New or Used: Classy Moves, Perceived Personalities

Sajeev Mehta and Steve Lang
by Sajeev Mehta and Steve Lang

John writes:

Dear Sajeev and Steve: Currently, I’m searching for a car based off of the car’s perceived personality. This might turn out a bit vague, so I’m going to have to force you to bear with me, here. I currently do all of my balling in a ’00 Avalon. In gangsta’ white. It’s a bit septuagenarian, yes, but it can be loved. I compare it to an old Akita Inu – loyal, honest, obedient, but also a bit too lazy.

Most of the meaning drawn from this car and my resulting attachment to it stems from the four passenger seats, and the friends that I haul about in those seats. Because of the Avalon’s general blandness in most other areas (although I can get a pseudo-tail out experience when gunning it around corners in heavy rain), I’ve found virtue in its people-carrying, tool-for-transportation mentality. I’m forced to focus on the people I drive. Now, though, I’m looking for a car that’s a bit more playful (something other than FWD and some actual *gasp* sporting intent), a bit more earnest (six-speed, three pedals), but just as honest as the Avalon. I’m also looking for a car that doesn’t take itself too seriously. That means: if I pull up next to someone who is driving this hypothetical car while at a stoplight, the driver shouldn’t be able to scowl at me and have it look natural. This car (ideally) should be one that can complement a goofy smile, but still haul a considerable amount of arse.

When I stop at an intersection, waiting for the light, and look at the faces of the people around me, I find that they’re usually all grim and silent. I’m the only fool who’s blasting “We Are the Champions” and smiling. So – it’d be nice if my next car had a decent audio system also (exhaust sound counts as an audio system, preferably in V8 flavor).

Road-trip ability is also a must. Bonus points are awarded if the car can look natural while parked outside a diner in Arizona. All this searching leads me to a Challenger (SRT-8) or Mustang of the V8 variety, because I don’t gel with the Camaro that well (and I don’t want to even think about the Charger). Or maybe a Subaru, just because.

Am I on the right track, here? Are there any options that I’ve overlooked? I’m looking for something with personality. Goofiness is accepted. Passenger-friendliness is a must. Performance, too. I’m looking to adopt the automotive equivalent of an eager, seven-month old Golden Retriever.

Thanks, and remember to smile more often when you drive (if you don’t already).

Sajeev Answers:

Your take on life is wicked cool. As a classy example of the male species, you need a ferociously geeky muscle car to complement it. You are the reason why I spent big money and countless hours on a “High Output” 5.0 upgrade to my Fox Body Mercury Cougar XR-7. And, in the end, a T-56 stick to be “Tru 2 It.” It’s part Mustang Cobra, part old school Toyota Avalon. Sort of. Plus, the re-popularization of the Cougar name makes it all worthwhile. A friend once admitted he’d rather have my Old Lady’s 6-speed over my brother’s 2005 Ford (not Mustang) GT on name alone. You see, some classy and sophisticated men want a Cougar in their home, even if it’s just in the garage. He was also drunk off his ass at the time. Super classy!

Soberly speaking, you don’t need a Cougar with a T-56 transmission. Sanity suggests a newer Mustang purchased according to your budget. I’d go for the 2008-09 Mustang in Bullitt form, with a short shifter, 2010-up Mustang GT mufflers (trust me on that), SCT re-flash and an extreme Steve McQueen makeover for your entire life. I’m talkin’ haircut, sideburns, wardrobe, and irreverent coolness that only comes from such a universally-heralded B.A.M.F. Don’t forget to load up the iPod with everything Lalo Schifrin; otherwise you’re wasting everyone’s time here. Good luck to you, my good man!

Steve Answers:

What’s your budget? I take it you can spend upwards of 30k on this vehicle given your aspirations. There is a lot of car that can be had at that range. Especially a lightly ‘used’ car with an even stronger warranty than the new car deal.

The Pontiac’s G8 and GTO would be near the top of my list. You get enough power to lift a small NASA rocket and the Q-Ship factor of the G8 makes it a very worthy companion. They are also a bit rare so the price to value ratio may not be as strong as you imagine.

The Challenger is a bit softer in today’s market than the Camaro and Mustang. As for the Mustang, I would consider a loaded up V6 model over the V8 since you will still have 300 horsepower and features can be added up with aplomb for the V6. The Camaro’s styling doesn’t do much for me and Subaru has pretty much become the new Yuppie brand. I’ve had dozens of them and the new ones seem to be a bit Camry-ish for my tastes.

What else? Well you have a near-new Audi A4, VW GTI, a 6-speed A3 in diesel form. They all offer nice interior accommodations and plenty of hoon factor although you will pay a bit more for maintenance. The BMW 3-Series was leased to the hilt a few years back which means there’s plenty of supply right now. I would consider a two year old 5-Series, and get a strong CPO warranty with it as well.

There is also practically any two to four year old used vehicle that was sold in the 40k to 70k range. You name the ‘prestige’ brand. They sold at least one two door and one four door model that can be had in that range used. In the end you have to find what makes you happy and I’m sure that 90+% of what I just mentioned will do exactly that. Good luck.

Need help with a car buying conundrum? Email your particulars to mehta@ttac.com, and let TTAC’s collective wisdom make the decision easier… or possibly much, much harder.

Sajeev Mehta and Steve Lang
Sajeev Mehta and Steve Lang

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  • John Horner John Horner on Dec 31, 2010

    Lots of great suggestions have already been made, and I will add one more off the wall one: A 3 year old off-lease Jaguar XJ8. No manual, but loads of cool and comfortable for taking your friends across town or cross country.

    • EChid EChid on Jan 02, 2011

      I agree with the XJ8, totally unique.

  • Rpn453 Rpn453 on Jan 09, 2011
    . . . although I can get a pseudo-tail out experience when gunning it around corners in heavy rain . . . If you continue to drive the Avalon for a while, you should probably get some new tires. You really shouldn't be able to get any oversteer out of that car without heavy trail braking!
  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
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