My next car, help me decide

[juan ruiz]

Well last time you guys did good with lots of great information about a new reliable sporty looking car, and I ended with the Lexus CT200H-F.

Now I'm looking at the other end of the scale, something sporty 4 door. I have a budget of 48K, which puts me in something from year 2008 maybe 09, so far this is what I have in mind.

BMW 750LI

Porsche Cayanne TT

Lexus IS-F

BMW M5

Maybe even the CTS-V

I know they all have their props and cons, but I'm very interested in the Porsche Cayanne TT are those things any good?

[kaisen]

Good luck, let us know what you end up with!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Interesting spread. Do you want an SUV or a car? Of your list I would pick the CTS-V, no question. You'll get the most car for your money and it's a true four door sports sedan with a proper manual gearbox. I would also look at the Jaguar XJR & XFR, Mercedes E63 AMG, as well as the Audi S4/S6/S8 and the RS4/RS6.

Of all the options, I'd still go for the CTS-V. In wagon form please.

[juan ruiz]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Good luck, let us know what you end up with!

C'Mon you can be of more help than just that!

[recycled sixtie]

You have to do some work too! Take a piece of paper and write in separate columns what are the important criteria you desire in a car. For example
Column 1) Reliability Column 2) Cheap to run
3) Fun to drive 4) Comfort etc etc. You surely must have your own criteria that are important to you.
You apportion points from 0 to 10 for each of the criterion. You add up all the points and the highest total may be your answer for the car that gives u the best compromise. Is this too logical? Of course you have to drive them all and take your clipboard

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by juan ruiz

C'Mon you can be of more help than just that!

You have to call him.

[speeder]

You're going to need quite a bit left over from the $48k for petrol with those cars. Maybe invest in an oil rig.

All of the cars on that list will depreciate like a tuna sandwich right now, (if they're still new enough to be $40k+), so if you take your time deciding it could be cheaper. Cayenne TT is an awesome ride. M5s are fun but out of warranty could be really expensive to own, especially with depreciation.

[baq911]

I have either driven the cars on the list or have friends that own them. Since your options are not in the same segment (not all super sedans and will drive differently), here's what I think.

BMW 750LI - A very comfortable car, will wisk you away rather than scare you. Overall a pretty feel-good car. Great build quality, some have quirky issues, I would check on bimmer forums for common problems.

Porsche Cayanne TT - Very heavy and very powerful. You won't have a problem bottoming it out leaving a gas station, but you will be visiting gas stations more than you'd like if you have a heavy foot. Can beat many sports cars and probably the most practical from what you're saying you need.

Lexus IS-F - Has one too many gears and might drive you crazy shifting all the time. It's a nice place to be but it's no M3....although it might be more reliable.

BMW M5 - 9mpg, will scare you, is a great car with great reward, but you will fill up twice a week easily. Needs an after market exhaust to truly appreciate the wonderful engine note. Has an amazing dual-personality. You can drive it in a calm and sophisticated manor, but as soon as someone cuts you off and you gun it, it's like the tasmanian devil...very tail happy


Maybe even the CTS-V - most bang for your buck in terms of performance. It might be quicker than the M5, but no where near the build quality. Parts are cheaper. looks like its body was designed using only a ruler (just my opinion)

My suggestions is that you search the forums dedicated to these cars and look for common problems to look for. After that, I would just go drive them and decide on the one that speaks to you. I hope that was of some help. Take care.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by juan ruiz

C'Mon you can be of more help than just that!

Your list has disparity. It's pretty hard to give advice when you have a big luxury car from one marque, a mid-sized boy-racer from another, an SUV from another, etc.

It's not just the cost of entry with these, it's the cost of keeping them. Depreciation, maintenance, repairs, insurance..... these are expensive cars. If you've thought of that, the M5 is the only car on that list that will be of relatively significant value in, say, 10 years. The others will just be cheap used cars.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

What about a Ford Taurus? Honda Accord? In the figures you are quoting you could purchase new.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Groesbeck Hurricane

What about a Ford Taurus? Honda Accord? In the figures you are quoting you could purchase new.

Somehow I doubt he's cross-shopping an M5 with a Taurus.

[1990C4S]

Taurus SHO?

[Laneco]

A budget of 48K covers alot of territory. If you want sporty and 4 doors, a Subaru STI fully tarted up still leaves you about 10K leftover for fuel BRAND SPANKING NEW.

Seriously, that' alot of money to buy a used sporty 4-door. That kind of change should buy you a FANTASTIC used 4-door or a pretty dang yummy new one.

Really need to thin the field a bit with regard to the type of car, what you are hoping for with maintenance costs and future resale, are you adamant about a manual transmission, etc. Every car on your list is interesting, but they have no real common thread.

angela

[HardDrive]

I would get a 2010 CPO Mercedes E350 over any of the cars you listed.

[beepbeep]

Audi RS6 C5?

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I would get a 2010 CPO Mercedes E350 over any of the cars you listed.

I can buy 2011 E350's with single digit miles for well under $48K

Heck, I can buy low-mile 2009 S550's for about $48K

[MysticLlama]

How about a Quattroporte w/$10k left over for maintenance?

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by MysticLlama

How about a Quattroporte w/$10k left over for maintenance?

I know a green one that should be up for sale soon

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Sarc

I know a green one that should be up for sale soon

His is a Cambriocorsa Coupe -- Quattroporte literally means four doors

[onewhippedpuppy]

Quote de Sarc

I know a green one that should be up for sale soon

His is a Cambriocorsa Coupe -- Quattroporte literally means four doors

And it will be a few months before it's for sale.