The Actual List...

 

The other night Colleen and I were trying to remember the actual progression of cars that have spent time in our driveways the past eight years. It was harder than either of us realized. 

Occasionally I run the list over in my mind, with some success in recall and some confusion as to model year and exact order. With that in mind, it seemed a good idea to try and put the full list down somewhere - and where better than this occasionally updated blog where I set out to chronicle this journey over 10 years ago!

So here it goes... with a couple of notes:

• I may fill in some details in the future, but to start it's just a list.
• I've linked any cars to related blog posts.
• Not all of these cars were primarily mine - some I shared ;-)

High School/College 1980-85
1964 VW Beetle
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
1974 Mercury Capri 2.0

US Army West Germany 1986-89
1984 VW GTI
1977 Porsche 911S
1987 Ford Mustang GT
(Not  counting a bunch of M1 and M1A1 Abrams or M3 Bradleys as the Army only loaned them to me)
 
US Army Virginia/Washington State 1990-1992
1989 Acura Integra LS
1990 Jeep Cherokee Laredo
1990 Chevrolet Corvette

US Army Germany 1992-94
1991 Eagle Talon TSi All Wheel Drive Turbo (gotta be a record long car name)
1989 Audi 200 Turbo Quattro

North Carolina 1994-present
1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo
1994 GMC Sonoma LS
1995 VW Jetta GLX
1997 Ford Contour SE
1996 Mazda Miata M Edition
1998 Ford Explorer XLT
2000 Mazda Protégé
2004 Mazda Tribute ES
1988 Porsche 944S2
2001 VW Passat GLS wagon
2003 VW Jetta GLS
1994 Porsche 968 coupe
2002 Porsche 911 Carrera
2002 Volvo S60 T5 sedan
2006 BMW 330i sedan
2004 BMW X3 3.0si
2005 BMW 330i convertible
1988 Porsche 924S
1996 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4
2011 Acura MDX
2012 Porsche Cayenne
2012 Volvo C70 Signature Edition convertible   
2015 Porsche Macan S
2018 Volvo S60 T5 wagon
2005 Acura TSX
2004 BMW 330i ZHP sedan
2019 VW GTI SE
2018 BMW 430i convertible
2018 Porsche Macan S
1996 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 (bought it back!)

Motorcycles
1970s Kawasaki 175 dirt bike
1982 Honda CB 125S
1976 BMW R75/6
1989 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster
20012 Triumph Bonneville T100
2016 Triumph Bonneville T120
2018 Triumph Speedmaster 1200

By Brand
Porsche - 7
VW - 5
BMW - 5
Ford - 4
Acura - 3
Ford - 3
Volvo - 3
Mazda - 2
Jeep - 2
Chevrolet - 2
Eagle - 1 
GMC - 1

By Type
Two door sports cars - 12
Sport Utility Vehicles - 9
Sports sedans - 7
Convertibles - 3
Hatchbacks - 3
Station wagons - 2
Pickup trucks - 2
Just plain economy cars - 1
Beetles - 1

Share your list!

The Best Car I've Ever Had?

I've been fortunate—or foolish, depending on your financial point of view—in terms of cars. If you've spent any time reading this blog over the years (and for that, you have both my thanks and my concern), it is clear that I have bought way too many cars since this car journey began around 1980. From that first Chevelle to recent cars like a Mk VII GTI and a BMW 430 convertible, I have struggled with car control. It's an issue. Bottom line: I've bought, sold, or traded upwards of 40 cars in 45 years. And I've really enjoyed most of them.

So, when I realize that one of the current fleet is perhaps the best car I've ever owned, it's not a casual thought. So how did I come to this conclusion? Let's see...

We bought the 2015 Porsche Macan S as a Certified Pre-Owned car from Leith Porsche in May of 2017. It had only 12,000 miles on the odometer and was in nearly new condition. In the 100,000 miles since, it has been a simply fabulous mode of transportation. And other than one tire blowout suffered by Mrs. Moore a few years back, it never left us stranded or even suffered a significant maintenance or repair issue. Now, we've been lucky in that regard. The Macan's 3-liter twin-turbo motor had issues with timing cover bolts that could cost thousands to repair if not caught under warranty. And we never lost the all-wheel-drive transfer case either—another common ailment in the Macan (and the Cayenne, along with Audi and BMW SUVs too, an apparent problem that traces back to supplier ZF of Austria).

Simply put, to be the best car you've ever owned, first and foremost, the car must be reliable. And the Macan has been exactly that.

