Bored with the car...
It's really tough these days finding a good daily driver, priced right, with the right amount of power. I would spend $40-45k max.
I was thinking C350 but... the w203 body is almost expired, and we should be seeing a new batch of w204's shortly.
I was thinking of maybe buying a Used M3, but i'd rather lease due to my problem of being bored with cars quickly.
ah, decisions decision..
any other suggestions guys?
As for me, I'm a person who cares more about handling than power. Although, the Infiniti G35, in my opinion had both. But I think b3d sage doesn't like the G35. I never disliked it, but I didn't buy it. Also I thought the styling was a bit odd.
I really have to say however, that I think BMWs are a good choice. When I acquired my C230, I was also looking at the BMW 325i but I chose against it because it would've been outdated in a short period of time. However, I would be interested to consider acquiring a BMW in the future.
If I were in the car market right now to acquire a compact daily driver car, I'd consider a Subaru, although they look odd, their handling is excellent; a Lexus IS, and a BMW 3 series.
Lastly, I would never consider it an option to buy a pre owned BMW M3. Those cars have a reputation for failing, since many of them are on leases, and leased cars tend to be driven rather aggressively sometimes. Thus, reliability and performance are chipped away very quickly in that car. I would however, consider purchasing one since they retain their value very well and I could probably put a 100k miles on it in 6 years to fully utilize the BMW extended maintenance committment.
Last edited by ChristianJan; Jun 19, 2006 at 08:13 PM.


Coupe is my first vehicle.. I choose because I am single living alone. but my mother saw the car and first question to me why bought one door car .. then I thought again and understand four door saloon (sedan) was better choose than coupe.
and second hand car price in the coupe decrease more and selling hard ..
Handling, comfort, quality and security are high ..this is MERCEDES
all that is we are proud of only




you work like a slave,
you get paid,
you hand over your money,
you get bored,
you work even harder,
you get paid more,
you hand over more money,
you get even more bored,
you work your brains out,
you get paid a sh_t load of money
you buy something that costs more than the first moonwalk
you die from stress
some pimple faced guy at the estate auction buys that supercar for next to nothing.
DONT give that pimple faced guy the satisfaction !
I have been to 2 estate auctions and I vowed to never work so hard to make so many people buy what I slaved over for 5% of its value.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
I was thinking also about an m3 vert...I seen them for around 40-50K for 03 and up. A buddy of mine said he got his for 36k!!
what do u think?

