Thinking about upgrading my ride

[saratoga172]

Edit: Picked up a 2007 G35 Sedan Journey with 50k miles for $18k.

Got $17k on my Mazda for trade in.

So far absolutely loving the car. Test drive it a couple times along with an 09 a4. Didn't like the feel as much.

I'll post pics and a more detailed write up tomorrow.

/Edit

Couple I snagged this morning. Plan to get the windows tinted this week or next. 25% on the front and 15% on the back.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

I can only comment on the MS3 and it's an awesome little car. The ride is a little stiff but probably no worse than the other two you listed.

Given your price range (and depending on where you live) you can get a new MS3 for about 24-24.5 OTD. I got mine for 24.7 but I was a bit lazy on the haggling.

Luxury wise the other two will have it beat of course and they're RWD instead of FWD. Power wise I really don't think you'll be disappointed with any of them and they're all great on handling.

 

[uclabachelor]

I've been tossing about the idea of upgrading my ride to something a little nicer and quicker. I've got a 2011 Mazda 3s hatch. It's loads of fun and drives great. The only thing I'd like is something with a bit more oomph in the engine. Either that or a little more luxery for longer hauls.

I've tossed about the idea but never really seriously thought about it. Until yesterday. For shits and giggles I decided to look at some cars on craigslist. Stumbled on some 2011's just like mine going for 22-23k with 20-25k miles. Crazy! Loaded up KBB and checked the book value and it came out to be just over $20k! I got my car in December 2010 for $21k otd.

I've got 33,000 miles on the car so far. The last time I checked KBB the car was only estimated to go for around 17.5k. With 15,000 less miles.

So if I could get 19-20k out of the car I could put about $7k down on something different and finance about $15.

Cars I'm interested in:
Mazdaspeed 3 2010+
335i
G35/G37 Sedan 2008+


What I like about each.
G35/37: A bit more refined as far as luxeries go and still a more powerful engine in the car. Very reliable from what I've seen/read. Reasonably priced. I've seen 08's with 30k miles going for 21-22.

335i: Awesome engine plus the refined driving of the BMW's. Great performing car.

Mazdaspeed 3: Familiar with the interior and the hatch functionality has proven extremely useful. Engine in the car is excellent.

I'm still in the deciding/debating stage. I owe 13k on my current Mazda so whatever I got over what I owe would go towards the downpayment of a new car. Thoughts or comments?

Go test drive all three. Then come back and tell us how much better the 335i is over the other two.

 

[saratoga172]

Go test drive all three. Then come back and tell us how much better the 335i is over the other two.

I intend to test drive the 335 and the G35 when I find ones that have what I want. I've really had my eye on the G35 for the longest.

I've driven the MS3 briefly before I actually drove my current car. They just couldn't get me the deal that I got on my current car. It was my first car purchase and I was still a student making $12/hr selling motorcycle equipment. Got a first time buyer 5% interest at 20. The thing that helped me was the decent downpayment.

Would have been 5k more for the MS3 since they were only on the lot for a week and 9% interest because they didn't have any deals.

I plan to test drive the G35 and 335 this week or next depending when I get time. I'll report back.

Also might look at a couple other cars.

 

[saratoga172]

I can only comment on the MS3 and it's an awesome little car. The ride is a little stiff but probably no worse than the other two you listed.

Given your price range (and depending on where you live) you can get a new MS3 for about 24-24.5 OTD. I got mine for 24.7 but I was a bit lazy on the haggling.

Luxury wise the other two will have it beat of course and they're RWD instead of FWD. Power wise I really don't think you'll be disappointed with any of them and they're all great on handling.

I actually tested the MS3 before I got my current car. That's why I've been wanting one so bad recently. I didn't have the means to get one a couple years ago when I got my current car. Got some incentives. The ride was a bit more stiff but nothing that would bother me.

 

[saratoga172]

Picked up a 2007 G35 Sedan Journey with 50k miles for $18k.

Got $17k on my Mazda for trade in.

So far absolutely loving the car. Test drive it a couple times along with an 09 a4. Didn't like the feel as much.

I'll post pics and a more detailed write up tomorrow.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[saratoga172]

Updated with pictures in the OP.

Anything I should do after the tint?

 

[ballmode]

did you test drive the 335?

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Congrats! Great choice!

 

[saratoga172]

did you test drive the 335?

I did. Drove, rode and felt great. I'd put it a bit over the g35 I got but it was also a few grand more for another 10k miles.

When it came down to it the g35 has everything I want and fell a bit below what I was looking to spend. I also got a better deal for my Mazda at the dealer than BMW was going to give me.

Overall very happy with my purchase.


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[saratoga172]

Congrats! Great choice!

Thanks. Just need to get some tint on it now for this Texas heat.


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