Next in the requirements for BCIEH (Best Car I've Ever Had) is how well a car matches your needs. This is purely subjective, depending on your individual expectations and requirements. In the case of the Macan S, the basic requirement was a four-door, all-wheel-drive vehicle with ample cargo space for occasional trips. The Macan did not need to be a sports car or even a sports sedan. It needed to have enough practicality so that other cars in the ever-rotating fleet could be less practical. It may even occasionally have to go to the dump or carry a couple of dogs. 

Now, I will admit that we stretched the Macan's cargo capacity to its absolute limit a few times; a long weekend in the mountains with two Labrador Retrievers was perhaps a bridge too far. But day in and day out, it was exactly the car we needed it to be. Reliable and practical are all well and good, of course. They are the baseline, but only the starting point. In addition, the Macan was comfortable. The interior had great seats, and the leather and switches wore well. At over 100,000 miles, the car felt nearly new.

Bailey appreciated fine German engineering

But these qualities are measurable and objective. That said, Toyota Camrys and RAV4s are reliable, comfortable, and practical. You won't find them here. I have other... well, needs.

To get even close to BCYEO/BCIEH, the Macan S was going to require fairly serious performance, looks, and that certain je ne sais quoi that separates mere transportation appliances from automobiles worth owning and driving. It had all those qualities.

For a small but practical 4,200-pound vehicle, the Macan S punches way above its SUV weight. The darned thing is fun to drive. And it has serious go if you need it to, with 340 horsepower and 339 foot-pounds of torque. Hooked to a true Porsche PDK transmission, in sport mode, the Macan S could fly. And it handled well for its size and weight. I legitimately enjoyed driving it. And so did Mrs. Moore. In fact, she probably put the majority of those 100,000 miles on the car.

In addition to the driving experience, the Macan S had other good traits. It looked good compared with most similar options in the small SUV category, and it even sounded good. In fact, on startup, the quad exhausts woke the neighbors most mornings. The darned thing was downright snarly when cold. If I had to identify one drawback to the Macan S, it would be the gas mileage. On the highway, it struggled to get above 23 mpg, even if I drove judiciously. A small price to pay in the larger context, but a drawback to be sure.

A snowbelt dealership, Porsche Clifton Park had a lot of Macans

The final element of this rumination on whether or not our 2015 Macan S is the best car I've ever owned is the kicker. What drove me to sit down and ponder the question? For you see, I've never owned the same car twice. I move on. "Been there, done that." But not this time. As the 2015 Macan S pushed over the 100k mark, and with the potential for increasing maintenance and repair, we began to ponder a replacement. And honestly, the cost of new and used Macans—along with most used cars—has gone crazy. So we set our sights a bit lower than Porsche: Audi Q5? No. Acura? No. Toyota RA... don't even finish the question. For a year we were stumped. Until a few weeks back, while visiting family in New York. And there it was. I stumbled on a 2018 CPO Macan S in Volcano Gray Metallic with Luxor Beige leather over black interior. With just under 60,000 miles and in fabulous condition, it was perfect. It even has Apple CarPlay, a must-have nowadays. The dealer, Porsche Clifton Park, had a few Macans on the lot and needed this one to go. So a good deal was struck, and voila, we have another Macan S. Why not? It's the best car I've ever owned.

So here's to another Porsche Macan S. Maybe. I did mention that I tend to go through a lot of cars...

What your BCIEH?

# 7 - 1989 Jeep Cherokee Laredo

 [Note: As originally conceived, ‘The Cars of Ralph’ was to be an ongoing rumination on life as experienced through the cars I’ve had over the years. Somewhere along the way I got sidetracked, and then sort of lost steam. This post is an attempt to get back on track, through the story of my seventh car, a Jeep Cherokee Laredo.]

In 1989 I returned from three years in Germany to attend an Army school at Fort Eustis, Virginia, followed by a three-year assignment to the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington. As detailed in the discussion of car #6, anxious to avoid speeding ticket prison in Virginia, I had traded in my 1988 Mustang GT for an ‘89 Acura Integra LS. The Integra was fine, though ultimately unsatisfying. Once I reached the Pacific Northwest my wandering car eye cast about for a more suitable companion. And that’s when I first learned about what would eventually become known as a, “Sport Utility Vehicle,” the now ubiquitous All-American SUV. With the Cascade Mountains just thirty minutes from my doorstep, I was skiing almost every weekend those winters. The roads were slick and steep, and it was always fun to ski with friends. What I needed was four-wheel drive, and four doors. The recently up-engined Jeep Cherokee was just the ticket. Mine was a white 1989 Laredo, and I came to respect and love that little truck.

