Commute
Three Wheelin'
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 9
From: Downingtown, PA
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,970
Likes: 114
From: Vancouver, BC
IMHO, the Merc 550 is way too expensive for a commuter car.
Unless you need a top brand car for "status" or whatever (e.g. you're in sales), I would highly suggest you test drive the newest model GTI - it's quite the car and 1/2 the price of the other things you mentioned.
Unless you need a top brand car for "status" or whatever (e.g. you're in sales), I would highly suggest you test drive the newest model GTI - it's quite the car and 1/2 the price of the other things you mentioned.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19,031
Likes: 266
From: Bentonville, AR
i love my 997.2, id suggest it.. put 11k on mine in 7 months and never had a problem.. i get chronic migraines and even with gundo hack and fabspeed X pipe its quiet as a mouse on the highway and daily driving.. only gets loud when you get on it and even then its fine.
mpg on highway i average around 30, city around 17, aggressive driving down to 11/12.
if your worried about appearances, get a dark color... people will think its an 05/etc anyways... the only comments i get from day to day are "is that a turbo" and when i reply no.. they look at me like im poor white trash that couldnt afford the turbo... most people dont even know the difference between years and would think its older than it is anyways.
mpg on highway i average around 30, city around 17, aggressive driving down to 11/12.
if your worried about appearances, get a dark color... people will think its an 05/etc anyways... the only comments i get from day to day are "is that a turbo" and when i reply no.. they look at me like im poor white trash that couldnt afford the turbo... most people dont even know the difference between years and would think its older than it is anyways.
He looked closer at the car then said: "Porsche? I thought it was a new Nissan.".
Sincerely,
Macster.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 232
From: NYC metro area
IMHO, the Merc 550 is way too expensive for a commuter car.
Unless you need a top brand car for "status" or whatever (e.g. you're in sales), I would highly suggest you test drive the newest model GTI - it's quite the car and 1/2 the price of the other things you mentioned.
Unless you need a top brand car for "status" or whatever (e.g. you're in sales), I would highly suggest you test drive the newest model GTI - it's quite the car and 1/2 the price of the other things you mentioned.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 2
From: Sarasota, FL. Home of Florida Man.
i used my 997 as a DD but i kept my W210 E55 for long highway (read: boring) trips. i am so glad i did.
you can get a nice 2000-2001 E55 for less than $15k, probably about $10k. you'll still get safety, style and fun. of course, this is a 10 year old car, but they're bulletproof and cheap.
of course, the other suggestions like getting a GTI or diesel are very strong.
with all that time in the car, i'd want comfort, low noise, and occasional neck-snapping power - which is why i've had so much fine with my AMG.
you can get a nice 2000-2001 E55 for less than $15k, probably about $10k. you'll still get safety, style and fun. of course, this is a 10 year old car, but they're bulletproof and cheap.
of course, the other suggestions like getting a GTI or diesel are very strong.
with all that time in the car, i'd want comfort, low noise, and occasional neck-snapping power - which is why i've had so much fine with my AMG.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 358
I commute 3 x a week in mine.
100 miles highway roundtrip
Breaks up the boredom.
10 years from now what would you rather have had:
100K miles of fun driving
or
a grarge queen that you are going to pass on for someone else to enjoy
100 miles highway roundtrip
Breaks up the boredom.
10 years from now what would you rather have had:
100K miles of fun driving
or
a grarge queen that you are going to pass on for someone else to enjoy
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Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
I also asked about the AWD option combo, and Audi USA thought the price of TDI and AWD would be too expensive and no one would buy it (or not enough to justify whatever it takes to get that combination approved for import into the US).
Buying cars would be so less painful if we didn't have to deal with the stupid US subsidiaries we need to run through to get our cars. Argh!
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 568
Likes: 1
I was also looking for a second car a couple of months ago. After a couple of test drives, I realized nothing came close to the feeling of a 911. Nothing. All the other sporty cars also came with their own compromises. So I gave up on the idea of a sporty sedan or hatchback and went with an off-roader.
If you're going to be stuck with this commute for a while, I would buy a comfortable and luxurious car. Perhaps something different, like an Infiniti G or a Jag?
If you're going to be stuck with this commute for a while, I would buy a comfortable and luxurious car. Perhaps something different, like an Infiniti G or a Jag?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 284
Likes: 1
From: USA
I am reaching out to you Car Guys with a dilemma.
I have a 1988 Carrera coupe, which I like a lot. I have upgraded the engine, suspension and A/C. I have driven it about 5000 miles a year for the last 8 years.
I now have a job that will require me to commute 120 miles a day, 3-5 days a week
. This drive is completely straight interstate maybe a dozen turns the entire trip, and most of those have traffic lights. Not exactly a sports cars dream drive. Of course, the 88 is not the quietest/most comfortable car out there. I am also a bit concerned about the lack of antilock/air bags not really an issue when I was just using it for fun, but more of an issue as a commuter.
I am not sure what to do. I see the following options.
