[Biturbos4] Naughty thought...

[Single Malt]

--- "j.koenig" <j.koenig at adelphia.net> wrote:
> I keep pondering all of the same ideas ... weight,
> mileage, out-of-warranty 
> cost, usefulness, Mini, etc.  One can argue that the

I cannot comment on the Mini versus whatever (I wish I
had the time to drive everything out there though), so
stop reading here if you don't want to listen to my
mini-rant (no pun intended).

When looking at your current vehicle situation, I
sometimes have the feeling that the "group think"
takes over ... if you actually crunch the numbers when
factoring in the cost of obtaining a new vehicle
versus repairing an old one - it is almost *always*
cheaper to fix the old (even when faced with a $5-7k
turbo-job).  However, my father-in-law (may he rest in
peace) once said that once a guy gets it in his head
to get a new car, he's gonna get a new car (he was
talking about me at the time, but it was applicable to
most).

Those that rationalize the current residual value in
their repair decision (i.e. "How much? It's not even
worth that!"), I feel are using that as a means to
justify the new car too ... since *very* few
automobiles are worthy of "investment" value and if
that is your focus ...

Now once the vehicle degrades to a certain level
(windows don't work, radio's out, seat heaters are
done, etc.), then maybe its time to strip it down for
pure track use <grin>!

About weight .... each morning and night, the news
reports local accidents on this highway or that.  I
*like* the heavier vehicle weight ... makes me feel a
little safer.  Yea, it's a bit of a pig in the
tight-and-twisties, but I'm working on the skillz to
overcome that :)

About MPG .... well, I'm not sure why this comes up so
often ... I use the throttle ALOT (I'm *very*
fortunate to commute during low flow times and long
open highways mixed with sweet curvy canyon roads) and
consistently get 24-26 MPG.  Heck, the latest
"performance" hybrid is boasting a whopping 25! Whee!

Bottom line is, if you are fantasizing about a new
ride, you're likely going to get the one that appeals
to you (dang marketing b'tards) no matter how it
stacks up technically.  Furthermore, you'll
rationalize why it it so much superior to the old one
you *had* to get rid of!

Enjoy your search for a new car, I think you'll like
whatever you get.


--
Single Malt
'01.5 S4
Garaged at 9200ft
just outside Denver, CO


		
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