Another test drive today

"Aaron M - MasoFiST" (amarks563)
11/24/2015 at 19:14 • Filed to: None

I had a couple test drives planned out today, but the Fiesta ST is a tad thin on the ground here and the one I wanted to check out had been sold. Oh well.

I was still able to test drive a BMW 128i. Due to a listing error the car was an automatic, but since it was in front of me and I had already gone to the dealer, I gave it a whirl anyway. That is a fun car...and the backseat is noticeably larger than the BRZ. I’m thinking that hunting for a manual one of these might be the answer I’ve been looking for, if I can stomach buying such a pretty car and then parking it outside year round. I still want to test one with a stick before I make up my mind.

DISCUSSION (16)

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Aaron M - MasoFiST
11/24/2015 at 19:26

I won’t say the 128i isn’t nice, its pretty nice... But you really still need to try the FieSTa.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/24/2015 at 19:29

I know! I may have one more shot tomorrow, but I’m still heading a decent distance out of the city to do it. I did drive a FiST at a Ford Ecoboost Challenge event but two rounds of an autocross course isn’t quite enough for making a purchasing decision.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Aaron M - MasoFiST
11/24/2015 at 19:33

it’s even better at high speed than it is on an autocross course.

Matt Nichelson > Aaron M - MasoFiST
11/24/2015 at 19:35

Glad to hear the test drive with the 128i went good. Sounds like it is better than expected even with the auto. So the rear seat room seems to be alright then?

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Matt Nichelson
11/24/2015 at 19:42

Yeah, like the BRZ my friend and I both sat in the back and checked it out. Leg room was fine, his head was touching the glass but he didn’t have to bend down like in the BRZ. It’s still small, but I wouldn’t feel bad actually having people sit back there.

The auto was disappointing (the lack of manual that I had expected, not the transmission itself), but I have some experience with BMW autos and how their kickdown works, so it wasn’t too bad. Also, since the dealer was in the city, it was a blessing in disguise as I spent a good part of the test drive actually trying to determine how the car felt, rather than learning a new clutch point while dodging Boston traffic.

thedevilinside > Aaron M - MasoFiST
11/24/2015 at 19:43

Sure, a “listing error”

Aaron M - MasoFiST > thedevilinside
11/24/2015 at 19:46

Eh, those automated inventory scrapers are always screwing up. Another one listed one of the Fiesta STs near me as an automatic.

Matt Nichelson > Aaron M - MasoFiST
11/24/2015 at 19:53

Awesome. Yeah I figured it would be bigger, just wasn’t sure by how much. As for the auto, I understand what you mean with the whole kickdown thing. Mine is an auto ( unfortunately the only one I could find in the color I wanted with the wheels and package I wanted) with the paddle shift. I will say that is one thing I dislike about mine. Why in the hell have paddles when you can upshift only???? Anyway, glad the test drive went well enough. I can’t imagine the traffic y’all have up there.

Bytemite > Aaron M - MasoFiST
11/24/2015 at 19:54

What about used cars? Like the Celica GT-S could duke it out with a new Fiesta ST for 1/5th the price. :D

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Bytemite
11/24/2015 at 20:27

It’s actually harder to find Celica GT-Ss around here than FiSTs, and they’re all in awful shape. I found a stick shift IS300 and was really tempted at 8500, but it had 125,000 miles on it and no evidence the timing belt was ever done, which scared the crap out of me.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Bytemite
11/24/2015 at 20:52

I looked for Celica GT-Ss in Boston after you posted this, and found one. A 2003 with 164,000 miles, full action package, stanced, and it’s somewhere north of Bumfuck New Hampshire. Best part of it? In the ad: “I take credit cards”. Guy wants 6500 for it. Jesus.

Bytemite > Aaron M - MasoFiST
11/24/2015 at 21:17

Huh...well it does have the coveted action package and its a 2003 with the 8,400 rpm limiter. I would see the service receipts and negotiate down to below 5k. And you’d have to de-stance the thing...a good opportunity to upgrade the suspension? Personally I would have more fun wailing on that 2,500 lb, 180 hp, 8,200 rpm shifting screamer than a FiST. Plus it would be 25% of the price. And for all that cheap price you get double wishbone rear suspension instead of torsion beam.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Bytemite
11/24/2015 at 21:27

I’m not opposed to the idea of a GT-S, but to take on a car that has more miles than my current one while being taken care of less doesn’t sound like a good idea.

Also, why did so many people buy Celica GT-Ss with automatics? That just doesn’t make any sense.

Bytemite > Aaron M - MasoFiST
11/24/2015 at 21:37

Americans that’s why. They think their engine will explode if they rev it above 4,000 rpm...No way in hell are they ever going to be shifting at 8,300 RPM.

I don’t think there is anything more fun than a high strung, Yamaha tuned, screaming NA engine. For some reason, even some enthusiasts are favoring turbos and low RPM, linear power. It’s like, do you not want to work for your power!? That’s the fun part!

But yeah, the 4 speed auto kills that car. Absolutely kills it. You can’t find any single owner, low mile examples around you?

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Bytemite
11/25/2015 at 07:40

http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/celica/…

But $11,000 for a 12 year old car is a little nuts.

Every other one I’ve seen is either an automatic or has more than 150,000 miles on it.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Bytemite
11/25/2015 at 07:43

Damn it...I just found one in Vermont with 50,000 miles and a four figure price. If I end up buying a Celica this is all your fault.