Fuck.

So I made the mistake/had the pleasure of test-driving the 325i yesterday. And yeah, it's a pretty nice fucking car. A fun drive. After we left the dealership, ETP just looked at me and said "You're going to do it, aren't you?" And all I could say was, "Yeah."

As I've pointed out before, if I want something really fast and decently cheap, I can get a WRX tomorrow. If I wanted something that's nicer all around but not as fast, I could get an RSX-S. Since I'm willing to sacrifice performance for luxury and overall snob attitude, I could go for the TSX. But none of those are the total package that is... The Bimmer. I have to have one now.

One nice thing about test-driving the BMW was that the salesguy actually encouraged me to abuse the car a little since, well, that's what they're built for. So we took some windy roads at high speeds. We ran through dips at speeds that would cause a lesser car to bottom out. We slammed on the brakes just to see how it felt. Apparently, 50/50 weight distribution is pretty neat.

All of this is, of course, part of my quest to get back to the glory days of the Audi. The 325 didn't have quite the same punch when I hit the accelerator as the A4 did -- at least not when I was already moving. This makes sense since the A4 I was driving was the 2.8, which I'm pretty sure was the top of that line back in its day (not counting the little beast that is the S4), and the 325 is the low-end 3 Series. It may have been pretty close, though. Off a dead start, however, I know I could do better than that PussyStick Audi as long as I have a manual.

As far as BMW's transmission goes, well, I can't really say for sure since I still suck with a manual. I know for sure that that's what I'll be getting, regardless of where I'm at now. One thing I can say for sure about the TSX is that I really liked its transmission despite my total lack of skill. Not only nice that it was a six-speed (as opposed to five on the 325) short-throw, but that thing was just fucking smooth. I caught the hang of it pretty easily, as opposed to the 325 which I had definite trouble with. Again, the trouble was due to my inexperience, but there's no doubt that Acura knows what the fuck they're doing when it comes to making transmissions. Just ask ETP; he knows way better than me.

The other nice thing about the TSX is that it comes fully loaded with pretty much everything I want in a car at a good price. BOETP's dad bought a TSX not too long ago, and as he put it, the TSX didn't force him to make any choices. Your major options on the TSX are manual or automatic, navigation system or not. Yeah, lots of little things can be added, but the big things -- moonroof, power heated seats with leather, shit like that, are all standard. Contrast this with a 325, where everything is a goddamn option. Fold-down rear seats are an option, for Christ's fucking sake. When I spec out the 325 I want, I pretty much end up building a 330 (minus things that you can only get with the 330, like the engine, tranny, and minor cosmetic details), which comes standard with a lot more stuff.

Overall, I was finally able to get a real sense for what I already knew -- that the Bimmer is a car truly worthy of the asshole I am. Yes, I'd be happy with the TSX. But I wouldn't be satisfied. Yes, I'm a spoiled little prick.

Yup. Project 3 Series is in full effect. It's going to be quite awhile before it comes to full fruition, though, if it ever actually does. If I do get one, I'm going to hold off for a few months to see if I can get some kind of year-end incentives (keeping in mind that the 3 Series model year for '05 is pretty short since the '06 is coming out relatively early). Even once I decide to get one, it's probably going to be quite awhile after that since I'm most likely going to have to order one and have it custom built. Sadly, not many Bimmers are sold with a manual (at least not the one I'm looking for), and chances are even slimmer that a dealer will have a manual in stock with the color I want (oxford green, which isn't all that common, even though it looks fucking slick). So, once I place an order, it will be about 90 days or so before it arrives.

So yeah, it's going to be awhile, if it even happens. Which is good. Although I can't say I'm thrilled, having the Civic back isn't too bad. I don't need a new car, it's just that I fucking need it. This will give me time to get a lot of high-priority shit for the house out of the way. It'll give me time to continue my push for fiscal responsibility -- something that's actually kinda happening. I say "kinda" just since I'm not spending much money on a bunch of frivolous stuff I don't need, but I am burning cash for new stuff for the house, which, let's face it, needs to be done. And, of course, the drive for being smart with money is all just so that I can go out and do something really stupid with money. But, of course, that's me. Also, this allows for plenty of time for something catastrophic to happen that will put an end to the dream entirely, so I'm looking forward to that.

Okay, so this is the second big post in not all that long on the stupid BMW mission. Like I said; that's what's occupying a good deal of my goddamn thoughts, so it's bound to spill out here. But this should put an end to this nonsense talk for the time being. Maybe.