Hello. I'm new to the forums. I drive a 2001 Ml320 (so affectionately nick-named the Tampon-Mobile/car by my friends ). This is really just a temp. car...

So what's the new car going to be you ask? Well I was hoping thats where you guys will come in.

So far I've test driven:
Infiniti G35
2006 BMW 330xi
Mustang GT
Cadillac CTS
'06 Corvette
SLK350
C350

They all have their positives and negatives. Right now there is no clear winner. In the next couple of weeks I want to test drive a CLK55 (used) and my friends INSIST I test drive an Audi A4.

Now I know the selection of cars I've test driven is quite random. We have sport sedans, roadsters, American legends, sporty coupes, etc. I want a car that is fast, yet refined, able to handle itself in any kind of weather, and will appeal to me for the next 5 years (also under 50k). It's quite a big decision.

Any suggestions, comments, etc? Any cars I should add to my list? Or any I should remove from my list?

 

IMHO, presuming you don't have to borrow any money to pay for your car, otherwise buy the best you can afford.

Infiniti G35: Nice lines, elegant feel, japaneese quality.
2006 BMW 330xi: screams "I could'nt afford the nicer Bimmer".
Mustang GT: My first car was a 70 mustang, so I love this car, but the interior is cheap, disfunctional, and poorly made.
Cadillac CTS: nice lines, interior is no different than any other american car, very "plasticy" and cheap. Sorry but the Cadillac name still reminds me of an old mans car.
'06 Corvette : Again, nice lines, interior same opinion as the Caddy. Image, if you are over 30 screams mid-life crisis car.
SLK350: I have to admit, every time I see one, I think, "could'nt afford the big SL".
C350: see BMW response.

All this does not take into account performance, just style and quality.

IMHO, IMHO, IMHO.................

 

You took the words out of my mouth for all the test cars I drove! Amazing.

The G35 was black, it looked very sharp. Decent power and good interior. I kinda agree with the 330 and C350 comment. But I am *ahem* younger. I don't think it would be that out of place. Teh C350 felt more powerful, but I think that is because it was the Sport, not the 4matic. The BMW guy told me to accelerate on this really curvy area...I didn't feel anything. That was amazing. The Mustang GT looks great IMO and has AWSOME power, but the inside is ****. The Corvette is the one that I don't think fits me at all. It is a great car and the C6 interior is actually pretty nice (the HUD is frigging awsome!), but it does scream mid-life crisis...which deters me away from it. CTS is just kinda boring...it looks good but has average power and average interior. SLK looks great from the front...but looks kinda feminine from the back? I dunno...too similar to the SC430 methinks. Although the hard-top is *really* cool.

(I was going to put this into the first post yesterday...but I got lazy)

 

I wouldn't stop so quickly at the C350 and 330xi. They're great cars. In this case, I prefer the BMW more. I like the design, and the AWD of the 3 allows you to have sporty acceleration and AWD for your Illinois snow.

 

Update: going to Audi Dealership tomorow.

Also...Corvette Dealership has called me a total of 11 times and left 3 voicemails, even though they claim the new C6 Vettes go like hot-cakes...

 

Every car "screams" something negative if you want to be cynical or snide about it. SLK "screams couldn't afford the SL" or 3-series/C-class "screams couldn't afford the nicer BMW/MB" or Boxster "screams couldn't get the 911."

MercedesFTW, if you are so worried about what your car "screams" then get the most bland and/or nondescript car possible. Get a Camry. Or a minivan, perhaps.

If, on the other hand, you enjoy driving then you should definitely consider the 330xi. If you don't need AWD, consider the 330i. For what it's worth, the 3-series has consistently been rated "Best in Class" by various automotive media. Again, compare cars to those in the same class. What's the point in comparing a 3 to a 750 or a C to a S550?

The G35 or Acura TL could be a great value in this segment. If you are very confident with the Infiniti's build quality and reliability, then you should consider buying it; otherwise consider leasing it. If you are looking in the 3-series/C-class segment, then you may want to consider the IS250 AWD or IS350 as well. I see you're already considering the A4.

