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

Discussion in 'Texas' started by DIGMAN52, Oct 25, 2007.

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  1. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
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    #1 DIGMAN52, Oct 25, 2007
    I need the F/chat advisory team's help in my next daily driver decision. The local group, spearheaded by writerguy, came up with my present ride, a 2006 SRT8 Charger that I have had a great time with. Amazing power, brakes, and seating, wrapped up in a Darth Vadar looking body. Even performed well at a road course despite 4,200 lbs. My 2 yr lease is up on April 1st, and althought this is well in advance of that date, if I need to order a car I will need the time.

    I would like to keep the price under $60k for company reasons, but there should be plenty to choose from in that range or less. The Charger has been a little firm riding for some of the ladies in the family, so a little more supple ride would be nice. I am still wavering on 2 or 4 door. I don't haul 4 people often, and have a larger vehicle available when I need one. Here is a list of my last decade of daily drivers, and a few cars I am already thinking about.

    1993 BMW 740i - fun but tranny went out, and thank goodnesss warranty paid for the $15k repair.
    1996 LS 400 Lexus - Boring but quiet and comfy. Lexus has the best service experience out there.
    2000 S430 Benz - Some minor quirks - but great for hauling people
    2003 E500 Benz- Great torque and pep, more minor issues. Quality control lacking.
    2006 SRT8 Charger - My college daughter said "dad, it's so ghetto". Best car in years.

    New car possibilities - 2 doors
    New Challenger coming out in the spring. Looks great, and my same engine. Maybe too much like what I have.
    Corvette - Not sure about sports car for daily driver, but a 2 yr lease could be fun.
    Mini S Works Addn - Really fun to drive, and more room than you think. Several friends swear by them.
    335 BMW Convertible - Hear the new turbo 6 is very nice.

    4 Doors
    BMW 335 Sedan
    C350 Benz - Did a Benz breakfast drive in one 2 weeks ago, and very nice engine and 7 speed auto. Seemed better built than my other Mercedes.
    Lexus GS430 or I-350
    Audi - ? not a fan of the new front end.

    What else is out there that I should be looking at? Thanks.
     
  2. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 TexasF355F1, Oct 25, 2007
    I have the 335 coupe 6spd. It's a great car. I almost went for the sedan myself, but decided being single 2 doors are better while I can. Decent gas mileage. Avg b/w 18-20mpg mostly stop and go driving. If you do do a lot of highway driving you'll see up 20's, a few people have reported getting into the low 30's even.

    I'd check out the IS350's too. Haven't driven one, but they're nice looking cars. Although i think the back doesn't look right to me. My friend has the 250.

    Good luck.
     
  3. justhrowit

    justhrowit Formula 3

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    #3 justhrowit, Oct 25, 2007
    335 coupe, sedan or vert would be my vote...or an M3

    J
     
  4. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #4 rob lay, Oct 25, 2007
    Jennie and I will be looking for a car in the spring that has back seats. Want something with better gas mileage than a truck and something that can be driven daily and long trips. Something cool for car events would be a bonus. Our list now is…

    Maserati (Coupe or GS)
    BMW M5 (previous generation)
    BMW 335
    Mazda 6

    I'm leaning towards Maserati because we could do car events with Mia and not get laughed at too much. Jennie and I are BMW fans and she is leaning that way. Mazda 6 is a great car and will be most economical, which may open doors for a 2+2 Ferrari earlier than later.
     
  5. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 jimpo1, Oct 25, 2007
    I know of a very nice 6 speed Mazdaspeed 6 that will be available in about March. It'll be 2 years old and will likely have something around 20k miles on it. Twin turbos, all wheel drive. It's pretty cool. My brother owns it and his lease will be up.

    Phil, I'll likely be looking at a new car next year as well, and I plan to check out the Infiniti M45. I've been impressed with my wifes Infiniti, I like it enough to consider another. I also like that the M has a V8. :)
     
  6. Bimmerista

    Bimmerista Formula 3

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    #6 Bimmerista, Oct 25, 2007
    Your search is over....


    Pontiac G8 :D
     
  7. greg512tr

    greg512tr Formula Junior
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    #7 greg512tr, Oct 25, 2007
    How about my 2002 Jaguar XJR? Blazingly fast, British luxury, about $80k when new, 390 HP, 39k miles and fun to drive. Just bought a great Range Rover from Jonathan Peck so this needs to go. A LOT of car for $23k...
     
  8. Houston348

    Houston348 Formula 3

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    #8 Houston348, Oct 25, 2007
    I would go with either a nice comfy used CL500 or a new Vette :)
     
  9. -AC

    -AC Formula Junior
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    #9 -AC, Oct 25, 2007
    Audi S5 looks good.
     
  10. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
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    #10 DIGMAN52, Oct 25, 2007
    Jim, I should have included it on my list. Dale drove a M 35 for the last 2 yrs, and now has the G 35 secan. M was a great size, and a very peppy 285hp v6. Wish I had gotten the Nav to get the better Bose with speakers in the top of the seats. I did drive the M45 and M35 back to back, and didn't think the V8 deserved the extra $5k price tag. The family also has a G35 6sp, and Q45 suv in the ranks, so looking for something different. Son in law brand loyalty only goes so far.


