ive been researching new cars lately...and sad to say, I cant find anything I like more than the current R I own. I need AWD, MT, and power...and im not rich. so forgo any exotics.
FACTS:
Audis new A6 with the S/C 6 cylinder (over 300/300 HP/TQ), a beautiful engine btw, does NOT come in any type of manual transmission.
MB's C300 sport is underpowered, and once you choose AWD as an option you cannot get a MT. And the higher powered (268HP) C350 doesnt even have MT as an option...
The new S80 is a beautiful car IMO, but no MT. I would love to drive that car.
Subarus are ugly, but even when you go into the 3.6R Legacy, MT isnt offered either I believe...and when you option out a 2.5GT its well into the 35-40K range, which is way too high for a Subaru...a ugly one at that.
We are truly a dying breed. Either I have to move to Europe, where these MAY be offerred, or drive the R until the wheels fall off.
Im all confused about importing cars really...any way to import say, a V8 or T6 S80 MT into the US?
and you are correct, the major downside to Mercedes is if you want their powerful cars, you have to drop major bills and BMW is going hybrid on the 335 starting in 2010 i think, so no more 335i twin turbo. which is a bummer.
well i guess this is where my hate for BMW comes in. 335Xi sedan would be the only choice for me, but its still highly priced.
Infinitis and whatnot, you cannot combine the sport package with the AWD. and theyre ugly. and who knows about the MT options, didnt even bother looking..
What is the R lacking that makes you want to change rides?
If you're not in a huge rush, order a 335xi for European Delivery. The car easily satisfies all of your requirements, and European Delivery takes some of the sting off the price tag.
. The new supercharged v6 is insane. 430hp after the tune with absolutely no other additions to the car.
the whole front fascia is just...ugly to me. The A6 is a much better looking car than the S4 IMO.
And truthfully, I think the R is one of the BEST looking euro sedans out there. Very much like the older S4s with the flat 6spoke wheels. MY 04 i guess?
I love the R, and feel the wagon is THE perfect car for me. But it won't last forever.
About the only vehicle I would consider replacing it with right now would be the XC60 R-design when it comes out, but there's no MT option and I'm sure it won't handle nearly as well. Everything else is overpriced, underpowered, crappy styling, or Automatics.
As more DSGs come online I think you'll see better offerings. Actually surprised that Audi hasn't switched to S-Tronic for everything. You pay enough for them as it is.
I've been trying to read the tea leaves for what could happen when the VIP runs out in '11. There may be some left over CTS manuals lying around. There may be a CPO'd 535xiT manual, but the sound of iDrive annoys me (I've admittedly never actually experienced it). Other than that, it's making sure to replace the Mobil 1 ever 4000. A dying breed, indeed.
MT should be a standard option on all sport-like cars. ESP euro sedans.
535xi would be acceptable for me, but its just out of my price range for now. well optioned comes out to be about/over 60K. but at least it comes with a MT.
just sad in general i think.
535xi would be acceptable for me, but its just out of my price range for now. well optioned comes out to be about/over 60K. but at least it comes with a MT.
Me too, thus my aim for a CPO (but even the maintenance/service rates on those can be a burden.)
The Saab may be something. The 9-3 SportCombi is a little too small (somewhere between a v50 and v70). But by '11 they may have released a variant of the new 9-5. I think the design on the sedan is really good. And with Koenigsegg at the helm, I expect manuals will continue to be available.
welcome to future in the US, manuals will be hard to come by, and those that have them, prepare to shell out dearly as it will probably be a high end model, or you'll only find them in a very base model.
http://********************/smile/emthdown.gif
as the R is such an overall package for me, I just plan to rock that for quite some time as I think a good replacement will be tough to find. I will never ever ever never ever drive anything but a manual. you can take my clutch away when i'm dead and buried.
I have settled on a wagon to replace the current VR in the next few years. I have accepted the fact that I won't have a manual in the next car. As it looks right now I want to find a CPO Audi A6 3.0T Avant. Audi Canada has dropped the price on the A6 , the MSRP is close to what the V70R was in 2006.
I am consoling myself with the fact that I still have two manuals in the stable though. A Dodge Dakota Quad Cab and a Volvo P1800.
They do have those nice Saab TurboX's and TurboX sportcombi's which i like a lot. Then again i have a friend whos father works for Saab (has for many years) and told me that he would never own a Saab...stick with the R for now...i bet something new will be out within the next 2 years or so
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