Looking for your advice on a new car!!!

tomface · 07-25-2010, 06:32 PM

Hey all,

I am having a heck of a time deciding what car I am going to get... I am just finishing my masters degree in mechanical engineering and when Im done im going to get a new car. I will not have a single student load !

(thanks to athletics!!). My starting salary will be from $65K-$80K per year...

I was curious what you all though about these choices... Thanks in advance for any thoughts you have!

bmw m3 - Im thinking the sedan...
lexus isf - I have a toyota tundra and love the quality so I'm thinking lexus would be good too...
audi s5 - great looks but kinda seems like not that much power? also does not come in manual...
jaguar xfr - like it but i think i want a manual....
bmw m5 - would probably rather have an m3... but convince me otherwise?
bmw 335d - love the mpg! but would it be even close to as much fun as a m3?

xrayos · 07-25-2010, 06:43 PM

advice, for you...

any of the above cars are great... but, to answer your question, you'll have to ask yourself, what will my next car be?

always think 2 cars ahead. i.e., if your next one is a 2dr sports car. Pcar or something else, then what will you do with this current car.

i.e., m3 sedan and pcar are perfect together, but do you need a bigger sedan? If so, then why not get the m5 and then the pcar. get it?

lovethem4 · 07-25-2010, 06:43 PM

Don't you think an M3 is quite the reach @ even the top of your range... $80k/yr?

tomface · 07-25-2010, 06:48 PM

I guess Im thinking it would be nice to have a sedan.. but i probably dont need a car as big as a M5... and also an M5 might be out of my price range...

As far as an M3 being out of my price range... I dont think so... I dont have any loans and I have a place to stay for a couple of years for free... so with that I could pay the car off in a couple of years if i wanted to...

lovethem4 · 07-25-2010, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomface

I guess Im thinking it would be nice to have a sedan.. but i probably dont need a car as big as a M5... and also an M5 might be out of my price range...

As far as an M3 being out of my price range... I dont think so... I dont have any loans and I have a place to stay for a couple of years for free... so with that I could pay the car off in a couple of years if i wanted to...

Alright, best of luck. I'd get one a yr or 2 old to take off some of the depreciation with whatever you get.

Scoobe · 07-25-2010, 08:53 PM

I looked at the C63, IS-F, M3, and S4 when I was shopping. Out of those, I ranked them M3, C63, S4, and then IS-F. The IS-F just has a really stiff ride and it lets you know. That pretty much put it at the bottom of my list. It didn't help that Toyota was in the news at the time I was shopping. I was also unimpressed with the IS-F's feel. The S4 was was an awesome car and had I needed to go 12k cheaper, I would be driving one. Finances worked out so I'm in the M3. The C63 wasn't very physically attractive to me, though the big V8 is sweet. The interior was nice but the M3 won me over with the multitude of options to set it up. EDC, Mdrive, DCT, Servotronic, and a screaming 8400 rpm V8 all make the M3 unique and flexible.

Take it as you may, that is how I had them ranked after researching and driving. The M3 has a Jeckle and Hide personality at the push of the M button.

Scoobe · 07-25-2010, 09:25 PM

Oh and I looked at the XFR, didn't drive it. The front styling was a bit "ho hum" to me, that and Jag just came under new ownership like a year ago and that made me nervous. But it was a nice car, just a lil more pricey than the M3 with options.

I admired the S5, but I needed 4 doors so it wasn't a serious look.

M5 was way out of my price range.

I don't think a 335d would be anything like an M3. M3 is very different from the other 3 series.

tomface · 07-25-2010, 10:02 PM

what kind of mpg do you get with your M3 ? not that I guess its really that big of a deal with a car like an M3... but looking at the Audi S4 its nice to see it gets higher twenty's on the highway....Also, yea... I figured the 335d would not really be the same... but I need to go drive some of these cars to really decide I guess.... there are just so many sweet cars, its like everyone has aspects that are better than the others so it make it so hard to decide haha

Scoobe · 07-25-2010, 10:42 PM

I'm getting about 22 highway, 16 city, averaging around 19 combo. Depends on how much you stick your foot in it. Driving gingerly to work in D1, power off, I got 21 combo, but what fun is that?

TailHappyM3 · 07-25-2010, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoobe

I don't think a 335d would be anything like an M3. M3 is very different from the other 3 series.

You're right.

The d is a better overall city car with that wonderful torque though. However, I really missed the manual, coupe style, and higher performance so I did the switch back into a M3.

If the OP is thinking sedan and doesn't mind auto, I'd highly recommend the d first and grab the M later.

