YACT, poll inside

[Cerebus451]

Yes, it is time again for ATOT to decide which car a member should buy. I've test driven a few, like everything I have test driven so far. Can't even remotely decide what to get. Here are the contenders:

BMW 530i - a very nice ride. most expensive of the group to lease. rear wheel drive could be an issue in the winter
Audi A6 2.7T - engine is more powerful than the 530i, cheapest lease of the group (despite a sticker price in the middle). Quattro drive a plus for the winter.
Volvo S60 T5 - have not actually test driven this yet, but same engine as the C70. It's a Volvo.
BMW 330ci - have not test driven, can't find one on a lot to save my life. Would have to buy one sight unseen which makes me a little nervous. Still, would probably take this over the Volvo convertible.
Volvo C70 conv - a very nice car, but it's still a Volvo. The BMW convertible is cheaper and I think a nicer ride overall and would probably be the way I would go if I wanted a convertible.

The BMW's and the Audi include regular scheduled maintenance, so all I would have to pay for is gas (in addition to the lease payments). I have not had a chance to hit the Infinity/Lexus/Acura dealerships yet. Just curious as to what the general thoughts are on these cars. Most people I have asked say to go for the BMW as they don't like the rounded rear on the A6. I don't necessarily like it, but I don't think it is ugly either.

 

[Doggiedog]

I wouldn't get the 5 or the A6 because they are changing the models next year. I wouldn't get the C70 because they dropped that model completely. I wouldn't get the 3 because it is too small for me. Don't know about the S60. I guess that leaves the Japanese cars but I probably wouldn't want them too.

I guess I'll walk.

 

[Cerebus451]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
I wouldn't get the 5 or the A6 because they are changing the models next year. I wouldn't get the C70 because they dropped that model completely. I wouldn't get the 3 because it is too small for me. Don't know about the S60. I guess that leaves the Japanese cars but I probably wouldn't want them too.

I guess I'll walk.

Actually the 5 series change adds another wrinkle into things, as I could wait until late this year when they start rolling out the new model and try to get a good deal on inventory the dealerships need to get rid of, but that's risky. In the long run, I am not worried about getting the last in a design for the 5 series or the A6. This will be a lease so I won't need to worry about getting rid of the old body style when the lease is up.

As for the 3, the size is my concern as well. I fit comfortably in the C70, the A6, and the 5, but those are much bigger cars. One local dealership has a M3 convertible on the lot which compares size-wise, but it would have a completely different feel driving than an actual 3 series car.

 

[Doggiedog]

You can't compare the two cars. If you can get your hands on a E36 M3, that would compare well to the 330. I've got a 325 and a friend has an E36 M3 and I can tell you that it is much faster and stronger than my car. It just keeps pulling whereas my car feels maxed out.

I just can't get a car as small as a 3 anymore because of my growing family.

 

[vi edit]

Ummm....G35?

A TL-S would probably be the most "sound" investment. One of the best resales out there, unaparalleled reliability, and very low entry cost. The G35 offers great bang for the buck.

BMW is nice, but too expensive once you start tacking on the options. The Audi is very potent, but the A6 has the worse styling out of the lineup. Also rather pricey as well.

Volvo. Uh. Well, it's safe They just aren't the same calibur as the others.

Wait till you get to the Infinity/Acura dealer.

 

[Cerebus451]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
You can't compare the two cars. If you can get your hands on a E36 M3, that would compare well to the 330. I've got a 325 and a friend has an E36 M3 and I can tell you that it is much faster and stronger than my car. It just keeps pulling whereas my car feels maxed out.

I just can't get a car as small as a 3 anymore because of my growing family.

Yeah, there is no doubt the M3 would not drive the same as the 3 series, I am more concerned about wedging my fat frame into it. I test drove a Boxter S and would love to own one, I just don't think I would be able to heft my frame into and out of the small cramped cockpit day in and day out.

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Ummm....G35?

A TL-S would probably be the most "sound" investment. One of the best resales out there, unaparalleled reliability, and very low entry cost. The G35 offers great bang for the buck.

BMW is nice, but too expensive once you start tacking on the options. The Audi is very potent, but the A6 has the worse styling out of the lineup. Also rather pricey as well.

Volvo. Uh. Well, it's safe They just aren't the same calibur as the others.

Wait till you get to the Infinity/Acura dealer.

Yeah, I want to test drive the G35 along with the TL-S to get a feel. The Acura actually has a more potent engine HP-wise over the Audi, and does not have the Turbo lag (though it wasn't all that noticable on my test drive). The Audi is up there in price, but I am looking at leasing, and so far the Audi has the best lease rate. I am not overly concerned on the reliability of the Audi or BMW since I would not have to pay a dime in maintenance costs on either during my lease (though it would suck if the car spent more time in the shop than on the road, regardless of whether or not I was paying for it).
Hopefully this weekend I can make the trek out to where the Infinity and Acura dealers are.

 

[Cerebus451]

A bump to see if anyone else has an opinion.

 

[FrustratedUser]

The C70 is cool.

 

[KingNothing]

If you can't tell the difference between the 530i and the A6, get the A6. That's not intended as a slam or anything, but if the sporting nature of the 530i isn't important or apparent to you then you might as well go with the Audi since it has a better interior, quattro, and a lower lease payment.

On the other hand, what did your test drive involve? Did you push the cars at all? Go over a variety of pavements?

 

[stevens]

I would recomend the 530i. BMW makes the best engine out of all luxery cars today (exluding like ferraris and cars like that). I have test driven one and it is awsome. Do not get the Audi A6. If you like the look get the new Passat. It is the same car kinda like how toyota makes lexus and alot of lexus cars are build on toyota frames and vice versa. Well Volkswagon doesnt make the A6 but both cars are build on the same frame and their engines are almost identical and the Passat can be had for like $10,000 less. I would advise you NOT to get the A6.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

For the same price, get a 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350

nik

 

[Cerebus451]

Originally posted by: KingNothing
If you can't tell the difference between the 530i and the A6, get the A6. That's not intended as a slam or anything, but if the sporting nature of the 530i isn't important or apparent to you then you might as well go with the Audi since it has a better interior, quattro, and a lower lease payment.

On the other hand, what did your test drive involve? Did you push the cars at all? Go over a variety of pavements?

I was able to take the cars onto some curvy roads and up some hills. I did not push real hard, but I could tell a definite difference between the two cars. I never got close to the limit on either, but the 530i definitely could be pushed further. Of course, I don't think I would need to push a car past the limits of the A6, so the extra sport of the 530i would likely be wasted.

Originally posted by: ffmcobalt
For the same price, get a 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350

nik

Now there's an idea. Of course I would need to find one to buy. Also kind of difficult to do a 3 year lease on a 1968 car. The Mustang would also not be very practical to drive to work every day since it would actually get fewer MPG than my truck currently does.

 

[yakko]

I would say the Audi, then the S60 T5 and then the 530i.