It's time for a new car

[JustDezIt]

Yeah, the butt-coolers. I want those!

haha it is def tight, it does the lower back too. like you sittin on an air hockey table. It was a must with black interior in Florida, seat is cooled off in less than a minute.

 

[kapolani]

Fed up with my Infiniti before this, but walked outside today and the driver's side mirror was on the ground due to a hit and run driver.

Mileage is continuing to climb, and collision claims/accidents are continuing, which are going to cause my value to plummet. So, it's time for something new!

Front-runner is a BMW 3...does anyone have one who would want to chime in? theogt?

If you can, get an M3.

I've owned two of them. Some of my favorite cars.

 

[casmith07]

If you can, get an M3.

I've owned two of them. Some of my favorite cars.

I wish I could. I'm going to try. They DRINK gas though.

 

[Eskimo]

What is it you're looking for?

New vs. used?

Sedan vs. coupe?

I assume something sporty - do you want handling, power - which matters more to you?

Do you want AWD?

What is your top price?

The initial suggestions of a 335i is a very solid choice. You could also consider a C-class AMG from Mercedes which competes against the M3 from BMW.

If you want something racier, Subaru STI.

If you want brute power, Nissan GTR.

If you want American, Cadillac CTS. If you can afford it, CTS-V.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I wish I could. I'm going to try. They DRINK gas though.

For a small sports sedan (like the 3 series) the C300's do too. I think we get around 16-17mpg. Our old Landrover LR3 (large V8) got 11mpg. Considering the tremendous size difference, it's amazing that the mpg is only around 5mpg difference.

 

[theogt]

What do you want to know? Great car.

I've had two. Current one is a 2011 335i with the M-sport package.

You should definitely do the European delivery. At some point I will as well.

 

[kapolani]

I wish I could. I'm going to try. They DRINK gas though.

You looking at the new one? E92?

If you don't mind used you can get an E46. Only 333hp, but nice ride. If you want to put on a turbo kit you can get a reliable 485+bhp car. Run race gas and you pump up the boost you can easily get 600.

You can go even cheaper and get an E36 and put on a turbo. I know guys who were getting 500+ easy.

I had an E36 and E46. Both boosted.

I want to get the E92, but just had a little girl. She is a money pit. My wife is going bonkers buying her stuff.

Next new car is mine though, so by that time I could probably get a low mileage M5 - booyah.

 

[kapolani]

If you want something racier, Subaru STI.

If you want brute power, Nissan GTR.

Yes.

Almost bought a 2012 sti last weekend.

Sold my Evo a little while ago. Miss the AWD turbo goodness.

The GTR is a very, very nice car, but at that price range I think I would rather have a Z06.

 

[kapolani]

What do you want to know? Great car.

I've had two. Current one is a 2011 335i with the M-sport package.

You should definitely do the European delivery. At some point I will as well.

Love the 335i. With some suspension tweaks you can get a very close ride to the M3. Love the turbo. I think simple mods like a flash and free flowing exhaust system yielded nice gains. I'm an M3 kind of guy though. LOL.

Almost got my wife one, but she wanted an SUV instead. Had the X3 for a while. Nice ride as well.

 

[Wimbo]

I went to the BMW Performance Driving School in South Carolina last year. Quite an experience. They let your drive most of the current model year cars, and, expect you to drive it like, "somewhere between a rented car and a stolen car".
Check it out here.

I loved all the cars, but the best for me was probably the M5.
After we drove all the cars (hard), we had a professional driver take us through the track in an M5. Better than any roller coaster I have ever been on.

You can get your car delivered there at no extra charge... pretty sweet deal.

 

[tomson75]

You can't deny that BWM makes a damn fine car, but for my money, I'd take an Audi all day. They've surpassed BMW in many areas.

I'm biased though, as I'm an AWD fan. I'd take some Subi's over some BMWs too. Can't say anything good about Mercedes...from my experience, they're crap.

 

[YosemiteSam]

You can't deny that BWM makes a damn fine car, but for my money, I'd take an Audi all day. They've surpassed BMW in many areas.

I'm biased though, as I'm an AWD fan. I'd take some Subi's over some BMWs too. Can't say anything good about Mercedes...from my experience, they're crap.

:laugh2:

You mean BMW doesn't make all-wheel drive? Mercedes? My 5 series and my Mercedes C300 are / have been all wheel drive.

As for Mercedes, they definitely aren't as high quality as they used to be. I will say this, our 2011 C300 seems to have a lot less issues than the 2006 CLK350 we had. I will also say this, I have had a lot more fun driving the Mercedes than the BMWs or Audi. In the CLK350, I could practically do u-turns at 30mph! :laugh2: The C300 isn't quite the CKL350, but it drives awesome!

