam, the suspension is pretty tight. I'm wondering how it might feel on a 1000 mile road trip.

The 15 yr.-old Safari might be gathering more dust and rust soon. And I didn't toss the old lawn mower just yet. Only one new thing with an internal-combustion engine allowed per year.

They gobbled our '03 S up at BJ in a flash. The amount I netted after the tax break was less than $1K under what I had paid for it....16 months earlier. Our '07 non-S version...once I learned to snick my way through the gears...is more than enough fun. And it gets better mileage and costs less. FWIW, I am a big fan of the solid color variety. The ones where the drapes match the carpet, if you will.

And beware of BMW leather. Never had success with it. The standard pleather is very nice...and free.

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Originally posted by Clamato:

And beware of BMW leather. Never had success with it. The standard pleather is very nice...and free.

Actually, I prefer cloth seats, since my Recaro days in the Bimmers.

The mileage is reported to be fairly close between the two engines. I'm just wondering if the suspension settles down once worn in a bit. Seemed really tight - standard S - no further enhancements. The cost diff wasn't huge and the other refinements seem to make sense. In for a shilling, in for a pound.

Metallic Brit racing green or that dark blue (+$500, ugh!) are my running picks ATM. Easy to go crazy with that build-your-own flash widget thing on their web site.

Yes, their build-your-own thing is loads of fun. I like the dark blue too but they had a metallic black one ready for me without ordering so I took it! I've been really happy with it because it looks slightly more midnight blue or slightly more gray depending on the light. The S really does have seriously stiff suspension. Offer still stands to drive the non-S. Let me know.

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Originally posted by GESince1958:

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Originally posted by Clamato:

And beware of BMW leather. Never had success with it. The standard pleather is very nice...and free.

Actually, I prefer cloth seats, since my Recaro days in the Bimmers.

The mileage is reported to be fairly close between the two engines. I'm just wondering if the suspension settles down once worn in a bit. Seemed really tight - standard S - no further enhancements. The cost diff wasn't huge and the other refinements seem to make sense. In for a shilling, in for a pound.

Metallic Brit racing green or that dark blue (+$500, ugh!) are my running picks ATM. Easy to go crazy with that build-your-own flash widget thing on their web site.

If you can live w/o the sunroof pkg and leather...the car can be had inexpensively. But if I am not mistaken...cloth is not an option. It ain't available. I have the plastic seats. They are nice. No stains....no wear.

I was the same way paintwise....$500 for the blue was ridiculous. Decided to go with the free color.

Word of warning. The ride will not change. We decided it was time to "upgrade" to the new version that wasn't an S after a trip back from Union Pier. The expansion joints in the highway were absolutely jarring...especially since one occupant in the car had to pee. That was the last straw.

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Originally posted by Clamato:


If you can live w/o the sunroof pkg and leather...the car can be had inexpensively. But if I am not mistaken...cloth is not an option. It ain't available. I have the plastic seats. They are nice. No stains....no wear.

I was the same way paintwise....$500 for the blue was ridiculous. Decided to go with the free color.

Word of warning. The ride will not change. We decided it was time to "upgrade" to the new version that wasn't an S after a trip back from Union Pier. The expansion joints in the highway were absolutely jarring...especially since one occupant in the car had to pee. That was the last straw.

There are cloth seats available for all the models. I like the leatherette myself. Just like you said, Clamato, easy to care for and no wear. I have it on my two MINI.

Hi, I'm Christina. My husband and I just bought an old house here in town. I have been lurking around reading your thoughts and opinions on the town. I have to say, you all have had me rolling on the floor. I had never read such intelligent and opinionated banter... I just had to join. Especially after I came across a conversation about the MINI. For any of you living off of Western, you may have seen the driveway with the million MINI... that's me.

Well, anyway, this is a strange introduction. I guess I should post an official intro. Being new to the old house thing, I may have some questions from time to time. But if any of you have any questions about the MINI, just let me know. I have been selling them for the last 6 years.

Again, Hi!

Hi. Do you work with Dustin?

Old houses. Gotta love them. Sometimes it is easier to just let them decay. Takes a surprisingly long time before they actually become uninhabitable.

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Originally posted by Clamato:
Hi. Do you work with Dustin?

Old houses. Gotta love them. Sometimes it is easier to just let them decay. Takes a surprisingly long time before they actually become uninhabitable.

I did until this last fall... actually, I trained him Did you buy your MINI with him?

