Infiniti G37s Coupe, BMW 335i or.... BMW M3(haha)?

[DarkThinker]

g37. /thread.

Are you sure it's not "lease prius / thread" ? :awe:

 

[amdhunter]

Audi S4. The M3 is nice, but I like the styling/interior of the S4 better.
M3 is sorta status though.

Or get a Dinan 335i.

 

[StageLeft]

Are you sure it's not "lease prius / thread" ? :awe:

He's not ready for that yet. Once he is on the fence and truly indecisive I will rip his world apart and recommend a 2010 Prius!

 

[Arkaign]

He's not ready for that yet. Once he is on the fence and truly indecisive I will rip his world apart and recommend a 2010 Prius!

Awesome

I sort of expect this thread to end with something like : 'I bought an Escalade truck!', as these things always seem to go sideways.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Awesome

I sort of expect this thread to end with something like : 'I bought an Escalade truck!', as these things always seem to go sideways.

I would wager on 300C SRT8

 

[Chapbass]

Just to throw another car in the mix...isnt the m3 approaching cts-v territory? on my work comp right now which is pretty restrictive so I can't actually look it up, but imo the interior on the cts looks better than all those mentioned here (maybe with the exception of g37), and I feel the exterior is excellent too.

Just throwing ideas into the pile

 

[EightySix Four]

Just to throw another car in the mix...isnt the m3 approaching cts-v territory? on my work comp right now which is pretty restrictive so I can't actually look it up, but imo the interior on the cts looks better than all those mentioned here (maybe with the exception of g37), and I feel the exterior is excellent too.

Just throwing ideas into the pile

Yes it is, I didn't think about that. CTS-V ftmfw

 

[MetalMat]

Get a used M3, everytime you see one in your 335i you will be jealous.

 

[hellman69]

I don't know what you are looking for, but here's a few car I compared against those:
Acura TL/TSX
Audi S4/A6/A5
Cadillac CTS
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Lexus ES/GS

FWIW, I ended up in the TL.

 

[KIAman]

Wow you must have a huge variance in your price. A g37 and 335i are not in the same price bracket at all. The average 335i will cost 10-15k more than the average g37.

Now when it comes to the M3, it all depends on what you value. If you value fine handling, DCT and NA engine, then get the M3 if you can afford it.

If you are thinking M3 simply because it is faster and has more HP, stick to the 335i (although it has HPFP issues, it is covered for 10 years now and all the people I personally know have not had a single HPFP issue). The reason to stick with 335i? A simple $600 mod and it will easily be faster than an M3 and that is undetectable to maintain your warranty.

 

[GTaudiophile]

What about a used E46 M3?

Edmunds loved theirs.

 

[Kadarin]

Just to throw another car in the mix...isnt the m3 approaching cts-v territory? on my work comp right now which is pretty restrictive so I can't actually look it up, but imo the interior on the cts looks better than all those mentioned here (maybe with the exception of g37), and I feel the exterior is excellent too.

Just throwing ideas into the pile

I'm suspecting that's a minority opinion

I've never driven or ridden in one, but based on secondhand experience I think the CTS-V is a brilliant car whose exterior is dear God fugly.

 

[EightySix Four]

I'm suspecting that's a minority opinion

I've never driven or ridden in one, but based on secondhand experience I think the CTS-V is a brilliant car whose exterior is dear God fugly.

Actually, it's generally lauded as being very attractive (minus some of the chrome) on most sites and magazines I frequent.

 

[MJinZ]

Actually, it's generally lauded as being very attractive (minus some of the chrome) on most sites and magazines I frequent.

I'm sure everyone has seen enough new Cadillac CTSs on the road to formulate their own opinions rather than give a crap about what sites and publications have to say about the styling.

The new CTS has the basics down, but it is incredibly unbalanced looking. Very narrow and high rear end, incredibly cramped inside, wide tires but a narrow sloping body. It has great potential, but the STS sadly still looks far better.

The Audi A5/S5 for example, is basically the complete opposite of the CTS. Curves instead of hard angles, horizontal themes rather than vertical, and incredibly wide and aggressive all around. It's probably the single most over-all well designed car in production, where every angle of it looks gorgeous. But it's also overweight, performs worse than the 3 series, slower than the 3 series, more issues than the 3 series, and the fuel economy is horrendous on the V8 (low 10s).

