Ralliart Sportback: Ride quality & comfort - Page 3

tipoytm · Nov 3, 2009, 02:40 PM

^ I seriously tried... the first week I got the X, wanted her to drive it. She actually learned how to drive a car w/ a manual tranny. But this was over a decade ago... she's been driving automatics since then.

She managed to drive the X twice. First on the freeway (on our way home when we got the X)... she accidently "launched" the car as she was trying to get a feel of the clutch. That scared her and immediately had me take over. Good thing no car was following behind us. Second attempt was around the neighborhood. She managed to grind through the gears regularly for about 15 mins. of driving, and finally I couldn't take it anymore... we both got frustrated and that's the time she refused to drive the X again LOL. But yeah, I saw her try to hide a smile when she stepped on the gas just to gauge the acceleration.

majinfajita · Nov 3, 2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tipoytm

^ I seriously tried... the first week I got the X, wanted her to drive it. She actually learned how to drive a car w/ a manual tranny. But this was over a decade ago... she's been driving automatics since then.

She managed to drive the X twice. First on the freeway (on our way home when we got the X)... she accidently "launched" the car as she was trying to get a feel of the clutch. That scared her and immediately had me take over. Good thing no car was following behind us. Second attempt was around the neighborhood. She managed to grind through the gears regularly for about 15 mins. of driving, and finally I couldn't take it anymore... we both got frustrated and that's the time she refused to drive the X again LOL. But yeah, I saw her try to hide a smile when she stepped on the gas just to gauge the acceleration.

Hahaha, that's awesome. A speed demon at heart...!

Does it have to be a brand new car? If you don't mind slightly used, you can get a used Volvo V70R (300hp 5-cylinder turbocharged awd wagon that can come in automatic)...in Canada a used 2006 goes for 25k (brand new was 70k!) so it may be even cheaper stateside....

tipoytm · Nov 3, 2009, 02:51 PM

Really? Darn, I'll look into that.. thanks for the tip.

UT_Evo · Nov 3, 2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krnkimchi702

i dont know about your wife but my fiance will never push a car to its limits.. she definitely won't notice a 20-40 hp difference..

My girlfriend would definitely notice the difference of 40 hp... Maybe not 20, but 40 for sure. After I got a tune she could tell the difference, and that was just riding in the car. She drove a regular Cooper when we were looking for her, and she hated how slow it was especially once she drove an S.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Methodical4u

on a side note... i'd get the sedan... the sportback is about the ugliest car out there.

+1 Even in person they look disgusting. But... as long as you aren't a person who thinks the Subaru's look ugly, then I accept you for thinking the Sportbacks look good... But IMO they look even worse than the Impreza 5-doors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by krnkimchi702

you should just teach her how to drive stick.. might save you thousands lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by tipoytm

^ I seriously tried... the first week I got the X, wanted her to drive it. She actually learned how to drive a car w/ a manual tranny. But this was over a decade ago... she's been driving automatics since then.

Try again...

Parking lot practice time! Seriously, that is the only thing holding you back from a much wider range of cars that she would love. Start out slow, no pushing the gas, only getting the feel of the engagement point. Then go from there. Stop and go, stop and go. Then start worrying about shifting. It takes time and patience, but I think you both can do it

I've taught all 4 of my previous girlfriends how to drive stick, and 3 other friends. One of the ex girlfriends wound up buying a manual car and still loves it to this day. The current girlfriend regrets buying an automatic too.

UT_Evo · Nov 3, 2009, 02:55 PM

+100 to the V70R, got a chance to drive in a friend's when he had it, great car, total sleeper too. If you don't mind going used there's plenty of nice finds out there. Had a friend get an S6 wagon not too long ago for a good price.

ambystom01 · Nov 3, 2009, 03:22 PM

What about the Volvo C30?

If she's used to a 255 HP BMW Z4, the Ralliart won't cut it, hell the WRX 265 may even feel slow after that. I'd look at some sort of Infiniti or maybe even the STI.

skyblas · Nov 3, 2009, 03:29 PM

seriously... keep the Z4
all of the car u mention above are less powerful, less comfy, lousier interior, lousier ride

tipoytm · Nov 3, 2009, 03:29 PM

^Amby, 2 doors & manual trannys are not an option my friend :-)

jazket · Nov 3, 2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyblas

seriously... keep the Z4
all of the car u mention above are less powerful, less comfy, lousier interior, lousier ride

hum no... z4 m can't keep up with a flashed RA. let alone a standard z4...

tipoytm · Nov 3, 2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyblas

seriously... keep the Z4
all of the car u mention above are less powerful, less comfy, lousier interior, lousier ride

Yeah, if she stops bugging me everyday to go "look for a car". I love that Z4 and always makes me smile when the top is down, the sun is out in cool weather, and stepping on the gas pedal. But it is her car and she makes a good living (compared to me LOL), so she can pretty much do whatever she wants with it. If it was up to me, of course I'd keep the roadster.

ambystom01 · Nov 3, 2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tipoytm

^Amby, 2 doors & manual trannys are not an option my friend :-)

Doesn't it come in auto?

tipoytm · Nov 3, 2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazket

hum no... z4 m can't keep up with a flashed RA. let alone a standard z4...

It is an 06 with the higher output I-6 (Si trim), the only thing that is higher to it is the Z4M. I doubt an RA can keep up with it... unless a tuned 100% stock RA can go 0-60 in 5 seconds flat. It's 255hp, 3086lbs, 50:50 weight distribution, 6-speed automatic, w/ a red-line friendly sport mode.

**krnkimchi702** · Nov 3, 2009, 03:40 PM

how about a fiat 500??

lol

ambystom01 · Nov 3, 2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazket

hum no... z4 m can't keep up with a flashed RA. let alone a standard z4...

? The Z4 M would destroy the RA, given that it has 330 BHP. Unless a flash puts the Ralliart at over 350 BHP (to make up for the weight difference), a Z4 M is in a completely different league.

Ladogaboy · Nov 3, 2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tipoytm

It is an 06 with the higher output I-6 (Si trim), the only thing that is higher to it is the Z4M. I doubt an RA can keep up with it... unless a tuned 100% stock RA can go 0-60 in 5 seconds flat.

It would probably be close then. My question is: why is your wife so performance minded? If she's looking for something with cargo room that won't break the bank, trying to add a performance criterion just creates more problems. Especially since she can't drive stick.