I love the look of this car and am considering purchasing it w/in the next two weeks. I haven't test drove it yet, but if it doesn't drive well I'll look into the Jaguar X-type, Audi A4/6, Mazda RX-8 or Lincoln LS. If anyone has any experience with any of these cars, please let me know!

If you are seriously considering these cars, that means a BMW 3 series is within your range as well. I have a 2001 330Ci and I love it. I would at least test drive one if I were you. I looked at an RX-8...nice looking from the outside, but kinda cheap looking on the inside. I didn't drive it though. I've heard they are sorta weak on acceleration.

My first thought when I saw your post was the same as College Four...if you are looking at the M c230, you should check out the BMW 3 series. I drive a 328i and love it! I would highly recommend it.

Have to disagree about the RX-8 acceleration being weak. I have the high-power (231) version (not monumental bhp, but, coming from a 1.3litre twin rotor engine, putting out 175bhp/l, more than enough) with a red-line of 9200rpm. When you toodle around in it, keeping the revs low, it's fairly ok with fuel, but wring it's neck, using all of the range, and you really get a kick in the back.
Going round corners is excellent, it feels very planted and sure, and it has by far the best amount of toys in the dash compared to its rivals. Given that it is much cheaper than most of it's rivals, and it's a Mazda, and they all have a good reliability record, I can't rate it highly enough.
Lastly, it has one of the lowest depreciations of any car (third in a recent UK survey) currently on the market.

I must just add, glad to see your finances are on better track Woe. I remember a time not too long ago where you seemed a bit strapped. (as long as you're not getting this on the never-never, AKM might have a few words for you.)

Andrew.

If you are considering these cars for their PERFORMANCE then you owe it to yourself to consider a Subaru Legacy GT, it is equivalent or greater performance than most of these cars for a bargain price.

If however you are looking for looks/status, then of course you should consider Audi/BMW/Mercedess after all they cost more so they MUST be better, right?

-Allen

If however you are looking for looks/status, then of course you should consider Audi/BMW/Mercedess after all they cost more so they MUST be better, right?
-Allen

:tucool:

i wanted go on a huge rant about status symbols in reply to the original post, but it didn't answer the post's question. lets just say akm3 is on the right track!

My vote is for investing your money, my 2nd vote is the Audi A4 convertable.

My vote goes towards checking out the BMW 3-series. Especially since the new 3 is coming out, you may be able to get a deal on the "old" model of the car.

Why the 3? My father leased a 3 series sedan a number of years ago when I was in middle school. Lease expired, he got another 3 series since he loved the car so much. This time though, it was a 330ci, the coupe model. His plan was to buy it when the lease expired because of his absolute love for the car ... but when my mother accidentially backed her Ford Expedition into the front end of the car, even after endless repairs it never drove the same again. He bought a VW R32 (limited run Golf that auto magazines constantly compare to the Subaru WRX STi and the Mitsu Evo). He loved the car ... but it was too high strung for the roads that he drove on every day (pot hole ridden Ohio back roads). So what car did he throw away the R32 for? A BMW 330 sedan. And with the new models coming out the Ohio dealership he went to cut off $4k from the pricetag. Unheard of for a BMW.

Anyway, he literally loves the 3-series to no end. And it's worth mentioning that the 3-series has been a "Car and Driver All Star" for countless years. If I'm not mistaking, it holds the record for most years on that list.

I test drove the rx8 and ended up purchasing a used subaru wrx :) Mostly for financial reasons (I had cash to buy the subaru, I had to get financing for the rx8) but performance wise, I found the subaru to be a bit more to my liking. I think the rx8 may be a tiny bit faster and it was a bit more fun at high revs :)

*edit - cant really comment about the mercedes you are looking at as I've never driven one...

I'd love a scooby, but too many friends have them, and one has his seriously uprated, somewhere over 400bhp. I would have just got sucked into the arms race, and bankrupted myself. (Also, it's the first new car I've ever owned, I just wanted a new one).

Andrew.

