For those of you who know me, and my propensity to change cars often, this will come as no surprise. I'm kinda sorta in the market for a car again, sometime between now and Feb/Mar.

This time though, after reflecting on SO MANY irrational and emotional purchases (and the ensuing financial setbacks), I decided to create my own decision program. It's mostly based on the typical car comparison tables printed by Car & Driver, Road & Track, etc, but with my own twists on it. This way, I can "level the playing field" a bit, and consider each car on the whole with every emotional and financial facet accounted for. Best score wins.

If you guys wouldn't mind, could you check it out and see if there are any cars or subjects I've overlooked, or if anything could use changing/refining?

This table was created on the basis of an $20k budget. Some of the cars included may be very difficult to find for that price, but possible, given the nature of my work and the trade-ins that come in. I have personally driven all of these cars with the exception of the 2012 Fiat, and it's numbers are based on what I've read about it and how it compares to my tastes. In the case of the '07 Fit, it's in here to see how it stacks up if I were to just keep it.

A few details on what some of the values are based on:

The first section, with the "Excitement", "Engine", etc are all pretty much self explanatory, each is assigned a number based on my experience with that vehicle and how they appeal to my preferences.

In the second section, "Price" refers to how much of the $20k budget the car is. (In the case of the 2011 Z4is, it is a company lease, and the points are based on how the lease payment compares to an equivalent payment on a $20k car.) If a car has at least of two years of warranty remaining, it gets full points. If no warranty, no points. "Maintenance" points are based on how much i would have to maintain the car, and the relative cost of parts/labor. "Fuel economy" points are based on the calculated annual $ spent on fuel, for my specific driving habits that I've been keeping track of for the last 12 months, cars with best fuel economy get full points, and the rest are based on how close they are to that benchmark.

In the third section, "Resale" points are based on which are projected to hold to their current value the best. For the 2011 Z4, it gets no points as it is a lease and there is no resale. "Tempt to Mod" refers to how tempting it is to spend a bunch of money on mods. Low points means lots and lots of mod money spent, most points awarded to the cars who I feel are pretty close to perfect.

So please, help me out and help me perfect this system. I realize you guys are kinda biased to the S2k, but ANY input would be appreciated.

 

I'm having a similar dillema right now for my second car as payments for the S have ended.

Torn between somehing towards VIP style vs. street toy.

I can't dive into the BMW / Benz / Audi ballpark because everyone I ask says they cost too much to maintain.
Also can't get over the ugliness of the BMW interior.

So far I have it down to these two:







I haven't driven any of the above so that's pending.
Word is the EVO interior is complete shit.

I am also excited about trying out the Abarth but every time I take a second look at that car, it's just way too girly.

Have you thought about something pre-modified? I'm talking about a nicely done S14 or S15 from Cali like this can't be more than $20k:


Of course, you're in a different boat as it will be your primary car.

I would like another S2k-level car such as the Mini/NSX but there's just too much overlap and not enough garage space

Of course, when I hit it big, I'm going to have one of each of these iconic JDM masterpieces in my stable

Here's my eval:

Z4M: Haven't driven it but you say it rawks.
S2k: Gotta have one.
Abarth: Unknown. Likely fail FWD cruiser.
WRX Wagon: Not feeling these. Almost looks like a Buick.
Mugen/Civic SI: FWD fail
Mini S: Very cute, still FWD but feels good inside.
M3: Curiously every s2ki'er that has gone M3/335 has sold theirs within a month and gone back to an s2k
M5: V8 M3
RSX: FWD
GTO: Straight line only. Likely the last of sexy curvy body ever made.
FIT: Meh
E30: Always loved the look of these. Saw a clean one on the freeway the other day and couldn't stop starting at it. Admirable but you probably don't want to own one.

 

ya

 

Looks like the E30 M3 is kickin ass! There's one (1988) for sale in Tucson with 90k miles. He's up on EBAY and it's a very clean car! That would be a nice car to own for a while, but I'm not sure I'd DD it. If I could find an E30 M3 in decent condition for the right price, I'd scoop that up very quickly and if you get bored with it, it's still going to be worth every dime you paid for it and I bet you would definitely enjoy it more than a new Z4 35is!

Another thing I noticed in your graph is, the prices of a 2006 S2000 and GTO are the same as a Z4M, E46 M3, and E39 M5. If this is true, then you are able to get all of these cars for around 16k dollars, a lot less than what the BMWs usually go for, which means your resale points given are skewed.

 

Agreed on the EVO interior.

true, but there are things you can do very easily that lessen the girliness dramatically

that would be really cool, but i need to be able to finance whatever I get, and a nice S14 or S15 is just too old...

In your case, i would absolutely go for the RL. Love the looks, and you already have a high-strung 2 seater, no need for a high-strung 4 door too lol. I don't really care for the Evo anyway, my interest in them peaked with the Evo VI.

 

Indeed it does, like nothing else I've experienced. That and I have plans for it too, muahahaha... Oh Lord I'm hoping someone trades in an 06 with like 60k miles plus, make my decision easy.
I LOVED my time in the S, and I would get another one, but I'm just not sold on the AP2 enough to get it without looking elsewhere, and the AP1 is now just too old for most banks to finance without some ridiculous rate.
IDK, so far all the reviews and such say it's a Mini-killer. Only seat-time will convince me.
yeah wasn't one of my first picks, and now i see its at the back of the pack lol
ive got a soft spot for Si's, owned two EM1s and had a great time in them...of course that was before I had my first RWD car, so yeah perhaps i wouldn't have such a great time in one now...
even being FWD these things are a blast, and ive seen some mean ass minis too haha
yeah i included these two for comparison's sake, in case there was some blockbuster thing that made them a clear winner.
same as above
never owned a muscle car, and heard this one was the best handling and most reliable one that can currently be found. which isn't saying much i think.
exactly. every logical fiber of my body says keep it, but my heart says, "if im gonna pay 300-400 per month on a car, i better damn well enjoy the hell out of it!"
Yeah the real draw to the E30 is that classic BMW look, they are inexpensive, and they are by far the least expensive to maintain and are pretty damn reliable. Think of it as a RWD civic with classic german looks.

Thanks Ivan for the input!

 

Just to be clear, the E30 in the table does not represent the M3, more like a standard 325is coupe. i would love an M3, but i would have to save for way too long. That and i couldn't bring myself to do a heart transplant on such a rare car with such a unique engine...

Thanks for bringing that up, i forgot to take that into consideration. The resale points are more of a indication of how fast the value falls year to year, but you are right when you say that depending on which cars i get and how, it can affect whether i will have equity in them or not and for how long.

Thanks Simmy!

 

I know of a nice gpw ap1 for sale (;

 

After driving my friends z06 today ... I vote for that That car is stupid fast and I didnt even get out of 3rd gear. Amazing piece of machinery. Makes our little $hit boxes feel like a Prius

 

LOL at trying to create logic out of buying a car. If one was to buy a car using logic you would buy a Civic or similar every time since it would combine the best blend of safety, dependability and low cost to own. Buying a new car when you already have reasonable transportation is a strictly emotional decision. Get the one you love the most.

But my vote would be to get another S2000! I'm also a perennial car buyer and out of the dozens of vehicles I've had over the years, the S is the one I keep coming back to. I'm on my third now and won't be getting rid of this one ever!