The “XJ” series Jeep Cherokee had a long-life span, first offered in 1984 and not bowing out until 2001. Some versions were built in China through 2014! It was available in two- or four-door, five-passenger, front-engine, rear- or four-wheel drive configurations. Early versions featured fairly anemic 2.5-liter four cylinder or 2.6-liter six cylinder engines. But for 1989 Jeep debuted a new 4.0 liter straight six with 177 horsepower. That was solid power for the day, from a smooth and reliable engine that also featured a stout 220-foot pounds of torque. The Selec-Trac full-time four-wheel drive system provided outstanding grip on all surfaces, and featured a low range for crawling and other low speed traction needs. All in all, the XJ Cherokee with the 4.0 was one of the best vehicles Chrysler ever made.

Trading in the Integra I had owned for less than a year on a new Jeep wasn’t the smartest of financial decisions, and that kept me from the Limited model with leather and other fancy stuff such as gold wheels. My poor financial decisions turned out to be a blessing for once, as the only Cherokee I could afford was the cheapest Laredo on the dealer’s lot. And why was it the cheapest? Because it had a manual transmission, roll up windows, and no air conditioning! So not only did my Cherokee feature Jeeps’ powerful new engine, but without the extra weight of an automatic transmission, window motors, or air conditioning, it weighed only 3,000 pounds! I actually ran it across the vehicle weight station at McCord Air Force base once just to see how light it was. I was shocked! 

The bottom line of these missing options… that little truck could light up all four tires, particularly if the roads were a bit wet. Did I mention I was living in the Pacific Northwest? The Cherokee was relatively fast, light on its feet, a great long-distance driver (particularly in bad weather), and most importantly a fabulous, nimble ski vehicle. The rear tailgate opened upwards to shield you from the elements while you put on your gear and the roofline wasn’t so high that a not tall person such as myself couldn’t easily reach the ski racks. The combination of Jeep’s Selec-Trac four-wheel drive and mud + snow tires gave the little truck phenomenal traction. The early Bendix ABS system worked well enough to help keep me on the road if I got a bit happy in the snow. And I did. Often.

Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve owned a vehicle that more perfectly met my needs in a specific time and place. Sure, the lack of air conditioning was a bit annoying in July and August. But again, it was the Pacific Northwest. Not being able to easily roll down the rear windows was inconvenient at times. But the advantages of low weight, good power, and a manual transmission easily overcame those niggles. And though it was no sports car, it was fun enough to drive that even the enthusiast in me was mostly happy to own it as my only car. 

One more thing about the XJ Cherokee, and my white Laredo specifically, it's a darned good looking vehicle. The upright, squared off design is clean and uncluttered. The greenhouse is tall and stately, with Land Rover-like formal lines. The Laredo version added just enough chrome, tinted privacy glass and great 5 spoke wheels, all adding to that formal look and in my case, setting off the pearl white paint. The XJ shows, once again, that car design rebounded in the 1980s. It's no wonder that the Radwood idea has become such a hit on the car show circuit.

And the fate of the Cherokee? A few years later, after the Gulf War, I wrangled a transfer back to Germany. Though a trusty steed, with a top speed around 90 mph the Laredo had no business in the land of the autobahn. So, while attending an Army school at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, I traded it for a different all-wheel drive vehicle from Chrysler, more suited to high-speed travel. Any guesses?

1989 Jeep Cherokee Laredo

Owned: 1989-1991

Location: Pacific Northwest

Music: I was listening to a lot of Neil Young in those days… and I saw his grunge acolytes - these youngsters - get their start in Seattle…

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars - the perfect vehicle for the moment

And please note my explanation about the photographs used in this blog.

(Car) Truth Changes

 

Standing around at a recent Cars and Coffee, a friend and I admired a BMW 2002tii as it burbled past. "Do square tail lights bother you?," I asked him. "Nope, not anymore."  Early 2002s had round tail lights, but a facelift in 1974 switched to square tail lights. For years afterwards it was an essential car truth that 'roundies' were superior. But now it's fun to see any 2002, particularly a tii. That 'car truth' has apparently changed. Which got me to thinking, what other truths might have changed?

Rubber bumpers ruined the MGB

From 1962 through the 1970s the MGB Roadster was the quintessential British sports car. Relatively inexpensive, it provided fun, sun, and a great look and sound, if perhaps somewhat dodgy reliability. But in 1974 US safety regulations forced a bumper change from classic - and somewhat useless - chrome to rubber bumpers fore and aft. Did rubber bumpers make the cars any safer? Can anything that small and low actually be safe? Perhaps not. 

