New car opinions

Hantra · « **Reply #140 on:** 28 May 2005, 09:40 pm »

Quote from: ss397

on the plus side people routinely drive these cars for 300k miles with no major failures( especially manual transmission)

I hope so. Because I am going to skip this entire generation of body styles.

ss397 · « **Reply #141 on:** 28 May 2005, 10:34 pm »

amen hantra. 7 series butt ugly, new 5 and new 3 look japanese i'll pass

Carlman · « **Reply #142 on:** 29 May 2005, 01:25 pm »

The latest designs have sort of an 'almostness' about them. It's as if Bangle was restrained from doing what he really wanted to do and costs were an issue as well... oh, and safety requirements I'm sure...

To me, the final product looks like a compromise on the 3, 5, and 7. The Z4 and the new 6 look good to me, though... and don't seem to suffer from a result of compromises and adjustments from the original concept... I like the new 6 best of all the latest designs; enough to buy it if I were the type to buy 60,k+ cars.

As it stands, I share Hantra's sentiments... I'll drive this one until the next body change.

-C

Hantra · « **Reply #143 on:** 29 May 2005, 04:12 pm »

Quote from: Carlman

I like the new 6 best of all the latest designs; enough to buy it if I were the type to buy 60,k+ cars.

The 6 would be a great car if it were actually around 60K. Fact is, you're over 70 and damned close to 80K on a coupe with any options.

At that point, call me crazy, but I'm in a 997 and will not be looking back.

I seriously think the E46 was the last BMW for me, realistically. Look at the E90. Even if it was as pretty as the E46, a loaded 330xi sedan is now $53,000!!!!! Same with the 5's. The new 5's had a cash hemmorhage of a price increase, upwards of 11-14% over one model year. And let's not talk about the 7. A 6 year old LS400 has less problems in any given year than a 6 MONTH old 7.

This will catch up with BMW. And it's going to be bad. It won't be long before the new buyers run out, and all the repeat buyers they have always counted on are going elsewhere.

/end of rant

windwaves · « **Reply #144 on:** 29 May 2005, 05:56 pm »

7 series butt ugly ??? wow, that's a shock, because on the other hand I agree, seris 5 and 3 have nothibg to show but a very japo look

ss397 · « **Reply #145 on:** 29 May 2005, 07:43 pm »

as a former 2000 540 and current 330 conv. owner i can state that the 3 series is a better car. it handles better, has a better overall balance and is just more fun to drive. the 540 was a very nice car, had unbelievable acceleration and excelled at long road trips, but i like the 330 even more. the extra weight and size of the 540 made for compromise. so with BMW the entry level product is the best product. i agree that the controversial direction BMW is headed in is going to cost them big time. the automotive business is ultracompetitive and very unforgiving of management mistakes of this type, look at GM and FORD. unfortunately they have a long way to fall.

Bingenito · « **Reply #146 on:** 29 May 2005, 11:29 pm »

I was just looking at a 530i but I hate the I-Drive system. Any opinions on a Lexus GS430?

Thanks

Hantra · « **Reply #147 on:** 29 May 2005, 11:38 pm »

Quote from: Bingenito

I was just looking at a 530i but I hate the I-Drive system. Any opinions on a Lexus GS430?

Thanks

Dear god. Please don't do that. That is the most overpriced car out there. OK maybe not THE most overpriced. . But in the top 5.

If you are talking that kind of money, you owe it to yourself to look at E's and maybe a CLS.

zybar · « **Reply #148 on:** 29 May 2005, 11:44 pm »

Don't forget about the Audi S4.

George

Bingenito · « **Reply #149 on:** 29 May 2005, 11:45 pm »

Quote

Dear god. Please don't do that. That is the most overpriced car out there. OK maybe not THE most overpriced. . But in the top 5.

If you are talking that kind of money, you owe it to yourself to look at E's and maybe a CLS.

I am not the type of person that does a ton of research on cars since I do not care much about them other then how they look and how comfortable I am in them.

That being said can you define Overpriced?

Thank you

Hantra · « **Reply #150 on:** 29 May 2005, 11:49 pm »

Quote from: Bingenito

That being said can you define Overpriced?

Thank you

OK B. . You have a valid point. Overpriced is all in the eye of the beholder. I have several pieces of gear in my room now that most would say are overpriced.

