Belgarath Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 My employer offers managers who have been with the company for 4 yrs the wonderful opportunity to drive a company car. My 4 yr anniversary is coming up so I need to make a final decision so that I can place the order. Only one problem: I just can't make up my mind on which car to choose. I figure throwing my ideas out to the wise car guru's on lgt.com will help me finalize a decision. Please keep in mind: gas mileage, insurance, vehicle cost and maintenance are of no concern because the company pays for all of the above (I even get a free rental if my car is in the shop for an extended time). Do, do, dooooo.... The list (all MY2005): ~Dodge Caravan SXT, 3.8L V6, AT and teh ghey... built right in ~F150 Supercab XLT 4X4, 4.6L V8, AT and P255/70R17's ~Ford Escape 4WD XLS, 2.3L I4, AT and gutless through and through ~Mercury Sable, 3.0L V6, AT and, um, no... ~Mini Cooper S, Supercharged 1.6L I4, 6 speed MT, and built in go karting ~Volvo S40, 2.4L I5 (no turbo, ggrrrr), AT, and it's one of the more beautiful cars on the road in my opinion ~There are others that I won't list here because I have to pay for upgrades from category to category, and these are the cars in the category that's almost free (less than $50 a paycheck). So, I think I've narrowed it down to the F150, the S40 and the Cooper for these reasons: F150: Great addition to our household as we don't currently own a truck. NO thrill or excitement driving. Able to go to the few places I won't take the OBXT to. The most sensible decision I could go with. S40: Awesome looking car with decent performance. I'll pimp it out with a heavy option pack including leather, premium sound and a sport package. It's an AT car, my wife and I both prefer MT in a car. My kid will be safe in it. It's not a truck (good and bad). Cooper: The only MT available to me and it's a 6 speed. Passion, I've wanted one of these since day one. Great performance (ok, so the 0-60 isn't great, but test drive one... best handling car EVAR). It's kind of a chick car unless you're an enthusiast that understands it. Econo-box styling that, although I love, many hate. My 3 yr old son will be banned from riding in it as I feel the back seat isn't safe because it's about 4 inches from the rear of the car. So, what do you guys think...? I'm stuck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallispec Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 if you're company is paying the gas bill, i'd get the F150. It's just nice to have that utility if you need it. otherwise get the volvo, might be a nice change from the outback once in a while. The mini is a chick car, and while it handles decently for a FWD car, it really isnt that much fun to drive and is just too small to have any kind of practicallity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
05LegacyGT330Ci Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 I'd say the 150 or the Mini Cooper S. Song of Post- Led Zeppelin- Whole Lotta Love '05 Black Legacy GT Wagon 5-spd '02 Topaz/Black 330Ci 5-spd Drift Ryder's School of Rally Arts, coming to an Australia near you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewScooby Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 Test driving the Mini Cooper S was the most fun I have ever had test driving a car. I would get the Mini and autcross it. Try to imagine your in The Italian Job zigging through traffic as you left work everyday. It is always nice to have a truck around, but for day to day driving I'd pass. Parking them is horrible in the tiny parking spaces where I work. Plus, All of my friends who own trucks would jump at the chance to lend it to me if I had a Mini they could take while I used their truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaze Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 Plus, if you get a truck you will find that friends and family will always ask for your help when moving...haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepy Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 Comes down to utility. F150 is super useful. Coop S is SUPER fun. That thing corners so hard it'll make the wax come out of your ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S4 Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 Mercury Sable! That thing is HAWT!!!! j/k I'd get the mini. Do you have to pay for gas or do you get reimbursed? If you have to pay for gas, the F150 would suck for a daily driver... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallispec Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 Mercury Sable! That thing is HAWT!!!! I didnt even think the Sable was still being made. Didnt that get killed off a year ago.. or at least this year with the death of the taurus? edit.. i guess not... still listed as an '05 model on the mercury website.. i'm sure it wont be long until it is gone though. Doesn't change the fact that you shouldnt choose it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest *Jedimaster* Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 I'd go for either the Cooper S or the Volvo, depending on what kind of miles you'll be putting on on which roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graff48 Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 It it were me, I'd be all over the Mini. I hear the '05's shorter gearing have really helped the car in the straights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT Ski Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 Mini. