I think threads like this have been done before, but I did a couple of searches and looked back through all of the December posts and couldn't find anything, so...
I always find it interesting to see people's thought process when they buy a new car. What did they consider? What did they cross-shop and test drive? Why did they ultimately choose the car they bought. Since I'm often the person in my circle of family and friends that people consult on these things, knowing other people's experiences helps me to be better informed. So if you could put down some of that info: other considered, shopped, and what swayed you to the Speed, I'll file it away for future use.
As for me, I need something fairly practical (no 2 seaters), live at the top of a steep hill where it snows (AWD preferred), enjoy driving (the more HP and grip the better), and have a budget.
I looked at used '05 GTOs with the 6.0, but the trunk was Miata sized, it only was a 4 passenger, 2 doors wasn't optimal and it was RWD, plus the gas mileage was going to be terrible. Overall, the 400 horsepower alone wasn't enough for $25k given all the other shortcomings.
I had a deal made on an '04 Cadillac CTS-V for $35k. I loved everything about that car, at least in theory, and searched everywhere for them, even joined the Cadillac forum. Bur in reality, the interior was awful (inexcusable in a car that stickers for over $50k) and with 6 lugs, aftermarket wheels for snow tires on that RWD beast would have been outrageous money. For the cost of the car, plus the extra cost of fuel, given the tire issues, some quality concerns, the horrible rubbery shifter and cheap interior, I walked away.
Briefly considered a new or used G35x, but was trading in a Maxima with the same 3.5 liter that had over 30 days in the shop for various ugly issues in the first 35k miles (2 new ECUs, MAF, cracked fuel injector, etc, etc).
Looked at the Civic Si, but there were no deals on those, inventory was low and the sticker was within $2000 of the Speed 6 (after discounts).
Went to the Zoom Zoom Live event (in the rain) and decided the Speed was the car. Bought mine that very day.
I always find it interesting to see people's thought process when they buy a new car. What did they consider? What did they cross-shop and test drive? Why did they ultimately choose the car they bought. Since I'm often the person in my circle of family and friends that people consult on these things, knowing other people's experiences helps me to be better informed. So if you could put down some of that info: other considered, shopped, and what swayed you to the Speed, I'll file it away for future use.
As for me, I need something fairly practical (no 2 seaters), live at the top of a steep hill where it snows (AWD preferred), enjoy driving (the more HP and grip the better), and have a budget.
I looked at used '05 GTOs with the 6.0, but the trunk was Miata sized, it only was a 4 passenger, 2 doors wasn't optimal and it was RWD, plus the gas mileage was going to be terrible. Overall, the 400 horsepower alone wasn't enough for $25k given all the other shortcomings.
I had a deal made on an '04 Cadillac CTS-V for $35k. I loved everything about that car, at least in theory, and searched everywhere for them, even joined the Cadillac forum. Bur in reality, the interior was awful (inexcusable in a car that stickers for over $50k) and with 6 lugs, aftermarket wheels for snow tires on that RWD beast would have been outrageous money. For the cost of the car, plus the extra cost of fuel, given the tire issues, some quality concerns, the horrible rubbery shifter and cheap interior, I walked away.
Briefly considered a new or used G35x, but was trading in a Maxima with the same 3.5 liter that had over 30 days in the shop for various ugly issues in the first 35k miles (2 new ECUs, MAF, cracked fuel injector, etc, etc).
Looked at the Civic Si, but there were no deals on those, inventory was low and the sticker was within $2000 of the Speed 6 (after discounts).
Went to the Zoom Zoom Live event (in the rain) and decided the Speed was the car. Bought mine that very day.