My vote is for investing your money,

Thats what I was thinking (I just cant restrain myself like whoareume). I'm not judging you Emma (or anyone else here) but to me, spending a small fortune on a luxary or sports car seems rather pointless and wasteful. Why do you need speed and performance? I assume there are speed limits where you live. Also, why spend the money on luxary when you could spend much less on a little Toyota or something thats gets you from A to B with minimal maintenance costs.

What I'm trying to say is that its obvious that people do not buy these
cars for practical reasons. Its for status or some material obsession of fine things to make up for other parts of your life that are lacking. Who knows, there are many reasons. Its an unfortunate symptom of the many things wrong with todays consumer driven society. You may think I'm some cheapo, and I'm only looking at this from an economic perspective. The reason is that unlike popular belief, a nice car will not make you happy or improve your life. Hence, what other reason to buy the car is there? You might as well save your money.

So Emma, I say save your money, invest it in property or spend it on something more worthwhile like furthering your education. Many of my friends have nice cars (I have a crappy ford) and they are still paying off their Uni degree loans while I was able to pay for mine upfront with money left over to pay for my post-grad degree and a trip to Africa which inriched my personality and soul deeply. To me, having a small amount of personal possessions and being financial free is more important than a big house, nice car and heavy debt (unless of course you earn a fortune).

Sorry, I know this is not the kind of response you wanted, but I guess I'm just an opinionated person. I dont go around cursing luxary car owners. If thats what they want, fine, its just not for me. If you end up getting the car, I hope it makes you happy and meets your expectations. :tucool:

Also, why spend the money on luxary when you could spend much less on a little Toyota :tucool:

MSRP $29,970??? (http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/models/main.jsp&modelCode=C230WZ)
buahahah! i love america. nothing makes me feel better about myself than seeing other people flaunt their money in public. im assuming you already own your own home correct? ...if you want to read more of a rant, read yesterday's journal entry. sure, this is an opinion.. but so many people in this country bitch about taxes, health care, social security, etc. when all they do is spend their money on pointless shit like mercedes products. i love it! (please understand that i DO understand buying a car for performance aspects, and this does not apply to you)

buy a boat! at least that will give you pleasure in your life. enjoy nature out on a lake during the summer, water skiiing, etc. THAT is good money spent. ok, so if you own your own home AND a boat already, then its ok to buy the benz. else, i wont allow it :D

Thats what I was thinking (I just cant restrain myself like whoareume). I'm not judging you Emma (or anyone else here) but to me, spending a small fortune on a luxary or sports car seems rather pointless and wasteful. Why do you need speed and performance? I assume there are speed limits where you live. Also, why spend the money on luxary when you could spend much less on a little Toyota or something thats gets you from A to B with minimal maintenance costs.

I must disagree with you here. While I think it's absurd if someone were to spend all their money on a luxury car (like many of my friends have) there is no reason why someone who is established should limit themselves. By your philosophy, we should all drive Kias, shop for clothing at k-mart and buy generic brand everything. This is not to say that those who do prefer to shop in that manner shouldn't, but it's also not to say that those who do enjoy (and can afford) luxury shouldn't be able to enjoy such things.


What I'm trying to say is that its obvious that people do not buy these cars for practical reasons. Its for status or some material obsession of fine things to make up for other parts of your life that are lacking. Who knows, there are many reasons. Its an unfortunate symptom of the many things wrong with todays consumer driven society. You may think I'm some cheapo, and I'm only looking at this from an economic perspective. The reason is that unlike popular belief, a nice car will not make you happy or improve your life. Hence, what other reason to buy the car is there? You might as well save your money.

People like to have nice things. That is why there is such a huge market for everything from the economical model to the luxury model. This can be said about anything from clothing to cars to computers to vacations. Sure we can all penny pinch on everything we buy, but then why work our asses off all our lives? People work to make money so they can afford the luxuries that life has to offer. To some people it's traveling to Afirca. To others it's driving a Benz. Regardless, assuming the person is happy with their life (and many that drive Benz's are), who are we to say how one should spend his/her money?