I suppose when I look at a super badass car like the CLS and then look at a GS430 and there are $3000 or so dollars separating them. . . Well. . .At that point I consider the Lexus overpriced.

But again it all depends on your likes and dislikes. I respect Lexus, and I even like the looks of the new GS. But there's just no way I could creep into the mid 60's for a Toyota that's sized and optioned like a comparable E or CLS. That's all I'm saying.

Bingenito · « **Reply #151 on:** 29 May 2005, 11:55 pm »

Hantra. Valid points. The GS I am looking at is $53 with most of the options standard. The CLS is sweet but it is Over $10K more.

Price aside is there anything about the car that would cause concern?

Hantra · « **Reply #152 on:** 30 May 2005, 12:37 am »

Quote from: Bingenito

Hantra. Valid points. The GS I am looking at is $53 with most of the options standard. The CLS is sweet but it is Over $10K more.

Price aside is there anything about the car that would cause concern?

No way man. The Lexus has to be the most reliable out there in its class. I had no idea you could get into a 430 for $53k.

Having not driven that car I can't comment on the drive, but the Lexus cars I've driven have a nauseatingly neutral numbing drive.

zybar · « **Reply #153 on:** 30 May 2005, 12:44 am »

Quote from: Hantra

Quote from: Bingenito
Hantra. Valid points. The GS I am looking at is $53 with most of the options standard. The CLS is sweet but it is Over $10K more.

Price aside is there anything about the car that would cause concern?

No way man. The Lexus has to be the most reliable out there in its class. I had no idea you could get into a 430 for $53k.

Having not driven that car I can't comment on the drive, but the Lexus cars I've driven have a nauseatingly neutral numbing drive.

A friend has the GS 430 and it is boring to drive and the engine has a sound to it that makes it sound toy like to me (at least it isn't as bad as the lawnmower engines in the Acuras). It also lacks any type of grunt or balls.

Most importantly, I felt very disconnected from the road while driving it. Sort of felt like it was on a permanent autopilot.

At this price point I just feel that the German cars are more fun to drive (although not as reliable).

George

Bingenito · « **Reply #154 on:** 30 May 2005, 12:54 am »

My girlfriend just got an SUV and I currently have one as well so I am thinking of getting a nice car instead.

So far I drove the following:

BMW 330i, 525i, 530i

Lexus GS300, GS430

Infiniti M45 sport

The BMW330 is by far the most fun to drive. If the 3 was not so small I would hold out for the 330 coupe with 300HP in Sept.

The 525i was slow in comp to the 330. The 530i split the difference between the 330 and 525i. The 5 has the room that I want but as I said before I-drive is not for me and I work in tech

The M45 I drove for about 30mins and beat the balls off it on the highway and back roads. By far the fastest of the cars I drove but the quality is not apparent like the BMW and Lexus IMHO. The look and feel is not up to the same grade. The ride is also a little stiff on the sport version.

The Lexus is more towards the luxury side of the house with a softer, less aggressive ride than the BMW or M45. The touch screen controls are really easy to use and the layout is very nice. At first I decided to drive the Lexus just so that I would have considered other options before buying the 530i but after driving it I am actually leaning towards the Lexus for the comfort/ convenience factors. Not needing to use a key is kind of cool too. I can leave it in my laptop bag and the doors unlock as you approach the car. Once inside you just press the start button.

How lazy have we become? Anyway thank you for taking the time to respond to my stupid car questions!

byteme · « **Reply #155 on:** 30 May 2005, 02:53 pm »

Wow, how'd I miss this one? I've been looking for something to replace my S2000, that I can drive all year round and keeps as much of the fun and kick ass feel of the Honda. Initially I was considering on AWD vehicles, 330xi, G35x, Audi TT or A4, C240. However, except for the TT I though I was going to have to move to a sedan

I'm just not ready for that! I can't give up the drop top, 2 doors and the look/sport feel of a coupe.

After talking to a bunch of owners and driving a bunch of cars I'm going with a G35 coupe with the 6spd manual. What a beast this thing is! The G35x is decent, absolutely liveable, like the styling, great build quality and some really fun creature comforts, like the intelligent key! The biggest thing though was the drive feel, since it's a rear wheel drive biased system. When I started talking to owners of the coupe it's amazing how many of them get snows and drive it all year round. They said the LSD and traction control made handling really good in snow.

