Sorry- one more car advice thread....

Do not understand how a hippy dominated market of TDI owners can make someone feel less wienerish than a sensible hybrid.

I know far more folks who own big honkin v8 race cars and daily hybrids than I do folks who own a TDI and fire breathing race car. TDI owners tend to be non-car folks.

Get a hybrid and do the speed limit and I promise no one will think less of you.

bgkast wrote:

Desert 2009 wrote: TDI (anything but a beetle)- only problem- they want my left nut for one. Clapped out wagons with 150k are fetching 10k A beautiful 1985 Mercedes 500 SEL (I think the MPG will kill this, but I feel like a dictator every time I look at it!) I guess dictators don't care about MPG.

SDL?

Yes, a contender if I could find a nice one- Locally there is a Mercedes independent repair shop that has a 1985 500 SEL- 135k miles and they have owned it for 8 years- it is nearly perfect for 4k. It would be awesome.

If I could find an SDL in similar condition that has not been running french fry oil for 2 years, I would seriously consider it.

PHeller wrote: Do not understand how a hippy dominated market of TDI owners can make someone feel less wienerish than a sensible hybrid. I know far more folks who own big honkin v8 race cars and daily hybrids than I do folks who own a TDI and fire breathing race car. TDI owners tend to be non-car folks. Get a hybrid and do the speed limit and I promise no one will think less of you.

I like TDI's, I have owned one it enjoyed it. It has good driver engagement and decent torque, a huge aftermarket, and some autobahn heritage behind it.

I'm not trying to impress anyone- like I said, this is polarizing for some. For me, just not a big hybrid fan and even less of a recent toyota fan- they remind me of driving an appliance. GRM's recent camry build did not do anything to change my perspective.

Don't take it personally, if hybrids are your thing- go get one! It's not really my thing.

Vigo wrote:

there's no reason to subject yourself to a tin can buzz box for hours and hours on end

Sure, but i dont think anyone ever suggested any tin can buzz boxes, which is unusual for a GRM thread.

I get the hybrid thing- and I rented a Sonata and returned 45 mpg on a trip- but I can get 50+ with a TDI and not feel like a wiener. I know it is probably a polarizing topic, but I am not going hybrid unless is has more than 500 HP. Just a personal thing.

Well, i was trying to stick to things that would have some panache or driving enjoyment, but if being a hybrid even if it does 0-60 in 5.2 is going to make you feel like a wiener, sure, go for the Porsche! Maybe it will make you feel like some more positive phallic term, like a BIG HARD THROBBING wiener. That m3 seems really cheap, but it doesnt sound like you are concerned about saving money so im not sure that's much of a selling point. As far as the Lexus LS and your 500hp preferences.. The hybrid LS is faster. Just sayin.

Easy hoss! I was just saying I don't want to buy something like a cruize that will be worth 15% of it's purchase price in a couple of years.

Not sure why you need to bring throbbing wieners into the conversation- maybe you have issues you want to discuss on the off topic board? If you think a 996 is a phallic symbol-- not sure anyone here can help you.

I have owned 3 miata's, so my "car manliness" has been flushed a long time ago. I also owned and raced Neon ACR's back in the day- so I got over the camaro thing a long time ago.

Oh, i was just commenting on the latent comedy of how wanting a sports car and 500hp and owning even a fast hybrid would make you feel bad fit the stereotype of someone looking for a compensation machine. I dont really believe that based on your comments but i still think the parallels are funny.

I do think buying an AWD Porsche partially on the pretense of inclement weather is kinda silly, but all car enthusiasts are tempted to make that kind of leap on a regular basis. Im not sure the low surface loading and available tires in the appropriate sizes for such a car add up to better safety in that weather vs something less sporty. That's not to say you shouldnt do it. We all compromise safety for fun on a constant basis and as long as we are realistic and take ownership of our choices it's perfectly valid. I personally drive an 1800 lb car most of the time, which has obvious safety ramifications.

PHeller wrote: Do not understand how a hippy dominated market of TDI owners can make someone feel less wienerish than a sensible hybrid. I know far more folks who own big honkin v8 race cars and daily hybrids than I do folks who own a TDI and fire breathing race car. TDI owners tend to be non-car folks. Get a hybrid and do the speed limit and I promise no one will think less of you.

A Golf tdi is a fun, cool little car. A Prius is novacaine. A Prius C is highly entertaining in a what the hell is it doing now sense. Can't speak for any other hybrids, but I kind of hated the Prii. They are also more expensive and no more efficient for the op's commute.