Thought I would hang onto this one for awhile with everything i'd done to it, but somehow my wife talked me into selling the NSX to try something else. Problem is, it sold so fast I don't have a replacement for it yet (got several responses within hours of posting the ad). I like Bangle's designs and test drove a 545i Sport today...excellent car. Though it's the polar opposite of what I was driving, the idea of a sedan with that much luxury that takes 5.2 sec to 60 mph is pretty appealing to me. Must be entering a new stage in life, a few yrs ago the only way to get me into a sedan would have been in handcuffs :rolleyes: . I had been told the 6spd auto sportronic had a low first gear...I can confirm that the car leaves the hole with much thrust. Handling was damn good for a car of that size, surprisingly good. It had the comfort seat and Logic7 options....simply the best factory seats and sound system i've sampled.

Any thoughts........

- Jon

I actually like most of Bangle's designs myself and the 5-Series is one of them. A bit pricey for it's class but otherwise I'm not sure how you can go wrong with one. Did the one you test drive have the Active Steering? I heard some people thought it screwed up the steering feel.

i drove the non-active steering 530i.

iDrive is....as despicable as they say.

but the steering, handling, and engine...

well...let's put it this way. it might induce mating behavior.

seriously if you talk about the performance, the 545 is just purely incredible. i drove it and totally sold on its performance. if you can live with the exterior and interior design, i think it's a great car to get (oh and the little problems here and there too, hehe...)

It's very hard to replace an NSX. I had a 95 NSX-T about 4 years ago. Still today it was the most fun to drive of any car. I wouldn’t recommend a Bimmer though. Very boring car especially the interior. I do like the new CLK, that's what I drove following the sale of my NSX. Also what's your price range??

V10 M5?

M3?

Supra :)

The 545 is a great car, but if you can justify it Í'd say get the M5. :D

I'll take a 6 series/M6 over a 5 series/M5 anyday . . .

The 6 series/M6 is just pure sex. Everything else is a minute compromise..... ;)

The 645 is beautiful, no doubt, and i'm a coupe guy...but if I were to spend the extra for the six, i'd go for the M5 which isn't that much more. The M5 isn't out yet over here though, and to be honest my wife would veto that expense with the quickness. Think i'll make my own....AC Schnitzer bodywork and some bolt-ons...i'm sure someone will come out with a supercharger kit for it eventually :rolleyes: . The Alpina B5 is a supercharged 545i and it makes something like 130 lb-ft more torque than the V10 in the M5.

PureDrifter...I thought of the M3 but the E46 platform is done after '06 and the car is already old-school with the E60 and E90 out. Besides, the 545 is just about as quick to 60 and only about two tenths behind in the quarter. Puttting lightweight wheels and non runflats on it alone will put you right on top of M3 territory. I've had alot of fast cars and I can tell you this thing leaves the hole hard. As for a Supra...think i'm done with 2JZ's for awhile...

gs430jw, I never liked BMW interiors but the 5 and 6 are beautiful inside now IMO. Classy also.
I cannot go for the Benz as that is not a driver's car (i'm sure that will upset someone). Nice GS, btw.

The 645 is beautiful, no doubt, and i'm a coupe guy...but if I were to spend the extra for the six, i'd go for the M5 which isn't that much more. The M5 isn't out yet over here though, and to be honest my wife would veto that expense with the quickness. Think i'll make my own....AC Schnitzer bodywork and some bolt-ons...i'm sure someone will come out with a supercharger kit for it eventually :rolleyes: . The Alpina B5 is a supercharged 545i and it makes something like 130 lb-ft more torque than the V10 in the M5.

PureDrifter...I thought of the M3 but the E46 platform is done after '06 and the car is already old-school with the E60 and E90 out. Besides, the 545 is just about as quick to 60 and only about two tenths behind in the quarter. Puttting lightweight wheels and non runflats on it alone will put you right on top of M3 territory. I've had alot of fast cars and I can tell you this thing leaves the hole hard. As for a Supra...think i'm done with 2JZ's for awhile...

gs430jw, I never liked BMW interiors but the 5 and 6 are beautiful inside now IMO. Classy also.
I cannot go for the Benz as that is not a driver's car (i'm sure that will upset someone). Nice GS, btw.

The B5 would be awesome too!!! :eek2: :cool:

Ahhh...the power of the dark side....Darth Wife strikes again. Nothing personal, I'm married too. However, my wife can influence me about anything except what to drive. I feel for you. I'm also a coupe guy and can't imagine having a sedan for my daily driver. Especially after having an NSX. If I did go for a sedan, the 5 series would sure be at the top of the list. Especially after seeing two around here that had 19 inchers with the widest rear lips known to man. Those cars can handle extremely low offsetts enabling the purchase of insane lippery. Then slightly lowering it creates a look that most cars can't copy. Teutonic...that's the look. That thing that only German cars have.

If you have to get a sedan, that's the one.

I'll take a 6 series/M6 over a 5 series/M5 anyday . . .
ditto!! i love the 6.... :thumbup: :thumbup: especially a M6...haha... faster then the M5 too!! :thumbup:

Get a Supra.

