Car of the Day

A car purchase is a public proclamation about how you feel about cars.  The guy in the SRT-4 wanted speed above all else and don’t call his ride a neon. The guy driving the mini-van may be a repressed car enthusiast, but his family is more important than his fast and furious tendancies.  The guy driving his convertible VW bug is…..well I can’t really explain that one.

A true enthusiast deserves to at least once in their life drive a truly special car.  However, sometimes that truly special car isn’t financially an option and the enthusiast is forced to settle for a lesser car.  Don’t settle, just go back in time!

I’m imaging it is 2004 and I’m thinking about the cars that interested me a few years ago.  The cars had to have at least 300hp and nice degree luxury and certain “special car factor”.  The “special car factor” is more than a simple “special edition” badge.  It is more than a body colored bumper and a fancy pin stripe.  A true special car needs a serious factory tune. 

The first special car I remember being cognizant of was the original BMW M3.  The M Series of cars from BMW do an excellent job of defining that specialness I’m looking for from a car.  Every M engine represents a significant bump in horsepower over the standard top-of-the-line power plant.  There are all kinds of suspension goodies, interior bits and exterior treatments to finish out that factory tune treatment. 

The last few years have seen a spike in these factory tuned cars.  Mercedes-Benz brought AMG in house and are making some Benz’s with power rivaling a freight train.  Ford’s SVT and the Audi S cars other veterans in this game.  We have also seen some relative newcomers to the world of factory tuning.   SRT has long been tuning the Dodge Viper, but now Chrysler has myriad of SRT vehicles for a driver to choose from.  Another pair of relative newcomers to the US market in the last several years is the STI and EVO direct descendants from their rally-car roots.  There is the VW R32 and even Cadillac has their CTS- V.

Unfortunately, there is a price penalty to step up to these cars that keeps some enthusiasts from being able to enjoy the cars that they were meant to drive. 

So if you have a less than $25,000 in your auto budget and you looking at cars like a new VW GTI or a Honda Civic Si you might want to put that plan on hold for a little bit.  Now the VW GTI and Civic Si are excellent examples of economic versions of factory tuned hot rods, but there is a way to get more for your hard earned dollar.

How about going back in time and picking up a truly special car?  How about rare car that is stealthy, luxurious and quick?  I am talking about a car that is regularly available on sites like autotrader and ebay motors.

The car is the Volvo S60R.  The S60R is basically an Evo or STI that has been Volvo-ized. (in a good way) For less than $25,000 you can pick up a gently used example of this Swedish speed machine with less than 30,000 miles on it. 

The S60R receives some subtle interior and exterior treatments that let the S60R run under the radar of most drivers and local law enforcement.  This Volvo brings a turbo-charged, 300hp 5 cylinder engine to the performance party.  If you opt for the 6-speed manual version you get a 295lb-ft helping of torque.  The R gets its power to pavement via its all wheel drive system. 

The S60R isn’t the only hot rod from the Swedish speed freaks; they also have the V70R, which is the choice for the enthusiast who wants a little more space in the form of a wagon. 

I am not here to feed you all the details of the 4 year old S60R.  I am here to remind you of a special car that may be for sale in your area. 

If you want a car with luxury, performance, style, stealth and power then find an S60R for sale in your area and check it out.  It is a great performance option from an unlikely source.

All you have to do is hop into your time machine via the miracle of the used car market and find that gently used example and get yourself a truly special car. 

Now if the Volvo S60R isn’t your thing, think about other special cars that were made around 2004 and find the car that suits your fancy.  Another stealthy luxury option is the 390hp supercharged Jaguar S-Type R, consider it the British S60R.