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......

[Miles]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Yes, sorry a typo. Same one.

Sport package comes with high bolster seats vs. standard which are more traditional. That looks like it has the better M Sport package which is as little better than the standard sport package as well as less common. Trying to recall what it involved over the sport package but at least the front and rear bumpers, and I think lower side panels (whatever those are called). Maybe exhaust or suspension tweaks but not sure.

In short, if the sport seats don't work for you its not your only option.

[TrebMaxx]

It took me awhile to get my 3 series seat just right by playing with the settings. At first is was like the seat just adjusted in too many ways but I finally hit it. I also like the feature to have my settings and my wife's settings saved and they adjust by who is driving the car.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

2015 2 series was too small for my tastes.

2014 BMW335i was one sweet ride. Best handling car I've ever driven, well besides the Lamborghini. The steering wheel responds to the slightest movement. You move that steering wheel, you'd better be wanting to turn the car that way. Very responsive to the drivers movements.

The turbo activation was on the floor and on the steering wheel.

Very quiet on the highway, The ride was very smooth. Took the bumps very well. The interior was full of leather. Didn't care for the wood trim but overall top notch.

The only problem I had was with the drivers seat. It has those seats that come out on sides that are suppose to secure you better in the seat. But, probably because of my big ass, their was more weight on the sides than the actual seat back. Just felt weird. Maybe its just those new seats and it just takes getting use to?

My friend told me the exact amount the dealership paid for the car at auction. It was a one owner lease. Has a total mechanical coverage through 2016. Transmission, engine and electrical through 100K miles.

They would make $3K on the deal. Only give me $4K on my Mustang.

Yeah, it's a pretty sweet ride (I've always thought wood trim in cars looked odd). I'm so used to wind noise in my car, it'll be a huge upgrade. I'm curious about the sport seats on longer road trips... I thought they were more comfortable than they look (for a twig), but only for ~15 minutes at a time. Carmax is a good second option for a trade in... I think you can walk in and get a 30 minute appraisal and offer that's good for a week.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Miles

Sport package comes with high bolster seats vs. standard which are more traditional. That looks like it has the better M Sport package which is as little better than the standard sport package as well as less common. Trying to recall what it involved over the sport package but at least the front and rear bumpers, and I think lower side panels (whatever those are called). Maybe exhaust or suspension tweaks but not sure.

In short, if the sport seats don't work for you its not your only option.

yeah maybe the sport seats don't fit big dudes as well as the standard seats?

[Miles]

Did a quick look at BWM dealers in your area an found this for an example. The 335is was a late model add that fell between the 335i and M3. Harder to find since production was more limited but seems deprecitaion has put them about the same as a loaded 335i (and 335is are almost all loaded by default). Big difference include the dual clutch transmission out of the M3 (DCT has instant shifts and feels more like a manual except for the clutch/shifting part). Also has some extra power, exhaust sound and body kit.

http://www.tombushbmw.com/certified/...e784484667.htm

Some info:
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/28/f...-a-special-on/

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

I'm so used to wind noise in my car, it'll be a huge upgrade.

It was very noticeable. Very quiet ride.

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Yeah, it's a pretty sweet ride (I've always thought wood trim in cars looked odd).

Why is this still a thing in 2015? I don't get it.

Originally Posted by Bearcat

I'm curious about the sport seats on longer road trips... I thought they were more comfortable than they look (for a twig), but only for ~15 minutes at a time.

Thats what caused me a little concern. They were fine on the trial ride. But what about the 35 minute drive back and forth each day?

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Simply Red

That black sapphire metallic is a beautiful color though. Man.

agreed. Fantastic color. I also saw one of those blue colored BMW's on the lot. It looked way better in person that in that pic that was posted in this thread.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

yeah maybe the sport seats don't fit big dudes as well as the standard seats?

The high bolsters are basically meant to hold you in place when cornering by hugging your sides. I have heard bigger dudes complain this doesn't exactly always work as planned for them. If you want to see regular seats as an example the 328s will be more likely to have them.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Miles

The high bolsters are basically meant to hold you in place when cornering by hugging your sides. I have heard bigger dudes complain this doesn't exactly always work as planned for them.

Ahhhh so I'm not the only one.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

agreed. Fantastic color. I also saw one of those blue colored BMW's on the lot. It looked way better in person that in that pic that was posted in this thread.

Yeah, I warmed up to it quite a bit after seeing it in person... there's an Estoril Blue I and II, with II being darker, so Google results are mixed with some pics (either Estoril I or in direct sunlight) that make it look really light. Hadn't ever debated a single car color so much, even though it was down to red or blue for me, since I've driven black or silver for the past ~16 years.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

agreed. Fantastic color. I also saw one of those blue colored BMW's on the lot. It looked way better in person that in that pic that was posted in this thread.

Metallic black is a little less of a pain in the ass for upkeep and will a little dirt still looks ok. Jet black is the ultimate pain in the ass and would avoid since it shows EVERY defect in the paint.

[Simply Red]

This one or Bearcat's?

[Simply Red]

Originally Posted by Miles

http://www.tombushbmw.com/certified/...e784484667.htm

oh boy - Dual Clutch too.

[Simply Red]

you tune that DCT - and then you're talking - wow - that would be a GREAT platform for a tune.

[BigRedChief]

Here's a bad pic of the Challenger. They haven't even really processed the car into the lot yet.