Buying a New Car - Page 3

bumoftheday · 02-20-08, 09:50

SuperBuick, I completely agree about with you about the narrowing my mindset. I'm not considering anything else FWD or Auto.

I did look at the Mustang and wasn't impressed with the drive on the street. I don't think I could get over the fact that it has a solid rear axle.

I love the CTS, but its over 40k if specced out comparable to the G35 I want. I would take the G35 over the Caddy.

I will take a look at the C300.

The solara is FWD, so it is off my list.

Yesterday I sent an email to the local BMW dealership about the time frame of getting the 128's in and this is the response I got

Quote:

On Thursday 2/21 tomorrow BMW and the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer ride and drive will be at our dealership. Among the vehicles that are available to drive will be the 128 and 135 series. The new X6, 335 diesel, Alpina, New M3 will also be here to drive. Please stop in and drive a vehicle before anyone else in the area has one.

So looks like I'll be taking a long lunch tomorrow. This also works out well as I am pretty slow at work and already have overtime built up this week for a deadline I had to meet.

JustinDetail · 02-20-08, 10:00

I don't think you'd be disappointed in the slightest with the 128i. While I am a bit miffed about its pricing and the look, I'm sure the driving experience and overall build of the car is stellar.
And good to hear you're not looking at FWD cars, imo, the Acura TL could be a great car if it wasn't build with FWD. Nothing ruins the feel of a car more than that. I refuse to purchase a FWD car ever again. I've tried nice ones too, RSX-S, new MKV GTI, no go on either.

bumoftheday · 02-21-08, 12:44

So I drove a C300 Sport the other day and attended a BMW Ultimate drive event today. I got to drive a 335 coupe, 328 convertible, Z4 3.0si and rode shotgun in a new (V8) M3. There were no salesman, no-one riding shotgun keeping you in check and not DTC

The 328 was ok, but I think the extra weight made it feel slow. Was not overly impressed, although it was nice. The Z4 3.0si was awesome, and it was the only manual transmission car there I could drive(you had to be 30 to drive the M3). I got the tires nice and hot.

The star of the show was the 335. I love that car and that engine. I never got to drive it hard on the test drive. I remember it being fast, but hot damn. I beat a 760Li (V12) at a stoplight race, he was part of the event as well. I really want that engine. If I stay without a car payment for an extra several months, I can save up the difference between a 128 and a 135. Plus I'll get a raise next month and in September. The other thing is, if I do I would want Blue outside and red leather. I think it looks awesome. How much will the resale suffer? Would black/red be any better?

The C300 was nice, but it lacked grunt and the shifter was extremely notchy, it was hard to upshift at times without forcing it. Very refined car, but compared to the 335, it was weak.

So the front runners are:
135(wait til the end of the year)
G35(find a used one or wait til 09 model year and more power)
C300, buy it now. Not as sporting, but a nice car.

bumoftheday · 02-21-08, 01:30

Also, for those interested, this is what I attended today

BMW North America

Food was provided, lines were short(except on M3 and Alpina B7) and a very fun experience. Was during work so I had to take a LONG lunch.

JohnnyDaJackal · 02-21-08, 02:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by bumoftheday

Also, for those interested, this is what I attended today

BMW North America

Food was provided, lines were short(except on M3 and Alpina B7) and a very fun experience. Was during work so I had to take a LONG lunch.

Sounds like an awesome event, thanks for the heads up, although they won't be in Jersey till October.

JustinDetail · 02-22-08, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by bumoftheday

So I drove a C300 Sport the other day and attended a BMW Ultimate drive event today. I got to drive a 335 coupe, 328 convertible, Z4 3.0si and rode shotgun in a new (V8) M3. There were no salesman, no-one riding shotgun keeping you in check and not DTC

The 328 was ok, but I think the extra weight made it feel slow. Was not overly impressed, although it was nice. The Z4 3.0si was awesome, and it was the only manual transmission car there I could drive(you had to be 30 to drive the M3). I got the tires nice and hot.

The star of the show was the 335. I love that car and that engine. I never got to drive it hard on the test drive. I remember it being fast, but hot damn. I beat a 760Li (V12) at a stoplight race, he was part of the event as well. I really want that engine. If I stay without a car payment for an extra several months, I can save up the difference between a 128 and a 135. Plus I'll get a raise next month and in September. The other thing is, if I do I would want Blue outside and red leather. I think it looks awesome. How much will the resale suffer? Would black/red be any better?

The C300 was nice, but it lacked grunt and the shifter was extremely notchy, it was hard to upshift at times without forcing it. Very refined car, but compared to the 335, it was weak.

So the front runners are:
135(wait til the end of the year)
G35(find a used one or wait til 09 model year and more power)
C300, buy it now. Not as sporting, but a nice car.

Cool post. Glad you got behind the wheel of some of the new BMW offerings. That Z4 with the sweet 3.0si motor sure is sweet huh? Pretty quick too with the 255hp.

A quick fyi on the G35...you probably already know, but the new 3.5 306hp SAE motor is in the new ones. Unless you meant new as in the G37's motor? They're supposed to up that to 350hp and put it in the 2009 370Z....sweet.

bumoftheday · 02-22-08, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinDetail

Cool post. Glad you got behind the wheel of some of the new BMW offerings. That Z4 with the sweet 3.0si motor sure is sweet huh? Pretty quick too with the 255hp.

A quick fyi on the G35...you probably already know, but the new 3.5 306hp SAE motor is in the new ones. Unless you meant new as in the G37's motor? They're supposed to up that to 350hp and put it in the 2009 370Z....sweet.

The Z4 is pretty sweet, but the 335 completely overshadowed it. The Z4 was a stick, which was nice.

I have read rumors of the 3.7 going into the sedan, although it wouldn't surprise me to see 350hp in the coupe and 330hp in the sedan.