"They've ruined it!" screamed enthusiasts, as thousands of tweed wearing, stringback glove owning drivers surveyed the horror that the Americans had wrought. Funny though, as I look at the post '74 British Leyland cars, including the Spitfire and MGB, they don't seem nearly as awful anymore. Perhaps it is just the rarity of even seeing a nice MGB or Spitfire on the road today that takes the sting away. 

An unscientific perusal of MGB auction results on Bring a Trailer shows chrome bumper cars selling at higher prices, as would be expected. But I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to spend a day behind the wheel of a later Roadster, and I wouldn't hide behind big dark glasses doing it.

Malaise era C3 Corvettes are awful

With barely 180 horsepower on tap in some models, and manual transmissions rare, the later C3 Vettes ('76-'83) seemed a pale imitation of their previous fire breathing predecessors. 

But was it really that bad? With a sub 8 second 0-60 times they were still about the fastest car you could buy in America. Only a few exotics were faster - along with the new Porsche 928. But compare costs and the Vette, as is so often the case, seems like a good balance of value and performance. And let's be sure to point the finger at the real culprits in the Vette's seemingly sad state - the Feds and the Oil Crisis. It took auto manufacturers years to figure out how return to real performance with all of the new restrictions. Fuel injection anyone?

This car truth seems to be changing too. Later model C3 Corvette values are on the rise, with Indianapolis Pace Car versions crossing the $30k mark. Of course that's not big block money, but it's respectable. And like the rubber bumper MGB, the stigma of those underpowered Vettes is fading. Now they are simply a wonderfully shaped sports car - as they always were.

The 924/944/968/928 aren't 'real' Porsches

As the previous owner of several of these fabulous cars, this one is personal. Much has been written about the front engined, water-cooled four and eight cylinder Porsches, in particular the original 924's pedestrian roots as a Volkswagen project. Their reputation as the lesser Zuffenhausen offering hurt values for decades, and caused a sad deferred maintenance spiral for many. 

Now I'm happy to report that's all ancient history. 928 values, particularly for later S4 and GT/GTS versions have been strong for a while. And when an '88 944 Special Edition hit nearly $25k at Amelia Island in 2017 the word was out. Clean, low mile 944 Turbos (951) regularly trade in the low to mid- $30s. And 968s, one of the rarest Porsche models, are highly sought after. Even pre-1985.5 944s are moving upward.

I could go on and on... V12 XKEs and the Porsche 996 for example. Sadly however, some automotive truths may linger... Mustang II I'm looking at you.

Clearly car truths are not written in stone, or carbon fiber. So just what does drive shifting opinions? Time and growing rarity would seem to be the most obvious. Enthusiasts are also a big part of changing perceptions. Radwood has certainly put a spotlight on the often overlooked cars of the 1980s and 90s.  Who could have imagined AMC Gremlins and GM X-cars drawing a crowd?

But perhaps the reasons go deeper than simply nostalgia. Despite some fabulous new performance models, sports car design has stagnated, or is so influenced by aerodynamics and pedestrian height requirements as to be almost laughable (hello Supra). MGBs, C3 Vettes, and front-engined Porsches are all paragons of good design, even when encumbered with bad bumpers. They were also darned good performance cars for their day. As time has passed those attributes take a front seat to more mundane things like tail light shapes. Any thoughtful enthusiast would grab the keys to a '74 tii, a '79 MGB, or a '78 Indy Pace Car in a second. In the end, that's the real truth.

Quien Es Mas Macho? - The Townhouse Trucks of Apex

 

Pickup trucks; fancy leather-laden four-wheel drive quad cab beasts, have become the family car of the 21st century for many people. Not surprisingly, these monsters overwhelm many of the driveways in the townhome community we moved to a few years back. Whatever. Drive what you love. 

But what about the 'old school' pickup truck? The kinda beat up, getting old, maybe a rust patch here and there, real truck? Do they have a place in a neighborhood that doesn't need a bed full of mulch or a load of sheetrock? Surprisingly the answer is a resounding, yes! Here's a few in my urban canyon neighborhood.

1970s Chevy C-10

This beauty, clearly a project in progress, lives over by the mailboxes. No idea what motor it may conceal, but the build is going in the right direction. The mat red is a perfect fit for the lowered stance and white steel wheels. 

