What car would you consider???
08-06-11, 09:36 AM
#76
Ah, the time has come, huh Henry???
A lot of you guys are not reading his requests correctly.
He's not asking for a full time family transporter-he's getting an suv for that.
He's looking for a fun car in the $40k range- 4 door 4 passenger part time hauler.
You should've mentioned what cars you had the in the past so there won't be any redundancy:
GS400, LS460, SC430, M3, any others not mentioned?
I just went through your situation and you know what I ended up with.
We're lucky to have the nsx as a weekend car since we carpool in the van.
I couldn't wait for a new SC to show up in the horizon.
I had a budget of $50k, (wanted a 4 seater fun car initially) and this was my shopping list and some were just for kicks, listed in order of priority:
Supercharged NSX. The sensible side spoke to me. Given my driving distance/condition, the most I could ever drive was 80mph. I have a wife and 2 kids to take care so there was no sense in having a fast car that I will NEVER release the full potential, didn't want the temptation to get into trouble with all the tickets, and ultimately come home in 1 piece .
Other acuras were a joke.
older:
M5
E55 amg
CL55 amg- I still stare at this one though.
SL55 amg-a 2 seater that I did consider
CLS amg
no porsche-I hate porsche. There's no denying about the performance though. Lazy designers
S8, A5, otherwise nothing else in the audi line that I love.
In the end, I didn't want to throw ridiculous money away to fix these cars. It's basically a yearly family vacation.
SC430-wife hated it. I didn't care for it either.
IS vert.
older SC300/400.
Supra
older M45, even the FX. nothing else infiniti had that was exciting.
300zx tt
Even:
Camaro and Mustang GT (mainly because of Transformers)
hate Jag, don't care for the Maserati.
I don't think I left anything out.
Good luck, I'm sure you'll let us know what you'll come up with.
Thanks for reassuring as to why I won't ever get a german again. I got better things to do than the money and downtime to fix something that is not a maintenance issue. Well, even the maintenance is $$$.
Well said about being financially responsible.
However, I didn't want to get preachy either, but given the OP's family situation, I'm sure he's well aware of that.
Given that he has a newborn (Congrats Henry!!!), every new parent will take their future finance into consideration and will allow some fun expense.
It really has nothing to do with keeping with the Joneses, and if you are, then it will never end
A lot of you guys are not reading his requests correctly.
He's not asking for a full time family transporter-he's getting an suv for that.
He's looking for a fun car in the $40k range- 4 door 4 passenger part time hauler.
You should've mentioned what cars you had the in the past so there won't be any redundancy:
GS400, LS460, SC430, M3, any others not mentioned?
I just went through your situation and you know what I ended up with.
We're lucky to have the nsx as a weekend car since we carpool in the van.
I couldn't wait for a new SC to show up in the horizon.
I had a budget of $50k, (wanted a 4 seater fun car initially) and this was my shopping list and some were just for kicks, listed in order of priority:
Supercharged NSX. The sensible side spoke to me. Given my driving distance/condition, the most I could ever drive was 80mph. I have a wife and 2 kids to take care so there was no sense in having a fast car that I will NEVER release the full potential, didn't want the temptation to get into trouble with all the tickets, and ultimately come home in 1 piece .
Other acuras were a joke.
older:
M5
E55 amg
CL55 amg- I still stare at this one though.
SL55 amg-a 2 seater that I did consider
CLS amg
no porsche-I hate porsche. There's no denying about the performance though. Lazy designers
S8, A5, otherwise nothing else in the audi line that I love.
In the end, I didn't want to throw ridiculous money away to fix these cars. It's basically a yearly family vacation.
SC430-wife hated it. I didn't care for it either.
IS vert.
older SC300/400.
Supra
older M45, even the FX. nothing else infiniti had that was exciting.
300zx tt
Even:
Camaro and Mustang GT (mainly because of Transformers
)hate Jag, don't care for the Maserati.
I don't think I left anything out.
Good luck, I'm sure you'll let us know what you'll come up with.
