Help me buy a new car.

[BigRedChief]

My beloved 2005 Mustang has reached the end of its life. 144K miles its time to move on. Going to start a new job with a commute across a long bridge over water. Going to miss it.


You help me decide. Point me in the right direction. Give me the great info that puts me in the right car.......I'll send $50 to the charity of your choice.

Criteria:
I want to spend between $30k - $40K.
Automatic
Got some style
Have to be able to fit in the car comfortably
Prefer a coupe


Right now I'm thinking new Challenger, Nissan 370Z, Mustang etc. Son is telling me to look at used Mercedes, Lexus etc.

What ideas do you have?

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Update 03/11/2015
It's a done deal. I've bought and ordered a 2015 Challenger SCAT Pack Shaker. 392 Hemi 6.4L, 486 HP, 475 toruque, 4.1 second 0-60 time. Has all the same luxury "stuff" as the BMW and Lexus's.

Last years "Shaker" models sold out in 4 days. I decided if I was going retro, go all in and went with the lime green 1971 Challenger remodel. Bumblebee stripe and the Shaker hood. I deleted the stripes on the roof and the hood. Will take 6-8 weeks for delivery. Dark wheels.

I gave $50 each to the charity of their choice to Bearcat and Miles. When Simply Red shows back up, I'll get his charity the money.

The Car arrived finally......

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Miles

Just randomly saw something from Consumer Reports somewhere else tonight that had Audi ranked well enough for reliability so reputation may not be everything. If you find something new enough their standard warranty is 48 months/50k and may have something similar to BMW that lets you extend it direct from manufacture.

Good find. Thanks for the info.

Unless I get iced in here in Texas, I should be back home late tomorrow. I'm going out Friday and driving the Audi A5 here:
http://www.crownaudi.com/used-Tampa+...LFAFR1EA028329

Also the Lexus 350 RC
http://www.lexusofclearwater.com/Veh...FL/2470319073\

While there I'll scope out some other models.

[Miles]

I'd still nudge you towards a S5 vs. an A5 if you go that route but also keep an open mind when driving the A5. Since you haven't locked into what you want just continue to test drive a bunch of stuff. Not only does is help you know you made a good purchase when you do its a good way to drive all of the other offerings for the hell of it.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Good find. Thanks for the info.

Unless I get iced in here in Texas, I should be back home late tomorrow. I'm going out Friday and driving the Audi A5 here:
http://www.crownaudi.com/used-Tampa+...LFAFR1EA028329

Also the Lexus 350 RC
http://www.lexusofclearwater.com/Veh...FL/2470319073\

While there I'll scope out some other models.

The A5 is out. Just not a good fit. Didn't even drive it.

Tried the Porsche and the Corvette. No fit.

The Lexus is off the charts. Took me and my son out. He is a big BMW fan and he was impressed. Said the interior was better than the BMW. It drove like a good sports car. The handling was tight. It rode smooth and low to the road. The cornering was the best I've rode in since I started my search. Definitely still on the short list.

I tried to drive a M3 and a M5 but the dealer didn't have a 335i, M3 or M5 on the lot. None. This was a big dealership. Porshe/VM/BMW. Not a single one on the lot. Not because they are selling that well, but they just don't keep them physically on the lot. The Audi dealer didn't have a S5 on the lot. Is this some trend?

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

The A5 is out. Just not a good fit. Didn't even drive it.

Tried the Porsche and the Corvette. No fit.

The Lexus is off the charts. Took me and my son out. He is a big BMW fan and he was impressed. Said the interior was better than the BMW. It drove like a good sports car. The handling was tight. It rode smooth and low to the road. The cornering was the best I've rode in since I started my search. Definitely still on the short list.

I tried to drive a M3 and a M5 but the dealer didn't have a 335i, M3 or M5 on the lot. None. This was a big dealership. Porshe/VM/BMW. Not a single one on the lot. Not because they are selling that well, but they just don't keep them physically on the lot. The Audi dealer didn't have a S5 on the lot. Is this some trend?

I know BMW dealerships have M allocations and there are M certified dealers. My dealership just happened to be close to their next allocation when I came in, so I was able to get a production date right away, while other people online say they've waited months for their dealer to get one. I assume they're fairly rare, too... the M5 is a $93,000 car.

I built out a few Lexus 350s, but always ended up closer to mid-50s, and when it all started, I was thinking ~$40,000, so I had to draw the line somewhere.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

I know BMW dealerships have M allocations and there are M certified dealers. My dealership just happened to be close to their next allocation when I came in, so I was able to get a production date right away, while other people online say they've waited months for their dealer to get one. I assume they're fairly rare, too... the M5 is a $93,000 car.