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Monkey Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 No brainer: get the Mini! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firedawgs Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 We just traded my wives car in for a Nissan truck. It is the best choice we have made in a long time. Having a sporty car for fun and a truck for practicality is perfect. Go with the practical choice. Just make sure you get the FX4 package; well worth it. Updated my vBGarage: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaze Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 While I think the Mini would be cool, it sounds like you're worried about your young son's safety in the back seat. In this case, I would pick one of the safer vehicles since my family's safety would be my top priority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belgarath Posted February 8, 2005 Author Share Posted February 8, 2005 While I think the Mini would be cool, it sounds like you're worried about your young son's safety in the back seat. In this case, I would pick one of the safer vehicles since my family's safety would be my top priority. My son's safety is my top priority... that's why he'll always ride in the safety of our OB XT. The Mini would just mean that he wouldn't be able to ride in that vehicle. That's not a huge problem as I'm sure my wife will like driving the Mini when I have the kiddo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godwhomismike Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 Mini Cooper S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Monkey Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 http://www.bridger.us/2002/12/16/CrashTestingMINICooperVsFordF150 ...though they've improved the new F150 signifigantly... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belgarath Posted February 8, 2005 Author Share Posted February 8, 2005 Wow, nice link DM... my concern with almost every vehicle I've looked at is the NHTSA doesn't test rear-end collisions. I've been in 3 accidents in the last 2 years, all of which I was rear-ended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanoswrx Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 Id say get the Mini or the F-150. Both you can beat on, just in different ways. If you want to do some auto-x'ing get the mini, if you go off road, get the F-150. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nsaglibene Posted February 9, 2005 Share Posted February 9, 2005 Minis are way kool, if your driving the car back and fourth alone mostly I think the mini would be the best choice because of the fun factor. Coming out of driving a truck I would not lean to this side. Trucks are a huge pain in the ass to drive, not fun to park and all that. They are very useful as I had discovered but you will be asked many favors. If you do find yourself moving your own stuff alot than it seems like the truck would save you a lot of trouble but if not is it really worth it? Do you find yourself moving furniture often? I guess thats the main question it comes down to. I would love to get the mini s tho, good luck with your decision. -NS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynerd Posted February 9, 2005 Share Posted February 9, 2005 Since it IS a company car, what is it for? Just to haul your butt back and forth to work? Do you meet or haul clients/customers anywhere? Do you take equipment/materials anywhere? Do you visit multiple offices/sites? F-150 good if you haul lots of stuff (except a$$), but bulky to handle S-40 I thought was a way overpriced package when we bought the Subaru Mini they'll actually let you get a Mini...REALLY? How'bout another Subaru? Getta Outback Sedan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bretm1 Posted February 11, 2005 Share Posted February 11, 2005 hmmmmmmmm. interesting mix. but nonetheless i'm thinking mini cooper s. go autocross! all of the other vehicles are practically free after a couple of years and if you get the cooper and decide to buy it out at what your company owes(companies i've worked for in the past have offered this option to employees) you have a good investment and/or a great little vehicle to keep or sell. if safety is an issue (i'm not sure about the crash tests on the mini, but i have a feeling theyare probably not bad) and utility is an issue, buy a cheap used minivan, taurus/sable or pickup-there are plenty of them out there. the volvo-sharing a platform with the upcoming ford focus and current mazda 3 is a nice looking adequately performing vehicle, but i think once you get over the chick factor (don't worry about that-no one is judging) it will be hard to wipe the smile off your face. This is not my beautiful car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsyGT Posted February 11, 2005 Share Posted February 11, 2005 Mini. Especially if you'd never consider buying one, it'd be fun to have for a few years. Besides, commuting in a pickup is no fun. tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.