The light grill mod features LED headlights and a great combination of black and chrome. I've never managed to meet the owner, but I know we would be friends. And did you notice the fabulous side exhaust?

1976 Ford F-150

This near-perfect resto-stock F-150 first showed up a few years back, quickly establishing itself as the tough guy in the neighborhood. The owner brought it with him from Las Vegas and these days it mostly just stands ready for rough duty. The matte blue is a perfect color, contrasted with the black wheels and modest lift - a perfect balance of mods that make something already cool even better,

The bed is painted - or perhaps not painted - with a battered off white clearcoat. The diamond plate box and oversize steel bumper hint at real work usefulness, while the lift and wheels say fun. 

1996 Ford F-150

Many of you may recognize this Ford pickup, some of you have borrowed it. And that's actually the answer to the question posed at the top of this post - you can always find a use for an old truck, and loaning it to friends is the best use for an old truck. Since we brought her in from the suburbs where it hauled all sorts of stuff on a regular basis, "Phil's Truck" has done regular duty in the hands of a wide variety of friends and neighbors for all manner of lumber, furniture, playsets, and an occasional '57 Chevy transmission. In fact as I write these words, it's hauling a friend's load of windows to Raleigh.

"Phil's Truck" is named for my late brother in law Phil Keller. Before his untimely death from cancer in the early years of the century, this Vietnam vet and NC Fish and Wildlife worker used his truck exactly as it was intended, hard - from the down east red clay mud of Pender County to the Blue Rock Marlin Tournament he managed. Phil was also responsible for the truck's perfect options; the unbreakable straight six 300 cubic inch engine coupled to a four speed manual overdrive transmission and four wheel drive. The behind the wheel experience is almost agricultural, in the best possible way. You can't help but grin, and feel a bit taller. And that bench seat is perfect for cruising to the dump with your best girl by your side.

So what do you think... Quien Es Mas Macho? 

Anything interesting on the CarMax lot?

CarMax is generally a good choice when you're looking for a fair deal on a decent used car. Need a Camry or a Grand Cherokee? It's a smart place to start. But what you may not know is that, amid that sea of Hyundais, Toyotas, Hondas, and assorted other bland suburban transport pods, there are occasionally offerings that get an enthusiast's attention. Here's what I found on a recent Sunday morning stroll of the lot at the CarMax in Raleigh, North Carolina.

(Full disclosure - I worked as a part time associate at CarMax 20+ years back. It was a fun part time job and I learned a lot about the car business.)

2011 Ford Ranger XLT

Now I'll admit that a nearly ten year old pickup isn't usually cause for much more than a glance. But this one is different. First, it only has 57,000 miles on the odometer. Second, it is in immaculate shape and has every option an '11 Ranger could have. The bedliner doesn't have a scratch on it. My guess is this truck was owned by a 'gentleman farmer' who only drove it on Saturday mornings to join friends for coffee. In this condition and with such few miles, this little truck is a rare find. And CarMax knows it - look at the price they're asking.

2017 Mazda Miata Club Edition

For 30 years now the Miata has represented the best sports car value proposition available. And while the last few generations have been a bit on weak side in terms of design, the latest Miata is a great looking car, particularly in the Club Edition which adds special paint, wheels, and other bits. Sadly this gorgeous example has one flaw, and it's a big one. When I found it on the lot I joked that it probably was an automatic. I looked in the window, cursed, and walked away muttering.

2017 Jaguar F-Type S

After bashing the Miata for an automatic transmission, let me immediately contradict myself with praise for this fabulous Jaguar. No, it doesn't have a stick shift. But it doesn't need one. If you want a sports car for the track you can find a V6 F Type with a stick. But to be honest the F is really too heavy and softly sprung for serious driving. Where it excels is as the perfect car for a Sunday country drive. Top down of course. This car, at just under $50,000 would be a joy to own for just such opportunities.

2018 Ford Focus RS

It's not often that a $35,000 used hatchback gets your attention, but this one certainly does. With the harsh ride, cramped interior, and noise you really have to want the performance this little 350 horsepower, angry wombat provides. It's incredible to think about how far the hot hatch has come since it's beginnings in the original Mini and of course the Mark 1 VW GTI. 

2016 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe

Sitting down to write this post, I discovered I hadn't gotten a good photo of the fastest car on the lot. This twin turbo coupe may have some ungainly design features and it may not have a pedigree that sets enthusiast's hearts aflutter. But who cares? It has 455 horsepower! It will do 0-60 in 3.6 seconds! That's just ridiculous. God Bless America.