I built out a few Lexus 350s, but always ended up closer to mid-50s, and when it all started, I was thinking ~$40,000, so I had to draw the line somewhere.

Thanks for the info on the M scaricity.

What about the 640i? You check into it much? 2012 model
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...89363121&Log=0

[stevieray]

...at this point, I don't care if I ever see another BMW.

[TrebMaxx]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Thanks for the info on the M scaricity.

What about the 640i? You check into it much? 2012 model
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...89363121&Log=0

Those 6 Series are sexy beast.

[MIAdragon]

Originally Posted by stevieray

...at this point, I don't care if I ever see another BMW.

Id like another E30 M3.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Thanks for the info on the M scaricity.

What about the 640i? You check into it much? 2012 model
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...89363121&Log=0

I did not, as I was mostly looking new and those start around $75k. That's a nice deal though... definitely would have considered it for that price and only 26,000 miles.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

The A5 is out. Just not a good fit. Didn't even drive it.

Tried the Porsche and the Corvette. No fit.

The Lexus is off the charts. Took me and my son out. He is a big BMW fan and he was impressed. Said the interior was better than the BMW. It drove like a good sports car. The handling was tight. It rode smooth and low to the road. The cornering was the best I've rode in since I started my search. Definitely still on the short list.

I tried to drive a M3 and a M5 but the dealer didn't have a 335i, M3 or M5 on the lot. None. This was a big dealership. Porshe/VM/BMW. Not a single one on the lot. Not because they are selling that well, but they just don't keep them physically on the lot. The Audi dealer didn't have a S5 on the lot. Is this some trend?

The M3 has even higher bolsters/tighter seats than the 335 sport seats so probably not worth your time.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Thanks for the info on the M scaricity.

What about the 640i? You check into it much? 2012 model
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...89363121&Log=0

This is a 45 minute drive from me. If this fits, this may be the one. Taking the wife and driving down there this afternoon.

[Miles]

How was the 640? Really like the looks after they fixed the back end with the re-style. It's a bigger car but still drives really well. Much better interior than the 3 series and uses higher quality materials like the leather.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Miles

How was the 640? Really like the looks after they fixed the back end with the re-style. It's a bigger car but still drives really well. Much better interior than the 3 series and uses higher quality materials like the leather.

Definitely one of the better BMW back ends.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Miles

How was the 640? Really like the looks after they fixed the back end with the re-style. It's a bigger car but still drives really well. Much better interior than the 3 series and uses higher quality materials like the leather.

Disappointed in the 640i. Way less room on the interior than the 335i and the other BMW models. My shoulder was cramped. I fit fine in the 335i. The 640i drove fantastic. Perfect cruising car. Every kind of luxury right at your fingertips.

Left there and went to the Lexus dealership to drive this RC 350 F Sport. I had no problem fitting in this car. I drove the one in a blue color.

4.5 seconds in the 1/4 mile. It was a very fast little car. It sits low to the ground and corners better than anything I drove.

It has the upgraded suspension, steering and drivetrain. Had all the luxury of 640i in a fast little sports car.

It's listed at $55K so you would expect more than the mid 30's 335i's I've been looking at but this is one sweet ride.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Disappointed in the 640i. Way less room on the interior than the 335i and the other BMW models. My shoulder was cramped. I fit fine in the 335i. The 640i drove fantastic. Perfect cruising car. Every kind of luxury right at your fingertips.

Left there and went to the Lexus dealership to drive this RC 350 F Sport. I had no problem fitting in this car. I drove the one in a blue color.

4.5 seconds in the 1/4 mile. It was a very fast little car. It sits low to the ground and corners better than anything I drove.

It has the upgraded suspension, steering and drivetrain. Had all the luxury of 640i in a fast little sports car.

It's listed at $55K so you would expect more than the mid 30's 335i's I've been looking at but this is one sweet ride.

Too bad on the fit not working for the 640i but probably the most important things is being comfortable sitting in the car. Perfect cursing car is probably how I'd say it as from the several times I have driven one as well.

Not surprising about the luxury interior on the Lexus since they are well known for doing one of the best. Lexus also would likely offer less of the reliability/maintenance cost issues of a German car.

Think the RC F might be the one with the 0-60 of 4.5 but would ignore that and just go off how you like driving it.