.........................
This thread caught my eye because you mentioned E55. I shortly found out that was for a reason.
I won't be buying another German car ever again after this experience. That's exactly why I went to Lexus and will likely be staying, if they offer some sportier models outside the IS (a GS-F, for example).
This thread caught my eye because you mentioned E55. I shortly found out that was for a reason.
I won't be buying another German car ever again after this experience. That's exactly why I went to Lexus and will likely be staying, if they offer some sportier models outside the IS (a GS-F, for example).
henry, below is my opinion, and not all directly at you (some is general to all):
keep the GS350 as that is already paid for. why spend more money changing cars when you don't have to?
i'd look into getting a used RX/GX/LX for the family needs. or lease an audi Q7
then again imho, when you have family, priority changes and you need to save as much money as you can. so that means being practical on things like repair costs, reliability issues, safety, etc, etc. and there is too often we all get caught up in the "keeping up with the jones" syndrome (neighbour got a new expensive car, i gotta get one too to keep up with the image).
now i'm not saying that you can't afford a more expensive car, nor am i implying anything. but with today's current economic climate, it is prudent to live below one's means in order to have a bit more secure financial future. i say this not just to you, but to anyone that is reading this. just 2 cents.
keep the GS350 as that is already paid for. why spend more money changing cars when you don't have to?
i'd look into getting a used RX/GX/LX for the family needs. or lease an audi Q7
then again imho, when you have family, priority changes and you need to save as much money as you can. so that means being practical on things like repair costs, reliability issues, safety, etc, etc. and there is too often we all get caught up in the "keeping up with the jones" syndrome (neighbour got a new expensive car, i gotta get one too to keep up with the image).
now i'm not saying that you can't afford a more expensive car, nor am i implying anything. but with today's current economic climate, it is prudent to live below one's means in order to have a bit more secure financial future. i say this not just to you, but to anyone that is reading this. just 2 cents.
However, I didn't want to get preachy either, but given the OP's family situation, I'm sure he's well aware of that.
Given that he has a newborn (Congrats Henry!!!), every new parent will take their future finance into consideration and will allow some fun expense.
It really has nothing to do with keeping with the Joneses, and if you are, then it will never end
Last edited by GS3Tek; 08-06-11 at 09:58 AM. Reason: forgot the old z
08-06-11, 09:44 AM
#77
Lexus Fanatic
Quite a post, GS3Tek. I don't ever remember seeing you do one that long.
I'm aware that Henry is looking for something, in the 35-40K range, that he can use both as a Drivers' Car and, if needed, as an occasional 4-door for the family. That's why, under the circumstances, I previously suggested some new or used G or M Infiniti sedans first. They are often good values as used-cars. They also offer the choice of RWD or AWD.
A lot of you guys are not reading his requests correctly.
He's not asking for a full time family transporter-he's getting an suv for that.
He's looking for a fun car in the $40k range- 4 door 4 passenger part time hauler.
You should've mentioned what cars you had the in the past so there won't be any redundancy:
GS400, LS460, SC430, M3, any others not mentioned?
He's not asking for a full time family transporter-he's getting an suv for that.
He's looking for a fun car in the $40k range- 4 door 4 passenger part time hauler.
You should've mentioned what cars you had the in the past so there won't be any redundancy:
GS400, LS460, SC430, M3, any others not mentioned?
08-06-11, 09:55 AM
#78
Quite a post, GS3Tek. I don't ever remember seeing you do one that long.
I'm aware that Henry is looking for something, in the 35-40K range, that he can use both as a Drivers' Car and, if needed, as an occasional 4-door for the family. That's why, under the circumstances, I previously suggested some new or used G or M Infiniti sedans first. They are often good values as used-cars. They also offer the choice of RWD or AWD.
I'm aware that Henry is looking for something, in the 35-40K range, that he can use both as a Drivers' Car and, if needed, as an occasional 4-door for the family. That's why, under the circumstances, I previously suggested some new or used G or M Infiniti sedans first. They are often good values as used-cars. They also offer the choice of RWD or AWD.