    Greg, that Jag interests me, but I spent 10 years ragging my brother about his "***uars" and I don't think I can go there.

    Rob, I forgot about a used Maserati. I know Jonathan has seen some at very low prices. Worry about out of warranty costs.

    I think Uncle Greg will vote Challenger.

    Thanks for the input, this gets me thinking.
     
  11. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 texasmr2, Oct 25, 2007
    I like the idea of the last gen M5.
     
  12. SAFE4NOW

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    #12 SAFE4NOW, Oct 25, 2007
    There are a few still around that you could get for the mid $40's to mid $50's and you are getting alot of car for your money - plus its a sleeper...

    Stev
     
  13. kverges

    kverges F1 Rookie

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    #13 kverges, Oct 25, 2007
    I bought a used Audi A3, loaded with the stuff I wanted, and simply love it. $22K and the bluetooth works flawlessly (my address book entries appear on the instrument cluster and it voice dials to boot), the ride is great, it has 200 hp, comfortable for 4 adults, the hatchback is great for hauling stuff and my dogs to my house at MSR, and I average 27 mpg. I love the Audi interiors and the bells & whistles work perfectly in this car, including the rain-sensing wipers, DSC, xenon lights, even the DICE ipod adaptor works great. For messing around in Dallas traffic, parking at the movies and airport and all the other things that can take the fun out of a more extreme or expensive luxury or sports car, this car is perfect.

    I have the 6- speed, but the DSG is probably even better - I loved it on a test drive.

    My current trend is to be a bit more frugal for DD car and save the money for racing cars, when you can really use the performance. I will probably do a big about-face and have to drive someting stupid on the street next year (and I do drive the Lotus and Gallardo some), but the Audi is great. I like it much better than the A4 and by the time you get to an A6, the frugality is gone and I don't think you get much more in the way of features or luxury for the money.

    And when it rans at MSR - wooohooo in the Audi!

    Close second is the Mini Cooper S - IMO the JCW extras are not worth it at all and you can get 90% there with a pulley and sway bar. My wife has one and Apex Drivng Academy just bought it for a school rental car and she is getting an '08. Less roomy and practical than the A3, more fun and trackable.

    Keith
     
  14. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
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    #14 DIGMAN52, Oct 25, 2007
    Keith, I will research the A3 and good advice on the mini. 3 major car guys I know have used the Mini as a DD for a short term, and that tells me a lot. If Mini, I like the dark blue, but white or black top? No Brit flag thing, but what about the hood stripes?

    Older M5 sounds nice also! I'm really a drag racer at heart, and that would be plenty of punch.

    Oh hell, how about an Ariel Atom. Fun, but not on these crowded roads.
     
  15. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 WJHMH, Oct 25, 2007
    If you can wait until spring, I'd go with the Challenger.
     
  16. rob lay

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    #16 rob lay, Oct 25, 2007
    For my budget, Phil should go for a recent one, I've seen them starting $65k. That car is a luxury beast!
     
  17. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #17 texasmr2, Oct 25, 2007
    WOW they can now be bought in that price range !!! Can I change my suggestion??? LOL
     
  18. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #18 rob lay, Oct 26, 2007
    For a used 2006 one.
     
  19. TexasMike

    TexasMike F1 World Champ

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    #19 TexasMike, Oct 26, 2007
    +1

    We raced (on a track Rob ;)) a Challenge Stradale & a 360 Spider in the new M5 and I was thoroughly impressed. The acceleration and handling is incredible for such a large car.
     
  20. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #20 jimpo1, Oct 26, 2007
    Doh! I forgot about your Nissan connection

    Them's almost fightin' words! Rather than hunt you down and punch you in the nose, I'll console myself with the knowledge that you can never own one based on your historical actions. :p XJR's are great fun. Supremely comfortable, and amazingly fast. A buddy of mine owns an M5 and an X5 4.4. He drove my car for about 30 miles and told me it's the most comfortable car he's ever driven.
     
  21. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
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    #21 DIGMAN52, Oct 26, 2007
    Eeeeexcellent. Something besides the white Ferrari to kid you about. I never knew you were sensitive.
     
  22. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #22 jimpo1, Oct 26, 2007
    I'm not. Ask my wife.
     
  23. greg512tr

    greg512tr Formula Junior
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    #23 greg512tr, Oct 26, 2007
    Ok Jim, I will hold him down and you can punch him:) A used XJR is a lot of bang for the buck but it would be painful to have bought a new one and watch the daily depreciation.
     
  24. shaggysatx

    shaggysatx Karting

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    #24 shaggysatx, Oct 26, 2007
    You may be able to still pick up an 07 CTS-V to have for a couple of years before the 09's come out. I've ridden in both an 04 and an 07 and the 07 is considerably nicer all around.

    I haven't gotten to test drive or ride in the new 08 CTS's but they are surely marketing the hell out of them.
     
  25. B.Ratcliff

    B.Ratcliff Formula 3
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    #25 B.Ratcliff, Oct 26, 2007
    My vote:

    #1) ***uars XJR - very fast. New body style (2004 and newer) can be easily found under $50k.
    Car and driver road test on the 2005. 0-60 in 4.7sec and 1/4 mile in 13.20. For a 4k lb sedan, thats fast.

    #2) S55 AMG - very fast as well. Can also be found under $50K.
    493 hp
     
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