sometimes you just don't want to know...

okay, well... test drove the s40 (t5 awd) and the accord v6 today... volvo was automatic 'cause they didn't have any manuals on the lot... but it didn't make much of a difference 'cause i didn't like the way it drove either way... (damn you, koffi--you've been pushing for this car! and i don't like it!)

accord was another story... the 4 door manual was blocked in by a bunch of other cars so i got to test drive the coupe... and then our salesman had an appointment come in, so i signed liability for the car off the lot, and we took the car off the lot ourselves (yeah, that's a good idea... asian female driver!)

the accord was the most "powerful" car i've test driven--244hp. with a really narrow powerband... but that's another story. it's also the least safe of the cars on the list (whereas the volvo was the safest, but probably the ride i liked the least). but... it did not feel as good as the gli did. or the a3. between the safety and the gas guzzling-ness (the s40 and the accord v6 were both bad on this... yes, i know that they're a 5 and 6 cylinder... i didn't say i didn't know *why*), i think i'm going to have to pass...

so... i'm going to have to say that the list is down to the gli and the a3. big surprise. was this not my list a month ago? okay, okay... plus the passat... which is basically off now 'cause it's too soft. little cars for a little me!

so... the points...

~ gli: the drive! there's pop! better suspension! better seats! better steering wheel (race-inspired multifunction)! costs less initially (see note below), more space in back seat (still not a lot, but it's a point over the a3)... electro-mechanical steering... it's cool 'cause cross winds and things won't pull the steering wheel... but if the alignment's off, the only way for me to tell would be by tire wear... later than i'd want to know.
~ cons: wind noise. it's not a model-specific thing; it's a car-specific thing. there's also supposedly a fix for it.

~ a3: the badge. not as a status symbol... the audi name comes the audi advantage: 4 years maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance. it's a hatch, which daddy says is more practical. it's also got bite--it holds its line better than the suspension would have you think... and it's still stiffer than the others i've test driven ("others" doesn't include the gli). lighter curb weight. 10" shorter, too. standard dual-zone climate control.
~ cons: the open sky system's shades aren't solid. there are complaints that it's too bright. it's also a luxury vehicle--it doesn't drive the same way. i'm not old enough for a luxury drive!

note about the price: daddy says that the audi advantage should negate the price difference by the end of the 4 years.

***

so... i'm looking at michael's myspace profile, and he's got one of those survey things on there... but what i saw...

Had sex with two different people in the same day?: not yet

not yet?

i told you my brother was a pimp...

it also says he's 16. i wonder what kind of crap he's pulling... ;p