Buying a New Car

[JustinDetail]

bumoftheday:



I like your mindset and convictions. You know what you want and you're set out to find it. I'm similar in my convictions as well, and having owned 9 cars in the last 10 years, I have made mistakes as well as good decisions. The first bit of advice I can offer you is this: Don't waiver on what you want. You'll end up unhappy and wanting to change your car, or looking enviously at other cars. There ARE cars within your budget that will meet your needs and make you happy. For example - you sound like a manual transmission guy. Don't look at a car if it doesn't have or offer a manual transmission. Same goes with RWD/AWD. Don't look at FWD drive cars if this is the case. It's not that I'm suggesting being narrow-minded (read below), but a manual and RWD are a common "must-have" for an enthusiast, which is what it sounds like you are. You've obviously experienced NON manual, NON R/AWD drive cars enough to know you prefer Manual/R/AWD.



As an avid and fairly successful amateur racer, I like to think I'm semi-decent at judging a car's driving dynamics, so keep in mind that the following bit of advice has more to do with driving dynamics than image or percieved quality. I notice that your preferences seem to be all foreign models, and while I don't deny they have a curb appeal and an allure (my current daily driver is a Porsche Boxster - which I love, but I would NEVER buy new, WAY overpriced IMHO), I would urge you not to discount the recent american offerings. Image and percieved quality aside (I emphasize PERCIEVED), the CTS is a fantastic car (I've had the opportunity to hot-lap one) as is the new Ford Mustang. (I love Jeremy Clarkson too, but his opinions on cars are, for the most part, imperialist crap ) Both of these cars offer good power, reliability, and an excellent drive, along with RWD and a Manual Transmission. Not to mention that the few european cars I've owned (3 to be exact) haven't been stellar for reliability, nor cheap to fix. The mustang in particular can be had for well within your budget (check out the Shelby GT). I also noticed in your original post you had some concern about the G35 being a "poor mans BMW".......who cares? Maybe the BMW is just a rich mans G35... Paying 40k+ for a 335 is, in my opinion, not a smart move. I know, because I almost bought one (great car, no doubt, but WAY too expensive for what it is). Same witht he 135 - looks to be amazing, but its gonna be almost 40k and it weighs almost as much as a 335 - doesn't make much sense....



Bottom line is, expand your horizons (to other makes and models) while at the same time contracting them (stick with the features you want - i.e. manual and R/AWD), if that makes any sense Don't settle for something you don't want (duh), but if you find something you really like....forget the image associated with the badge on the hood and enjoy the drive!!!!

It's funny....no matter how many car forums I've been on over the years, undoubtedly the best advice/best quality posts come from those that have racing experience. They are almost always courteous, and look at things with perspective, as opposed to being stuck on one brand or model. Long story short, good post bud. :bigups

 

[SuperBuick]

It's funny....no matter how many car forums I've been on over the years, undoubtedly the best advice/best quality posts come from those that have racing experience. They are almost always courteous, and look at things with perspective, as opposed to being stuck on one brand or model. Long story short, good post bud.

Thanks man

 

[JaCkaL829]

How about the 2008 MB C300. well equipped for 37k and maybe qualify for a 1.9 finance rate. I have the 07 C230ss version, and i may opt for the 08.

I was going to suggest that too. I don't know the exact numbers, but my cousin just got an 08 fully loaded w/ 6 spd. It's a really nice car that is very luxurious, yet still practical if that makes sense? I also think the front looks incredibly mean.

 

[kustomsol]

You might check out the Toyota Solara. Reliable, good milage, available with a straight stick, convertible, safe, quiet, economical, 3.3 litre V6, FWD. Trimmed up a lot like the Lexus 430 SC. And with reasonable care, should hold it's value. And maintenance won't eat you alive. Face it, it's a Camry in disguise; Camry is one of the most reliable safe cars out there, yet IMO, well equiped and trimmed, and looks sporty enough to attract chicks, but not so's you'd get the attention of cops; unless you got a red one. And you can get a loaded top of the line one for less than 35K. If my daily driver '91 Reatta Convertible didn't look and run so well, I'd get a Solara. Here's the owners' reviews from edmunds.com 2008 Toyota Camry Solara Consumer Review

 

[bumoftheday]

SuperBuick, I completely agree about with you about the narrowing my mindset. I'm not considering anything else FWD or Auto.



I did look at the Mustang and wasn't impressed with the drive on the street. I don't think I could get over the fact that it has a solid rear axle.



I love the CTS, but its over 40k if specced out comparable to the G35 I want. I would take the G35 over the Caddy.



I will take a look at the C300.



The solara is FWD, so it is off my list.



Yesterday I sent an email to the local BMW dealership about the time frame of getting the 128's in and this is the response I got

On Thursday 2/21 tomorrow BMW and the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer ride and drive will be at our dealership. Among the vehicles that are available to drive will be the 128 and 135 series. The new X6, 335 diesel, Alpina, New M3 will also be here to drive. Please stop in and drive a vehicle before anyone else in the area has one.

So looks like I'll be taking a long lunch tomorrow. This also works out well as I am pretty slow at work and already have overtime built up this week for a deadline I had to meet.

