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Best vehicle for $40,000

233 messages,  Last post on Dec 21, 2011 at 9:53 AM

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What is this discussion about? Acura TL, Cadillac CTS, Saab 9-3, BMW 3 Series, Honda Accord, Volvo V50, Honda Odyssey, Lexus RX 400h

Messages Page 20 of 24

#184 of 233 Re: Merry Christmas, and WAKE UP! [scottm123] by qbrozen

Dec 28, 2006 (8:55 pm)

Replying to: scottm123 (Dec 28, 2006 2:03 pm)
mine is still under $40k. ;b
 
and, with Euro-delivery, I found out its under $36k! :0

#185 of 233 Re: Merry Christmas, and WAKE UP! [qbrozen] by scottm123

Dec 29, 2006 (8:23 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (Dec 28, 2006 8:55 pm)
Personally, I want things that should come included in the price of my luxury sports sedan.
I like things like heated seats, metallic paint, bluetooth, leather.
 
Those things in the 3 series add up very quickly, and before you know it, your $34K BMW is $46K

#186 of 233 Re: Merry Christmas, and WAKE UP! [scottm123] by qbrozen

Dec 29, 2006 (9:00 am)

Replying to: scottm123 (Dec 29, 2006 8:23 am)
that's fine. And I understand. (by the way, bluetooth is standard on the 335i.)
 
But, my personal preference is typically function over form. If I'm presented with 2 cars at the same price, one has moonroof, power memory seats, leather, heated seats, bluetooth, and runs 0-60 in 6 secs, for instance, while the other has faux-leather, moonroof, power memory seats, and runs 0-60 in under 5 secs ... I'm choosing the latter. The faux-leather from the germans is actually quite nice. Looking at the standard equipment on the 335i, the only thing I'd miss is the heated seats.
 
ok ... so i just went through and equipped a 335i with metallic paint, comfort access, and the cold weather pack. The MSRP is still just $41,370. under Euro-delivery, it would still be well under $40k, and I'd have everything I could want in the car, personally. Real leather may be welcome, but paying over $2k for it is not worth it to me.
 
Of course, its all personal preference. Some people prefer to spend their money on non-performance options. Heck, if such buyers didn't exist, Lexus may have never been successful.

#187 of 233 Re: Merry Christmas, and WAKE UP! [qbrozen] by scottm123

Dec 29, 2006 (12:35 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Dec 29, 2006 9:00 am)
I won't argue that the BMW handles better than most of the other cars in the segment, but I still refuse to consider the BMW 335 a vehicle under $40K
 
I have a hard time basing my decision only on what car gets me to 60 mph faster... and we're not comparing a 5.2 second with a 9.2 second run.
Your example is a 1 second difference.
You at the track that often?
I spend more time enjoying the luxuries of my luxury sports sedan than I do the 0-60 excelleration. (not that I don't enjoy that too)
 
The bottom line is that when you compare the vehicles in the segment, most include what I want "out of the box" while BMW continues to "nickel and dime" us to death.
And for what, their remarkable reliability?
What good is the one second advantage when it's sitting in the shop... free maintenance or not.
 
And by the way, the Bluetooth 'option' is not standard here in the states, it's $750-
 
I just built a BMW 335i with the options I want in my car.
It came to a grand total of $53,265
 
I then built an Infiniti G35 Sport with the exact same options.
It came to a grand total of $41,200
 
I made sure not to add anything on the BMW that the Inifiniti didn't offer... wanted to be fair.
 
The question is, is the BMW worth an extra $12,065?
 
In my case, absolutely not!
 

#188 of 233 Re: Merry Christmas, and WAKE UP! [scottm123] by dhanley

Dec 29, 2006 (3:46 pm)

Replying to: scottm123 (Dec 29, 2006 12:35 pm)
"I spend more time enjoying the luxuries of my luxury sports sedan than I do the 0-60 excelleration. "
 
To coin a phrase, you can't even spell acceleration.
 