IMHO, I find it hard to recommend the Mustang GT, Cadillac CTS, SLK350 or
C350 compared to cars in their segment.

 

UH-OH, I really must have hit a nerve with you, Ouch..... These are all opinions, and FTW is asking for others input either good or bad.
I do walk my talk, the Boxster is what my wife drives, and yes the 911-S was too expensive so she settled on a Boxster. The same goes for the SL because the Ferrari Cabrio was also out of my price league.

 

Nah, don't get me wrong -- no nerves touched.

Was just offering a few opinions myself. Basically wanted to tell FTW that IMO he should pick a car in his price range based on how he feels while driving and/or sitting in the driver seat. Reliability is a consideration, too. Most other things are secondary.

You're right - the beauty of this forum is you, me, FTW or anyone can post here looking for opinions and get a wide range of views in return.

You and the wife are lucky -- to have the SL, Boxster S, etc. in the garage. Don't compare them to anything else. Enjoy them for what they are -- great, fun cars (but I'm sure you know that already!)

cheers mate

 

Oops...forgot about this thread.

End of the school year is hectic, so after the Audi test drive, I havn't touched on the subject. (Test drove the A4 3.2, which is an amazing car. The quattro drive is very nice and I was lucky enough to test it out in very rainy conditions! I didn't some parts of the interior and there are no 3.2s equiped the way I want them to be in my area )

I'm waiting for the June 14th, because that is what the Ford Dealership said is the GT500 release date (500hp for 40K? Find me a better deal!). A friend of a friend apparently has "connections" and says he'll hook me up with one if I can't get one.

 

i think the dealer's markup on that car is gonna be huge

 

I have a friend with a G35 and the car is crap just about every time we ride in it he says guess what? I say what? 8 months left on the lease. Its a fairly quick car but the interior quality goes to crap after a year.

BMW 330XI- Another friend has the 325i its a nice car just ditch the run flat tires they give it a bad ride. I really like the instrument cluster. Only turn off for me is that stupid navigation system that is very common the 330's and both the 325 and the 330 are under powered especially the 325. I would wait and get the new 3 coupe that has 300hp/300lb tq.

C350 never seen one never driven one. I have driven the 230K and the new V6 230 which are a blast to drive. The C350 has crazy performance no doubt it is the fastest car in your list. The only negative with the C350 is the price. But don't rule out the C230 with a 6 speed that would be a lot of fun.

CTS- great looks on the outside but horrid build on the inside. If you took the badges off on the inside you would say its a chevy.

 

Some very valid points, Big Kahuna.

I guess the moral of the story is that "the grass is always greener on the other side"

I.e., I quite like my C55 but sometimes do wonder if it looks like I just couldnt afford the E55. Well, if I had the E55, why not the S55 ? I am sure there are people in the S55 thinking about a Bentley Flying Spur or similar. It just never ends..there will always be something that is just that little bit nicer,cooler,newer,better,faster..etc.

At the end of the day you have to be confortable with what you are driving and also how much of your money you are investing in a car.

 

Porsche Cayman (non S)

http://www.porsche.com/all/centreforward/usa.aspx

starts at $49,400

 

haha! My friend just told me about that today.

I don't think I'll be taking any hard corners...so the selling point that the Cayman can handle extremely well doesn't really appeal to me. But thanks for thinking about me!

I can always take out my friend's Boxter S for some fun in the summer.

 

no problem

if i were looking for a car today, my list would consist of the base Cayman, the Lotus Exige, and the Corvette C6. BTW, I suggested the base Cayman because i thought it looked cool.

 

Is it the "new" Boxter S? If not, consider getting the new Boxster S yourself

 

G35 isn't crap. I owned my G35 since brand new. My interior quality is like brand new. My car still smells like a brand new car too. I think it's a good car, fun to drive. Comfortable in the inside (compared to other crappy japanese cars).

 

My friend got the Boxter...a year ago? Not even, like in November of 2005. It's fun.

