(OT) Daily Driver Advice Needed - Under $60k

Isn't it funny how all the ***uar owners have come together to tell Phil he should own one too? We're all holding hands on this advice, Phil.

Brians right, XJR's are cheap:

http://www.texas-cars.com/PublicWeb/UI/WebForms2/InventoryDetail.aspx?id=9508

 

S55 gets my vote, would NEVER own a ***uar. booooooorrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiinnnngggggggggggggggg

 

After a stimulating lunch at "Halloween at Hubbard's", Brian let me drive his XJR back to my office. It had great power in a luxury setting. I am now a convert on the R models only. My brother's old XJ6 and XKS ? (sports car) were pigs that couldn't get out of their own shadow. The Connally leather is nice, but the tranny tunnels are too big. You guys have me thinking.

 

I actually prefer the supercharged I6 XJR over the V8 but that's only because I am a 'boost-head" and it has so many tie's to Jaguar's root's.

 

Check out a late model MB E55. Luxurious and scary fast with 469HP.

 

Step 1; Keep SRT8, add 22" chrome rims.
Step 2; Buy big bold blingy gold chains for around neck.
Step 3; Wear pants at half mast.
You will set the new trend in your 'hood.

Sewiouswy.
Were looking at slightly used LS460s at about that price level.

 

Don't forget PC that alot of what you like is the 'rumble & growl', you aren't going to get that out of a Mini.
I vote M5.

 

A lot of interesting options. I was at a Dodge dealer saturday for a bad smell that ended up being a plastic bag melting on my exhaust pipe, I asked about the Challenger list, and promptly got on it for a refundable $500 fee. Worth keeping my options open, and it might be an easy flip to make a little pocket change. They don't have any info yet on pricing, engines, colors etc, but said the production model will be at car shows in February.

My highest interest so far is:
BMW 335
Corvette
Benz C350.
Challenger

Used high end vehicles scare me a little for out of warranty costs but the ones that sound good are.
Benz S-55 or S600
Benz E-55
***uar R Class
BMW M-5 new or older version.
Lexus LS460 probably too expensive and stodgy.

 

Wife and I have been loving our 07 MazdaSpeed 6

 

Most of the high end cars have at least a 4/50k warranty, so if you buy one 2 years old and only keep them for 2 years, you should be good!

 

Late model C55. Or even better the new C63. I actually like my C better than my E55 I had. Plenty of power, reliable and small enough to flick around. Plus I have always had great service from MB.

 

While most of these are out of the price range in which I would shop, I am a huge fan of used cars. Nice to let someone else eat the depreciation! As for warranty, check around, there are a few nice warranty companies out there.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

 

Update:
Drove a BMW 335 Convertible yesterday and came away quite impressed. Great low end grunt for a little engine. Found out the small twin turbo's are set to help the low end torque, and cut off as the revs rise. It was the sport addition, but the ride wasn't rough, and the sport seats were nice with side bolster adjustment too. List with nav would be in the $57k range. It was quicker than the C350 Benz I drove a few weeks ago. Then while getting the daughter's QX4 inspected saw a black one drive right up to me, and it looked good on the road. It is now the leader in the clubhouse. May drive the Vette next.

Got to see Lee Maas, the original owner of Classic BMW, and reminded him our our little office across 75 from him, and my dad buying a 1973 Bavaria from him. He said "was that a white one ?", which of course it was. A great saleman, cut from the same stock as a Stanley Marcus and Rodger Meier, he still comes in every day, and has a son in the business. The new facility at the Toll Road and Spring Creek is state of the art, but less convenient than the old Richardson spot. Took the 355 out there with the top down, and probably had 15+ salemen go out and check her out.

 

Slap a simple 'boost cotroller' on it and the 335 TT would really shine.

 

Phill, What about the new Camero?

 

I saw it again at the fair and like the looks of it. They say 2009 model, so maybe late 2008? Probably too long a wait.

 

Great sarcasm is alway's appreciated! I hope your not serious??

 

Why wouldn't he be? Phil's already said he's interested in the Challenger


You need to understand that there's a strong musclecar fanbase here also, at least in this area.

 

+1

Don't see what's wrong with the new Camaro. If all goes well, it should turn out to be a great come-back. I, for one, certainly hope so.

 

Sorry I'm just not an 'american made' car fan except for old school ride's. I have never owned an american car and dont plan to start anytime soon, yes I'm biased and dislike the new Camaro immensely, it's fugly imho.

 

I am curious, what is it about american cars that you don't like?

 

Well in my era of growing up nothing was produced that was worth a darn, imho. I tend too like a 'return on my investment' but other than that I just dont care for american automobile's except for a few standout's. Just my preferance that's all.

 

I have always been a big GM fan, but the late 70's and 80's were not good times for car enthusiasts. After my 1977 Delta 88 with the secret Chevy 350, to a couple of the pitiful X-cars. !980 4 speed Citation for Dale, and 1981 Buick Skylark for me. I had 911 Enterprises (still around today) put on a Bilstein Shock package, Recaro Seats and a Momo wheel. I then blacked out my fake aluminum wheel covers for the trim ring lug nut look. Then 1983 Pontiac STE 6000. An attempt at European, but only average. From that to 1986 190E , the "trainer Benz". At least the 90's and especially the 2000's have provided a renaissance in high performance street cars. GM needs to cut it down to 2 or 3 divisions, and bring up the quality.

 

Drove my neighbors new M-5 today, and it disappointed me. Great power, brakes, chubby steering wheel, and seating, but I could not live with the sequential transmission. It was outstanding on downshifts, but I had real trouble starting out smoothly in 1st, and the hesitation, while each shift is completed is too long for me. I would like to try the car in a manual, but I still have not found a F1 tranny I could live with. Full throttle shifts were quick, but even trying the, let off as you shift technique, I couldn't get smooth on the M5 during my 20 minute drive. The owner was behind me having a great time in the 355 Spider, doing a Medical City to Boedecker windy road run. The M5 was going to be a big stretch in the daily driver quest, so it's an easy one to eliminate. After liking the 335 I do plan to test drive the 535 to see how it feels. At least I traded one car nut neighbor (dryhole) for another.