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Salomon · 08-15-2005, 02:11 PM

Drove a lot of cars today. First was the Subaru...didn't care for it. Reminds me too much of my old honda crx, with its paper-thin doors, loud and cheap looking interior. On the other hand, it is quite roomy indeed, and the engine is smooth and peppy. I'd have bought it 10 years ago in a heartbeat. Now, I wouldn't buy it unless someone gave it to me.

Drove the Volvo S40 T5 AWD. The exterior is very, very nice. I was expecting good things from the Volvo. Very sexy. But I have to say, the interior is very plain and cheap looking. Very dull, generic and uninspiring. A nice place to take a nap. It immediately put a damper on my enthusiasm to drive it. I managed to start it up and go, and it was decent. Not very exciting, but decent. Pretty smooth, pretty loud. Not my cup of tea though -- the interior is abominable.

Went back to the Infiniti dealer and drove the G again, as well as the M35x. The G is one badass car. I had the thing up to 120mph with zero drama, and amazing poise. What a ferocious engine! Road feel is typical Japanese though, which is to say, lacking, in comparison with the Audi and BMW anyway. No road feel, no feedback. It goes where you point it, but you don't feel it doing so as much as watch it happen. The M35x was a real disapointment. Nice interior, snazzy gauges, very luxurious and quiet. But this is a 2 ton car with a V6, and it feels it. It needs a V8, but then your into the M45 for $15k more. The M35 also had the same low gearing as on the G. At speed, it floats and leans much, much more than the G, which I hate.

Finally went to the Acura dealer next. The only reason I did was because the dealer had just emailed me a ridiculously good deal on a 2005 Acura RL (MSRP: $49k!!!) The lease he offered was about the same as for the $35k G35x. So, I bolted to the dealer, and asked the guy if I could test drive the car by myself one last time before a final decision. He said no -- take it home for the night instead. Whoa.

So its about 5 hours later, and I'm puzzled. This Acura is definitely a sweet ride. 300hp, AWD, leather everything, woodgrain trim, satellite radio, navigation, very roomy, very, very comfortable. And very boring to drive. Completely uninvolving, dead feel to the steering. Like driving an old Lincoln. BUT. For the price, it is an unbelievable deal. I might regret passing it up.

08-15-2005, 02:11 PM	#11 (permalink)
Salomon Loser	Drove a lot of cars today. First was the Subaru...didn't care for it. Reminds me too much of my old honda crx, with its paper-thin doors, loud and cheap looking interior. On the other hand, it is quite roomy indeed, and the engine is smooth and peppy. I'd have bought it 10 years ago in a heartbeat. Now, I wouldn't buy it unless someone gave it to me. Drove the Volvo S40 T5 AWD. The exterior is very, very nice. I was expecting good things from the Volvo. Very sexy. But I have to say, the interior is very plain and cheap looking. Very dull, generic and uninspiring. A nice place to take a nap. It immediately put a damper on my enthusiasm to drive it. I managed to start it up and go, and it was decent. Not very exciting, but decent. Pretty smooth, pretty loud. Not my cup of tea though -- the interior is abominable. Went back to the Infiniti dealer and drove the G again, as well as the M35x. The G is one badass car. I had the thing up to 120mph with zero drama, and amazing poise. What a ferocious engine! Road feel is typical Japanese though, which is to say, lacking, in comparison with the Audi and BMW anyway. No road feel, no feedback. It goes where you point it, but you don't feel it doing so as much as watch it happen. The M35x was a real disapointment. Nice interior, snazzy gauges, very luxurious and quiet. But this is a 2 ton car with a V6, and it feels it. It needs a V8, but then your into the M45 for $15k more. The M35 also had the same low gearing as on the G. At speed, it floats and leans much, much more than the G, which I hate. Finally went to the Acura dealer next. The only reason I did was because the dealer had just emailed me a ridiculously good deal on a 2005 Acura RL (MSRP: $49k!!!) The lease he offered was about the same as for the $35k G35x. So, I bolted to the dealer, and asked the guy if I could test drive the car by myself one last time before a final decision. He said no -- take it home for the night instead. Whoa. So its about 5 hours later, and I'm puzzled. This Acura is definitely a sweet ride. 300hp, AWD, leather everything, woodgrain trim, satellite radio, navigation, very roomy, very, very comfortable. And very boring to drive. Completely uninvolving, dead feel to the steering. Like driving an old Lincoln. BUT. For the price, it is an unbelievable deal. I might regret passing it up.