I really like the '06 GS. If I wanted a car (I have the RX330) then I would definitely go GS430 route. My dad is absolutely in love with his new toy, an '06 CLS55 AMG. And for good reason, it is really fun to drive... And, you definitely get the looks in that car. Maybe even more so than our SL...

Before you put down the kind of cash a new 5-series costs, be sure to look at and test-drive a new GS 430...or GS300 AWD if you are in a foul-weather area and need the traction. ( Yes, I'm serious about this....this is not just an idle statement ). The new GS is especially stunning in the Matador Red color, and, granted, while the 5-series ( even the new Chris Bangle ones ) may have slightly better chassis and steering dynamics than a GS, almost everything else about a GS, quality-wise, will blow a new 5-series right into the weeds. Honestly, for what these two cars cost new, I don't see where it is even a contest. I did a long write-up myself on a new GS 300 AWD myself a few months ago.

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155366&highlight=mmarshall+gs+300+awd

How much of a different route are you planning on going down in terms of the new car? If I sold my NSX, one of the cars I've been thinking of as a replacement for now would be the Porsche Cayman.

I test drove the 545i and it is an incredible car. It offers LOTS of performance especially considering its a sedan. :thumbup: :thumbup:
The only negative is how it looks inside/out, but if u like the styling, u should def get it or wait for the 550i.

This one is starting to grow on me............

http://forums.e60.net/uploads/1109512728/gallery_901_49_142146.jpg

Get the new 550i. FYI - Active Steering becomes an option on the sports package.

MMarshall - go drive a 545 before making a statement like "slightly better chassis and steering dynamics than a GS". Seriously, they are not even in the same ball park. Worst case, read a review.

Jon,

I still have pics on my hard drive of the black, turbo Lexus SC you sold. That was a thing of beauty.

I was surprised your NSX didn't sell the very day you listed it on Prime. If I could have sold my NSX quickly just to upgrade to a different NSX, I would have bought yours, sight unseen. That car looked amazing also.

Now you have to find a sport sedan? Boy, those last 2 cars are tough acts to follow. So do all MB's get the :thumbdn: ? If you haven't driven an E55, you should; it's probably within the ballpark compared to the 545 or 550.

Sorry, no other suggestions. You've already been to the top of the mountain - it's all downhill from there!

Mike

6-series is simply ugly. So get 5-series. Or the new GS. Or the new Infiniti M.

Still haven't found anything that feels like a suitable replacement, and i'm strongly considering picking up another NSX. It really is a pity that Toyota/Lexus doesn't offer a performance model anymore (for now) or even a nice coupe for that matter. Bought a Highlander for my wife yesterday and asked the salesman if he had an idea when the new Supra might be out. He looked at me like he'd never heard of one.

Bought a Highlander for my wife yesterday and asked the salesman if he had an idea when the new Supra might be out. He looked at me like he'd never heard of one.

That's hard to imagine... salespeople usually know everything there is to know about the vehicles they sell. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

But the more important issue here is why did you let your wife talk you out of an NSX?? :eek2:

Maybe it's the fact that I've never owned one due to the fact that my insurance alone in CA is what some people spend on HOMES, but I can't imagine myself giving up a halo car that easily.
... but enough of my rant.

What about holding out for the "Infiniti" GT-R? I know it's still a ways away, but we all know coupes aren't that easy to get out of your system. As fun and comfortable as any sedan may be, if you've got an itch for a coupe there's only one way to scratch it.

... or you could stay with Toyota and hold out to see if those V8 IS rumors turn out to be true. Just a thought. :)

I'm really surprised you'd even consider a sedan after an NSX, you'd end up back in a coupe in the end anyway from the sounds of it so why waste your time. Also remember too you were spoiled in that NSX you didn't have to worry much about it breaking down and being super temperamental and constantly going in and out of dealerships service bays for stupid stuff. But if thats not an issue have you thought about a porsche a Lotus, Vett, Viper. If not get another NSX.

There's no replacement for a NSX in it's price range AFAIC, not even a 911 Carrera . . .

Go all out track, Lotus Elise. Neon green so everyone can see ya!http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~reubanks/Cars%20&%20Bikes/Lotus%20Elise.jpg

Still haven't found anything that feels like a suitable replacement, and i'm strongly considering picking up another NSX.

I know exactly what your are going through and thinking. I'll be selling my NSX to my brother sometime at the end of the year or early next year. Even though it is still mine and sitting in the garage I'm kind of going through withdrawls. I'm alrady missing it. I've been looking around at other cars that I might want to try like C32 AMG, E39 540 and M5, E46 M3, IS350, E90 330 and such. I really only want to spend about $35K max, and the more I research the more I think to myself for that price range another NSX would be the perfect car. Nothing in that price range really can give you what the NSX offers. You have to go much higher in price to do so. Anyway, I'll probably end up with either an IS350 or lately more likely and E39 540iA since I'll still be able to see and drive the NSX. My brother and I still will continue to modify it and enter it in shows together. Good luck with whatever car you decide to get.

i would move to a 911 Turbo 2001 model if your worried about cash...if not i would move into the exotic arena...

CEO