Car & Driver Archive: 2008 $40K Four-Seat Convertibles Square Off
Posted by lifegoeson2702@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 21 comments
Posted by lifegoeson2702@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 21 comments
rosen380@reddit
The five cars, in the C&D ranking order, with their as-tested prices:
#5 2007 Volvo C70 T5 $40,400
#4 2007 Volkswagen Eos 3.2 $40,930
#3 2007 Saab 9-3 2.0T $42,660
#2 2007 Audi A4 2.0T $48,245
#1 2008 BMW 328i convertible $49,575
What a surprise, you spend 20-25% more and you get better cars...?
willpc14@reddit
Given some of the discourse surrounding the GR Corolla and Golf R, that still shocks people even in this sub.
flapsmcgee@reddit
I forgot Audi used CVTs.
IAmWellBehaved@reddit
Audi had so many unique powertrain quirks/offerings then!
Potential-Ant-6320@reddit
(two) miata is always the answer
ZombiePope@reddit
Can confirm. My 328i is very similar to the one tested. It's fucking fantastic.
Skensis@reddit
That BMW as tested would set you back nearly 80k today...
RIP_Soulja_Slim@reddit
The as tested price of $49,575 comes out to an inflation adjusted $77,555 today.
But, if you bought a brand new 4 series convertible today you could get a fully loaded xdrive 430i with all the add ons (performance handling, driver assist, premium package, upgraded interior, etc for about 75k.
You could get a barebones M440 convertible for 77k,
So by this account, BMWs have gotten cheaper over the last 18 years lol.
KarmaticEvolution@reddit
Inflation doesn’t really account for wages so not sure how true this is.
RIP_Soulja_Slim@reddit
On average people make about $1.12 for every $1 they made in 2008, after adjusting for inflation.
So we make more, and the car is slightly cheaper than broad inflation.
KarmaticEvolution@reddit
Fair point, cars might be slightly cheaper. But even if real wages are slightly up, that doesn’t necessarily mean affordability improved across the board.
Skensis@reddit
What is really crazy is how the M440i fuel efficiency is like better too while giving 150 more ponies.
RIP_Soulja_Slim@reddit
Might be a bit self serving given what's in my garage but the B58 is a stupid impressive engine - torque curve that bests most V8s, cranking out over 400 horsepower (IDGAF what BMW pretends), highly reliable, block that can sustain 1k hp stock, and all that in a package that gets mid 20s in the city and 30+ on the highway.
Even in my supra with the manual and it's lack of a 7th/8th gear I typically average 30mpg at 70-75mph. City is less good, but that's cuz the little turbo whooshy thing is fun...
CallLivesMatter@reddit
That seems like kind of a steal compared to the Eos at ~$65,000 today. That’s a lot for a VW convertible!
trail-g62Bim@reddit
Well, it was almost 20 years ago.
TotallyNotAHostage@reddit
Bimmer's aging pretty nicely even with the groovy front end
HiTork@reddit
It's funny because back in the day, some people hated the Chris Bangle designed Bimmers when they came out.
RIP_Soulja_Slim@reddit
I don't particularly care for four seat convertibles, but IMO all of them have aged well enough outside of the VW, but I remember thinking those were fugly when they came out too...
AdmiralZassman@reddit
The as tested of the Audi is 48k. I don't think I'd buy that for 48k today, 200hp front wheel drive CVT convertible.
fredinNH@reddit
I had a 2008 Saab 9-3 wagon, so same car in wagon form. I drove it for 11 years then gave it to my kid when they got their drivers license and they drove it another 6 years. I sold it last summer with 185k miles on it and it was still going strong.
It was a damn good car.
simeddit@reddit
Prime vBulletin car forum era lineup