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Help me decide on a new vehicle - Page 3

post #31 of 87
6/20/06 at 1:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by briancl
As SG said, a few years ago you would get no argument.. but today, the Japanese auto makers have really stepped it up. It's tough to count them out without actually sitting in one and using it.

I sat in the 325i, IS250 and the A4 (obviously), and trust me; the A4 has the nicest interior. The IS is very well put together, there is no denying that, but the metal trim was fake and that's really off-putting in a car at that price point.

Jon.
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post #32 of 87
6/20/06 at 3:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigbadbuff
the new Lexus ES350 has entered the fray. Not expecting it to have the fun factor of the 3 series, A4, etc. but it I like the looks and it is loaded up for the money. Plus I think Lexus is making some amazing vehicles and their reliability/residual value/cost to own is all excellent.

That's the one car you can never go wrong with, unless you appreciate fun more than other things. I drove the SC430 once and thought that it was the most well made convertible I ever sat in (and I've driven BMW, Porsche, Jag, Merc and Audi convertibles).
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post #33 of 87
6/20/06 at 5:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkNWorn
That's the one car you can never go wrong with, unless you appreciate fun more than other things. I drove the SC430 once and thought that it was the most well made convertible I ever sat in (and I've driven BMW, Porsche, Jag, Merc and Audi convertibles).

In total quality, which includes electrical and mechanics, Lexus is simply the top. Audi has a nicer interior, better paint, uses better body shell (virgin, galvanized steel {shut up RJMan!}) material, and is more sport-oriented.

The reason why the 3-Series is so highly praised is because it is the most sports-oriented car in its class, and truly drives better than anything else. At the same time, if you really want a car that you can have a bit of fun with once in a while, and don't ever want to be bothered with any kind of unanticipated issues, and could care less about the styling (except for the IS, and maybe the GS the rest of the cars are bland), and pretty competitive pricing (relatively), than Lexus is most definitely the car for you.

Jon.
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post #34 of 87
6/25/06 at 7:45pm
Thread Starter 
Test drove the Lexus ES350 and Infiniti G35 this weekend- unfortunately both are coming off the list.

The ES350 is GREAT if you want a point a to point b car- it was extremely smooth and refined... but had zero fun rating, and driving it I realized I care about that more than I originally thought. Lots of bells and whistles... ventilated seats are quite sweet

G35 drove and handled pretty well, but my wife HATES the throaty sound of the engine/exhaust, so it's out. I liked it a lot overall, but there were more small things that bugged me than most of the other cars.

Checked out the Lexus IS250/350... might as well not even have a backseat, so it's out.

Checked out the Lexus RX330... more spacious on the inside than we thought, and aside from the BMW the most comfortable... hard to beat that interior. My wife thinks it looks like a station wagon that wants to be an SUV, and that's hard to argue. Plus it is the cliche soccer mom vehicle... but I love it anyway, which stuns me.

Checked out the Acura MDX... my wife and I both like the exterior better than the RX, but it doesn't hold a candle to the RX on the inside. It will come down to seeing which one drives better as to which makes the final list.

Checked out the new 3 series... wow. That is a sexy, sexy car. It doesn't have anywhere near as many creature comforts as others comparably priced, but I felt like driving becomes FUN AS HELL when sitting behind that wheel. Rear seat room has increased and I'd call it comfortable- but definitely eeking into that category. Very interested in test driving this coming weekend, hope the 325 is not a complete wimp. Wife thinks the dash looks like it hasn't been updated in 10 years, but she agrees it is very nice overall.

Checked out the Acura TL... not as nice in person, off the list.

Lastly, checked out the new Tahoe/Yukon. Best looking SUV on the road IMO... inside it still looks like a 25k vehicle. Wife disagrees strongly, but when I see a 49k sticker, I expect a LOT better than what GM came up with. Don't get me wrong, it's worlds better than the train wreck of quality and style that it was. Front seats were comfortable, rear seats ok.

