View Poll Results: which car should i get?
G35
9
10.59%
2nd gen. GS4xx
33
38.82%
M3
29
34.12%
540i
14
16.47%
Voters: 85. You may not vote on this poll
which car would u pick?
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: California
which car would u pick?
i cant figure out what car i really want... im looking for something in the 25k range so these cars will be used. i like road feel and handling of sporty cars... but i also like the luxury... i can sacrifice one for the other but i still cant decide. the G35 would be my favorite option except for the fact that i think the styling will get a bit bland to me after a few years. i also would like to have a fairly reliable car... im hoping the bimmers can at least somewhat hold up and not give me too many problems. its bimmer handling that makes me keep them in the race. and as for the GS... its the least sporty with the least road feel and agility.
Last edited by Dynasty SC; Apr 1, 2005 at 10:57 AM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
Likes: 221
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
if you want something brand-new in the 25K range, here's the car for you...starts at $26095.
http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview....mmand=overview
http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview....mmand=overview
Last edited by mmarshall; Apr 1, 2005 at 10:30 AM.
Loves Snickerdoodles!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 19,740
Likes: 75
From: San Diego, California
Originally Posted by CleanSC
As much as I dislike BMW at the moment, out of that group, the E39 all the way.
It's a beautiful machine one of my favorite Bimmers.
Forget the 3-series. 
It's a beautiful machine one of my favorite Bimmers.
Forget the 3-series. I agree, I love the lines of the E39
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,523
Likes: 3
From: new jersey
Originally Posted by mmarshall
if you want something brand-new in the 25K range, here's the car for you...starts at $26095.
http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview....mmand=overview
http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview....mmand=overview
you know every time i see that car im always like .....Damn thats a nice car
i really like it alot
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
Likes: 221
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
If you definitely don't want what I posted and it MUST be a used car from the list you made, the 2nd-gen GS would probably be your best choice....it has in general the best overall quality, the best repair record, plenty of power for any normal kind of driving, and good handling...not as good, of course as the M's.
The runner-up would be the G35....it also has an AWD G35X version for lousy weather. A lot of people drool over the M-Cars but you will be surprised how well the G35 handles. Its quality level and fit-and-finish, while not up to Lexus levels, is better-than-average.
Next, IMO, would be the 540i.....a pre Chris Bangle version. It has a superb chassis, a rigid body, a classy and functional interior, and all the power and handling you would normally want. Its repair record, while OK, is not quite up to the level of the Japanese cars, and the dealerships are arrogant and expensive.
The M3, of course, is a classic driver's car and will handle like it's on rails, but it is cramped inside, noisy, extremely stiff-riding, expensive for its size, and some versions were plagued with defective engines. It is certainly not a car I would choose as a daily driver. In addition, it has the same arrogant dealerships and expensive service as the 540i.
I still think that a brand-new Legacy Turbo, in the same price range, would be a better buy for you than any of these cars used.
Good luck on your decision ...let us know what you pick. 
The runner-up would be the G35....it also has an AWD G35X version for lousy weather. A lot of people drool over the M-Cars but you will be surprised how well the G35 handles. Its quality level and fit-and-finish, while not up to Lexus levels, is better-than-average.
Next, IMO, would be the 540i.....a pre Chris Bangle version. It has a superb chassis, a rigid body, a classy and functional interior, and all the power and handling you would normally want. Its repair record, while OK, is not quite up to the level of the Japanese cars, and the dealerships are arrogant and expensive.
The M3, of course, is a classic driver's car and will handle like it's on rails, but it is cramped inside, noisy, extremely stiff-riding, expensive for its size, and some versions were plagued with defective engines. It is certainly not a car I would choose as a daily driver. In addition, it has the same arrogant dealerships and expensive service as the 540i.
I still think that a brand-new Legacy Turbo, in the same price range, would be a better buy for you than any of these cars used.
Good luck on your decision
...let us know what you pick.
Last edited by mmarshall; Apr 2, 2005 at 06:05 AM.
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Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by mmarshall
If you definitely don't want what I posted and it MUST be a used car from the list you made, the 2nd-gen GS would probably be your best choice....it has in general the best overall quality, the best repair record, plenty of power for any normal kind of driving, and good handling...not as good, of course as the M's.
The runner-up would be the G35....it also has an AWD G35X version for lousy weather. A lot of people drool over the M-Cars but you will be surprised how well the G35 handles. Its quality level and fit-and-finish, while not up to Lexus levels, is better-than-average.
Next, IMO, would be the 540i.....a pre Chris Bangle version. It has a superb chassis, a rigid body, a classy and functional interior, and all the power and handling you would normally want. Its repair record, while OK, is not quite up to the level of the Japanese cars, and the dealerships are arrogant and expensive.
The M3, of course, is a classic driver's car and will handle like it's on rails, but it is cramped inside, noisy, extremely stiff-riding, expensive for its size, and some versions were plagued with defective engines. It is certainly not a car I would choose as a daily driver. In addition, it has the same arrogant dealerships and expensive service as the 540i.
I still think that a brand-new Legacy Turbo, in the same price range, would be a better buy for you than any of these cars used.
Good luck on your decision ...let us know what you pick.
The runner-up would be the G35....it also has an AWD G35X version for lousy weather. A lot of people drool over the M-Cars but you will be surprised how well the G35 handles. Its quality level and fit-and-finish, while not up to Lexus levels, is better-than-average.
