What kind of car should I buy?

[trthskr]

I'm in the market for a new car and could use some suggestions on what kind of car to buy. I currently drive a Mistubishi Montero Sport and have been for the past 7+ years. I'm not sure if I should get another SUV or this time try out a sports coupe or sedan. I was looking at either the BMW 3 series or the Infiinti G35. Anyone know anything about these cars? Any other suggestions? What do you think about SUV vs. sports sedan?

TIA!

[Shamou]

My wife drive a BMW 3 series... she knows quite a bit about cars and she would not trade it for anything else... Just my two cents...

.

[trthskr]

Thanks Shamou. I know that th 3 series is an extremely popluar line of cars, in fact, I think that's BMW's best selling series. The only thing I have about buying that car is that my mechanic told me that they don't last more than 4 years or so if you buy them new. Meaning, that they start to break down and need to start putting money into it for repairs, etc. Also, I read somewhere that you get the features of a 5 series in the Infiniti G35 for the price of a 3 series. That being said, the BMW 3 series still has a nice cache to it and a good reputation. It really makes a statement when people know you drive one. Decisions, decisions.

[Scin]

The Infiniti G35 is the American heir to the Japanese "Godzilla," the Nissan Skyline that sets a great many records for quarter mile times. If you must get a luxury car, get the G35.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by trthskr

It really makes a statement when people know you drive one. Decisions, decisions.

If you are in a business where impressing people could be an asset... I would go for the BMW... it has class without being flashy... and that German engineering is appreciated by aficionado the world over... It give you the image of a successful and knowledgeable person...

.

[playa77]

Originally Posted by trthskr

my mechanic told me that they don't last more than 4 years or so if you buy them new. Meaning, that they start to break down and need to start putting money into it for repairs, etc.

I don't know about the Infiniti, but you just had me laughing out loud reading that part. BMW makes some of the most reliabe cars in the world.
They have such a good reputation because they are making not only fast and elegant cars, but also reliable ones.
I know at least 15 people, who have driven a 3-series at some point in their lives, or are currently owning one. Never have I heard anything about these cars breaking down after 4 years.
Some have owned 10-15 year old models (even convertibles) that gave them no problems at all.

Maybe you should change your mechanic?

[llong]

If you live in Chicago, why buy a car?

[sameer]

My only recommendation would be to NOT buy a new car. It's a depreciating asset and it's best bought gently used, if you will.

Sameer

[Bole]

Originally Posted by trthskr

Thanks Shamou. I know that th 3 series is an extremely popluar line of cars, in fact, I think that's BMW's best selling series. The only thing I have about buying that car is that my mechanic told me that they don't last more than 4 years or so if you buy them new. Meaning, that they start to break down and need to start putting money into it for repairs, etc. Also, I read somewhere that you get the features of a 5 series in the Infiniti G35 for the price of a 3 series. That being said, the BMW 3 series still has a nice cache to it and a good reputation. It really makes a statement when people know you drive one. Decisions, decisions.

Your mechanic knows 0 about BMW series 3.

Half a year ago I was buying used car. I came across BMW series 3 car ... then went to mechanic to check out the car and it was as if the car was 10 years younger. Very roboust car, mine is 1992, 275000 km (arouind 175000 miles) and no problems since I bought it. Chasis is without rust after 15 years, motor is running ok, even design is pretty much the same as newer series 3 models. And i bet this is not an isolated case.

[Scin]

Originally Posted by sameer

My only recommendation would be to NOT buy a new car. It's a depreciating asset and it's best bought gently used, if you will.

Sameer

This is only true if the car you buy is not a Ferrari. Ferraris actually appreciate in value with age.

That said, you have good advice.

Here's a video the OP should watch:

Drive Free, Retire Rich by Dave Ramsey

[Matthew Shea]

I just got out from behind the wheel of a 335i coupe. I'm not sure I can put into words how much fun that car is and how impressed I am. That car probably has the tightest, most rigid body, the best handling and the highest power to weight ratio of anything I've driven lately. I haven't driven a G35, but I'd expect that Infiniti would certainly have its work cut out for it to match what I've just experienced.

BMW rates the 3.5L I-6 at 300 hp, 300 lb-ft. Those numbers feel low based on my experience. I've driven a 425 hp Charger SRT-8 that didn't feel that fast. The twin turbos on the BMW, though, show no lag whatsoever and make for a REALLY fun ride. Highly recommended.

[brandi]

the 2005 z4 is very bumpy i don't like the ride and the vibration of the wheel,
but was very zippy and stylish.

i bought a work horse SUV for towing bikes and stuff.

the Altima is a very good value.
lexus has very handsome cars.

the infinity SUV is gorgeous!

[llong]

Given that the majority of Americans think that the Iraq War is "all about oil", I do my best to avoid using oil, as part of the effort to bring our troops back.

[Doku]

Originally Posted by trthskr

I'm not sure if I should get another SUV or this time try out a sports coupe or sedan. I was looking at either the BMW 3 series or the Infiinti G35. Anyone know anything about these cars? Any other suggestions? What do you think about SUV vs. sports sedan?

Depends on how you drive, what current and future needs are, etc. Personally, I love BMW. I owned a 750iL for about 100k miles. Sold it because the wife thought it was impractical for us... worst car decision I have ever made. The 3 series are good cars. If I were to buy one, I'd definately go with the SMG transmission w/ paddle shifters. But then again, I hate that "i-drive" krap in the new BMWs.

SUV vs. sports sedan? Sports sedan.

Here's my take on SUV: That's likely the best marketing campaign in the history of man. Give people a pickup truck with a different body on it that will give one heck of a rough ride, and get worse gas milage than a pickup... but be sure to make it very expensive and market it as a luxury item so that everyone will be trying to "keep up with the joneses", and then when they realize that they've been taken, will be too proud to admit it, and defend the POS that they bought. If you "need" a SUV to haul stuff, get a station wagon (or even a sport wagon, but I think they look ugly as sin). You can often get more into a station wagon than into an SUV, plus it gets better gas, and it's more comfortable. Need to move people? Spend a few pennies more, and get a luxury conversion van. Want to hop on the "but the suv is safer for the children!" bandwagon? Get a conversion van. My wife looks down into the Excursion, and when we hit a deer at 55, the deer took flight. I heard it, and saw the deer go, but didn't feel it, and the air bags didn't go off.

End result: (sticking to a 30kish price range)
Luxury sport: BMW 3 (or M3 or Z4)
No-frills sport: WRX-STi
Luxury: BMW 3/5
Wagon: volvo v70xc
sport wagon: BMW, Mercedes, Volvo (don't know model numbers)
SUV: run away
Van: Explorer conversion van (check the web. there is one HECK of a markup on these at the dealer lot... got mine for 40k, sticker was 57k)

[Matthew Shea]

I'm not sure I agree with what Doku says about SUVs, but the new breed of crossovers address most of those concerns. They're build on passenger car platforms, not a truck chassis, so they ride and handle better, get much better milieage (usually mid 20-ish) and have a lot of room for people and cargo to boot. Some vehicles to consider:

Saturn Outlook (same platform as GMC Acadia below)
Ford Edge
Toyota Highlander (drove the previous gen: underwhelmed)
GMC Acadia (drove one: very impressed)
Buick Enclave (a gorgeous vehicle IMHO)
VW Touraeg (same platform as Q7 below)
Audi Q7 (drove one with 4.2 V8: a great car, but horrible MPG and too many buttons)
Lincoln MKX
Cadillac SRX (drove one: great car)

Just some ideas...