The G35 has limited cabin room, IMO. Still a decent car though (initial impression).

Going to go test drive a CLK55 (2004) tomorow.

EDIT: Test drove the CLK55. It has 13K miles, black, 2003, push start, no navi (friend says his CLK500's Navi sucks). I didn't really get to test it out that much though. The road the dealership uses frequently had cops all over it today.

It seems like a really decent car.

The particular one I drove made a weird sound when the engine started, a really high pitched whirring, but then it stopped. And for the first few seconds the engine sounded like it was choking. The salesman just said, don't worry about it, the engine hasn't been used in a long time and the noises went away after subsequent starts (I love the push start!). There are a few scratches and the inside has some wear-n-tear, including a burn mark(?). Again the salesman said they fix those up before final sales, and would be glad to send it to a nearby Mercedes Benz dealership to have it all checked out. Still two years and 40,000 some miles on the warrenty.

They really want to sell this car to me...

The state of the GT500? Well, to get one I'm going to have to wait untill October if I reserve it now (like...today!). I think I'm going to cross this off my list.

 

I would say go with the 04 CLK 55 not only because it is a great car, but it has a great warranty too. The g35 is a nice car to and I like it a lot, but I would rather have a CLK 55. The 3 series will always be a 3 series no matter how they change it, it will always be garbage. And the Corvette is nice, but not a daily driver in my opinion. I had a 03 CLK 55 and I sold it and bought the 06 and I have to say they are both great cars, no problems. The SLK is nice too, but if you would rather have an SL don't get it. Also the price for the CLK is really good and it looks like it has a lot of options, I love my push start too. I say
CLK 55 100% Good luck!

 

Don't be such an elitist snob...

 

Well I finally got internet service again (thank god!).

Anyways...I'll probably be getting the CLK55 03 on Monday. I'm 80% happy with it. A couple cosmetic problems and I need to pick up a recalled part but its under warrenty.

There is also a small chip in the windsheild...which is apparently going to fixed perfectly.

Anyways...does ANYONE have any last suggestions or reasons NOT to get the CLK55. Speak now or forever hold your peace (or...for another 5 years at least).

Thanks.

 

i love mercedes but go CORVETTE!!!!!!! ihave 2006 corvette zo6 with 505 hp which is aboslutly amazing. but for the street, its not a comfy ride, but normal corvette is very streetable.

 

So...an update. I did not get the CLK55. The chip in the windshield did not get fixed, and there are still some small cosmetic issues. Which mad me quite sad. I am probably not going to get this particular one.

I went to another dealership for a higher mileage black one, but the afternoon I went, someone had bought it in the morning of! grr.

No more black CLKs around here in my price range.

A friend called us, and said there are two GT500s, one blue and one white in the area, asking only for a $5000 markup over MSRP (so around like 49K) with his..."connections" (LOL!). I really want to test drive one of these babies. But the guy has been quite busy and we havn't gotton a hold of him yet.

The Vette has been crossed off. Great car, I tested it out and took it for a spin and I love it. But despite what the dealership tells me, I still don't think its a very good car for the winter.

My friends keep on insisting I test drive a M3. A slightly used, low mileage one would cost no more than 50,000. But the problem I have with it is...I don't particularly fancy the old body style, and would much prefer the new 3 series coupe body style.

At the BMW dealership though...I did come across a Z4 M in bright red. Caught my eye. I've always liked the Z3, after the movie Goldeneye for the brief...2 minutes it was in the movie. However, I've heard a lot of bad things about the current Z4, mainly that it is underpowered. With the Z4 M the venerable inline-6 really adds a nice punch to it. I've never test driven the normal Z4, but let me tell you the Z4 M is quite fast. It is within my price range, brand new. It has no navi, but everything else is perfect. Only problems is that I see this car as an AWSOME fun toy car; not something one would drive everyday, especially not in Chicago winters.

How are people's opinions on the Z4 M coupe?

 

I think it probably drives fantastic. I think it looks much better than the convertible version.