Next, IMO, would be the 540i.....a pre Chris Bangle version. It has a superb chassis, a rigid body, a classy and functional interior, and all the power and handling you would normally want. Its repair record, while OK, is not quite up to the level of the Japanese cars, and the dealerships are arrogant and expensive.
The M3, of course, is a classic driver's car and will handle like it's on rails, but it is cramped inside, noisy, extremely stiff-riding, expensive for its size, and some versions were plagued with defective engines. It is certainly not a car I would choose as a daily driver. In addition, it has the same arrogant dealerships and expensive service as the 540i.
I still think that a brand-new Legacy Turbo, in the same price range, would be a better buy for you than any of these cars used.
Good luck on your decision
...let us know what you pick.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: California
Originally Posted by mmarshall
If you definitely don't want what I posted and it MUST be a used car from the list you made, the 2nd-gen GS would probably be your best choice....it has in general the best overall quality, the best repair record, plenty of power for any normal kind of driving, and good handling...not as good, of course as the M's.
The runner-up would be the G35....it also has an AWD G35X version for lousy weather. A lot of people drool over the M-Cars but you will be surprised how well the G35 handles. Its quality level and fit-and-finish, while not up to Lexus levels, is better-than-average.
Next, IMO, would be the 540i.....a pre Chris Bangle version. It has a superb chassis, a rigid body, a classy and functional interior, and all the power and handling you would normally want. Its repair record, while OK, is not quite up to the level of the Japanese cars, and the dealerships are arrogant and expensive.
The M3, of course, is a classic driver's car and will handle like it's on rails, but it is cramped inside, noisy, extremely stiff-riding, expensive for its size, and some versions were plagued with defective engines. It is certainly not a car I would choose as a daily driver. In addition, it has the same arrogant dealerships and expensive service as the 540i.
I still think that a brand-new Legacy Turbo, in the same price range, would be a better buy for you than any of these cars used.
Good luck on your decision ...let us know what you pick.
The runner-up would be the G35....it also has an AWD G35X version for lousy weather. A lot of people drool over the M-Cars but you will be surprised how well the G35 handles. Its quality level and fit-and-finish, while not up to Lexus levels, is better-than-average.
Next, IMO, would be the 540i.....a pre Chris Bangle version. It has a superb chassis, a rigid body, a classy and functional interior, and all the power and handling you would normally want. Its repair record, while OK, is not quite up to the level of the Japanese cars, and the dealerships are arrogant and expensive.
The M3, of course, is a classic driver's car and will handle like it's on rails, but it is cramped inside, noisy, extremely stiff-riding, expensive for its size, and some versions were plagued with defective engines. It is certainly not a car I would choose as a daily driver. In addition, it has the same arrogant dealerships and expensive service as the 540i.
I still think that a brand-new Legacy Turbo, in the same price range, would be a better buy for you than any of these cars used.
Good luck on your decision
...let us know what you pick.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
Likes: 221
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by Dynasty SC
my major dilemma for the timebeing is do i want a coupe(the G35 would be a coupe) or a sedan... in which case i would be deciding between the 540 and the GS. i prefer to stick to BMW, lexus, and infiniti... another thing is that all of the other cars except the GS come in stick. i would prefer to drive stick. the GS has the least driving feel of any of the cars... still the reliability and lexus plush interior keeps me interested... right now im really thinking G35 or GS....G35 for driving fun... and GS for luxury cruising. i wish i could just go with an M5... but out of range and totally impractical as i wouldnt really want to DD it.
Out of the four you mentioned, the GS, IMO is still the way to go, unless you want to throw it around corners all day long. But the GS is not a coupe...it has 4 doors. You said you wanted a coupe. If you want a Lexus coupe you will have to look at either a fixed-roof older SC300 /400 or a newer SC430 with the trick folding-top, and the newer ones may still be out of your price range even used.
Did you want an M3 or an M5? Your first post said M3. I agree that both, for your needs, are impractical....see my earlier post.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: California
Originally Posted by mmarshall
The G35 coupe is a great-looking car...no question about it. Its lower center-of-gravity gives it even better handling than the sedan....and the 350Z's basic looks with greater refinement and better trim. The only thing you will give up on the coupe is the AWD option....which is no big deal if you don't drive much on wet or slippery roads. Infiniti has not yet done an AWD G35X coupe.....but they are aware of the demand for it and may be working on one.
Out of the four you mentioned, the GS, IMO is still the way to go, unless you want to throw it around corners all day long. But the GS is not a coupe...it has 4 doors. You said you wanted a coupe. If you want a Lexus coupe you will have to look at either a fixed-roof older SC300 /400 or a newer SC430 with the trick folding-top, and the newer ones may still be out of your price range even used.
Did you want an M3 or an M5? Your first post said M3. I agree that both, for your needs, are impractical....see my earlier post.
Out of the four you mentioned, the GS, IMO is still the way to go, unless you want to throw it around corners all day long. But the GS is not a coupe...it has 4 doors. You said you wanted a coupe. If you want a Lexus coupe you will have to look at either a fixed-roof older SC300 /400 or a newer SC430 with the trick folding-top, and the newer ones may still be out of your price range even used.
Did you want an M3 or an M5? Your first post said M3. I agree that both, for your needs, are impractical....see my earlier post.