So Emma, I say save your money, invest it in property or spend it on something more worthwhile like furthering your education. Many of my friends have nice cars (I have a crappy ford) and they are still paying off their Uni degree loans while I was able to pay for mine upfront with money left over to pay for my post-grad degree and a trip to Africa which inriched my personality and soul deeply. To me, having a small amount of personal possessions and being financial free is more important than a big house, nice car and heavy debt (unless of course you earn a fortune).

This I can agree pretty much with you on. In this case it would seem investing is the "wiser" decision if it's true she's coming from financial troubles to all of a sudden having money. Blowing it on a nice car is probably not a smart move. But hey, people do it all the time and like I said, we are not to say what is right or wrong for how someone spends the money he/she earns. And besides, let's also consider the prices of the mentioned cars. None of them are $60k+, they are all (except for the A6) between $30-35k. It's more than your average Toyota, but it's certainly reasonable to lease or finance if someone has any sort of steady income.


And please don't take this as argumentative. I simply disagree with your opinion and was stating mine. Hopefully I didn't come off as an ass.


And last, for the record. I LOVE the Audi A4. If I didn't end up buying my car last month at the end of its lease, I would be driving an A4 right now. It certainly isn't going to give you the performance of some of the others, but it's the most "practical" as it's well priced, looks great, is very safe and is a damn nice drive.

I liked the RX8 I drove. If you are going to buy an automatic transmission car, forget the rx8. It takes a huge power loss (over 30 hp) when you drop to auto. Suddenly this "sports car" is slower at the lights than my five year old family sedan (maxima).

If you were a guy I'd recommend against BMW and Mercedes, because you pay just too much for the badge. The cars are not competitive in regards to features, in most cases. However, if you're a girl looking at these I suppose that a guy feature such as performance is not something you care about. :)Anyway, he literally loves the 3-series to no end. And it's worth mentioning that the 3-series has been a "Car and Driver All Star" for countless years. If I'm not mistaking, it holds the record for most years on that list.C&D, which I admit to liking, are totally BMW whores. They'll do a car compare and give another car a better rating but on the "gotta own it" give it off to the BMW. They are ridiculous when it comes to objectivity and BMW!

You didn't ask for advice regarding money, so I won't give much, but at the age of 27 my decisions not to get car-poor early on in life are paying huge dividends. I've seen people do the "Now I'm out of college, so it's time to buy a stupidly expensive car." and now they are no better off money-wise than they were before. You're only 23. There's plenty of time to get a nice car. I don't know your finances...maybe you just came upon $200k, but if in doubt, spend less. By the time you're married and have a house and you have to take time off work you will count your blessings that you exercised some restraint early on. Taking things at a more reasonable step than most of my associates of the same age have left us with more savings, less debt, etc. than our friends...and now that the time has been right, we drive cars just as nice. The difference is we waited, so it's been affordable. Remember: just because you can make payments on a car doesn't mean you should. I could go and buy a new Corvette, but you won't see it parked in my driveway.

So, Gosh, emma. Getting back to the original question, have you narrowed it down to any couple/few cars yet?

As far as the finances go, if you are at a point where you can splurge a bit, do so. Guaranteed there will be other points in life when you wont be able to. Yet, splurge within reason, ensure that before you buy a car with a payment you can comfortably set aside at least 10% of your income in something geared towards long term savings, and also meet all your expenses and pay off credit card debt. If you have those things under control, you are entitled to some fun in a car you can afford.

People like to have nice things. That is why there is such a huge market for everything from the economical model to the luxury model. This can be said about anything from clothing to cars to computers to vacations. Sure we can all penny pinch on everything we buy, but then why work our asses off all our lives? People work to make money so they can afford the luxuries that life has to offer. To some people it's traveling to Afirca. To others it's driving a Benz. Regardless, assuming the person is happy with their life (and many that drive Benz's are), who are we to say how one should spend his/her money?
Very well put, I see no real issue in enjoying the finer things in life if you have the means...