Poppin Fresh · 07-25-2010, 11:52 PM

The best part about finding the right car is spending the time test driving the cars on your list. Enjoy it and I hope you find the right car.

yemenmocha · 07-26-2010, 12:20 AM

BMW's and some others are too impractical for an engineer.

Engineers would choose the Lexus IS-F.

tomface · 07-26-2010, 08:31 AM

what's that supposed to mean? that a BMW is impractical for an engineer?...

yemenmocha · 07-26-2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomface

what's that supposed to mean? that a BMW is impractical for an engineer?...

supposed to be a joke.

shchow · 07-26-2010, 10:20 AM

Are you married, children?
If single, and dont need the back seat, I would seriously consider the Cayman S.
BMW will no longer produce the M3 sedan, so if you want it, get it now.
Also, did you consider the CTS-V coupe?
You can also pick up a CLK63 Black Series for under 80k, which is what I would do

tomface · 07-26-2010, 10:51 AM

I have thought about the CTS-V but I have heard some bad thing about the quality.... you have one... how do you like your CTS-V? The Cayman S is bad ass.... but I do kinda need a back seat.... Im not married yet... but will be with in the time frame that I will own the car. I also have a dog that I need to be able to put in the car on occasion. Where would I be able to find a CLK 63 black series? and how do you feel about the quality of the clk?

shchow · 07-26-2010, 12:18 PM

I have the sedan. It is an absolute monster. Torque on demand anytime/anywhere.
Still fairly easy to drive. My prior E60 M5 needed some more skill to drive, but is a more rewarding drive, IMHO.
The Caddy is pure, brute American muscle. And can handle as well

The exterior finish is definitely not as nice as the Europeans, but I still have a smile everytime I get into the Caddy.
As far as the CLK63 AMG Black Series, are you familiar with what it is?
It was produced for one year only, I believe 2007 or 2008. Sold for around 140k when new. Full carbon fiber body, 500hp, unreal exhaust note.
The only negative on the car is its transmission, no rev-matched downshifting, and no back seats.
Now you can look it up online and find them going for around 80k.
Should be a collectable car if you hold onto it for 15-20 years...
Look it up, you'll like it...

xxs65xx · 07-26-2010, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomface

I have thought about the CTS-V but I have heard some bad thing about the quality.... you have one... how do you like your CTS-V? The Cayman S is bad ass.... but I do kinda need a back seat.... Im not married yet... but will be with in the time frame that I will own the car. I also have a dog that I need to be able to put in the car on occasion. Where would I be able to find a CLK 63 black series? and how do you feel about the quality of the clk?

CLK is wayyyyyy out of your range man...and having owned an Escalade, the quality is very, stale? the 335 has better build quality than the CTS but the power is the only plus....on another note the M3 sedan can range from 55-65? if im not mistaken and judging by your needs this car fit them perfectly...its makes for a good daily driver, very fun to drive and if you invest in some driving lessons you will enjoy the car on whole different level, has the luxury, has the room you need....i cant think of a better a car honestly but like someone mentioned test driving is always the best part

tomface · 07-26-2010, 07:43 PM

ya Im thinking an M3 is the way to go...

! next time i make it to seattle ill be looking to test drive one! i cant wait

EJ_92606 · 07-26-2010, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomface

Hey all,

I am having a heck of a time deciding what car I am going to get... I am just finishing my masters degree in mechanical engineering and when Im done im going to get a new car. I will not have a single student load !

(thanks to athletics!!). My starting salary will be from $65K-$80K per year...

I was curious what you all though about these choices... Thanks in advance for any thoughts you have!

bmw m3 - Im thinking the sedan...
lexus isf - I have a toyota tundra and love the quality so I'm thinking lexus would be good too...
audi s5 - great looks but kinda seems like not that much power? also does not come in manual...
jaguar xfr - like it but i think i want a manual....
bmw m5 - would probably rather have an m3... but convince me otherwise?
bmw 335d - love the mpg! but would it be even close to as much fun as a m3?

You sure there are jobs waiting in this economy?

tomface · 07-26-2010, 10:48 PM

Well there are not all that many jobs out there, but I have some unique skills and I have had some very nice interviews with a couple of companies that are very interested in hiring me. So yes, I am confident that I will have a job waiting for me when I graduate

graider · 07-27-2010, 08:18 AM

if i'm in your shoes I would go with bmw 335d for a start. After 4 year lease and I have ton of money saved, I will upgrade to a better car.

right now it seems like you are spending beyond your mean if you go with a 60k car.

