The Ultimate Driving Machine
My Focus has been giving us mechanical problems on and off for the last year. Stacey recently did some research suggesting that there is no end in sight for that make and model year, so we decided to replace it. I shall skip the story of Consumer Reports research, short lists, and test drives (all of which were dutifully performed) and get right to the meat of it: On Saturday, we bought a 1999 BMW 323i convertible. Specifically, we got this one:
Although I really, really loved the Prius I test drove, we just couldn't bring ourselves to pay $4,000 over invoice (because demand is so high right now), even if it drives like gold and gets 50 miles per gallon in the city. Our current thinking is that we'll replace Stacey's Saturn with a Prius in a year or two when the 2004 model year starts showing up on the used market.
Comments
I never understood the need for any sort of engine to write home about until we moved to California. Our Corolla did just fine in the flatness of Texas, but it whined like nothing else when we tried to take eastbound over the Camarillo Grade. When the 405 finally claimed its soul, we opted for something with a bit more oomph.
Enjoy! Does this mean you get to exploit the masses now?
Oy... never thought I'd say this: I'm jealous of your car.
I'm going to go cry in my rusty Mustang now.
OMG! Jeff Tidball becomes a BMW-driving dick! Well, has the potential to become one. Just have to up your dick-ness quotient. You're half-way there, baby!
It's weird ó I forget how uncommon BMWs are in lots of other parts of the country. There are lots of Beemers and Mercs on the roads of LA, and plenty of (relatively) reasonably priced used ones on the market, because cars live longer in the absence of road salt. Here, Stacey's Saturn is the rarity.
In any case, I shall endeavor to neither exploit masses nor morph into a penis.
First, dude, I could not be more envious if I tried... I love Beemers. Gorgeous cars. Can't afford one (you know, I work in the game industry and all... :) but I so want one.
Second, I will never, ever, ever buy a Ford again. Not sure if you read my LJ, but my Mystique (part of the Ford family) has been driving me ape-shit-batty for a while and the transmission recently died. In a big fucking way... Hearing about your Focus giving you problems doesn't surprise me. I've heard good things about them but it's still a Ford... They have a built in self-destruct timer... And that timer isn't set for a long time...
No more Fords, ever.
Dude owns a Beemer! Nice!
You _do_ know that BMW stands for "Break My Windows" right? ;)
Have fun!
From unemployed to a BMW in a few months. Cool! Nice car. Not my style (where do I put all my stuff? Two kids, hockey sticks and bags?), but a very nice car.
Ahhh...the germanification of our dear Tiddy continues. First a new Austrian Governer, now a fine German automobile. Will he be caught listening to Beethoven and drinking beer in October next?
No matter how much you enjoy the Beemer, Jeff, don't give in to evil and become a Deutschebag.
Oh, and Fords aren't *all* bad. My 1981 Fairmont is going strong!
Wow, exciting! I'm definitely envious.. seems like a lot of folks I know are getting really nice cars; I can't wait until it's my turn to buy one. In the meantime, I'll be perfectly content to gawk at that thing come November. :) Enjoy it!
You are totally one of those So-Cal Beeemer driving dicks now, but at least you are part of that slightly edgier subdued sub-species of So-Cal used Beemer driving dicks, just don't start referring to your car as "pre-owned" and everything will be fine. Congrats.
Don't listen to the naysayers, embrace your phallic destiny and cut people off with gusto, park in the handicapped spots without shame, valet everywhere you can and refuse to go to places that you can't. Say it loud, say it proud, FREUDE AM FAHREN!
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