BMW's been quoted saying that the V-8 has never even been considered. Even if they did...it'd probably cost about 5k more. The reason they said they wouldn't is because a v-8 would make it tougher to control handling than an I-6.

Jay

 

M3, M3, M3....
I drove the S4 and didn't feel right for me (it just doesn't click, don't know why).

Or get a Carrera (it will hold 2 babies), I got the C4 and bargained for a BabySeat with Porsche Enblem on it

 

thanks for all the thoughts.

The reason why I didn't just jump to option 1, is that my wife already drives a decent people/kid/dog hauler, a 96 Isuzu Trooper. It's our semi-beater car. Lots of room and has proven itself reliable.

So, for me, the question is, do I keep the s2k and 'see how it goes'. Or anticipate that I should have the flexibility to haul child if need be. Actually, I think the s2k/Trooper combo would work well, except in the case of emergencies when we have to rely on my car for transportation needs.

 

Updated A4, thus I suppose S4 comes out early next year, bear that in mind. Someone on one these boards returned a S4 under your lemon laws I believe.

RE Subaru, although I hate to admit it across country a Subaru Impreza Sti or Europe / Japan spec. WRX will thrash the pants of all but the most exotic supercars in the dry and everthing in the wet unless you have a mile straight to catch it up after you are still negotiating the bends, spoilt them with the 2001 new one though, fatter, slower, uglier, but hey its got a nicer interior for your kid to puke on.

A personal recommendation (without actually driving it), is a Mitsubishi Galant VR4, 2.5 litres V6 Twin turbo-charged and 4WD hardware from the Evo 6 lancer, available in Saloon or Estate, a real monster but supremely safe with it.

Jay, BMW did make a commitment not to use V8 as you say, they wanted the M3 to recapture its mean racing image like the earlier ones, with a screaming straight six, rather than a lazier(if 400 Bhp, can be)V8. Enough sales guaranteed of the M3 in Europe discounts the likelihood of dropping in the V8 I would guess.


Paul (who uses his wifes company car).

[This message has been edited by UK Paul (edited October 23, 2000).]

 

How about this. Keep the S2K. Get the passenger airbag cutoff switch. Use it to go places with baby or wife (not both) and use wife's vehicle for three.
www.carpoint.com lists the airbag cutoff switch as a MY2001 option. I'm not sure they are right but it is there on the website.

Second choice. Get a "2+2" car like the Integra or Civic or Prelude.

Barry

 

Paul, agree with you on the Galant but it's not an option in the U.S. We don't get any of the good stuff.

 

You can make the S2000/hauler combo work although it may be occasionally inconvenient. If you like your S2000 for what it is, a surgically precise driving instrument, then hang on to it. The new M3 is one heck of a car, drool, but it is a totally different animal.

 

Keep the S2000. No doubt about it. My wife and I each have 2 seat convertables. When we need something bigger, or when the family visits, we just rent something. For instance, I have found that renting a pick-up for $29/day when I want to haul something is cheaper than owning one, and a heck of a lot more fun than driving one every day. You also get the pleasure of renting some really crappy cars which will make you even happier that you own the S2000.

 

Good point Tex.

Does anyone know if texas permits a child in the front passenger seat (w/childseat and airback switched off) of a car?

Has anyone retro-fitted an airbag cutoff in an s2k?

 

Congrats!

Maybe you could keep your S2000 & see how it goes for the first 6 months to a year. If it's too much hassle, get something else...either in additon to or replacing the S2000.
I've been doing the duel S2000 and SUV thing for 6 months now, & I love it. It's nice to have an option to choose what I want to drive when. When it rains, when going to the grocery store, Home Depot, out with more than one friend, I take the SUV!
My 2 cents...