I didn't include you as not misreading Henry's request-it would be hard to pick out every member who replied.
I even looked at the old M and even older M45 like you mentioned.
08-06-11, 10:44 AM
#79
wow, thank you so much guys, i really really appreciate all the info, you guys are great!!!!!!!! i am so grateful i asked here, a lot of honest opinions! 
thanks Incredible for your links, i am definitely going to check them out closely, appreciate it!!!
lol chris, what a post! and i think you are the stalker who comes after me all the time huh. i need to hide my history a little better from now on great post and great choices. i thought hard about nsx but as much as i love the exterior, when i researched about the interior i am just not sure if i fit in there. even with a 05 it still looks about the same as early 90s. no offense because i know the car is about "go", but i was expecting a bit more 
i probably won't get anything american at all, but it's totally personal preference. in some way i am still very doubtful about their craftsmanship (even more so than the euros) but more important i am tired of how the government had protected them (not getting political here). even without owning any american, i feel i like i have bought a few myself.
if i get euro, i definitely want to look into extended warranty. although they are improving, i think think it's "gambling". you either get a very solid one (like my m3) or you get a very cute one...
and chris, NO cl55!!!!! the previous generation cl has problems after problems!!!!!!
thanks Incredible for your links, i am definitely going to check them out closely, appreciate it!!!
lol chris, what a post! and i think you are the stalker who comes after me all the time huh. i need to hide my history a little better from now on
great post and great choices. i thought hard about nsx but as much as i love the exterior, when i researched about the interior i am just not sure if i fit in there. even with a 05 it still looks about the same as early 90s. no offense because i know the car is about "go", but i was expecting a bit more i probably won't get anything american at all, but it's totally personal preference. in some way i am still very doubtful about their craftsmanship (even more so than the euros) but more important i am tired of how the government had protected them (not getting political here). even without owning any american, i feel i like i have bought a few myself.
if i get euro, i definitely want to look into extended warranty. although they are improving, i think think it's "gambling". you either get a very solid one (like my m3) or you get a very cute one...
and chris, NO cl55!!!!! the previous generation cl has problems after problems!!!!!!
08-06-11, 10:57 AM
#80
lol chris, what a post! and i think you are the stalker who comes after me all the time huh. i need to hide my history a little better from now on great post and great choices. i thought hard about nsx but as much as i love the exterior, when i researched about the interior i am just not sure if i fit in there. even with a 05 it still looks about the same as early 90s. no offense because i know the car is about "go", but i was expecting a bit more
and chris, NO cl55!!!!! the previous generation cl has problems after problems!!!!!!
great post and great choices. i thought hard about nsx but as much as i love the exterior, when i researched about the interior i am just not sure if i fit in there. even with a 05 it still looks about the same as early 90s. no offense because i know the car is about "go", but i was expecting a bit more and chris, NO cl55!!!!! the previous generation cl has problems after problems!!!!!!
I wasn't pushing you on the nsx, for one, you need the 4 seater and this one is definitely out.
Yeah, interior wise, they didn't change it all really on the 05 vs pre 02.
Interior is very plain/simple, but I like it somehow
If I had money to throw away, I would love to get the CL55 though
New one is just too damn ugly.
Last edited by GS3Tek; 08-06-11 at 10:59 AM. Reason: correction
08-06-11, 12:30 PM
#81
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I don't know what to do with my M3. I bought the car outright in 2008 and warranty is coming up very soon. I looked into extended warranty and they are pretty pricy and the coverages aren't that great. too confusing. My M3 has been pretty solid as well, aside from the blown LSD at 5k mile and oil leaks here and there. lol. And I only have 12k miles on the car. May be I will sell it before the warranty runs out and get a plug in prius. We should get a matching one.
08-06-11, 04:27 PM
#82
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Anytime man.
If you're considering Euro, the '08 750i is Certified with only 33k miles. You can get the extended warranty and you'll be set. Looks nice too with the black on black!
