Looking for a new Car - anyone with experience?

**SonofaBish** · 02-03-2011, 08:14 AM

edit: i already said that..................

**SonofaBish** · 02-03-2011, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by 90Fox

The thing with the IS300 is there isn't many around here. There all on the west coast from what I gather from being on forums and what not. I was looking at an M3 and the previous owner of my Lex bought the M3 and traded the IS300 in. My car spent the majority of its life as a show car and the guy parted it to trade in. I ended up finding my car on a forum for sale before he traded it. I contacted him and he provided a wealth of insight and knowledge about my car. He had service records and all the invoices. I lucked out finding a clean one for sure cause there a lot of beat up ones still selling for big money in my oppinion.

Your def in a tough spot with what your looking for I personally would stay away from the German cars mainly the Benz and Audi. BMW's are great cars if you do the up keep and hope the previous owner did as well. Most BMW dealerships sell it new then take the same car in on trade so that would be a question to ask the salesman and hope they did all the service and what not. Just something to consider if you plan on buying from a BMW dealer.

Pics of what my car was and is now

btw, i love the looks of your car.... great color! and actually, i like it even better stock, without the body kit, etc.......

I found a black one that i'd love to look at, but i don't think my fiance really likes the IS after driving it...

**yeahloh95** · 02-03-2011, 10:02 AM

the best way i have found to research cars is to look up the forums and check out the stickeys and see what problems they guys are talking about and go from there

**90Fox** · 02-03-2011, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by SonofaBish

btw, i love the looks of your car.... great color! and actually, i like it even better stock, without the body kit, etc.......

I found a black one that i'd love to look at, but i don't think my fiance really likes the IS after driving it...

Thanks man... Your a vette guy so I'm confident your gonna like what I have planned for the car but its gonna take some time to get it finished. I just ordered wheels and suspension cause I'm gonna need some beefy ruber to even think about traction. I'll be running 255's in the rear

I think when it all boils down just go with your gut. Unfortunately used cars are always a gamble and its tough to find a good one. I'd say factor in the car facts, dealer reputation and mainly how the car looks and feels. If your not in a rush to buy take your time and make an educated choice. Go over the car with a fine tooth comb if its an option ask to see the car up on a lift. Also most reputalble dealerships have a 30 day policy so if your not satisfied take it back. Be careful with private sellers I got burned something fearce on my old camaro!!!

Good luck and I'll keep an eye out,

Matt

**SonofaBish** · 02-03-2011, 04:17 PM

Well, a lot of teh BMW's i've been looking at were manuals - and i just got the AX for sure on the manuals... so, that really narrows down the field - might make it a little easier too... most of teh BMW's were manuals, but the autos are more expensive, so that sucks...

I'm going to look at a G35 tonight.. i've seen it before but didnt get a chance to look at it inside and drive it...

There's one other BMW i'm interested in... the price is higher than i would wanna pay for it, but its apparently pretty nice... the big plus on it is that when the guy bought it off his friend, he bought one of those used car warranties.. he said it covers everything mechanical on the car... and it still has 3 years, unlimited miles left on the warranty... which woudl be a big "whew" for me... but, my biggest problem with the car is that its Silver... seems like all BMW's are silver.. and i'm not a fan of silver... but the lady likes it, so what can i say...

**90Fox** · 02-03-2011, 04:32 PM

Silver BMW sounds like the best choice. Can't beat the assurance of a warranty like that.

**SonofaBish** · 02-03-2011, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by 90Fox

Silver BMW sounds like the best choice. Can't beat the assurance of a warranty like that.

yea, i think i'm gonna try to check it out tonight as well.....

**SonofaBish** · 02-07-2011, 02:01 PM

So... if you had two cars...
Car #1 with an R title with 20K less miles than Car #2, or Car #2 with more miles, but a clear title, which would you choose?

I haven't run into this yet, but i'm expecting that i will....

Also, i've drastically expanded my search.. looks like i can do a good bit more expensive of a car, and quite a bit newer..... Any suggestions oteh than the Lexus IS, Acura TL, BMW 3's, and Infinit G35's???

I've not looked at new cars in a long time, so i don't know what out there is really classy inside...

**90Fox** · 02-07-2011, 02:11 PM

Not sure if you would be interested but I would look into the Toyota Avalon its basically an IS250 with different badges on it. Also dont rule out the maxima and altima you can get them pretty decked out

**Stangman701** · 02-07-2011, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by SonofaBish

So... if you had two cars...
Car #1 with an R title with 20K less miles than Car #2, or Car #2 with more miles, but a clear title, which would you choose?

I haven't run into this yet, but i'm expecting that i will....

Also, i've drastically expanded my search.. looks like i can do a good bit more expensive of a car, and quite a bit newer..... Any suggestions oteh than the Lexus IS, Acura TL, BMW 3's, and Infinit G35's???

I've not looked at new cars in a long time, so i don't know what out there is really classy inside...

