Cornellian

Alright guys, I need some help on picking a car that's within $40k-$50k range.

I'm looking for a coupe that is luxurious/sporty/good "feel" factor.

I know one of the CL member bought an S5/A5??!? How was your experience? How's does the car feel? If you could give me a little insight then that would be awesome.

Right now, I'm really considering the Audi A5 but, just wanted to know if there is any thing else that you guys may know which I may not. So, feel free to suggest any car you think would be good within the $40k-$50k range...

Thanks!

LexFather

Well if its a coupe your choices are narrow.
BMW 335
BMW 135
Audi A5 (I don't think u can get an S5 for under 50k)
Infiniti G37
Volvo C70


Used, well possibilities are galore...

My opinions
135 too small, odd looking but will be a hoot to drive. Not sure how a 1 anything can make u feel good.
335, the class standard still, looks okay, engine is just a hoot with handling to match. Interior is blah and owning one is a 2 sided knife. On one end its a BMW with image to match, the other is, the 3 sells 12k copies a month.
G37, interior is hugely improved, price is attractive, engine is another beast and handling to match. Less image than a 135 and when u see an Altima coupe, that doesn't "feel good"
C70 is a nice coupe/hardtop covert.Different to own, so that feels good, but its a volvo, so image means your scared to crash. Nice interior, nice exterior.
A5, looks good inside and out as well but more sedan looking than the rest. Interior is busy but the usual Audi top notch materials. Price may get scary. Decent engine, decent handling.

No losers in this group all have highs and lows and all will just be good to the owner fwiw. What would I get............a

I would give the G37 a chance...get it in black, take off the Infiniti badges and call it a day....next, the 335. The A5 engine is just obviously weaker than those two. Then the 135, then the Volvo.

Perfection

335i, G37, CLK350, SLK350, or a Lotus Elise

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

Sc430 ftw........ What up with the IS350?

lexusrott

How about the Lexus GS ?
Is not a coupe but is a great car.

mmarshall

If you can go 4 doors, check out the Acura RL. Superb build quality and fit/finish inside and out. Doors and sheet metal solid as a tank. Superb SH-AWD system. Torque from the V6 not quite as as high as your typical V8 but plenty for all sane driving. Lists for about 50K but usually sells at large discounts from low demand and low sales.

It's also hard to beat the BMW 335i for that price range (40-50K). I reviewed one last week and found it to be one of the best sports sedans available for the money.

mmarshall

The 135 won't be available till April or so in this area. I know there are a number of people interested in this car.......including me. I plan to review one as soon as they are available. If you get a chance to drive one before I do, Mike, give us a little report.

LexFather

Guys, he said he wants a COUPE.


I doubt I go to the dealer to drive one. If a bud has one or one pops up, yeah, I'll review it.

Gojirra99

I would get S5, but that's > $50K right ?

My other choices left would be the 335i coupe & the G37 coupe, both fine cars. I personally would pick the 335i, better car overall, only thing I like more about the G37 is the interior.

TwiBlueG35

A coupe for that price range, just buy what everybody is buying - BMW 3-series coupe. I haven't driven the S5, but I believe Audi vehicle is not up to BMW's level when it comes to fun to drive and handling, so I would eliminate S5 immediately, especially when S5 is more expensive. I think 3 coupe is the most balanced sports coupe, one of the best looking, one of the best handling, and one of the fastest coupe in the market, regardless the price. Frankly, of all the two door cars in the market, I only think Maserati Granturismo is better looking than 3-series coupe. V35 G35 coupe and S5 are close, but not yet there in the styling department.

pbm317

S5 is about $58-60K.

TwiBlue, I think you'd see that the S5 is quite a capable car. I've given it a couple pretty thorough drives and it was a blast to drive around. I think it's the best chassis Audi has come out with, save of course the R8.

That said, I believe the G37 coupe barely breaks 40K fully loaded, and is definitely a good value for what you get.

328/335 is definitely the benchmark of the class though.

AM1

iTrader: (6)

i'd say go with the 335i or the g37s. im thinking about getting an 335i convertible myself when the lease ends on my current headache.

kit cat

iTrader: (6)

Cayman-S/E46 M3 for me. or maybe a SLK55? used Lotus Exige if you're into track/autocrossing?

probably used though but oh well as long as it's CPO.

Cornellian

Good choices!! Yea, I sat in the A5 and the interior is just awesome! That's why I was leaning towards it. The exterior styling is awesome too. My 2nd choice was the 335xi and G37.

The IS350 is staying too.

Yea, I thought about the S5 but, it's pretty high up there. There's a teeny-whiney chance that I may opt for that. Mainly because I love the exhaust sound of the S5!

1993ES300x

S5.... is the way to go.. let that Quattro roll...

besides, everyone and their grand uncle has a BMW....