 

[JustinDetail]

I don't think you'd be disappointed in the slightest with the 128i. While I am a bit miffed about its pricing and the look, I'm sure the driving experience and overall build of the car is stellar.

And good to hear you're not looking at FWD cars, imo, the Acura TL could be a great car if it wasn't build with FWD. Nothing ruins the feel of a car more than that. I refuse to purchase a FWD car ever again. I've tried nice ones too, RSX-S, new MKV GTI, no go on either.

 

[azenthusiast]

I would recommend either the new C Class as was already stated or the Chrysler 300C with the Hemi. Rwd, 5.7L V8, and my family has been getting about 24 mpg without babying it.



Disclaimer: This is my opinion. There have been many threads where people got into bitter arguments over what is better (I am guilty as well). I do not claim to have driven every vehicle on your list and I do not work for Motor Trend, I just wanted to give you some vehicles that I have taken a liking to that may suit what you are looking for.

 

[bumoftheday]

So I drove a C300 Sport the other day and attended a BMW Ultimate drive event today. I got to drive a 335 coupe, 328 convertible, Z4 3.0si and rode shotgun in a new (V8) M3. There were no salesman, no-one riding shotgun keeping you in check and not DTC The 328 was ok, but I think the extra weight made it feel slow. Was not overly impressed, although it was nice. The Z4 3.0si was awesome, and it was the only manual transmission car there I could drive(you had to be 30 to drive the M3). I got the tires nice and hot.



The star of the show was the 335. I love that car and that engine. I never got to drive it hard on the test drive. I remember it being fast, but hot damn. I beat a 760Li (V12) at a stoplight race, he was part of the event as well. I really want that engine. If I stay without a car payment for an extra several months, I can save up the difference between a 128 and a 135. Plus I'll get a raise next month and in September. The other thing is, if I do I would want Blue outside and red leather. I think it looks awesome. How much will the resale suffer? Would black/red be any better?



The C300 was nice, but it lacked grunt and the shifter was extremely notchy, it was hard to upshift at times without forcing it. Very refined car, but compared to the 335, it was weak.



So the front runners are:

135(wait til the end of the year)

G35(find a used one or wait til 09 model year and more power)

C300, buy it now. Not as sporting, but a nice car.

 

[bumoftheday]

Also, for those interested, this is what I attended today



BMW North America



Food was provided, lines were short(except on M3 and Alpina B7) and a very fun experience. Was during work so I had to take a LONG lunch.

 

[JaCkaL829]

Also, for those interested, this is what I attended today



BMW North America



Food was provided, lines were short(except on M3 and Alpina B7) and a very fun experience. Was during work so I had to take a LONG lunch.

Sounds like an awesome event, thanks for the heads up, although they won't be in Jersey till October.

 

[JustinDetail]

So I drove a C300 Sport the other day and attended a BMW Ultimate drive event today. I got to drive a 335 coupe, 328 convertible, Z4 3.0si and rode shotgun in a new (V8) M3. There were no salesman, no-one riding shotgun keeping you in check and not DTC The 328 was ok, but I think the extra weight made it feel slow. Was not overly impressed, although it was nice. The Z4 3.0si was awesome, and it was the only manual transmission car there I could drive(you had to be 30 to drive the M3). I got the tires nice and hot.



The star of the show was the 335. I love that car and that engine. I never got to drive it hard on the test drive. I remember it being fast, but hot damn. I beat a 760Li (V12) at a stoplight race, he was part of the event as well. I really want that engine. If I stay without a car payment for an extra several months, I can save up the difference between a 128 and a 135. Plus I'll get a raise next month and in September. The other thing is, if I do I would want Blue outside and red leather. I think it looks awesome. How much will the resale suffer? Would black/red be any better?



The C300 was nice, but it lacked grunt and the shifter was extremely notchy, it was hard to upshift at times without forcing it. Very refined car, but compared to the 335, it was weak.



So the front runners are:

135(wait til the end of the year)

G35(find a used one or wait til 09 model year and more power)

C300, buy it now. Not as sporting, but a nice car.

Cool post. Glad you got behind the wheel of some of the new BMW offerings. That Z4 with the sweet 3.0si motor sure is sweet huh? Pretty quick too with the 255hp.



A quick fyi on the G35...you probably already know, but the new 3.5 306hp SAE motor is in the new ones. Unless you meant new as in the G37's motor? They're supposed to up that to 350hp and put it in the 2009 370Z....sweet.

 

[bumoftheday]

Cool post. Glad you got behind the wheel of some of the new BMW offerings. That Z4 with the sweet 3.0si motor sure is sweet huh? Pretty quick too with the 255hp.



A quick fyi on the G35...you probably already know, but the new 3.5 306hp SAE motor is in the new ones. Unless you meant new as in the G37's motor? They're supposed to up that to 350hp and put it in the 2009 370Z....sweet.

The Z4 is pretty sweet, but the 335 completely overshadowed it. The Z4 was a stick, which was nice.



I have read rumors of the 3.7 going into the sedan, although it wouldn't surprise me to see 350hp in the coupe and 330hp in the sedan.