secondreality

So I am really looking to change my S2000 and my STI into a single car that will be reliable, unmodded, and hopefully cut down on my car insurance / personal property tax, etc.

Requirements:

4-door
Comfort (my modded STI is just painful on long trips, though you do get up to speed quick)
Stock quickness (speaking of the above, I don't want to mod my next car)
Reliable or comes w/ warranty
Good automatic (sick of being the only one that can drive it, and hate slow shifting autos, so good DCT is a huge plus)

Budget:

~50k max (this is taking into account if I have to trade in my cars and cannot sell private, the max is firm at 50, otherwise if I can sell them private it could go up a little)

My list:

335i Sedan
I loved the feel of the 135i w/ DCT, but hate that I cannot get the DCT transmission in the sedan (short of a M3 sedan that is). Not worried about reliability since it will have a 5-year warranty. Optioned out this creeps just over 50k MSRP, so will definitely be under my max price after haggling based on what they would discount the 135i.

2010 Audi S4
I really need to test drive one, but cannot find anyone that has one to test. Everything about this car sounds good, but the look is a little bland to me to be honest. Also, when adding the options I would want it creeps almost to 54k, which is hard to justify unless the car is just perfect. The auto apparently shifts quick and I've heard great things about the interior as well.


And those 2 are the only real options I have found. I don't want anything older than a 2006, as that is the year STI I have right now. Also keep in mind that the STI is my benchmark to some extent - I understand I won't be able to get the speed of my modded STI, but a little quicker than a stock STI is fine, added comfort is what I am aiming for, as anything else I would view as a sideways move and wouldn't be worth the trouble.

Is there anything I am overlooking here? Am I right on the cusp where there really isn't a better option unless I am willing to spend 70k for a new M3? The CTS-V is the only other interesting car, but that was also $65k or so new, and they are a pain to find lightly used in good shape to get it to my price point (and the auto trans apparently is pretty shoddy). Am I just screwed since there are no great 4-door automatic options left out there???

I really want to have 1 car to worry about, so trying to avoid the "one nice race car for weekend, crappy DD" scenario. Any feedback is appreciated.

FormulaStwoK

ISF

waltk88

Used C63 AMG - very quick, great steering, fantastic V8 sound.

pdj

Have you ever considered a VW CC? The DSG 280hp version starts at about 40k and the car is absolutely stunning, better looking than both the bmw/audi imo...

secondreality

For a 0-60 of 6.6 I don't want to be spending 40k+ for the VW CC.

I found one used IS-F for 40k, but it had a ton of miles, and new it isn't in my price range. Might still look at the used one, but over 20k miles / year is a little bit of a red flag... The car is something to consider though if I could find one for a good deal, I had forgotten about the car entirely.

The C63 AMG I cannot find one even used below 67k.

Penforhire

Infiniti M-series? I think your first instinct is right though. Hard to beat the combination represented by the 335i.

secondreality

[QUOTE=Penforhire,Sep 29 2010, 01:54 PM] Infiniti M-series?

stauren1203

look and possibly travel for an isf

Rowan

I vote CPO 335i E90. You can find them in the mid-to-high 20K.

It's quick and handle pretty well. The automatic gearbox with paddle shifters is cool! :-)

philbert

if you're willing to consider used, should be able to find low mileage examples under $50k such as this one:

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?t...05&aff=national

as a general point, these German (and other competitor) car prices have gotten out of hand of late. $50k for a 335 and $54k for an S4 (the RS4, with performance more in line with an M3, can ring up ~$80k)... WTH happened?

in any case, i'd let someone else take the huge initial depreciation hit, and get the 1-2yr old M3 for the price of a new 335.