I am so excited. After months of research, 8 test-drives, tons of review analyzis, thousand of questions asked, nights not being able to sleep, I finally made a decision and bought a new car!
Yes, it was time to say good-bye to my good old Golf III that served me well. 160k miles later, a mod chip in the guts for a 17 HP increase, rice style taillights, it had suffered enough. I will miss you, little devil. Even with 10 years in you, you could still give me 95mph rush on our dear 101 between moffet and lawrence exit. After 45 miles of commute every day, you just couldn’t help but push it a little bit faster before our exit. But don’t you worry now, rest in peace, I didn’t give you up for some sort of old man’s car.

Now what the hell am I talking about …

We first tried the Audi A4 - 4-door 1.8T Sedan because my friends JP & Gilles have one and they loved it. We liked it a lot but then we then tried the 2005 BMW 325i. And man! What a difference. Even the automatic had great kick and so smooth. But the price man…. that’s when the dilemna started. I really wanted the BMW but it’s too much!! And I really wanted the 330 not the 185HP 325. So I convince myself to wait for the new model that comes out in a few months, according to one of Kelly’s colleague.

Meanwhile, I am starting to see more and more of Inifiniti G35s. I really like the Coupe but HATE the Sedan. But I want/need 4 doors. We decide to test drive one. The sedan. Drives ok but visibility is shit. Gave up on that one.

Month later, we met my friend thierry. He owns a Mini Cooper. That’s it! It’s the one! We test drive it, even rent one. Loved the race-kart feeling but, man, the highway was brutal. Terrible suspension, even the non-s version with 16″ tires was horrible. That’s out of the question for me.

Last thursday, the golf started to cough really bad. Registration is up in a few weeks, I got to do something.

Friday was off for me, so we decide to look into it more. Somehow, I am into the mood to swap the Montero now! This gaz hugging, unsafe monster is also driving me nuts so we’re thinking: the Honda Element. Very nice ride, smooth, feels like a car not a SUV but very ruggish. Lots of space though. Not a commute car but great for camping trips…

Yesterday, I came up to my senses and realize that we can’t afford a BMW, no way. And we should save money anyway. I had been seeing more of the Mazda3 around. I do like the sedan but the hatchback is nice too. We decide to go test drive it. It’s got 160HP so I figured it should be fun. Well the hatchback automatique was fun but slow to react, no torque when going uphill. Wouldn’t accelerate great on the highway. I am confused. 160 HP they claim! We’re about to leave but I gave the salesman another shot. I was really set on buying one. I asked him if we can test drive the manual. He only has a red sedan. Ok, this is better. Reacts better but the clutch is terrible, jerking us around, very sensitive and revs high without moving it. Gear ratios are screwed up maybe. We go home.

Now Kelly is getting really mad at me because I can’t decide. I managed to convince her to drop by the BMW dealership to “check” if they had any pre-owned. Just to check. Lucky for me, they were closing .. damn

We go to the movies and all we can see around us are BMWs. Maybe it’s a sign. A DINAN3, an M3, the new 3 Series. … ARGGGGG. The movie is “Transporter 2″. The guy is driving the new Audi A8 W12. No BMW this time. Hmm Audi .. that’s interesting ..

We go home and I spent a few hours talking with talal. He’s got a Honda s2000 so he knows a lot about cars. I go online. I LOVE KBB! They give you information about invoice prices vs MSRP. They tell you how cars appreciate over time compared to others. They allow you to get the invoice price for the options you want/need.
I realize that for a new BMW 325 with sport package and leather, it won’t be less than 38k. No freaking way! I don’t really like the new design anyway. Let’s see 2005 models. No less than 35k. Hmm tight. How about craigs list for a 2004 325. Man 30k barely. I am through with that car. That’s great that they hold their value when you already have one@!#! Not when you try to buy one…

Back to the drawing board, talal mentions saab & acura. I checked them out. How about a Saab 9-2x .. Looks like a subaru… Kelly would love that. Nope. Sorry, I can’t deal with the look of it… Acura TL, not bad but too big for me, not my style. How about a scion tC. I love the look of it. It’s mean. Rhaa I am too old for this…

Finally, I decide that I would hate myself if every time I’d see a BMW I’d regret I didn’t buy it. I decide that I’d go back to check out the pre-owned they have in SF and ask to test drive a manual 325 this time.

Back on the web and the audi website, I like the new Audi A3. I have been noticing them for a while (they just started commercializing it here), saw one in the streets the other day, really liked it but figured it was too pricey. Hmm actually, base price is 26k. Yeah but if it drives like the A4, no way. I still like the bmw better.

Today, sunday, time to go to BMW. Oh well, I decide to give the A3 a shot before. Let’s go test drive it. I go by myself this time…

And there she was…

Waiting for me …

The lucky successor for my dear golf…

English dude takes me for a drive. We get in car, automatic. Presses it down. I am glued to the seat. WHAT THE HELL! It’s an AUTOMATIC! Ok what just happened? It’s a 2 clutch system he says. It switches gear instantaneously when you need it. 200 HP, 2.0 Turbo. It’s got direct injection in the combustion chamber as opposed to the manifold so it gets great response. No turbo lag. Ok i can’t wait to see what it does in manual. But where’s the stick shift? There’s none#%$! It’s behind the wheel like FORMULA 1! Left paddle to shift up, right paddle to shift down. I am in a freaking video game. The guy is like, now let’s really push it. HOLY SHIT! Ok the guy had me sold the first 5 seconds but now I am shitting in my pants. MY TURN! MY TURN! oh boy, it feels sooooooooooo good. I got to stop smiling, I can’t show I really like it, the guy is gong to screw me over. Now I totally forgot the bmw. It drives better than Alex’s 330! (Alex I am sorry ;-))…

A few hours later, it’s sitting there at home and the rest is history.

I am still smiling. I am happy about my choice. I am not a BMW type of guy after all ;-) I knew it, I just didn’t want to admit it.

Now I can go to sleep and dream of how I am going to avoid tickets on the highway….