Audi is getting better, but to me as a luxury car they have always been a step down from Mercedes and BMW. The red-headed step-child of sort. They best thing they have going for them is their all-wheel drive systems, but BMW and Mercedes isn't that far behind anymore.

 

[theogt]

Love the 335i. With some suspension tweaks you can get a very close ride to the M3. Love the turbo. I think simple mods like a flash and free flowing exhaust system yielded nice gains. I'm an M3 kind of guy though. LOL.

Almost got my wife one, but she wanted an SUV instead. Had the X3 for a while. Nice ride as well.

My wife's 2012 X5 is hands down the best vehicle I've ever owned. If she didn't have one, I'd get one.

 

[theogt]

I'm not a big fan of the interior quality of Audis. If we're painting with broad strokes, I go BMW > MB > Audi > Infiniti

 

[Wimbo]

I'm not a big fan of the interior quality of Audis. If we're painting with broad strokes, I go BMW > MB > Audi > Infiniti

Agreed. Except I have already removed MB from my draft board.

Ultimately, I would rather drive a F-150.

 

[tomson75]

:laugh2:

You mean BMW doesn't make all-wheel drive? Mercedes? My 5 series and my Mercedes C300 are / have been all wheel drive.

As for Mercedes, they definitely aren't as high quality as they used to be. I will say this, our 2011 C300 seems to have a lot less issues than the 2006 CLK350 we had. I will also say this, I have had a lot more fun driving the Mercedes than the BMWs or Audi. In the CLK350, I could practically do u-turns at 30mph! :laugh2: The C300 isn't quite the CKL350, but it drives awesome!

Audi is getting better, but to me as a luxury car they have always been a step down from Mercedes and BMW. The red-headed step-child of sort. They best thing they have going for them is their all-wheel drive systems, but BMW and Mercedes isn't that far behind anymore.

Did I state that BMW or Mercedes didn't make AWD?

No, I didn't.

Their AWD is simply not up to par with Audi or Subaru.

...and the only people that think Audi is still "the red head stepchild", are people that have no clue what they're talking about. Mercedes IS garbage until you get to the $100K mark. I've driven $30K Ford pickups with the same fit and finish of a $75 Mercedes. WAY overpriced.

 

[tomson75]

I'm not a big fan of the interior quality of Audis. If we're painting with broad strokes, I go BMW > MB > Audi > Infiniti

I'd take Audi interiors well before BMW or MB. They just feel more "solid" to me. I don't, however, like Audis system navigation...I'd wager BMW and MB beat them handily there. BMW still has the performance edge over most Audis. Don't know much about Infinity. Lexus supposedly has terrific interiors, but judging from my Mother's LX470 and my sisters' brand new LX470....I'm not all that impressed.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Did I state that BMW or Mercedes didn't make AWD?

No, I didn't.

Their AWD is simply not up to par with Audi or Subaru.

...and the only people that think Audi is still "the red head stepchild", are people that have no clue what they're talking about. Mercedes IS garbage until you get to the $100K mark. I've driven $20K Ford pickups with the same fit and finish of a $75 Mercedes. WAY overpriced.

I said Audi's are better than they were, but they are still step-children in my book. I've driven both. I was actually looking at an Audi A4 when we bought the C300. I also looked at an Audi A4 when I bought the CLK300. In 2006, the Audi A4 felt hollow inside. The 2011 model was definitely an upgrade over the 2006 model, but the MB C300 was still the better choice.

btw, I pay chump change for my luxury cars. Probably less a month than you pay for your car.

I will promise you this, you will not walk into a Ford dealer and find a Ford on the lot that compares luxury wise or handles as well as a MB. To say that is ridiculous. Competing with MB and BMW isn't Ford's market.

That said, I've owned two trucks in my life. Both were Fords and if / when I buy a third, it's highly likely it too will be a Ford.

 

[Shadowy329]

It would seem my suggestion is likely below the tier of car you're looking for but I own '06 Charger R/T and I love it. The interior quality on some things could be a little better but it's a beautiful car and fun to drive and on top of that it doesn't look like every other car on the road. The newer models I probably wouldn't go for because of the exterior changes. The front end has been changed and toned down it's aggresive look and the tails have been transplanted from the Challenger which look good on the Challenger but look like crap on the Chargers.

They also have AWD models of the R/T or you could go with the more fun SRT8 but I can't really comment on it since if was out of my price range and rather than tempt myself I declined test drives of it.

As for trucks I tend to prefer Chevy's but lately I've been wanting an F250 Super Duty.

 

[Wimbo]

BMW - best ever? http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/breakout/bmw-greatest-car-ever-made-says-top-gear-140906756.html