# I need to buy a car pretty quickly; any suggestions? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 28, 2008, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463 "2008-02-28T02:52:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/1 "2008-02-28T02:52:09Z")
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? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/2 "2008-02-28T04:09:23Z")
I think you’d be happiest with a BMW or one of the sportier Lexuses Lexus’ Lexi? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/3 "2008-02-28T04:27:55Z")
Get the Bimmer. I love Bimmers, so will you. ---
**Author:** ![Necros](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/necros/32/11086_2.png) [@Necros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necros)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/4 "2008-02-28T04:29:39Z")
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? I need more info. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/5 "2008-02-28T04:53:27Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Mongo\_Ponton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Mongo\_Ponton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mongo_Ponton)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/6 "2008-02-28T05:12:25Z")
An S Audi? If you can go a little bit used again I vote for the 8. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/7 "2008-02-28T05:46:07Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Necros](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/necros/32/11086_2.png) [@Necros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necros)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/8 "2008-02-28T14:18:58Z")
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… ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/9 "2008-02-28T21:02:38Z")
Thanks for the input. A couple of blasts down the freeway did the trick - I got the 535i. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/10 "2008-02-28T21:19:32Z")
Wow, that was quick! 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. ---
**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/11 "2008-02-28T21:52:10Z")
> [@](#): > > Do you have to go as big as the 5 series BMW? 335i would be even better. Would you believe the 535 only weighs 30kgs more than the 335? ---
**Author:** ![Necros](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/necros/32/11086_2.png) [@Necros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necros)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/12 "2008-02-28T23:02:13Z")
No, it’s more like 60kg. 535i AT: 3704 lbs 335i AT: 3582 lbs The MT versions are similarly different. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![MissTskTsk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@MissTskTsk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTskTsk)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/13 "2008-02-28T23:20:46Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/14 "2008-02-28T23:29:37Z")
[QUOTE=Ringo] Thanks for the input. A couple of blasts down the freeway did the trick - I got the 535i. [/QUOTE] Cool! Now it’s like the stupid cat threads - you have to post pictures. ---
**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/15 "2008-02-28T23:44:13Z")
> [@](#): > > No, it’s more like 60kg. It’s 1630 kg vs 1660 kg for the MT. You even get a spare tire with the 5! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mongo\_Ponton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Mongo\_Ponton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mongo_Ponton)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-car-pretty-quickly-any-suggestions/439463/16 "2008-02-29T00:14:17Z")
This is a man that doesn’t screw around when buying a car! Congratulations and enjoy.