so my wife and i have been debating for the longest time what 2nd car to get. here's a list of cars we are thinking. yes, i know, it's a wide range, but they are contenders. pros and cons on all of them, it's hard to decide. just curious what you guys think

ps, of course there is also the question of whether this is a good time or not. i see how the economy is right now, so saving money is no doubt a smart move. but at the same time if we can afford it... umm..... nothing is decided at this point, it might take us another while to decide anyway. it's good when we are not in need to get a car NOW

in case you ask, here are some info about our requirements
- no kids (yet)
- we are going to lease anyway, so price is more ok
- rear seats a plus, and 5th seat is hardly used
- want something more fun to drive
- we have tried almost all lexus models (that we are interested)
- insurance will be more, yes i know that already


2008 BMW M3 coupe
- 414HP
- around 68k, on the cheaper side
- small, coupe, not as practical
- good handling, superb road feel
- gas guzzler tax
- interior ok, not lexus like
- all services included
- wife loves the 3 coupe (in white)

2008 BMW M5
- 500HP V10
- around 90k
- a lot more practical with rear room and trunk
- front interior design kind of suck
- gas guzzler tax
- bad gas mileage
- all services included

2008 BMW M6
- 500HP V10
- around 100+k
- larger, but still silly rear seats
- more wow factor coz' not as common
- gas guzzler tax
- not a big fan of interior
- bad gas mileage
- all services included

2008 Mercedes E63
- 507HP
- around 95k
- sedan, good rear space, huge trunk, exterior not as sexy
- awesome engine roar
- bad gas mileage on local, reasonable on freeway, gas guzzler tax
- stupid nav system, no i-drive type setup
- have to pay for services
- MB quality questionable

2008 Mercedes CLS63
- 507HP
- around 105k
- more like coupe, only 2 rear seats, not much space
- exterior sexy but like cat fish
- much better wow factor over E63
- gas guzzler tax, bad local gas mileage (ok highway)
- interior better than e class, except big **** wood piece in front
- also stupid nav setup
- have to pay for services
- MB quality questionable

2008 Lexus IS-F
- 416HP
- 60k
- sedan but with silly rear seats, and only 2. ok trunk
- exterior OK, not the best, silly rear exhausts
- no gas guzzler, cheapest of all
- kind of kiddy feel...
- guaranteed quality and services
- another Lexus??

 

I voted M5, love the exhaust note on that car

 

I choose M3 Coupe. However, this is based on a some assumptions. First, you state this will be your 2nd car so does that mean you are getting rid of one of your Lexus cars? If so, I would assume the GS350 and not the LS460 right? Because you have the LS, I probably wouldn't go for the M5 even though I really like that car. I think a small monster performing coupe would be the perfect match to the large LS460.

Now, if this where to be a 3rd car in addition to the two Lexus cars, I would skip all of those cars and get some sort of 2 seater or 2+2 seater sports car. But that's just me

 

Can I pick none of the above ?

OK, I'd go with the M3 coupe

 

I believe he kept the GS and dumped the LS...

 

Why the rear seat requirement without kids?

How about a 911? (Not sure what kind of lease deals they have).

To me, the M5 is a great car -if you only have one car that is (and have kids). But I don't think I'd pick it up as a second car unless I had the need for that rear seat on a regular basis when using my second car.

Also, as pointed out, the M engines have an incredible sound and this DOES NOT HELP the fuel economy as you often find yourself taking it up into the powerband just to hear the engine even more

(got 133 miles on a tank of gas the other day)

 

If you keept the GS and dumped the LS, I'd change my vote and to the M5.

 

wow you guys are fast, haha... sorry i forgot to mention. we sold the ls460l a while ago already, currently only with the gs350. the rear seats are good if we have people visiting us (out of country).

also, we don't have kids yet, but we are planning on it already, so it's a matter of time (hopefully within 3 yrs, haha).

about true coupe, i did suggested that to my wife, but she's reluctant. i know she still wants her sc430 back, but she wants both cars to be able to hold kids. 911 is a good choice, however if we get, i want the carrera s (at least)

also, one last (surprising) point which i will TRY to keep -- will try not to mod the car at all. just drive it as is for 3 yrs. hahhaa yeah it's hard

andrew, so outside of the list, what would be your choice?

doug, 133 miles on a full tank in your 550?!?!?! holy!!!!!! and i am getting 500 miles in my gs350!

 

You? Not mod? I give it 2 months

 

oh and if it doesn't make things complicated enough:
- my wife loves m performance
- but she wants a smoother ride when she's not punching it
- she doesn't like bmw interior at all
- she prefers mb interior and ride
- exterior wife she likes cls most (from the list)

talk about why we haven't decided on any car for so long...

 

lol allen, i will make sure i wait at least 61 days then!

but seriously, my logic is this. a lease car, for sure won't own after 3 yrs. so whatever i get, depreciate after 3 yrs, and have to go through hassle to sell. knowing the market and how people are these days, i will take quite some hit. and since it's only 3 yrs, i don't want any big project, so might as well stay stock

 

E63, everything you can ask for.

 

Why arent theese cars on the list: ZR-1, Z06, GT-R, 911, Quattroporte, Cambiocorsa, CLK Black Series, XKR, S8, R8, ML 63, Cayenne Turbo S, Challanger SRT-8

 

And the new Caddi CTS V

 

BMW M6....