2017 BMW 328i Sedan

You could walk past this last featured car without giving it a moment's thought. Just another off-lease white BMW 3 series. I almost did... but then the red leather interior caught my eye... and the six speed manual transmission... and the M Sport package,,, and the deleted sunroof... and the BMW ShadowLine trim. This my friends, is a true unicorn. Back in the fall of 2016, someone sitting in a BMW dealership carefully checked the options boxes to create a truly unique sports sedan. It had arrived in Raleigh as a transfer car from another dealership. And if the buyer backs out my name is at the top of the "I'll buy it" list.

So that's what I found. What fun cars have you found at CarMax?

BMW 17 Year Double Take

I love my 2003 BMW 330i ZHP.  But how does this aging performance sedan stack up against the latest 330i? Well it just so happens that while my ZHP was in the shop for (yet another) airbag update BMW of Southpoint in Durham, North Carolina was kind enough to lend me a brand new 330i that happened to have the optional M-Sport package. Let the comparison begin!

Exterior Design

The E46 and E39 BMW sedans of the late 90s and early 'aughts are often held up as the peak of passenger car design. They feature strong, clean lines and classic details. In the interim 15 years BMW design has been...  interesting. From the 'flame surfacing,' 'Bangle Butt' cars to the more sedate E90 3-series, it's been a bit of a roller coaster ride. The current F30 3 series, around since 2011, has been through several face lifts to get to its latest version.

Most interesting in the latest update - BMW redesigned the headlights with a clear nod to the E46. The sharp notch in the bottom of the headlight surround mimics the shape of the earlier car. But it's not enough. Overall the F30 is a nice looking sports sedan. But it's hard to distinguish at a glance from other cars in the segment. Was that a Hyundai Genesis G70? On the other hand, the E46 3 series represents a benchmark in automotive design that is hard to beat.

Interior Design and Features

Technology, materials, and manufacturing process updates have vaulted interior design several light years from the late 1990s when the E46 first launched. This is not always for the best of course. But manufacturers like Audi and BMW have done a good job of integrating large screens and other features with classic design. The 330i reflects that trend. The ZHP interior seems almost quaint in comparison. USB port anyone?

In my afternoon with the F30 I found the interior to be comfortable and driver-oriented, the way BMW intended. And while I do think the interior materials and leather is a touch higher quality in the older car, it doesn't significantly outweigh the feel of the newer. In a perfect world I would graft the current tech features into the older car. But since that's not an option, this is a clear win for the F30.

Driving Impressions

Up front there is this obvious difference between these two cars - only the ZHP has a manual transmission. In fact it's a different manual than the regular E46, with six speeds and a perfect short shift knob. The new 330i has flappy paddles. BMW has just about abandoned manuals (but then so has Ferrari and no one accuses them of being soft). They work fine, and in sport mode shift fast and fairly hard. But I'm old school. A proper car has a proper transmission.

That said, the 2020 330i is a darned fun car to drive around on back roads. It is rocket fast, confident, and comfortable. The turbo four cylinder provides 255 horsepower and an impressive 295 ft-lbs of torque. And despite gaining a few hundred pounds since the E46 days, the 3 series is still fairly lightweight unless you add XDrive. Electric steering has gotten better since introduced in the F30 in 2011, but feedback is a bit dead on center and doesn't really tell you what the front end is doing in the curves. But overall the driving experience is BMW good.

But here's the problem: the 330i ZHP is BMW great. I was somewhat surprised to find that both cars registered a 5.2 second 0-60 run in Car and Driver testing. I would have thought the new one would be a bit faster. While technically down on horsepower to the newer car, the inline six cylinder is always ready to run up to it's 6800 rpm redline. And it does this with a growl that no turbo four can match. The stiffer ZHP spec suspension does it's part too. The car is tossable in the corners and always ready to play. It's literally an energetic puppy of a sports sedan. Offered both keys for a mountain road, I'll take the ZHP every time.

Conclusions

In the end I'm a bit torn. If you can swing the note or the lease, you should probably get the new 330i. It's a darned good car. And the 340i kicks up the fun with a twin turbo inline six. But neither of these is a ZHP. That car is unique - less than 4,000 were produced. It distills the BMW experience into a tangible thing, probably something that won't - can't - happen again. The world has changed. Safety regulations, emissions, and corporate average fuel economy weren't a big thing in 2003. Now they have an undue influence on design and the driving experience.

So if you need a new, sporty sedan, the 330i is a fine choice. But if you want to go for a drive, find a 330i ZHP.