07-25-2010, 06:32 PM	#1
tomface New Member 3 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2002 toyota tundra Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Looking for your advice on a new car!!! Hey all, I am having a heck of a time deciding what car I am going to get... I am just finishing my masters degree in mechanical engineering and when Im done im going to get a new car. I will not have a single student load ! (thanks to athletics!!). My starting salary will be from $65K-$80K per year... I was curious what you all though about these choices... Thanks in advance for any thoughts you have! bmw m3 - Im thinking the sedan... lexus isf - I have a toyota tundra and love the quality so I'm thinking lexus would be good too... audi s5 - great looks but kinda seems like not that much power? also does not come in manual... jaguar xfr - like it but i think i want a manual.... bmw m5 - would probably rather have an m3... but convince me otherwise? bmw 335d - love the mpg! but would it be even close to as much fun as a m3?
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07-25-2010, 06:43 PM	#2
xrayos Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 275 Posts Drives: '09 M3 AW/BLK Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New England iTrader: (2)	advice, for you... any of the above cars are great... but, to answer your question, you'll have to ask yourself, what will my next car be? always think 2 cars ahead. i.e., if your next one is a 2dr sports car. Pcar or something else, then what will you do with this current car. i.e., m3 sedan and pcar are perfect together, but do you need a bigger sedan? If so, then why not get the m5 and then the pcar. get it?
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07-25-2010, 06:43 PM	#3
lovethem4 Rocket Man 20 Rep 129 Posts Drives: ///M4 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Don't you think an M3 is quite the reach @ even the top of your range... $80k/yr?
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07-25-2010, 06:48 PM	#4
tomface New Member 3 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2002 toyota tundra Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	I guess Im thinking it would be nice to have a sedan.. but i probably dont need a car as big as a M5... and also an M5 might be out of my price range... As far as an M3 being out of my price range... I dont think so... I dont have any loans and I have a place to stay for a couple of years for free... so with that I could pay the car off in a couple of years if i wanted to...
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07-25-2010, 08:53 PM	#6
Scoobe Lieutenant 19 Rep 562 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Sedan SSII/SN/DCT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E90 M3 [10.00]	I looked at the C63, IS-F, M3, and S4 when I was shopping. Out of those, I ranked them M3, C63, S4, and then IS-F. The IS-F just has a really stiff ride and it lets you know. That pretty much put it at the bottom of my list. It didn't help that Toyota was in the news at the time I was shopping. I was also unimpressed with the IS-F's feel. The S4 was was an awesome car and had I needed to go 12k cheaper, I would be driving one. Finances worked out so I'm in the M3. The C63 wasn't very physically attractive to me, though the big V8 is sweet. The interior was nice but the M3 won me over with the multitude of options to set it up. EDC, Mdrive, DCT, Servotronic, and a screaming 8400 rpm V8 all make the M3 unique and flexible. Take it as you may, that is how I had them ranked after researching and driving. The M3 has a Jeckle and Hide personality at the push of the M button. __________________ 08 GT500 convertible red package (Black w/ Red stripes) /Ford Racing Exhaust /Cold Air Induction 560hp 10 Porsche Cayenne GTS Black w/ Black Wheels 408hp 11 M3 Silverstone w/ Silver Novillo Leather /Tech /Premium /19" /DCT /Ipod 414hp
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07-25-2010, 09:25 PM	#7
Scoobe Lieutenant 19 Rep 562 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Sedan SSII/SN/DCT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E90 M3 [10.00]	Oh and I looked at the XFR, didn't drive it. The front styling was a bit "ho hum" to me, that and Jag just came under new ownership like a year ago and that made me nervous. But it was a nice car, just a lil more pricey than the M3 with options. I admired the S5, but I needed 4 doors so it wasn't a serious look. M5 was way out of my price range. I don't think a 335d would be anything like an M3. M3 is very different from the other 3 series. __________________ 08 GT500 convertible red package (Black w/ Red stripes) /Ford Racing Exhaust /Cold Air Induction 560hp 10 Porsche Cayenne GTS Black w/ Black Wheels 408hp 11 M3 Silverstone w/ Silver Novillo Leather /Tech /Premium /19" /DCT /Ipod 414hp
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07-25-2010, 10:02 PM	#8
tomface New Member 3 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2002 toyota tundra Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	what kind of mpg do you get with your M3 ? not that I guess its really that big of a deal with a car like an M3... but looking at the Audi S4 its nice to see it gets higher twenty's on the highway....Also, yea... I figured the 335d would not really be the same... but I need to go drive some of these cars to really decide I guess.... there are just so many sweet cars, its like everyone has aspects that are better than the others so it make it so hard to decide haha
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07-25-2010, 10:42 PM	#9