1) Sell the 1988 and buy a 997.2. This gives me a more comfortable, safer drive and a new Porsche! The disadvantages are:
3) Keep the 1988 and buy a commuter car. I am not interested in a real cheap beater I will be spending a couple of hours a day in the car, and I want to enjoy myself. I would want a car guy car not a car that is driven by people who just want a nice car and could care less about cars in general. The possibilities I have been thinking about are:
Opinions wanted (and I know they are worth what I paid for them
)
I have a 1988 Carrera coupe, which I like a lot. I have upgraded the engine, suspension and A/C. I have driven it about 5000 miles a year for the last 8 years.
I now have a job that will require me to commute 120 miles a day, 3-5 days a week
. This drive is completely straight interstate maybe a dozen turns the entire trip, and most of those have traffic lights. Not exactly a sports cars dream drive. Of course, the 88 is not the quietest/most comfortable car out there. I am also a bit concerned about the lack of antilock/air bags not really an issue when I was just using it for fun, but more of an issue as a commuter. I am not sure what to do. I see the following options.
1) Sell the 1988 and buy a 997.2. This gives me a more comfortable, safer drive and a new Porsche! The disadvantages are:
a. Getting a newish Porsche soon after a new job is a bit of an image problem
b. I wont be able to use the great handling of the car on a daily basis
c. The 997 is still relatively loud
d. Driving this much might use up the value of the car very quickly
e. I have to sell my 88
(I only have one garage space)
2) Keep the 1988 and drive it. Comfort is for wimps, and the safety systems are likely never to be an issueb. I wont be able to use the great handling of the car on a daily basis
c. The 997 is still relatively loud
d. Driving this much might use up the value of the car very quickly
e. I have to sell my 88
(I only have one garage space)3) Keep the 1988 and buy a commuter car. I am not interested in a real cheap beater I will be spending a couple of hours a day in the car, and I want to enjoy myself. I would want a car guy car not a car that is driven by people who just want a nice car and could care less about cars in general. The possibilities I have been thinking about are:
a. Audi A3 TDI Most inexpensive, best MPG. No manual transmission available.
b. BMW 335d Sportier, good MPG though I dont need a sedan. No manual transmission available.
c. Mercedes E350/E550 Coupe. Less good mileage. Coupe. No manual transmission available.
d. Audi S5 Coupe, manual transmission, reasonably crappy MPG
So, which option would you recommend? If Option 3, which car or are there other cars I should consider?b. BMW 335d Sportier, good MPG though I dont need a sedan. No manual transmission available.
c. Mercedes E350/E550 Coupe. Less good mileage. Coupe. No manual transmission available.
d. Audi S5 Coupe, manual transmission, reasonably crappy MPG
Opinions wanted (and I know they are worth what I paid for them
)
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Moorestown NJ
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 622
Likes: 1
From: Ormond Beach, Florida
My 09' C4S PDK with Sport buckets is my DD, and will average 27k mi/yr. In my opinion...the perfect DD, and I do veterinary house calls!.. suburban and semi rural. I love it...keeps everyone guessin! I babied my 1993GTS, worrying all of the time while my DD was an 05 Excursion limited turbodiesel...sold both for an 06 Cayenne V6 6speed manual...traded for an 06 Cayenne Turbo...and moved to my C4S after putting 87K mi on the Turbo...Everyone here says " Drive it"
...so thats what I'm doing...apparently not "fast enough" as per this forum... but I'm learning. Bottom line...I'm lovin every minute. Screw resale worries...I'm as **** as can be about maintenence and when I decide to move on...I will sell or trade an impeccably maintained 977.2 ,...(greatly influenced by great deals on model year left-over closeouts!!! LOL!
...so thats what I'm doing...apparently not "fast enough" as per this forum... but I'm learning. Bottom line...I'm lovin every minute. Screw resale worries...I'm as **** as can be about maintenence and when I decide to move on...I will sell or trade an impeccably maintained 977.2 ,...(greatly influenced by great deals on model year left-over closeouts!!! LOL!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 407
Likes: 4
It isn't clear what the OP is looking for and a lot of the opinions being discussed are all over the map. Are you just looking for a comfortable, safe, 2-door commute car? Are you looking for comfort, MPG, low road noise, etc.?
I am not sure how we can compare a Golf and an E-class Benz in the same sentence!
Personally, if the traffic is not stop-and-go, I would use my 911. I got it to drive it! In fact, in a few weeks, I'm going to a work conference in Las Vegas and I opted to do the 4-hour drive there instead of taking the 1-hour flight. I absolutely can't wait to take a detour through the Mohaje desert!
But if you want a sedan, I would spend $20k and buy a 2001 M5 with less than 50k miles on it, which will last you for another 100k and will keep the smile on your face.
Decisions decisions!
Later,
-T
I am not sure how we can compare a Golf and an E-class Benz in the same sentence!
Personally, if the traffic is not stop-and-go, I would use my 911. I got it to drive it! In fact, in a few weeks, I'm going to a work conference in Las Vegas and I opted to do the 4-hour drive there instead of taking the 1-hour flight. I absolutely can't wait to take a detour through the Mohaje desert!
But if you want a sedan, I would spend $20k and buy a 2001 M5 with less than 50k miles on it, which will last you for another 100k and will keep the smile on your face.
Decisions decisions!
Later,
-T