Opinions needed! You're looking in the $60-$65k range. Which of these.....

[adrian1480]

...coupes do you buy, and why?

1.) New Audi S5
2.) New BMW 335xi
3.) New C63 AMG Coupe
4.) New Cadillac CTS-V
5.) 2010 Jaguar XK
6.) 2009 Porsche Carrera 4
7.) 2007 Aston Martin Vantage


Most important factors to me are:

• Longevity and Durability: It will be my daily driver for a few years, so I'd expect at least 60,000 miles without seeing "Check Engine" lights.
• Overall quality: Fit, finish, style.
• Driving experience: I'm not going to take it to the track, but when I want to get up and go, I expect it to snap to.
• Maintenance costs: I don't want it to become a money pit, of course.

I'm looking for a daily driver, and am open to both new and used. The problem with buying used is that in some of these cases, I'd have to buy the used car blindly (without seeing it with my own 2 other than via pictures). And of course, the warranties are shorter or more expensive.

So anyway, I appeal to the excellent posters here for additional feedback, as I'm suffering a bit from paralysis of analysis. All of the cars look great to my eyes. From what I've read, most seem to be fairly safe bets as reliability across all brands has gotten better and better over recent years. But without any serious personal experience with any of the cars listed outside of the BMW, I could really use a second (third, forth and fifth) opinion on what would be the best of these options going forward.

I did test-drive the Porsche, so I'm aware of how "firm" the ride will be and I'm okay with that. I'm 31 with no kids, so there are no issues there. The car will be garaged most nights, but will probably enjoy plenty of South Florida rain and sunshine during the days.

Thanks for any thoughts or insight that may help me narrow my options.

[Precision]

Originally Posted by adrian1480

1.) New Audi S5
2.) New BMW 335xi
3.) New C63 AMG Coupe
4.) New Cadillac CTS-V
5.) 2010 Jaguar XK
6.) 2009 Porsche Carrera 4
7.) 2007 Aston Martin Vantage


Most important factors to me are:

• Longevity and Durability: It will be my daily driver for a few years, so I'd expect at least 60,000 miles without seeing "Check Engine" lights.
  
• Maintenance costs: I don't want it to become a money pit, of course.

Fixed

[adrian1480]

so the Caddy is the only one that won't likely become a problem-ridden money pit, in your opinion?

[cg05]

CTS-V or C63.

[Precision]

Originally Posted by adrian1480

so the Caddy is the only one that won't likely become a problem-ridden money pit, in your opinion?

The XK has shown to be reliable but I don't think youre gonna touch a new one with $60-65k.

A new CTS-V without a doubt should be money pitless out of the box because it will have a warranty for a few years and even out of warranty I trust it more than anything German, Audi and MB especially. I won't touch a BMW XI because of super expensive drive train parts, a used 911, no as well. The Aston Martin, forget it. The S5 will BORE you compared to the CTS-V. I don't really feel this is a fair fight with the V in there, it tromps them all in the performance sector and bang for buck.

[adrian1480]

Originally Posted by Precision

The XK has shown to be reliable but I don't think youre gonna touch a new one with $60-65k.

A new CTS-V without a doubt should be money pitless out of the box because it will have a warranty for a few years and even out of warranty I trust it more than anything German, Audi and MB especially. I won't touch a BMW XI because of super expensive drive train parts, a used 911, no as well. The Aston Martin, forget it. The S5 will BORE you compared to the CTS-V. I don't really feel this is a fair fight with the V in there, it tromps them all in the performance sector and bang for buck.

Understood. The CTS-V concerns me, as I test drove one and the design makes i very difficult to see cars in the blind spot. Small windows and low visibility make it rank low for me...but I can definitely get one for $60 or less out the door. I'll definitely give it some more consideration. As for the Jag,

I'm going to see it maybe tomorrow. I'm only about 30 minutes away from West Palm Beach. So yea...you'd be surprised what's in reach when you shop used.

And fwiw, my BMWs have never given me any problems, so I don't have much of a hangup on German reliability unless there's something I don't know. Porsche's have topped reliability charts for the last several years.

[cg05]

If you're looking for bang for your buck performance with reliability, get a Z06. Nothing touches it for the price and it's going to be more reliable than any of those.

[adrian1480]

Originally Posted by cg05

If you're looking for bang for your buck performance with reliability, get a Z06. Nothing touches it for the price and it's going to be more reliable than any of those.

I agree completely, but I want a 2+2 seater.

[jkrig]

Originally Posted by cg05

CTS-V or C63.

+1....

CTS-V=Price for performance on the CTS-V is almost second to none...

C63=Sexy, make a sound that melts your ears, engine is rock solid, its new so you have warranty...in case any electrical/electronic gremlins pop up

[Boost Gomez]

C63. The engine is bulletproof and you'll be driving around a beautiful looking, awesome sounding car.

[adrian1480]

Fascinating. This is probably the first time I've really heard such overwhelmingly positive thoughts about Mercedes reliability! Must be the quality that comes with an AMG engine, then?

I'll definitely move those 2 to the top of my list.

Any reason you guys would choose them over the used cars? Does it come down to warranty?

[TimZ]

Originally Posted by adrian1480

Fascinating. This is probably the first time I've really heard such overwhelmingly positive thoughts about Mercedes reliability! Must be the quality that comes with an AMG engine, then?

I'll definitely move those 2 to the top of my list.

Any reason you guys would choose them over the used cars? Does it come down to warranty?

I'd choose a brand new car because of warranty and just the new factor that comes with it. Nothing like getting a car with the 0000000 on the odometer. Personal preference at 65k I'd want new. If it was a beater then obviously used or something new/cheap.
But back on point, C63 AMG Coupe. Looks and sounds amazing!!

[NFS13]

Originally Posted by Boost Gomez

C63. The engine is bulletproof and you'll be driving around a beautiful looking, awesome sounding car.

+1 If you need 2+2 seating then this is the car from that list.

[NFS13]

Originally Posted by jkrig

+1....

CTS-V=Price for performance on the CTS-V is almost second to none...

C63=Sexy, make a sound that melts your ears, engine is rock solid, its new so you have warranty...in case any electrical/electronic gremlins pop up

Just can't agree on the CTS-V, it needs a transmission worth a crap first.

[MR///M3]

what about an m3? out of that list though, I'd get the C63 because the CTS-V is hideous. BUT the C63 rear end is ugly, and I would choose an M3 over any of them, and once you get bored of the power in a couple years you can throw a blower on it and it will be like a new car.

[Lowest_Frequency]

Originally Posted by adrian1480

Fascinating. This is probably the first time I've really heard such overwhelmingly positive thoughts about Mercedes reliability! Must be the quality that comes with an AMG engine, then?

I'll definitely move those 2 to the top of my list.

Any reason you guys would choose them over the used cars? Does it come down to warranty?

For keeping it in warranty, I'm sure it'll be average. However, I wouldn't touch anything german outside warranty.

[adrian1480]

*takes notes*

[mtla4]

Originally Posted by cg05

CTS-V or C63.

X2

[Robert]

Amazes me even at present day reliability of German cars is so questionable that people still wouldn't own one past warranty. I thought they worked out the quality problems back in 90s

[Litos]

easy pick - CTSV

[adrian1480]

That's what I thought too, Robert.

Especially with Porsche's documented reliability and quality over the last decade.

But idk. I'm definitely looking forward to additional opinions. On my way to check out the Jag and CTS-V.

[BMW//M]

CTS-V and Porsche Carrera 4 would take my vote. However, an AM is too cool a car to pass up, but I can see how any future problems with it can be a major headache because of costs.