I need to buy a car, probably tomorrow or Friday. It’s been some time since I paid much attention to the automobile market, so I’m a bit overwhelmed after having taken just a quick look around.
What I’ll want would be a four door with good air/heat, road handling and acceleration. Top end is not so important, but 0-60 in 6.5s or less is a criterion. Quicker would be even better. Of course reliability is a criterion as well.
Right now, after some rather quick shopping, I’m looking at either a BMW 535i or a Mercedes E550. My last few cars have been purchased a few years old without financing, but this time around I’m considering just getting a new car that I’ll likely drive for 5 years or more.
Any alternate suggestions, or thoughts on what’s being considered?
What kind of price range are you looking in? I suspect, based on the cars you suggested, that you will have about a kabillion choices in your price range, especially if you are willing to go used. Do you have to go as big as the 5 series BMW? 335i would be even better.
I am not entirely sure I trust Merc reliability again, though I hear they have been getting better since the Chrysler divestiture. How about an Audi S4? A nice used M5? A new Lexus IS-F?
It needs to be a four door suitable for hauling adults around in, thus the 3 Series don’t really fit the bill. Buying a little bit used has been my M.O., but I’m certainly more interested in this year’s 535i, due to the engine upgrade, than I am in previous year models. The Mercedes don’t get the handling high marks that the BMWs do.
I say go for the BMW. I love my 325Ci. They’re perfect everyday cars for people who prefer things a little on the sporty side. I would avoid looking at used 550i’s/545i’s, unless you can get a good price - the engine in the 535i makes the V8 basically irrelevant. However, the previous-generation M5 is brilliant (400hp V8), though maintenance is expensive, and it only comes with a manual transmission. It’s basically a race engine in a four-door sedan.
I don’t know much about the Audis, except that they have gorgeous, immaculately-assembled interiors.
All three German brands have had those cars on the market for a while, so reliability should be as solid as you’re going to get, if you buy new. If you buy something used, I would be careful - there were a few teething problems with the new 5-series and E-class back when they came out, in 03 or so.
Japanese cars are considered more reliable, but who wants to pay that kind of money for a tarted-up Nissan, Toyota, or Honda?
I wouldn’t discount the possibility of buying used, especially a “certified pre-owned” car from a dealership. Someone else has already broken it in and taken the initial depreciation hit, and you usually get twice the usual warranty. I got a great deal on my 325Ci - bought it less than a year old with 9,000 miles.
I suspect you can get a pretty good deal on a near-new Merc E63 AMG these days. Also, if you ware willing to go a little older, 2003-era Audi RS6s are going for $45K-ish…
I was going to suggest going to CarMax, I was in and out within 20 minutes, having picked out the exact car I wanted online, and having it shipped from Chicago.
I dunno, I love BMW’s and Audi’s and have owned both over the last 8 years (particularly loved the handling of the Audi) and honestly… I finally gave up. They’re SO expensive to maintain, they don’t hold their value all that well (although better than a lot of others) and frankly, in the last serveral years, I think they’ve missed the mark on styling. To me, Audi’s and BMW’s these days look like Toyota’s more or less–especially BMW’s. Audi has taken a few styling chances that I do kind of like.
Prior to going through my german car phase the last 8 years, I was a Ford Cobra or GT owner. After 8 years of breathtaking repair costs on my euro’s… I’ve gone back to my Mustangs. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my German cars, but they just, in my opinion, are more headaches than they’re worth.
