NPC: Suggestions on newer cars, Sporty daily drivers Options

[airsix]

Last year when I bought the M3, I was looking at S4's too. I couldn't find an S4 for $20,000 that didn't have 100,000 miles. That was one reason I opted for the M3. Lighter & quicker was the other reason. I think both cars are awsome though. The M3 has utterly amazing handling. It is almost too easy to drive well. As they say, it makes heros out of fools. At the very least, try one so you have a benchmark.

-Ben M.

[ninefourteener]

Well thanks for all your suggestions and help folks........ I've been doing a LOT of research the past 3 days.... and I've made my decision:

I had 4 cars to pick from.... all based on the Year 2001:

Audi S4
Volvo S60
BMW 5 series
Lexus IS300

......... I've chosen the Lexus. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

The Audi: SUPER car.... very fast... very nice looking. But.... rediculously expensive to fix (Twin turbo and AWD)... plus, my insurance goes up.

The Volvo: The least "attractive" of the 4 cars... my insurance goes up, so do repair costs.

The BMW: Great car, great reviews, looks great. But.... I see so damn many of them all over the place, and you get less "Bang" for your buck with a BMW.

The Lexus: Although it was the least powerful of the 4 cars, and strangely enough gets the worst gas mileage (not by much) it still provides a very reasonable 225 HP. Plus..... Its rear-wheel drive.... the only one of the 4 cars that was. Its a VERY sporty looking sedan... probably the most sporty looking of the 4. My insurance actually goes DOWN from my RSX... about $25 every 6 months (not much, but whatever)...... and lastly, the Toyota 3.0 was rated the longest-lasting, most reliabe engine of the 4 cars..... and the repair costs were lower as well.

Most importantly.... they are the most reasonably priced..... I can move up to a 2002, with under 30K miles, for around $20K... perhaps even less. Check this one out, just as an example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...TRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

Yea...... I "like" the Audi better...... but for me... the Lexus just proved to be a better car for what I want, need, and can afford. I'll post pics when I buy one!!!!

Thanks all!

Matt (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif)

[ematulac]

Good deal. I didn't know the IS300 was rear wheel drive.

Let us know how you like it. I'd be interested to hear what you think.

[ninefourteener]

Oh I definately will.... I might start a new thread.,. or maybe just finish off this one. Could be a couple weeks though.. Gotta sell the RSX first.

You know what REALLY sucks..... I just talked to the bank today./..... their interest rates changed. Of course.. not for the better.

My credit is the same, the price of the car is the same (close anyway).... and I got 3.9 APR when I bought the Acura..... now they wanna give me 4.5.

That friggin sucks.

[ematulac]

Yeah, I work at a credit union. Our rates went up this morning, too.

[grantsfo]

QUOTE (nebreitling @ Jul 12 2005, 02:57 PM)

QUOTE (MattR @ Jul 12 2005, 02:46 PM) And what makes you think American cars arent reliable?  I'd be willing to bet a brand new Dodge or Chevy would be more "reliable" (whatever that means) then a 7 year old BMW. i agree. american cars have come a long way in the past 10 years.

Yeah the most recent JD Powers rated Porsche and some GM brands as the top manufacturers in terms of new car reliability over Honda and Toyota. Plenty of top rated Fords too.

[Demick]

QUOTE (ninefourteener @ Jul 15 2005, 08:42 AM)

......... I've chosen the Lexus. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

Wahoo! What do I win for suggesting the IS300???

Demick

[Dave_Darling]

QUOTE (ninefourteener @ Jul 15 2005, 07:42 AM)

Audi S4 Volvo S60 BMW 5 series Lexus IS300 The Lexus: ..... Its rear-wheel drive.... the only one of the 4 cars that was.

I don't think BMW makes any 5-series cars that are not RWD. (The X5 doesn't count; it's not a car.)

Still, the Lexus is not a bad choice at all.

--DD