On that note, my friend bought the C320 last year and absolutely loves it, I had a chance to try it out last time we drove up to Foxwoods and it handles nicely, good acceleration for a 3.2 and an extremely smooth ride, but that could also be because i'm so used to the pothole ridden highways of the city :lol:

Are you buying new or pre-owned?

If it were up to me though, i'd take a look at the G35 coupe, it's not all that much more and performance wise, it's better, but then again, a pre-owned M3 would probably be even better :D

I must disagree with you here. While I think it's absurd if someone were to spend all their money on a luxury car (like many of my friends have) there is no reason why someone who is established should limit themselves. By your philosophy, we should all drive Kias, shop for clothing at k-mart and buy generic brand everything. This is not to say that those who do prefer to shop in that manner shouldn't, but it's also not to say that those who do enjoy (and can afford) luxury shouldn't be able to enjoy such things.


Good point, you're absolutely right. If someone has the money, there is no reason why they shouldnt enjoy some of the finer things in life.

However, I think it comes down to this. People these days are placing to much emphasis on aquiring the "finer things in life" to the point where it is their "life goal". There is a culture of capitalism where people strive for higher incomes, in order to accumulate possessions and live in luxury. Of course the end goal of this is thats its supposed to make you happy. However, people are discovering, that money and material possessions do not make you happy or fufilled.

If anyone is interested, this book (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0745322506/qid=1113331501/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-0447936-6268134?v=glance&s=books) addresses this argument rather comprehensively.

With regard to my original comments directed at Emma, I guess I was telling her not to buy the car if she is merely influenced by this consumer driven culture we live in and being coaxed into spending beyond her means. If money is no problem for her, then by all means she should get it if she wants and not listen to someone like me :)

Very well put, I see no real issue in enjoying the finer things in life if you have the means...
When i think of the "finer things in life" when it comes to a mercedes, i think of things like the E55, S500/600, SL55 etc. so if you have the means, get one of those. a C230 isnt what id call luxery, when with the lower end of the C class, people are usually getting them as status symbols. if they really had the means, they'd get a better car.


a pre-owned M3 would probably be even better :D DEFINATLY!! the m3 is an awesome car.

Have you considered the Nissan 350Z or Infiniti G35?

I could only see buying a luxury car if i had to spend a lot of time sitting in it (long commute or whatever). Otherwise, I'd rather spend the money on an awesome couch and an amazing bed. Spend a lot more time on those than in the car seat!

/93 accord owner

However, I think it comes down to this. People these days are placing to much emphasis on aquiring the "finer things in life" to the point where it is their "life goal". There is a culture of capitalism where people strive for higher incomes, in order to accumulate possessions and live in luxury. Of course the end goal of this is thats its supposed to make you happy. However, people are discovering, that money and material possessions do not make you happy or fufilled.

Now THAT I will agree with you on, 100%.


And the Infiniti G35 is sick! I have the 2002 G20 Sport and adore it. I almost got a G35 the end of last year so I test drove it and it was an incredible ride. Not to mention MUCH faster. :D

Now THAT I will agree with you on, 100%.


And the Infiniti G35 is sick! I have the 2002 G20 Sport and adore it. I almost got a G35 the end of last year so I test drove it and it was an incredible ride. Not to mention MUCH faster. :D

I once owned the G20 as well and never had a problem. Then I upgraded in 2003 to a G35. Well, I just sold my G35... but loved it!!! I had the Sedan and the ride was smooth and quiet. It had 260 horsepower. Pretty fast. Once you test drive it, you will want it! Trust me. It is not economical per se, but a little less pricey than the Mercedes or BMW.

Now I am the proud owner of a 350Z Convertible. Thought I should get a sports car for a while! :D

Now I am the proud owner of a 350Z Convertible. Thought I should get a sports car for a while! :D


The 350z, do you know if they make those in anything but stick? I want to perhap trade my Beammer for one, but I am so used to automatic and am always making calls and stuff in my car, I dont know if a manual would be safe.

