Kia Rondo Replacements

[kevm14]

LS3, I thought.

Yes it is interesting. I just find it too basic of a car overall and too small. If you don't, then you should take a serious look at that car in GA.

Essentially, this is sort of the 4 door equivalent of a Miata. Ride/handling will err on the handling side. Features vs light weight will err on the light weight side. Small size vs space/comfort will err on the small size side. You'll get better feel as a reward.

[Fast_Ed]

I definitely appreciate the comparison test including the Viggen.. Timely for me, anyways. As these cars get older, maybe they'll become more interesting....

I guess I need to read this whole thread, but has this gone from "commuter replacement" to "dropping an LS3 into an IS?" Cool concept, because those cars are pretty interesting aside from the engine.

[Bob]

Along the same line, E90 M3s are getting pretty cheap these days. Not sure I would be willing to roll the dice on reliability though. A swapped IS300 will probably be much more reliable.

[Adam]

It's almost like this is some kind of...Altezza.

LOL. I see what you did there.

[Adam]

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons ... 300-page-5

Nevermind that, check out the Saab part of that comparison. Last place.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons ... -se-page-2

Ha!

The boost comes on at relatively low revs with a hydraulic press to your backside. Hang on! You'll feel the torque steer -- a squirmy sort of fishtailing at the front end -- even more jiggly over less-than-perfect surfaces.

I think they understated how much torque steer exists on those cars.

[kevm14]

Check out the other review with the Viggen. The only thing that saved it from last place was the Lincoln LS.

[Bob]

It seems like the resale gap between the E90 M3 and the V2s is getting wider. I think the E90 M3 is a car I could appreciate quite a bit. It's lighter than a V2, tossable and high revving with no torque The downside is the smaller interior and the questionable reliability.

http://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/5393321333.html

It traps 113 so it's a bit slower than the V2, but I think overall it could be a more harmonious package, which I can appreciate.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/200 ... -road-test

[kevm14]

Thus starting the worst race in history: see who buys a BMW first.

Also you should have driven a V2 by now.

[Bob]

This is a long thread and actually somewhat put me at ease. I will admit that this type of thread can convince anyone that X car is the biggest POS ever made, but so far it has made me cautiously optimistic. http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=682601

[Adam]

This is a long thread and actually somewhat put me at ease. I will admit that this type of thread can convince anyone that X car is the biggest POS ever made, but so far it has made me cautiously optimistic. http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=682601

Its only one of many, but this guy had some bad luck:

08 94k 2nd owner bought at 71k and doing 5k oci. Bad bearing tick, engine seized and motor is being rebuilt at AutoTalent right now. Should be done by the 3rd of Jan. Blackstone my oil 3 times prior to failure and no sign of excessive wear. Always used Castrol 10-60 BMW oil but now when I get the car back i'm switching to lick molly. Unfortunate big headache. Haven't had my car since July 3rd. Feel free to ask questions ill try and answer them.