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Here's my .2 cents.
I don't believe you can get a G35 for 25K...at least not here. I don't believe California pricing is lower than Fl...maybe higher. If you find one for that orice, it may not be highly desirable. So that's out.
Bimmer M???? For 25K it would be an E36 and that would be a nightmare to maintain. That's out.
Bimmer 540I. I love these cars. You should be able to get one with a warranty for 25K. Can't beat them for total driver's car.....comfort, handling and power.
GS 2nd gen...that would be my choice in your price range. You could get a 98-99 for 18K and have money left over to mod it to the type of handling you want. All you need to get started right is $1500 for coilovers and the rest for nice wheels/tires. If you don't have the cash have the dealer buy and add to the financing of the car.
You could get a nearly new E46 for this price with a warranty so I would consider it too.
Again, these are just my thoughts. Take your time, drive them all.
If youre looking for a luxory sport sedan get a G35. Especially if you plan to do any autox or spirited driving. Personally due to my driving tastes, id problably consider the G430 last in your choices. M3 second and 540 third.
Just go ahead and get the 540 I have a friend with a 98' and had hardly any problems with it since he bought it. The interior is very nice, wood trim, that nice thick leather, your stick, and also the performance you want. If your willing to have that at the expense of high mantenance and crappy service than its a no brainer.
if you just talk about the car, i would get the 540i for sure. m3, i suppose you mean the e36 right? i don't know if you can get e46 m3 for that cheap now? if it's e46, it will get above the 540i on my list
the gs4 is nice, specially reliability, but not as much fun
and the g35? nah, not with the other cars on the list
i think i honestly have my heart set on a BMW now. the GS would be nice but the no manual tranny factor just kills me. i am leaning towards a 540i but i am honestly pondering putting in some more money and finding an E39 M5. do you guys think there is very much difference in the reliability between these 2 cars? owning a BMW without warranty seems a little scary...
You've selected some nice cars...the money aside, my picks based on what you've stated:
BMW 540i
Infinity G35
GS
Money, reliability and fun factored in, I'd take a GS followed by the G35. Had a 5 series many years ago and granted it was a fun driving car but maintenance costs just ate me. I'd gladly trade that to gain what the Toyota or Infinity offers in reliability. (I'm a long time Toyota driver so I lean towrds their products.)
If you want a really fun car that won't break the bank to fill the tank, I'd go with a Lotus Elise...
These are sweet cars, yes. The handling is superb. Power to weight is excellent. Suspension components are aluminum and the engine is a Toyota 2ZZ-GE. This car ROCKS on paper.
My only problem with this is that the car costs $40k and as a daily diver, most will get tired of it. It's stiff, hard to get in and out of, and sports a spartan interior.
For $40k I could make two clones of my SC300 posted above.
If you want a really fun car that won't break the bank to fill the tank, I'd go with a Lotus Elise...
It might break the bank to BUY one....if you can find one unspoken for. I understand the whole first year allotment is sold out.....at big dealer markups, of course.
i see more lotus' around than i expected to see.... no doub tthey would be a fun car... fast, great power to weight ratio... but highly impractical... it woudl be a pain as a daily driver IMO... stiff as hell... no cargo space... etc.
really hard to find a g35 that cheap in cali, Im in the same boat.. looking at the same type of cars for around the same range
Just had a sc400
looking at g30, bmw 330i or 330ci, gtp supercharged, etc...
I dont have my mind made up yet either... would really love to find a g35, but their so damn expensive here, 04's are like 32++ its insane, coupes are really expensive, and id only get a g35 coupe.
look for a deal, if rwd isnt an issue check out the new ss impalas too, seen a few of thoese at the dealership and they look like nice cars commin from chevy.