Houston Auto Show

[Ross]

Went with Dawn last night since this is her year for a new car. She really wants a convertible, so we were looking at the various offerings.
Although neither of us has ever owned a foreign car, we looked at everything that was there.
VW makes a decent looking one. NOT the beetle.
Pontiac makes a decent looking one. GT6 or something like that.
Also, the Pontiac Solstice and its Saturn clone look cool. They are just so impractical if she wants to carry anything more than her purse!
Haven't bought a car in awhile, so sticker shock is always a part of looking at new cars.
I guess online research, maybe Consumer Reports, is next, and then to some test drives.

[RCSignals]

get her one of these

warrior in pink (http://www.fordvehicles.com/warriorsinpink/mustang/)

[Ross]

Thanks for the hint, RC, but after all the trouble I've had with my MM, I have sworn a blood oath that I will never own a Ford again!

[Aren Jay]

Buy used. Have a good look at the local Prowler or T-Birds.

An SSR is nice as is the 2001+ Jaguar XK8.

Corvette or Mustang...

Buy used save a bundle, get her a 2 days at the local spa, hair cut and new shoes, clothes and a new suit for yourself, then go out to an expensive resturant and have lots of fun.

In the end you will have saved yourself $$$$$'s and still have a great car.

And a Happy Dawn.

here are the SSR's Prowlers and T-Brids within 100 miles of you.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?num_records= 25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Ais psearchform&search_type=both&distance=100&address=77002&marketZipError=false&style_flag=1&make=FORD&model=TBIRD&make2=CHEV&model2=SSR&make3=PLYM&model3=PROWLE&start_year=1996&end_year=2008&min_price=&max_price=&transmission=&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=y&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&systime=

Jaguars, Mustangs and Vettes:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?num_records= 25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Ais psearchform&search_type=both&distance=100&address=77002&marketZipError=false&style_flag=2&body_style=CONVERT&make=JAG&model=JAGXK8&make2=CHEV&model2=CORV&make3=FORD&model3=MUST&start_year=2001&end_year=2003&min_price=&max_price=&transmission=&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=1&certified=&advanced=y&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&systime=

Don't forget:

http://www.texascarsdirect.com/PublicWeb/UI/WebForms/PublicFrame.html

[mrjones]

[QUOTE=Ross;575964 I have sworn a blood oath that I will never own a Ford again![/QUOTE]


I understand that completely, but we just bought my wife a new GT convertible, and as far as build quality, it's a whole different animal than the Marauder. It's great as a convertible - VERY quiet, and runs good. As mentioned above, the Warriors in Pink edition is way cool, especially for a woman driver.

[2003 MIB]

Mini Cooper

[Ross]

Actually, the idea of a late model used car in good condition has been discussed. It does open up more options.
A Mini Cooper? I don't want a car that can fit in the trunk of my MM!

[2003 MIB]

Actually, the idea of a late model used car in good condition has been discussed. It does open up more options.
A Mini Cooper? I don't want a car that can fit in the trunk of my MM!

It's spare in case you have more powertrain issues...:D

[Aren Jay]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=238208321&dealer_id=61953893&car_year=2000&model=TBIRD&num_records=25&systime=&make3=PLYM&make2=CHEV&start_year=1996&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&model3=PROWLE&model2=SSR&search_lang=en&make=FORD&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Ais psearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=77002&advanced=y&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=20

This one sticks in my brain. I would love to have that car.

[hot-rauder]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=238208321&dealer_id=61953893&car_year=2000&model=TBIRD&num_records=25&systime=&make3=PLYM&make2=CHEV&start_year=1996&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&model3=PROWLE&model2=SSR&search_lang=en&make=FORD&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Ais psearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=77002&advanced=y&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=20

This one stick in my brain. I would love to have that car.


Prowlers were known for being problematic if i remember correctly.

and i didnt know the centerstack in the prowler was almost exact to the minvivans of those years lol.

[RCSignals]

Thanks for the hint, RC, but after all the trouble I've had with my MM, I have sworn a blood oath that I will never own a Ford again!

Give one a look. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

They aren't built in Canada, they are built at AAI in Flat Rock MI on the same line as Mazdas, and the Mazdas have a high quality rating. (So do Fords these days)

[Aren Jay]

Prowlers were known for being problematic if i remember correctly.

and i didnt know the centerstack in the prowler was almost exact to the minvivans of those years lol.


That is because people try to mod them to make them go fast.

If you leave it alone it is fine.