I drove a 325xi, A4 3.0, C230 & C240 awd the G35 in auto and manual. It's not even close how much better in every way the G35 is IMO. The 325 is underpowered, but not as much as the A4 and the two Mercedes left me really really dissapointed. I really don't know how these cars compete. Low power, poor interior, goofy standard features (built in phone buttons on radio standard). The 230 was even a Kompressor and it was still more of a dog than my wife's A4 1.8. Yikes. I will say this though about Mercedes, if I was willing to part with the $$ it's a no brainer what I'd get - the new SLK is about the best looking and performing (on paper) car I've seen. I refused to drive one because I know what that does to me...that's how they got me into the Honda. But I'm categorically opposed to spending more than $40-45 on a car.

Anyway, I'm putting an order in for the G35. Gonna make me do this ==>

Hantra · « **Reply #156 on:** 30 May 2005, 02:57 pm »

You know what's sad about that? To get LSD in a BMW 3, you have to buy an M3. NO other 3's come with it. Not even the venerable ZHP at $48K.

byteme · « **Reply #157 on:** 30 May 2005, 03:10 pm »

Quote from: Hantra

You know what's sad about that? To get LSD in a BMW 3, you have to buy an M3. NO other 3's come with it. Not even the venerable ZHP at $48K.

I agree, and I also agree with you on the styling of the BMW's. I was actually going into all this thinking, 330xi is a LOCK. I've always liked the way the BMW provides feedback to the driver, the way it drives and the cache of the brand. But if I was going AWD it was a no brainer between the G35x and the 330xi. I don't like the way the new 330 looks, and I think the performance and build really goes to Nissan on this one.

Between that and the fact that I can do the coupe with the manual and 19" wheels w/ 300hp?

Carlman · « **Reply #158 on:** 30 May 2005, 04:58 pm »

It all depends on what's important to you... I had no real reason to change cars... but man am I glad I did. I'm glad I found what I was looking for... and I hope the G35 does for you what my car did for me.

I wasn't impressed with the G35 sedan for whatever reason... The Coupe was simply too small/cramped feeling for my fat body.

I drove a Miata for a few years and I didn't want to go down that road again...

When I sit in a car, without even driving it, I just look around try to enjoy sitting there... Is it comfy, can it be made comfy? Does the visibility give me a feeling of control? Do the proportions work for me? Are the controls intuitive to me? It's all so personal, like trying on shoes or maybe a suit. If it fits and is comfortable, you're likely to buy it.

Then, a test drive will generally make or break the deal. With the BMW, I hadn't really considered it because it was so 'common'... I generally like something unique... (currently a Mazdaspeed.. had an Isuzu Stylus... etc.) So, going with something globally lauded and as popular as a 325 wasn't a thought. Plus, the price.. 34,k and up was the last time I'd checked and they didn't do much discounting.. maybe 2,k...

However, what a tactile reward I received for going out and trying one. I have to thank everyone here who suggested it. Otherwise I simply wouldn't have given it a shot... To top it off the deal I got (28,k) put into my original range.

So, comfort, price, and whatever connects you with the car determines its value. Just like hifi, really. I find it interesting it what people choose.... and surprise myself sometimes with what I end up doing...

Best of luck with the G35, Byteme...

-C

byteme · « **Reply #159 on:** 30 May 2005, 05:45 pm »

Quote from: Carlman

It all depends on what's important to you... I had no real reason to change cars... but man am I glad I did. I'm glad I found what I was looking for... and I hope the G35 does for you what my car did for me.

I wasn't impressed with the G35 sedan for whatever reason... The Coupe was simply too small/cramped feeling for my fat body. I drove a Miata for a few years and I didn't want to go down that road again...

When I sit in a car, without even driving it, I just look around try to enjoy sitting ...

I think I will enjoy it; well based on the test drives anyway I know I will! The thing that killed the BMW for me was the addl. cost to get comparable features - it just seems I'm paying a premium for the badge. I'm also able to get the G35 for invoice through the VPP program. The styling of the 3 I'm not totally crazy about and I've heard quite a bit of reliability issues with it from households that own both a 3series and a G35. My favorite car I've ever owned is my 300ZX and I think the G has a soft spot for me as a result! I really really like the Honda but I am just so tired of having two cars, especially when I have to drive the rapidly declining Pathfinder for 3 months in the winter!