Possibly switching up cars...

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2012 10:33 am

markmerrill wrote:

Thanks for the thoughts about reliability. I hadn't gotten that far in my research yet.

Here is all you need to know...if it was made or designed by a German...keep looking.

Zach Hill · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:32 pm

Just my 2¢...

Nearly all of the automatic-with-shifter transmissions suck, except for the double clutch ones which are on highly expensive cars (M3, GT-R). And while the fancy DCT cars might technically shift faster, some argue they just aren't the same as a proper 3-pedal car and don't give the same experience.
:deadhorse:

I, like others, think you're going about this in the wrong order: Teach Roberta to drive a manual, THEN have her try an autocross. Preferably the Novice School or Chick School. Driving a stick is a useful life skill, and you never know when it might come in handy. Plus it gives more of a connection between driver and car, and engages the driver more thus making them more attentive and hopefully a safer driver. I know she's smart and has finely-tuned hand-eye coordination being a gamer, so I'm sure it wouldn't take her long to pick it up.

As for getting a new car with better gas mileage and more headroom, I totally understand that.

A WRX/STi or Lancer EVO would be good choices for practicality, reliability, interior room (4 seats), and good handling & power. I'd say anything Japanese, three pedals, and not WRD (Wrong-Wheel-Drive, aka FWD) would be a good choice.

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 5:56 pm

if it was not for the auto needed thing. I would say WRX.. they are not the most efficient things.. but they are fun.
Then you could come rallycross! I am rather liking my mothers 528i sedan, it has the touch shift automatic. It acts like a sequential in sport mode, its actually alot of fun..its like a motorcycle, forward is up, back is down. The twin cam 6 is strong, and the car is roomy, and automatic. it is a 2000 model four door . Heck it even has a sport rear diff. fun car.

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 6:06 pm

i have a 72 lb boxer girl dog and she fits fine in my wrx. She sits in the back seat, and lays down. (then she sleeps)
I dont fit in the rx8 for nothing either, headroom is bad.. and i am 6 foot even! mini cooper s,, that is a good choice.. i like them. I did fwd with a nissan sentra se-r for years. Golf gti turbo 1.8t, another cool car. Not as reliable as a honda, but fun car. Bmw is always fun, pricey but fun cars and rwd. You dont need a big engine in a bmw to have fun. our old 325is was fun so many years. She is making a slow comeback too! Bmw is probably the best bet, our bmw 528i was not terribly expensive, four doors, automatic, 6 cylinder.. great car. Older bmw automatics are not always the best.. so if she can master a manual I say do it. However our car is auto, and does great. i say e36 328i sedan. not expensive and four seats.. and 6 cylinders.

Keith Quistorff · **Posted:** Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:52 am

I'm also 6' tall, and my base RX-8 (no sunroof, manual seats w/height adjustment) has more than enough headroom - it's the first car I've autocrossed that I don't run the seat at/near the lowest height adjustment to fit with a helmet on and seatback in "race" (more vertical) position. So, while non-base RX-8s might lack headroom (I have no personal experience to confirm or deny), don't assume that's the case for all RX-8s.

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:58 am

well i sat in a rx8 r1 at a local car expo.. and i must say.. while i have a tall torso, that may be my problem.. it was a little snug.My wrx i have the seat at one click before the bottom.. and i dont adjust it at all for my helmet.. no adjustments whatsoever actually! first for me, my sentra I had to fiddle with it alot, to fit my helmet.Maybe a base rx8, or one with a bucket seat or something, because the r1 I sat in local at a car expo, really did not fit me at all.My father is all legs, he fits in a miata headroom wise rather well.. Where as for me, I sit up I can see over the windshield header well.I can litteraly sit up and see over the windshield, its pretty funny. Many cars I have trouble in, the 240sx is another one I dont fit in.

noahfleming · **Posted:** Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:11 pm

Keith Quistorff wrote:

I'm also 6' tall, and my base RX-8 (no sunroof, manual seats w/height adjustment) has more than enough headroom - it's the first car I've autocrossed that I don't run the seat at/near the lowest height adjustment to fit with a helmet on and seatback in "race" (more vertical) position. So, while non-base RX-8s might lack headroom (I have no personal experience to confirm or deny), don't assume that's the case for all RX-8s.

RX-8 ceiling fitted with a sunroof is about 1/2" lower that base model.

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 9:32 am

my wrx has no sunroof.. it fits me fine.

Bobby Windmeyer · **Posted:** Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:24 pm

Mark,
I'm selling my GTI and it should meet all of your requirements if you're still looking.
- Gas mileage is in the 30's on the highway and has averaged total with all types of driving.
- I'm 6'1 and there's gobs of headroom left, even with a helmet.
- This is the only non-stick I've ever owned, but I must say that the VW DSG is very impressive.
The paddle shifting is crazy quick with the dual clutches. Also, shifting to S in automatic would be perfect for your wife for autocrossing.
- It has the V12 evo 'kooks with about 65% treadwear remaining.

I should post this in the Sales&swap section, but here is a link to the craigslist ad:
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2934094846.html
I'm sure there's a THSCC special price.

If nothing else you can come try out the DSG if you haven't before.

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Sun Apr 01, 2012 9:31 pm

when it said you were 6 foot one. i thought you said you were 61. I was very confused how it said you height and age were related.

I agree, we had some golf 2.5l fwd cars at the rental place i worked at.. they were cool. They had the tiptronic transmission,similar to the one in my mothers bmw 528i.. touch forward for up, back for down.

The twin clutch transmission I think, is what the cars are going to now. Rally cars are sequential, race cars are sequential,
even some rigs are automatic for city trucks.

A semi automatic trans would be perfect, quick shifts, boosted performance.. good handling vw.. great little car.

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