Well, I hope for my sake, that my house hasn't reached decay status just yet. I need a place to sleep... my MINI isn't big enough for that.

I did buy it from him...right before you and the sales manager vamoosed up north. The sales manager gave me so much money for my black on black '03 S that he must have been giggling on his way out the door. Just kidding. The car was in stellar condition with next to no miles on it. I literally drove it for 16 months for about $1,000 out of my pocket. It had a flywheel made of yellow pine. Was replaced twice...and it still didn't fix the problem. Those early cars really were worth getting away from.

Other than an embarrassing software issue that made the '07 run on two cylinders...and needed to be towed out of OB Center to BJ w/ roughly 600 miles on it...no problems with the new one. Cup holders still suck.

These really are the types of cars that most of us should be driving...like they have for decades in Europe. The absolutely perfect around town car. I laugh when people complain about $4 per gallon gas. Mostly because we caused the problem ourselves...and I only visit the gas station 2-3 times per month. Although everything costs more thanks to our really awesome thirst for oil. So...I suppose I am paying for it after all.

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Originally posted by Clamato:
I did buy it from him...right before you and the sales manager vamoosed up north.

That's hilarious. I haven't read/heard the word "vamoosed" in ages.

I am really happy to hear you have enjoyed and continue to be a fan of the car. I am working with more and more people who would have never considered a MINI before the $4/gallon gas. We had a guy trade in his H3 today. He had it for less than a year... duh!

I remember, a few years back, the media speculating how high the gas would have to go to alter peoples habits/ mindsets. $2/gallon?? $3?? Nope... I think $4 is doing it. It will be interesting to see who sticks with their larger cars when we hit $5/gallon.

Cannes - welcome to the online neighborhood. Interesting, you are at least the fourth GEBB member living on Western.

Lupechennel - I have a 2000 Mustang convertible and love it. However, being rear wheel drive and very light it is horrible in the snow. If the car has to be driven routinely year round, I'd go with the Charger. Its size and weight should help with the traction.

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Originally posted by Spines:
Cannes - welcome to the online neighborhood. Interesting, you are at least the fourth GEBB member living on Western.

Yes, welcome!

Not only is she at least the fourth GEBB member living on Western, she lives 5 houses, at most, away from 4 posters, including me, and at most 20 houses away from Amy and RHerbold.

And yes, I've noticed the minis...and...you got that house for a steal.

Welcome.

This is what I need...I may have to get one soon....although Clamato is trying to talk me out of it. Best looking car on the road in my opinion.

Go for it!

Think of the great safety features for the kids! DCFS gives it their 5 star safety rating.

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Originally posted by Spines:
Cannes - welcome to the online neighborhood. Interesting, you are at least the fourth GEBB member living on Western.

She's the 6th BBer on Western - that I know of!

And I've waved once at someone from your home when I drove by with my Mini convertible. I LOVE my car! LOVE it! I did notice the well-stocked driveway. Welcome to the neighborhood and the BB. We've been working on our house for years (no, I am not exaggerating) so let me know if you have any home repair questions.

On the gas price issue, the only people I feel bad for are the folks who have low paying jobs and are just trying to make ends meet. These gas prices will hurt them the most. But, we still pay less than many other countries. We kept one gas-guzzler because it can haul a load and we will have a teen driver fairly soon. We like the idea of a little more car around a new driver - plus it's automatic and our Mini and Subaru are stick.

Again, welcome!

Thank you for the warm welcome everyone! So far, everyone we have met has been friendly, including you all... well, except the person(female or male? not sure) sitting at the first table at Einstein Bagels.

GE Fan- You are right. We stole it... but with the amount of work and updating this little place needs, most people would have rather paid more for a finished home.

Amy- I remember the wave. It's was that moment I realized that we had made the right decision buying the house. We really wanted to live in a friendly community where people get to know their neighbors.

I understand that our gas prices in the US are still much lower than in the rest of the world, however, our communities are designed and built differently. And besides, our public transportation systems stinks.

True that (on the public transit system).

The first table at Einstein's....hmmmm, man or woman? Disheveled and with bike and loaded with bags? Or layered in many coats with scraggly hair. I'm sorry about that.

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well, except the person(female or male? not sure) sitting at the first table at Einstein Bagels.

Gee, I wonder where the person spent the previous night?

I know whom you are speaking of and evidently she is not aware that PADS has showers available.