The 350z, do you know if they make those in anything but stick? I want to perhap trade my Beammer for one, but I am so used to automatic and am always making calls and stuff in my car, I dont know if a manual would be safe.

Yep! I have an automatic... Some people tell me that it is bad to have an automatic transmission sports car, but as long as I don't have the hassle of manually shifting, I prefer it. It is just a pain if you ask me...

when with the lower end of the C class, people are usually getting them as status symbolsOf course that's true. The 3 series BMWs sell for the same reason. I think 60% of BMW sales are 3 series. People want to just say that they drive a BMW. If you have only about $30k to spend, get one a few years older, then you can move up. Then you are driving a nice bmw or a nice merc, and then people think you're rich :)

I've driven a few of these. I'd recommend the G35, The A4 or the -new- design of the Bimmer 3. Mercedes quality is suffering greatly with numerous electrical and reliability issues. The A4 is a very sweet car, high quality. Both it and the 3 are a bit cramped but all are in this range. There's a new style of A6 out which means last year's A6's are a great deal right now. My former boss just got a loaded 2005 (4?) 06 for only $36k.

FOr great quality for the money though, I'd recommend what I currently drive: Passat.

yea, i think i like the looks of the new VW models. i've decided on the Jetta whenever my cavalier breaks down. (i'm enjoying having no car payment :tu: )

Yeah, no car payment rocks!! I have had my BMW paid off for the last couple years...it is really hard to consider getting something newer that will also have a payment.

And yes, those new VW's are SAAAWEEEEET!

Yep! I have an automatic... Some people tell me that it is bad to have an automatic transmission sports car, but as long as I don't have the hassle of manually shifting, I prefer it. It is just a pain if you ask me...
i dont want to take this thread too off-topic but what i gotta say is that if you know how to drive shift/manual then it is second nature and you dont even think twice when driving a car that isnt auto...with regards to sports cars it is really a waste to get a car in auto if i comes in manual, the control and feel you have in soo much greater in the manual...
anyway thats my thoughts...
keep well
~yossel

...with regards to sports cars it is really a waste to get a car in auto if i comes in manual, the control and feel you have in soo much greater in the manual...

Blanket statements like that are dangerous, my friend.

If you have ever done any ET bracket racing at the drag strip, you'll rethink the usefulness of an automatic tranny in a sportscar due to its consistent ability to shift exactly the same every time you run. In bracket racing, you're not necessarily racing the car beside you - you're racing your own ET and your ability to consistently reproduce your ET versus the guy in the next lane to you. It's a fun, fascinating and extremely frustrating type of drag racing to partake in. For straightline performance, I can guarantee that nine times out of ten, a good driver in an automatic car will whoop the daylights out of a similarly equipped car with a manual simply because the auto takes the human factor out of the equation.

Being that I prefer racing in the twisties and most streets aren't a drag strip (though you'd think it was a drag strip with all the crazy 4-banger buzzbombs running around Orlando), a stick is the way to go.

-R

And besides, manuals are fast going the way of the, ummm, horse-drawn carriage. the new high-end manumatics are replacing manuals in more and more bimmers and even Porsches. The automatic in the new A6 is pretty fine. Don't get me wrong, I have a stick in the Passat but I'll probably go auto next time. Too much stop and go driving in the city.

I could only see buying a luxury car if i had to spend a lot of time sitting in it (long commute or whatever). Otherwise, I'd rather spend the money on an awesome couch and an amazing bed. Spend a lot more time on those than in the car seat!

/93 accord owner

Good call! You spend about 1/3rd of your time in bed and a top of the line bed will not cost nearly as much as a luxury car ...and you don't have to insure the bed!

Forget all the import sports cars. Buy American Muscle. CORVETTE!!!!!

the new high-end manumatics are replacing manuals in more and more bimmersNever a truer word spoken. The new M5 is a 7 speed automatic, with about 15 different shifting styles depending on your mood. Four people plus luggage at 205 mph in comfort (if you have a racing license), can't beat it.

Andrew.