 
Some people place a value on performance. Lot of buick drivers out there will think you're nuts for getting a g35. So it goes.

#189 of 233 Re: Merry Christmas, and WAKE UP! [scottm123] by ivan_99

Dec 29, 2006 (10:32 pm)

Replying to: scottm123 (Dec 29, 2006 12:35 pm)
My vote goes with qbrozen.
 
I'd take the exhilarating on ramp excitement over a power passenger seat any day.
 
I just can't imaging having my brother fly in...and me pick him up at the airport and then say “look at what this baby can do!” and then reveal the awesome power side mirrors.
 
Of course this illustration is a little ridiculous...
 
I suppose there are reasons why cars like the ES350 sell so well.
 
My ideal 335 is also under 40K.
 
I'm not sure...but I think this original thread also had a stipulation that the vehicle achieve 30mpg (highway); which I'm pretty sure the 335 won't be able to do (previous 330i's would achieve higher than their EPA rating in rag tests)

#190 of 233 Re: Merry Christmas, and WAKE UP! [scottm123] by qbrozen

Dec 30, 2006 (10:09 am)

Replying to: scottm123 (Dec 29, 2006 12:35 pm)
I just built a BMW 335i with the options I want in my car.
It came to a grand total of $53,265
 
Wow. You and rocky should shop together. Both of you like to load up with every option possible. Actually, you must have left something small off because EVERY option comes to $53,865.
 
According to bmw's website (bmwusa.com), the long list of standard features includes the following:
 
8-way power front seats with 2-way manual headrests and driver memory with 2 pre-sets for exterior mirror and seat positions
  
 Leatherette upholstery
  
 3-spoke leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth® phone3 controls
 
 Front seatback storage nets
  
 Burl Walnut Wood trim

#191 of 233 Re: Merry Christmas, and WAKE UP! [ivan_99] by scottm123

Jan 02, 2007 (6:17 am)

Replying to: ivan_99 (Dec 29, 2006 10:32 pm)
Sorry for the typo...
 
The bottom line is that I also like that excitement when hurling myself from an exit ramp or being lucky enough to be first in line a a red light.
I like having that power as well, but also enjoy the luxuries the car can also offer.
 
The G and the 335 both land within the 5 second range.
We're talking about less than a second difference.
 
When looking at everything... power, handling, luxuries, reliability... the BMW falls short when compared to other cars which actually fall into the $40,000 price range, which the 335 (loaded with toys) does not come close to doing.
 
In my example above, I only added in the options necessary for bringing it to the same level as the G.
Leather seats, heated seats, navigation, etc.
The things I would personally like in my next car.
 
I wasn't trying to bring in argument.
The fact is that I'm about 2 months away from my next car purchase, and I'm trying to stay within the $40k range.
That made this particular thread of interest to me.
 
The BMW 335i is a very compelling car and it does come in under $40k.
I just wish it offered some luxuries to take along for the ride, without breaking the bank.
 

#192 of 233 Re: Merry Christmas, and WAKE UP! [scottm123] by qbrozen

Jan 02, 2007 (7:43 am)

Replying to: scottm123 (Jan 02, 2007 6:17 am)
I don't think of this as an argument. So don't sweat it.
 
You are bringing up a very valid point, and one that many shoppers face. All we (all of us) are doing is showing the 2 sides of the coin. There are those who want more features, and those who want more performance. There are those, of course, who want both, but they'd have to be willing to spend more than we are.

#193 of 233 Re: Merry Christmas, and WAKE UP! [scottm123] by dhanley

Jan 02, 2007 (8:02 am)

Replying to: scottm123 (Jan 02, 2007 6:17 am)
"In my example above, I only added in the options necessary for bringing it to the same level as the G.
Leather seats, heated seats, navigation, etc.
The things I would personally like in my next car. "
 
I tried configuring such a car on the BMW site, and it came to $44,250. Do an ED and you're under 40K.
 
I think you've already decided that you don't want the BMW and are trying to "prove" your decision is correct.

Messages Page 20 of 24

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