My Car Selection in 2003

My Car Selection 2003

2003.11.03

I always begin to want to buy a motorcycle once a year, though I already have 2 motorcycles, and always begin to want to replace my car once a year. I own E36 BMW 318ti with 85,000km for 8 years. I decided to own that BMW for 10 years when I bought it and still 2 years left. Then, I decided to own the BMW for 15 years when I bought a motorcycle and still 7 years left. However, I found new cars that I want to buy at last when I read the magazine that introduces imported cars displayed on Tokyo Motor Show in 2003. It is Alfa GT of Alfa Romeo and 307CC of Peugeot. If my BMW has many troubles, I can give up and replace the car, however, my BMW has no trouble at all for several years, though it had many trouble when 5 years passed. After all, I decided to own my BMW at least 2 more years, but I went to see the cars on Tokyo Motor Show.

Alpha GT will be sold in Europe at the end of 2003 and be sold in Japan at the early summer of 2004. It seems that the 2 litters AT of right handle come into Japan. Though the price is not yet announced, it will be about 4 million yen, since it is 147 bases. I do not like design of 156. Also I do not like rear design of GTV, which is also too expensive. On the contrary, I like the design of GT very much. Moreover, unlike GTV, there is enough space for the rear seats or a trunk just like a sedan, and since rear seats can be pushed down, Alfa GT is a number 1 candidate definitely. However, regrettably, it seems that there is no sun roof option and the angle of a head restriction cannot be adjusted.

Alfa Romeo Alfa GT

307CC with AT of right handle will be sold in Japan in spring of 2004. Though I have a cheap impression for Peugeot brand, 307CC is four seats cabriolet, which is a convertible. Besides, 307CC’s design is good. A roof is hard top which can be open or close automatically. It means that 307CC can be a coupe body, when a roof is closed. I think that 206CC of the same Peugeot is only 4 seats convertible, that can be bought less than 4 million yen. Only one thing I am concerned for 307CC is that the length of a roof is short in order to fold down and put a roof into a trunk, so that front glass is very long perpendicularly, and front glass is located near the head of a driver as a result. My head was likely to touch the front glass when I get on and off to the driver’s seat. Because of this long front glass, open feeling of convertible may not be obtained. However, my wife likes 307CC...

Peugeot　307CC

In addition, BMW 318Ci may become a candidate. It is the coupe of present E46. Though its design is good, it is not interesting to buy BMW again.

BMW 318Ci

In Japanese cars, I only like Toyota’s new Prius. Advantage of Purius is very good MPG, because of its hybrid system. But not only good MPG, but I like that elegant design in addition to my favorite 5 doors hatchback style. However, I think this Prius will be sold too many, so that I probably do not buy it.

Toyota Purius

I found a good car at the show that I did not know. It is 4 seats convertible Mitsubishi Tarmac Spider, though it is exhibition model. However, I do not like Mitsubishi Car Corporation since an affair of hiding claims in 2000.

Mitsubishi Tarmac Spider

Then, motorcycle next. Though Tokyo Motor Show seems for cars only, many of motorcycles are also displayed. I found my favorite Triumph’s Speed Triple and BMW F650CS Scarver at the show.

Triumph Speed Triple. Very unique 3 cylinders

BMW　F650CS Scarver. Belt drive and single-sided swing arm

And I found 2004 model YZF-R1 at the booth of YAMAHA. It is 172PS in 172kg! 1 litter super sport came to 1 Kg/PS power weight ratio at last! Though all Japanese manufacturers develop and sell such danger 1 litter machines for public road use, which are too much power even on the circuit road, I doubt their way of business.

Now, the most stylish photograph of my dozens of shots is…

fox of Maserati

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