Scoobe Lieutenant 19 Rep 562 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Sedan SSII/SN/DCT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E90 M3 [10.00]	I'm getting about 22 highway, 16 city, averaging around 19 combo. Depends on how much you stick your foot in it. Driving gingerly to work in D1, power off, I got 21 combo, but what fun is that? __________________ 08 GT500 convertible red package (Black w/ Red stripes) /Ford Racing Exhaust /Cold Air Induction 560hp 10 Porsche Cayenne GTS Black w/ Black Wheels 408hp 11 M3 Silverstone w/ Silver Novillo Leather /Tech /Premium /19" /DCT /Ipod 414hp
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07-25-2010, 11:52 PM	#11
Poppin Fresh Colonel 85 Rep 2,148 Posts Drives: With a sunroof and front plate Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bergen County NJ iTrader: (0)	The best part about finding the right car is spending the time test driving the cars on your list. Enjoy it and I hope you find the right car. __________________
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07-26-2010, 12:20 AM	#12
yemenmocha First Lieutenant 30 Rep 383 Posts Drives: 14 335i Msport-PPK, 06 M3 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix iTrader: (0)	BMW's and some others are too impractical for an engineer. Engineers would choose the Lexus IS-F.
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07-26-2010, 08:31 AM	#13
tomface New Member 3 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2002 toyota tundra Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	what's that supposed to mean? that a BMW is impractical for an engineer?...
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07-26-2010, 10:20 AM	#15
shchow Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 294 Posts Drives: 2010 CTS-V sedan, black raven Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hainesport, New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Are you married, children? If single, and dont need the back seat, I would seriously consider the Cayman S. BMW will no longer produce the M3 sedan, so if you want it, get it now. Also, did you consider the CTS-V coupe? You can also pick up a CLK63 Black Series for under 80k, which is what I would do __________________ Current rides: 2010 CTS-V sedan, black raven; 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV, black raven Gone but not forgotten: 2008 M5, metallic sapphire black, SMG; 2004 645ci, metallic sapphire black, SMG
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07-26-2010, 10:51 AM	#16
tomface New Member 3 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2002 toyota tundra Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	I have thought about the CTS-V but I have heard some bad thing about the quality.... you have one... how do you like your CTS-V? The Cayman S is bad ass.... but I do kinda need a back seat.... Im not married yet... but will be with in the time frame that I will own the car. I also have a dog that I need to be able to put in the car on occasion. Where would I be able to find a CLK 63 black series? and how do you feel about the quality of the clk?
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07-26-2010, 12:18 PM	#17
shchow Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 294 Posts Drives: 2010 CTS-V sedan, black raven Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hainesport, New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I have the sedan. It is an absolute monster. Torque on demand anytime/anywhere. Still fairly easy to drive. My prior E60 M5 needed some more skill to drive, but is a more rewarding drive, IMHO. The Caddy is pure, brute American muscle. And can handle as well The exterior finish is definitely not as nice as the Europeans, but I still have a smile everytime I get into the Caddy. As far as the CLK63 AMG Black Series, are you familiar with what it is? It was produced for one year only, I believe 2007 or 2008. Sold for around 140k when new. Full carbon fiber body, 500hp, unreal exhaust note. The only negative on the car is its transmission, no rev-matched downshifting, and no back seats. Now you can look it up online and find them going for around 80k. Should be a collectable car if you hold onto it for 15-20 years... Look it up, you'll like it... __________________ Current rides: 2010 CTS-V sedan, black raven; 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV, black raven Gone but not forgotten: 2008 M5, metallic sapphire black, SMG; 2004 645ci, metallic sapphire black, SMG Last edited by shchow; 07-26-2010 at 12:59 PM..
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07-26-2010, 07:43 PM	#19
tomface New Member 3 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2002 toyota tundra Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	ya Im thinking an M3 is the way to go... ! next time i make it to seattle ill be looking to test drive one! i cant wait
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07-26-2010, 10:48 PM	#21
tomface New Member 3 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2002 toyota tundra Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Well there are not all that many jobs out there, but I have some unique skills and I have had some very nice interviews with a couple of companies that are very interested in hiring me. So yes, I am confident that I will have a job waiting for me when I graduate
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07-27-2010, 08:18 AM	#22
graider Colonel 35 Rep 2,406 Posts Drives: py/kiwi e46 m3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	if i'm in your shoes I would go with bmw 335d for a start. After 4 year lease and I have ton of money saved, I will upgrade to a better car. right now it seems like you are spending beyond your mean if you go with a 60k car.
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