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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16087 messages,  Last post on May 09, 2013 at 9:32 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1362 of 1610

#13602 of 16087 Re: Any other cars to talk about? [sweendogy] by nyccarguy

Apr 03, 2012 (12:29 pm)

Replying to: sweendogy (Mar 30, 2012 5:16 pm)
sweendogy - I'll agree with you that price absolutely matters in this and any category. Everybody's got a price ceiling, whether its a dollar amount or a payment amount whether you are talking Civic vs. Focus, this current crop of ELLPS, The 5, E, A6 group, and even the 7, S, A8 models.
 
Price drove my purchase. I had equity in my Acura, BMW offered generous discounts and incentives, so I got a car I've been dreaming about since the late 1990's.
 
I love the way the G37X drives. There's something to be said for the fact that the car has an extra almost 100 horsepower. It is a rocket. Its power is intoxicating. It is faster than my 328xi for sure. So you could say the Infiniti offers a faster car for the same or for less money. I don't personally think faster equates to better.
 
Cars in this class aren't all about 0 - 60 mph times. There is so much more to the equation that I know you know, otherwise you wouldn't be driving a G. You'd be driving a 5.0 Mustang or Camaro SS.

#13603 of 16087 Re: Another Perspective [stickguy] by nyccarguy

Apr 03, 2012 (12:54 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Apr 02, 2012 8:59 am)
When I drive cars, one thing I judge them by is their comfortable driving speed or "natural loafing sweet spot" as you so nicely put it. According to me, it is the driving speed at which the car "feels" just right driving at. Not full throttle, where's the fire, my wife's water just broke, and her contractions are 2 minutes apart driving.
 
My Prelude feels perfect at 75, even though the tach needle is over 3K. Anything over that and I feel I'm driving the Prelude "fast,"
 
My former TSX felt just right at 80. Which seems logical given that it is heavier than my Prelude, has more sound deadening material, and an actual overdriven 5th gear.
 
I've had the BMW up at 90 for a few brief moments and the car was as you and my wife have pointed out is "scary fast." The car is just inceredibly planted at speed.

#13604 of 16087 Re: Any other cars to talk about? [nyccarguy] by stickguy

Apr 03, 2012 (1:00 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Apr 03, 2012 12:29 pm)
Price is big to me. An unfortunate side effect of being poor! If I only figured out 20 years ago how much I could have saved getting 2 puppies instead of having kids...
 
anyway, that is why I have fully embraced the mantra: depreciation is your friend! Assuming you aren't the first buyer. the couple of CPO 328i models I found last week (a 2008 and a 2009) were going to cost about what a load up Focus would, or a mid-level Camry. IOW, affordable, and a very realistic alternative to brand new.
 
Though I still want to see a Dodge Dart in person!

#13605 of 16087 Re: Any other cars to talk about? [stickguy] by nyccarguy

Apr 03, 2012 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Apr 03, 2012 1:00 pm)
Stickguy - you don't want a Dodge Dart. I don't care how much of a guised up Alfa Romeo it is. It happens to look great in the pics I've seen. It's not a BMW.
 
Just a personal note about those '08 & '09 CPO 328is (plural). Some of the '09s came with these 16" wheels standard. They look small on the E90 IMHO.
 
My Mom had an '08 328xi for 3 years & almost 60K miles. Not only was it a great car to drive, but absolutely bulletproof.

#13606 of 16087 Re: Any other cars to talk about? [sweendogy] by kdshapiro

Apr 03, 2012 (2:01 pm)

Replying to: sweendogy (Mar 30, 2012 5:16 pm)
There is a refinement in the BMW not present in the G. Only you can decide if that is worth it to you.
 
nyccarguy - congrats. It is gorgeous. Makes me really miss by ex-BMW. My G cannot match the smoothness of my ex-BMW. HP ain't everything.

#13608 of 16087 Re: Any other cars to talk about? [kdshapiro] by sweendogy

Apr 03, 2012 (3:18 pm)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Apr 03, 2012 2:01 pm)
Agree the refinement is something for sure. I'm sure the new BMW 3 for 2012 should help the dated interior and nav setup, as others have pointed out. Audi continues to excel at interiors and is the standard for the class for such. The 25% or more msrp difference is Hard to ignore for the 335 vs g37- (please dont argue with me - ive priced them option for option) and even the msrp for the 328 balloons to 50k. I think NyC did a great job getting the deal on a great car- and I wish him well and I hope to see him on the Merritt one day.
My argument has never been the g as a better car- but a better value for a lot of the same things the BMW does. The g or Acura might never be the top pick for car and driver mag, or the "true driver"- but in consumer reports they have consistently ranked better. An unbiased news rag with no advertising support- I think the true driver, a person who wants the true sport and performance is going to get the 335 or 328 - with sport and stick. Other then that set up these cars in this class are very close regardless of price. -

#13609 of 16087 Re: Another Perspective [sweendogy] by flightnurse

Apr 03, 2012 (3:26 pm)

Replying to: sweendogy (Apr 03, 2012 9:42 am)
There is a difference between comparing two cars and mentioning cars. No were are you going to find anyone comparing a mustang (Boss 302) to a BMW.
 
Now I would love to add the Chrysler 300C to the list, after having one for 8 days I have to say for the price you get a lot for your money. When the 8 spd auto goes into the car for MY 2013 this will be a car that will give Infiniti and BMW a run for their money...

#13610 of 16087 Re: Another Perspective [flightnurse] by sweendogy

Apr 03, 2012 (4:55 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Apr 03, 2012 3:26 pm)
I don't understand the first paragraph - but agree the chryster has made major strides in a short period. Nice job flight - your back

#13611 of 16087 Re: Any other cars to talk about? [stickguy] by flightnurse

Apr 03, 2012 (3:49 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Apr 03, 2012 1:00 pm)
Hey Stick I agree with you to a point regarding depreciation. Price is a relative thing, if I couldn't afford a new BMW, yes, I would go for a CPO BMW, but I keep my cars longer then most, currently I have no plans on selling my 05. If I had to sell one of my BMW the 2011 is a goner.
 
My partner hasn't made up is mind what car he wants, he was edging towards a 535i, I was sort of pushing towards a 740i (same engine with 15+ more hp.) But he started looking at used A7s he is looking at price (trying to save some money.) So who knows what we will buy, but for him price is playing a factor.

Messages Page 1362 of 1610

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