Wasn't sure if you're into the Jags, I know that a lot of members here like em, and the ones I posted were reasonable.
It all comes down to what you want though.
Oh, and FYI, I used my area code (91104) in the search. If you use yours, I'm sure you'll find more cars.
If you're considering Euro, the '08 750i is Certified with only 33k miles. You can get the extended warranty and you'll be set. Looks nice too with the black on black!
Wasn't sure if you're into the Jags, I know that a lot of members here like em, and the ones I posted were reasonable.
It all comes down to what you want though.
Oh, and FYI, I used my area code (91104) in the search. If you use yours, I'm sure you'll find more cars.
08-06-11, 05:52 PM
#84
I don't know what to do with my M3. I bought the car outright in 2008 and warranty is coming up very soon. I looked into extended warranty and they are pretty pricy and the coverages aren't that great. too confusing. My M3 has been pretty solid as well, aside from the blown LSD at 5k mile and oil leaks here and there. lol. And I only have 12k miles on the car. May be I will sell it before the warranty runs out and get a plug in prius. We should get a matching one.
that's the thing, i think their quality is definitely getting better, but not sure if i can go without warranty. it's too much of a hit and miss
08-06-11, 06:16 PM
#85
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only 12k miles?! man, you don't drive enough! mine is over 31k already. i have only had a bad sensor once so far causing it into limp mode, otherwise i drive the heck out of it and it's been rock solid.
that's the thing, i think their quality is definitely getting better, but not sure if i can go without warranty. it's too much of a hit and miss
that's the thing, i think their quality is definitely getting better, but not sure if i can go without warranty. it's too much of a hit and miss
08-06-11, 09:48 PM
#86
executive matchup
Well said about being financially responsible.
However, I didn't want to get preachy either, but given the OP's family situation, I'm sure he's well aware of that.
Given that he has a newborn (Congrats Henry!!!), every new parent will take their future finance into consideration and will allow some fun expense.
It really has nothing to do with keeping with the Joneses, and if you are, then it will never end
However, I didn't want to get preachy either, but given the OP's family situation, I'm sure he's well aware of that.
Given that he has a newborn (Congrats Henry!!!), every new parent will take their future finance into consideration and will allow some fun expense.
It really has nothing to do with keeping with the Joneses, and if you are, then it will never end
it has nothing to do with being preachy, it is about giving some friendly advice - nothing more, nothing less. what henry does with the advice is for himself to decide.
08-07-11, 04:16 PM
#87
So I wasn't drag racing for fun, it is a necessity
Last edited by BNR34; 08-07-11 at 04:19 PM.
08-07-11, 04:26 PM
#88
I might as well get an Aston Martin, they are the same price used and come with the same headaches.I was chatting with a guy at the gas station with a brand new XJ, he haven't even got his plate yet, he told me he is already experiencing electrical glitches.....wow.
The new XK-RS is cool, but might as well get a cooler Vantage or DB9, they are the same price if you know how to work the system
There is a brand new never title 2009 DB9 left over stock in my local dealer, $65k below MSRP.
08-07-11, 09:00 PM
#90
Lexus Champion
Jags are cool, but if I am going to take on the British headaches....or charms, depends on how you look at it I might as well get an Aston Martin, they are the same price used and come with the same headaches.
I was chatting with a guy at the gas station with a brand new XJ, he haven't even got his plate yet, he told me he is already experiencing electrical glitches.....wow.
The new XK-RS is cool, but might as well get a cooler Vantage or DB9, they are the same price if you know how to work the system There is a brand new never title 2009 DB9 left over stock in my local dealer, $65k below MSRP.
I might as well get an Aston Martin, they are the same price used and come with the same headaches.I was chatting with a guy at the gas station with a brand new XJ, he haven't even got his plate yet, he told me he is already experiencing electrical glitches.....wow.
The new XK-RS is cool, but might as well get a cooler Vantage or DB9, they are the same price if you know how to work the system
There is a brand new never title 2009 DB9 left over stock in my local dealer, $65k below MSRP.