You did participate in this thread earlier without complaint so I'm going to say that was sincere.
Thanks man.
Anyway, back to the dillema!
Last edited by b3d_sage; Jun 20, 2006 at 05:47 PM.
BMW 325/330 would be my recommedation. I had a 2002 330Ci (2 Door) nice power good ride, plenty sporty and tons of upgrades available. After that I got a 2005 BMW Z4 3.0, I was really disapointed. Power handling were fine, lots of road noise at highway speeds not up to par with the 325/330's. I now have a 2006 C230 w/2.5 V6, 7g. I love everything about the car except it's a little shy on power and when rounding an intersection turn it doesn't drop down enough gears to pull alway smoothly unless I give lots of throttle. I found 3 new 2005 C320 sports I think I might give the 230 to my wife and get the 320 for myself. C350's too much gelt for me.
Audi A4 is another great car I'd recommend I had a 2001 S4 6 speed absolutely a terriffic automobile in every possible way. If front drive torque steer bothers you as much as me get a quattro verson. Any engine they offer is stellar with lots of mods available. I personally don't like the CVT transmission get the 6 speed or the tiptronic/quattro you won't be dissapointed.
Hope this helps!
As for me, I'm a person who cares more about handling than power. Although, the Infiniti G35, in my opinion had both. But I think b3d sage doesn't like the G35. I never disliked it, but I didn't buy it. Also I thought the styling was a bit odd.
I really have to say however, that I think BMWs are a good choice. When I acquired my C230, I was also looking at the BMW 325i but I chose against it because it would've been outdated in a short period of time. However, I would be interested to consider acquiring a BMW in the future.
If I were in the car market right now to acquire a compact daily driver car, I'd consider a Subaru, although they look odd, their handling is excellent; a Lexus IS, and a BMW 3 series.
Lastly, I would never consider it an option to buy a pre owned BMW M3. Those cars have a reputation for failing, since many of them are on leases, and leased cars tend to be driven rather aggressively sometimes. Thus, reliability and performance are chipped away very quickly in that car. I would however, consider purchasing one since they retain their value very well and I could probably put a 100k miles on it in 6 years to fully utilize the BMW extended maintenance committment.
G35 Blows.
In fact, although my favorite car is Ferrari, I'm not fond of their high pitched noise. However, i do like the BMW M3's noise, which is ironic since so many people compare that car to a Ferrari.
Did anybody here ever consider getting a Subaru? Now, I truly wished I did. I drove a friend of mine's Subaru and I realized the handling was excellent. Quality is good too. The noise, is similiar to that of a Porsche in some respects. Almost makes me wish I had one. Two Thumbs Way Up for the Subaru. I drove the Impreza model, btw. It lacks a few luxuries; one thing that pissed me off was the trunk had its hinges exposed, in Mercedes they're covered and a few idiosyncracies. But, otherwise, it's a great car. Mercedes-Benz handling at about half the price (give or take).
Don't get a G35 though, they're coming out with a new one in 2007. You'll see massive depreciation in just a few months time if you were to acquire one at this point.
I don't like the front end styling of the new Lexus IS and the ridiculously large mirrors (they look like elephant ears) on the side. However, I like just about everything else about it. That gets my "Two Thumbs Up". They're actually selling rather well in Europe, which is weird since Lexus has almost no presence in Europe.
Lastly, I know we're all upset about high gas prices (actually, I'm paying $3.499/G right now and I'm not complaining) and high maintenance costs. I'd love to buy something that includes maintenance as my next car or is cheaper to maintain.
In fact, although my favorite car is Ferrari, I'm not fond of their high pitched noise. However, i do like the BMW M3's noise, which is ironic since so many people compare that car to a Ferrari.
Did anybody here ever consider getting a Subaru? Now, I truly wished I did. I drove a friend of mine's Subaru and I realized the handling was excellent. Quality is good too. The noise, is similiar to that of a Porsche in some respects. Almost makes me wish I had one. Two Thumbs Way Up for the Subaru. I drove the Impreza model, btw. It lacks a few luxuries; one thing that pissed me off was the trunk had its hinges exposed, in Mercedes they're covered and a few idiosyncracies. But, otherwise, it's a great car. Mercedes-Benz handling at about half the price (give or take).
Don't get a G35 though, they're coming out with a new one in 2007. You'll see massive depreciation in just a few months time if you were to acquire one at this point.
I don't like the front end styling of the new Lexus IS and the ridiculously large mirrors (they look like elephant ears) on the side. However, I like just about everything else about it. That gets my "Two Thumbs Up". They're actually selling rather well in Europe, which is weird since Lexus has almost no presence in Europe.
Lastly, I know we're all upset about high gas prices (actually, I'm paying $3.499/G right now and I'm not complaining) and high maintenance costs. I'd love to buy something that includes maintenance as my next car or is cheaper to maintain.
My C230ss stock would out handle my old WRX with a full racing coil over set up.
Plus a Subaru would definitely be a step down in class.
Right now the 06 BMW 330i is on top of my list, as well as a used M3 Vert if i can lease one, and maybe even a CLK VERT used if i can lease one. If the used lease doesn't work out, i'm going to have to go with the 330i. Unless ofcourse you all have any other suggestions...
hmmmm?
Although to most people a Subaru is a step down in class from Mercedes, I think they're about the same. Lots of Mercedes on the streets.
I've never experienced understeer, but everybody tells me it's even more detrimental than oversteering. I can usually control the oversteer on my C230, although I did once get very close to a nasty accident with the E320 with oversteer.
I would reconsider the lease on a BMW M3. The BMW M3 engines do not last very long if they were previously driven very aggressively.
I think you're on the right track with the 06 BMW 330i. I'd seriously consider the IS350 though. On a superficial test drive of the car, I found the handling to be very good. Although, of course, if I had driven the car longer, I might've decided that the handling wasn't originally as good as I had previously thought.
Although to most people a Subaru is a step down in class from Mercedes, I think they're about the same. Lots of Mercedes on the streets.
I've never experienced understeer, but everybody tells me it's even more detrimental than oversteering. I can usually control the oversteer on my C230, although I did once get very close to a nasty accident with the E320 with oversteer.
I would reconsider the lease on a BMW M3. The BMW M3 engines do not last very long if they were previously driven very aggressively.
I think you're on the right track with the 06 BMW 330i. I'd seriously consider the IS350 though. On a superficial test drive of the car, I found the handling to be very good. Although, of course, if I had driven the car longer, I might've decided that the handling wasn't originally as good as I had previously thought.
THE IS350 is just not doing it for me looks wise... it's just ugly....
THE IS350 is just not doing it for me looks wise... it's just ugly....
For instance, when I need to feel brute power, I tool around in my wife's lifted 4x4. May not be super fast, but the low-end torque and loud growl of the Flowmaster exhaust has some therapeutic benefits. Plus, with all this warm weather, it's nice to look down into the cars of ladies wearing their skimpy tops and bottoms (what a perv I am!!).
To quench my thirst for speed, just hop on the crotch rocket, and hit the straights or twisties. Well, speed is only relative, as I still find myself trying to keep up with my wife, who's speed comfort level is a bit higher than mine.
In the end, I still have the Benz - satisfies most needs well (except look down into other cars).


