My Car Selection 2002

2002.12.08

I owned Isuzu Gemini 3 door hatchback for 5 years, which I bought because I liked that body color, called Seychelles Blue. After that, I owned same Isuzu’s Gemini sedan for 5 years, which I bought because I liked that Irmshire specification. Then, I own E36 BMW 318ti for 7 years. Though I think I will own this BMW at least for 10 years with 100,000Km, I began to select next car in December 2002. I know that current cars may be model changed in 3 years.

Gemini Irmshire　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　BMW 318ti

Keys to select the next car are as follows:

1.　less than 4 million yen

2.　right handle with AT

3.　good design

4.　having sun roof option

5.　head restriction angle should fit to my head location

6.　cup holder is on the side of the driver’s seat

7.　color of the display illumination should be orange

8. having trunk through function

Cars I selected which satisfy above 1 through 3 are as follows:

　　
Mazda Atenza 5 door　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Jaguar X-TYPE　　

Alfa Romeo Alfa 156　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

However, Golf Cabriolet was finished to manufacture recently. I can own only one car, so that I need 4 seats car. So it is regret that I cannot buy Golf Cabriolet, because there are no other 4 seats convertible cars. Because Isuzu stop selling normal car, only Mazda, which I think their design is great, is my favorite Japanese manufacturer. When I think that I will own the next car from 3 years later for 10 years, my age is 44 years old to 54, so that I think this is the last chance to own an Italian car, which matches my age. Therefore, Alfa Romeo is number 1 candidate, which now has right handle with AT. I can own Jaguar when I get older. I do not care about Jaguar X-TYPE is based on Ford Mondeo. I drove 3 cars for testing.

having sun roof option

Alfa 156 does not have sun roof option. There is sun roof option for Alfa 147, so that I have to wait until Alfa 157’s debut.

head restriction angle should fit to my head location

This is very important thing. But any of 3 cars does not satisfy this. The location of the head restriction is too behind from my head location and it makes neck tired when I drive long. My BMW has head restriction that angle can be moved to front or behind.

cup holder is on the side of the driver’s seat

Alfa 156 does not have any cup holder. It is inconvenient.

color of the display illumination should be orange

The worst thing of Jaguar for me is that color of the display illumination is green, called Jaguar Racing Green. I have been looking BMW’s orange display illumination long time and now I feel that green display illumination is very cheap. Alfa 156’s display illumination is not orange, but nice red and I like it. Atenza is also nice.

having trunk through function

Neither Jaguar X-TYPE ｎor Alfa 156 have trunk through function. Though I use this function only when I carry my bicycle and do not use so much…

power performance

Only Jaguar X-TYPE is a little bit slow, but acceptable. Power performance is not a big deal for me, because I do not expect to win on circuits. I rarely drive the car at the circuit. Also, any selected cars’ suspension feeling was not bad.

After all, there are no cars that satisfy my need, and I have to own my BMW at least until Alfa 157 will debut. I do expect design of Alfa 157. Anyway, this test reminds me of that my BMW satisfies all of my need and it is great.

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