RS5 changes things ... though it's questionable of whether or not you may as well get an R8.

 

[EightySix Four]

I'm sure everyone has seen enough new Cadillac CTSs on the road to formulate their own opinions rather than give a crap about what sites and publications have to say about the styling.

The new CTS has the basics down, but it is incredibly unbalanced looking. Very narrow and high rear end, incredibly cramped inside, wide tires but a narrow sloping body. It has great potential, but the STS sadly still looks far better.

The Audi A5/S5 for example, is basically the complete opposite of the CTS. Curves instead of hard angles, horizontal themes rather than vertical, and incredibly wide and aggressive all around. It's probably the single most over-all well designed car in production, where every angle of it looks gorgeous. But it's also overweight, performs worse than the 3 series, slower than the 3 series, more issues than the 3 series, and the fuel economy is horrendous on the V8 (low 10s).

RS5 changes things ... though it's questionable of whether or not you may as well get an R8.

 

[MJinZ]

Can you read? Who said anything about the face of the car?

The rear proportions are bad... and even worse in person.

 

[Chapbass]

I dunno, I like the exterior of the CTS an awful lot.

From most of the cars in this thread, my PERSONAL taste:

Exterior I really like all of them for different reasons. I'm a tad partial to the G series since thats what I'm driving now, but every time I see a dark gray CTS I start salivating. Granted, similarly with those LED lights on the audi...and a bmw is just a bmw, enough said.

Interior I really dislike the audi and bmw interiors, whereas I feel the G and CTS interiors are very modern and sleek looking.

Obviously a lot of people disagree with me, but if we're talking cars like the m3, then the CTS-v should at least deserve some serious consideration.

EDIT: I WILL say that I feel the CTS exterior > CTS-V exterior. Something about that "bling" looking grille I just can't stand. I'll take the grid look over the vast vast majority of front ends on cars.

 

[EightySix Four]

The new CTS has the basics down, but it is incredibly unbalanced looking. Very narrow and high rear end, incredibly cramped inside, wide tires but a narrow sloping body. It has great potential, but the STS sadly still looks far better.

Writing fail, no where did you specifically say the STS has a better rear end. You said the STS looks far better, which one can assume means from every angle.

I tried talking with pictures to make it easier for you to understand and harder for you to misinterpret.

 

[MJinZ]

Writing fail, no where did you specifically say the STS has a better rear end. You said the STS looks far better, which one can assume means from every angle.

I tried talking with pictures to make it easier for you to understand and harder for you to misinterpret.

Over-all, the STS looks better. If you want an analogy, The CTS has a handsome face and big muscular arms, but it has chicken legs and and narrow shoulders. The STS has a plainer face, looks older and may not be as strong, but has broad shoulders, strong legs and a well balanced frame.

 

[datalink7]

I appreciate the opinions all.

I went and test drove the 335i today. Honestly I liked the feel of it better than the G37. However, part of this I think was the BMW dealership had a test track out back where you could go have fun as opposed to test driving on the road. Was pretty cool actually

Didn't ask to see if they had an M3 as I was short on time.

I know a lot of people like the Cadillac but personal opinion I really dislike the look so that is why it isn't a consideration.

I will be going to an Audi dealership to give them a fair shake as well. Was planning on this weekend but I forgot it was Easter weekend so I have to spend some time with the family.

For a little more background on me. I currently have a 05 Mustang GT (KBB "Fair" trade in value of $10,800). Fun car that goes fast in a straight line, but I wanted a little more "refinement".

I like manual cars as they are fun to drive in my opinion. I don't even mind them in traffic honestly like some people do.

I've saved up around 15k for this purchase, along with my trade in. I wasn't wanting to go over a $45,000 loan.

I have zero credit card debt and a small amount of school loans I am paying off at a low interest rate. Only debt really is my mortgage.