Not sure how much more you're looking to spend, but these would be my suggestions

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

**SonofaBish** · 02-07-2011, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by Stangman701

Not sure how much more you're looking to spend, but these would be my suggestions

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Well... she doesnt' like the Jag's... already tried that...

the CTS-V, I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea... already thought of it... don't think i'm much of a Caddy guy at this point, but you gotta respect the luxury performance of it....

however, i think they're ALL manuals arent' they?? B/c that creates a problem... she refuses to try and learn on our only vehicle... kinda p's me off... but, what can I do?

Also, i want less than 50K miles if i'm gonig to spend more money and get a newer car

**SonofaBish** · 02-07-2011, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by 90Fox

Not sure if you would be interested but I would look into the Toyota Avalon its basically an IS250 with different badges on it. Also dont rule out the maxima and altima you can get them pretty decked out

I certainly won't rule anything out.... I just looked at some Avalon's... and it looks as though i really wouldn't save that much money by going with one over a lexus... maybe 1 or 2K, but i think some of the extra little features the Lexus has over the Toyota would be worth the money for sure

I'll certainly look into Maxima's and Altima's.. i've thought the new ones looked pretty nice outside... dunno what they'r elike inside

**biminiLX** · 02-07-2011, 05:37 PM

Drive the G35 yet?
And I'd think you'd like the Maxima, but I don't think the Altima is in the same class.
Our loaded Anniversary '01 Maxima was very nice, I'd definitely consider a newer one with the 3.5, but a loaded Maxima is probably close to a G35.
-J

**Stangman701** · 02-07-2011, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by SonofaBish

Well... she doesnt' like the Jag's... already tried that...

the CTS-V, I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea... already thought of it... don't think i'm much of a Caddy guy at this point, but you gotta respect the luxury performance of it....

however, i think they're ALL manuals arent' they?? B/c that creates a problem... she refuses to try and learn on our only vehicle... kinda p's me off... but, what can I do?

Also, i want less than 50K miles if i'm gonig to spend more money and get a newer car

I think you should try the Jag route again. Those S-Type R's look awesome IMO. Much better looking than the non-R models plus they have brembo's and a supercharger

As far as the manual thing, she's got her dad's car to drive till she feels comfortable. I'm sure she could pick it up easily. She'd be fine within a week or two.

**95riosnake** · 02-07-2011, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by Stangman701

I think you should try the Jag route again. Those S-Type R's look awesome IMO. Much better looking than the non-R models plus they have brembo's and a supercharger

+1 those cars are pretty sweet.

We have one as a company car at work, it sits in the parking lot 99% of the time, just there for show we assume (CEO's old car). My g/f's dad wanted to buy it but they won't sell... it's a shame.

**scott5** · 02-07-2011, 06:48 PM

http://www.hi-endauto.com/index.php?...apper&Itemid=2

**SonofaBish** · 02-08-2011, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by Stangman701

I think you should try the Jag route again. Those S-Type R's look awesome IMO. Much better looking than the non-R models plus they have brembo's and a supercharger

As far as the manual thing, she's got her dad's car to drive till she feels comfortable. I'm sure she could pick it up easily. She'd be fine within a week or two.

I've tried REPEATEDLY to get her to try and learn to drive one but she refuses.... nothing I can do....

**SonofaBish** · 02-09-2011, 03:12 PM

So, has anyone have any different experience with similar cars that are newer??

Are the newer E90 BMW's (2006+) more reliable and less costly (maintenance wise) than the E46's??? I have a couple that i'm eyeing up, but don't wanna get them if they have the same reputation as the early 2000's ones....

Otherwise, i know the Lexus IS350 and Infiniti G35 have great repuatations for quality and reliability... My fiance and I like the Lexus the most, but we can get a BMW for a good bit less (about 3-4K) and a G35 for about 3K less....We're gonna drive a couple different cars tonight and see what we like... but even though I like the Lexus the most, the BMW keeps calling my name for some reason... the infiniti is mighty sweet as well.... I dont think i'd complain about any of them, (as long as the BMW doesn't kill me on maintenance)

One other intersting note: the wheels make or break the BMW... the regular wheels make the car kinda 'eh', but any of their premium wheels are awesome... but most of the ones in my range don't have teh super sweet wheels

Lexus

BMW 3-series

BMW 5-series

Inifniti G35x

**SonofaBish** · 02-09-2011, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by Stangman701

I think you should try the Jag route again. Those S-Type R's look awesome IMO. Much better looking than the non-R models plus they have brembo's and a supercharger

As far as the manual thing, she's got her dad's car to drive till she feels comfortable. I'm sure she could pick it up easily. She'd be fine within a week or two.

I tried again man - no go! lol....
actually, my favorite car of everythign we've looked at is a 2007 328xi Coupe... black with the optional 19" wheels... looks totally bada$$.... even has the orange-ish brown leather that teh porche's and ferarri's like to put in their cars... its super ugly, but i still like it for some reason.... but Angela put the big axe to my hopes of getting it! LOL