So for now at least we're down to:

BMW 325/330
Acura MDX
Lexus RX330
07 Chevy Tahoe

perhaps the strangest list ever assembled, and almost completely devoid of similarity
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post #35 of 87
6/25/06 at 8:18pm
For the first time ever I have to agree with SGladwell. The TSX isn't on your list, and it's a rung below in terms of the level of car you're looking at, but the price is several rungs below the price you're looking at. In my opinion, the TSX is the best valued car being sold today. In general I think Acura, at least with their sedans, provides the highest value of any of the luxury manufacturers.
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post #36 of 87
6/25/06 at 8:50pm
Go for the Bimmer. It'll put a smile on your face everytime you drive it. Mine certainly did. If you don't mind a used car, look for a 2 y/o 330i with Performance Package. It can be had now for low-mid 30s. It has the space of a regular 3-series sedan, but the fun factor is through the roof.
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post #37 of 87
6/26/06 at 4:09am
50K for a Chevy

I pretty much abhor SUV's, so from that list, I would probably go with the 3 series.
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post #38 of 87
6/26/06 at 10:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigbadbuff
So for now at least we're down to:

BMW 325/330
Acura MDX
Lexus RX330
07 Chevy Tahoe

perhaps the strangest list ever assembled, and almost completely devoid of similarity

Based on your requirements, personal reviews, and overall worthiness, I think the decision is really quite easy. Honestly, besides the Bimmer, can you look at that list and think that any of those cars will be fun.
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post #39 of 87
6/26/06 at 3:45pm
Id go with the RX330. I drive an RX 300 here and there and I truly love it. I would go for the new version if I could (even better to go with the hybrid too). Good luck with your choice
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post #40 of 87
6/26/06 at 4:41pm
Did you look at the A4 or the C-Class (which is much improved over previous generations)?

Jon.
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post #41 of 87
6/26/06 at 5:03pm
Personally, I am quite happy living in the city and relying on my feet, public transportation, and my bike for now, but after spending some time valeting a couple years back, it would have to be BMW for me, when I do buy a car in the distant future. I don't know, something about how those doors close and everything being directed toward the driver, sooo nice. And then there is the speed/handling/performance. Although, if I was to buy a convertible, I'd go for an A4 (can't stand BMW convetibles for some reason). Anyway, my vote's for bimmer, and don't they offer free service for like 3 or 4 years now?
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post #42 of 87
6/26/06 at 5:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkeye
Personally, I am quite happy living in the city and relying on my feet, public transportation, and my bike for now, but after spending some time valeting a couple years back, it would have to be BMW for me, when I do buy a car in the distant future. I don't know, something about how those doors close and everything being directed toward the driver, sooo nice. And then there is the speed/handling/performance.

The problem is now they aren't really designed that way any more. They no longer curve a-la jetfighter towards the driver, but are rather more "˜stylized' when it comes to interior design and no longer emphasize towards the drivers experience, but the look of the interior; a shame really.

Jon.
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post #43 of 87
6/26/06 at 5:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkeye
Anyway, my vote's for bimmer, and don't they offer free service for like 3 or 4 years now?
Hahah.. it's not free, but it is included in your financing, so that helps eliminate unexpected expenses for the first 30k or whatever it is.
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post #44 of 87
6/26/06 at 5:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by j
Hahah.. it's not free, but it is included in your financing, so that helps eliminate unexpected expenses for the first 30k or whatever it is.

Yeah, but you only get 3 oil changes (every 15K miles). And yes I know they use synthetic, but even at 10K miles (which is how often Audi changes your oil) I am skeptical. I know a lot of Audi owners that get their oil changed at 5K intervals at their own expense.

Jon.
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post #45 of 87
6/26/06 at 6:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by imageWIS
Did you look at the A4 or the C-Class (which is much improved over previous generations)?

Jon.

I had not, as Audi/MB have very high repair costs and average reliability from what I've read. BMW is probably close to being in this category as well.

Do you mean the 06 C-class, or 07?
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