After I pay:

Mortgage (and I put in an extra 10% towards it)
Bills
Retirement savings (what I don't intend to touch until I'm 65)
Non-retirement savings (how I saved up the 15k. I put money away each month for future purchases not geared towards retirement)

I have somewhere around $2500 excess each month.

Also, because I am military and with USAA, I am looking at getting all cars with a special deal so everything at invoice with no haggling required.

 

[Arkaign]

Hmm, $45k loan + $15k cash, why not live a little?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...s=&max_price=70000&cardist=353&standard=false

Heheheh, only 8k miles, and 911 Turbos don't depreciate much more than to the $40k range in perfect shape. You could drive that thing for a decade and if you keep it minty, it will still be worth a ton of cash.

It has the X50 package, and will hit 60mph in 3.8 seconds, 100mph in under 10 seconds, and on to about 190mph on the top end. It also will stop hard enough to bring up last night's tacos if you must.

 

[datalink7]

Hmm, $45k loan + $15k cash, why not live a little?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...s=&max_price=70000&cardist=353&standard=false

Heheheh, only 8k miles, and 911 Turbos don't depreciate much more than to the $40k range in perfect shape. You could drive that thing for a decade and if you keep it minty, it will still be worth a ton of cash.

It has the X50 package, and will hit 60mph in 3.8 seconds, 100mph in under 10 seconds, and on to about 190mph on the top end. It also will stop hard enough to bring up last night's tacos if you must.

Honestly I hadn't been looking at used cars but maybe I should. I just always liked new stuff thought this is probably an irrational feeling.

Though as for the Porche, while a nice car, isn't even pretending to have any utility. I do like to have back seats and trunk space.

Plus I can't imagine the insurance for it...

 

[thegimp03]

Honestly I hadn't been looking at used cars but maybe I should. I just always liked new stuff thought this is probably an irrational feeling.

Though as for the Porche, while a nice car, isn't even pretending to have any utility. I do like to have back seats and trunk space.

Plus I can't imagine the insurance for it...

One of my roommates bought a used Porsche Carrera 4s and he said the insurance isn't as bad as you'd think. I wouldn't go get a bunch of tickets though. Granted, the Turbo has a lot more power so I'm sure it'd be more.

 

[Arkaign]

Honestly I hadn't been looking at used cars but maybe I should. I just always liked new stuff thought this is probably an irrational feeling.

Though as for the Porche, while a nice car, isn't even pretending to have any utility. I do like to have back seats and trunk space.

Plus I can't imagine the insurance for it...

Well, the great thing about a 911 is that it's so damned classic, the 996 doesn't look any different to the naked eye than a 2011 911.

Insurance really isn't that bad, as the 911s tend to be owned by meticulous middle aged folk who don't make the insurance companies as nervous. Strangely, after doing some digging and quotes over time, a Cayman S is cheaper for me to insure than a Subaru STI or 2003 Mustang Cobra.

I can feel where you're coming from on the wanting new stuff, but don't let that keep you from considering minty pre-owned, as that 911 in the above link stickered for over $140k with the X50 package, and probably sold in the $130k range. Letting someone else take a gigantic hit on depreciation, then taking a sub-15k miles perfect-condition car can be a win in a lot of cases.

Some cars keep on depreciating all the way to the floor, but the good thing about a few models is that there is a floor to it, and then it levels off and stabilizes (for well-kept cars). Vettes come to mind, along with Ferrari/Lotus/etc. For example, even old 1980s Porsche turbos sell for ~$40k+ in decent shape, even with a decent amount of miles.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...&doors=&max_price=&cardist=432&standard=false

I know cars aren't an 'investment' (well, aside from the lucky few who bought MK4 turbos for ~$12k in the late 90s, that's an extreme example though), but having a car that is still worth a boatload of cash after 20 odd years is astonishingly awesome, especially if you steal it in mint shape after it's less than 1/2 the MSRP.

 

[DarkThinker]

Corvette isn't immune to $$$ for gas and tires either. 300 series 18" Z tires are not cheap.

The 335/30/18 DRs I'm about to put on are $300 ea and aren't expected to last more than 10k miles.

exdeath, can you please post a current rear pic of your cobra?

Excuse me for the bizarre question, but I will explain why I ask once I see it...