the S is getting a little small and will need some work in the not too distant future (mostly just the clutch but possibly motor & tranny mounts) and has 122k on it.

Need some more room (and doors) but still want some sportiness.

I've checked out the ILX and the civic si 4 door.

The ILX is way nicer but 10k more expensive and no LSD. The civic's interior is a little low rent/boy-racer-ish

Both of the above would be new (and both are offering .9% financing right now) and that appeals to me as i dont want to pay any repair bills.

also thinking about an old E36 M3 but the potential repair bills on an old german car scare me a little. this would be the emotional purchase but i made so many bad ones in the past i'm trying to talk myself out of it.

test driving the ILX and 4 door SI instantly reminded me of how unbelievably good the S is.

anyone care to talk some sense into me? any comments or insight is welcome

 

I literally (arrived home 10 minutes ago) just test drove a BMW Z4. I thought the S lacked power (mostly torque) and the s is so...familiar. The BMW drove very nice, don't get me wrong, and a convertible hardtop, adjustable suspension, 3.0L inline 6... but it was boring. It could throw you back in the seat a bit (its no covert by any means) and was "sporty", but after driving it, its something I would tell my mom to get so she can feel cool as she goes to get her groceries. It just wasn't fun, and responsive and snappy like the s. Driving the s home, it felt like a totally different car after. Drive the s to a dealership, test drive something you are interested in, and then drive home and think about the price you would be paying with a car loan vs how awesome the s could be if you put a fraction of the difference in $$$ in it. I'll take a lower payment and expensive upgrades for the ride my s just gave me on the way home against a higher payment in a boring "refined" car that they wanted 38k for. Thats just my 2 cents.

 

I bet you can get a super deal on the 13 tsx. Maybe find a v6.

 

The mounts and clutch labor is only about $300. You should do it.

 

gracias fellas

 

keep the S do the work slowly buy a cheap 4dr... in orlando my neighbor has a 99 accord v6 with 90k miles for 2400$...

 

Rugby guy- did you test drive a 28i, 30i or 35i? From the sounds of it, it was the 28i or 30i. I can't blame you for considering it to be boring. The 28i/30i are like driving a v6 mustang- it looks the part, but lacks the power.

I agree, just go around and test drive a few vehicles. The maintenance isn't much of an issue, but you say the s is getting too small- repairs are not going to fix that. Will you be replacing the s?
Are you feeling alright? The ilx and si are not even close to sporty.

 

I agree with the statement about ilx and si are not even close to sporty.
I had an Si in my teenage years and thought it was the fastest thing but after owning the S I realized the Si was dull car. If I have to pick between the two, I would go with ilx since the two pretty much has the same amount of power but on the ilx, you will also get the luxury.

I recently made a switch. Although I miss the S a lot from time to time but I don't really feel any regrets about the move I made. So I think it all boils down to what you are looking for and what you end up getting.

 

I test drove the 30i, and a v6 mustang is the perfect comparison. All show and no go.

 

Thought about it, but mine has way too many miles (237k) and imperfections to get what id want out of it. May as well keep it forever now however im thinking about picking up a 4dr Si since the S is really impractical.. Thanks to creative stuffing in the S and many good friends ive been able to get by for 2 years but i dont want to rely on someone over something as simple as picking up a new tv lol.