Pfft. CTS-V is faster then the M3 and not much more expensive then the M3.
Plus, getting mods for the Small Block V8 is easy and for relatively cheap mods, will get you big power gains.
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Need help choosing new car.
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Pfft. CTS-V is faster then the M3 and not much more expensive then the M3.
Plus, getting mods for the Small Block V8 is easy and for relatively cheap mods, will get you big power gains.
Its not like he's rich, he only makes $180k a year. Yeah, its a nice income, but I wouldn't put him in the "having money" category. I know lawyers that had starting salaries higher than that.
As for what car to buy, I'd buy an SL500 or an SL550 if I could find one used. Its fast, the hardtop convertible is great, and it handles really well.
Which ever one will get you the most chicks (or guys, depending on your persuasion).
I'll second the CL as well. They're great cars, fast and very comfortable (significantly more comfortable than the SL, IMO). They are heavy though, don't handle as well as the SL or the OPs current M3. I really enjoyed driving the CL600, would make a great daily driver while still maintaining the fun factor and having a backseat, just incase (though it is small).
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I don't see the reason for the backlash against mentioning his income, or why he decided to ask for car advice at MR, tbh. Knowing his salary helps us give him advice on cars, and unless you're new/newish here, some people here give pretty reasonable car advice. I guess computer geeks may also follow cars and other tech.
As for the car options, the Merc looks better, while the BMWs will probably drive better. I'd opt for an M3 though. Anything beyond that, and you're just paying for a 2-door saloon.
I don't see the reason for the backlash against mentioning his income, or why he decided to ask for car advice at MR, tbh. Knowing his salary helps us give him advice on cars, and unless you're new/newish here, some people here give pretty reasonable car advice. I guess computer geeks may also follow cars and other tech.
As for the car options, the Merc looks better, while the BMWs will probably drive better. I'd opt for an M3 though. Anything beyond that, and you're just paying for a 2-door saloon.
Eh, people get jealous real fast, hence the backlash.
BTW, in the OP's shoes, I picked the IS F. Way more reliable, no gas guzzler tax, and a much nicer interior than the M3. And really, in everyday driving for over a year, I've only had one encounter with a car in the same league speed-wise. If forced to pick from that list, I'd go SL, though there is going to be a redesign right around the corner and it depreciates like a rock as it is.
agreed - you are all over the map here. From an m3 to a 7 series?? What are you looking for a car?
Guys. I live in Singapore and my paycheck is in Singapore dollars. ( USD$10715 ) which isn't as much as compared to others. Why do some of you guys have to flame me for it? I'm not here to brag or anything, I'm just asking for your opinion. I listed my job so that you guys would not need to ask me what job I had that earned this amount of money. Anyway, I'm looking for a decent sports car and I've decided to get rid of the 7 series.
Here are my current choices.
BMW M3
BMW M5
BMW M6
SL 500
or a CL 500.
Thoughts?
I'm not here to brag or anything, I'm just asking for your opinion. I listed my job so that you guys would not need to ask me what job I had that earned this amount of money. Anyway, I'm looking for a decent sports car and I've decided to get rid of the 7 series.Here are my current choices.
BMW M3
BMW M5
BMW M6
SL 500
or a CL 500.
Thoughts?
Guys. I live in Singapore and my paycheck is in Singapore dollars. ( USD$10715 ) which isn't as much as compared to others. Why do some of you guys have to flame me for it?
Here are my current choices.
BMW M3
BMW M5
BMW M6SL 500
or a CL 500.
Thoughts?
I said M5 or M6 cause I can't fit in a 3, lol!
Buying decision? Sounds a tad bit like a ego on overdrive... In any event have you considered buying something more reasonable in today's market? If you live in this nation (United States) there are cars just as effective (equal or comparable horsepower and performance) that are American-made and employ American workers. That said, I fail to understand the desire to own a performance car such as those above (or equal American made) when you'll not even use its performance capability? Where can you get it out on the road out of third gear (do over 90 mph)? Not legal on most of east coast and only parts of the American plains where you could justify such speed or performance! It seems a bit like owning a Core 2 Duo Processor computer chip and never using it (or using it specifically to read e-mail!). Can't really justify such a performance... especially in a car today, in my opinion... Anyway, I think the cars above you cite are more ego fulfillment and more reasonable, less expensive vehicles exist that would be more utilitarian...
Some people like cars man, don't be such a downer. Why do others collect top of the line watches? Why do people buy high end computers when all they do is surf the net and listen to music? Just because you don't understand why people like fast comfortable cars doesn't mean they should go out and get something more utilitarian to suit your taste or that they're fulfilling their ego.
As for the new list, I would go for either one of the Mercedes, but most likely the CL500.
The thread OP specifically asked for public comment, to wit, "Please help me with my buying decision," thus my comments submitted. It wouldn't have been an honest reply had I held back and simply parroted the author's thoughts. Moreover, my post was not meant as a downer in any event; with credit hard to obtain, more local police enforcing local speed limits, and high-performance, high-end vehicles becoming increasingly costly, the idea of driving for show as opposed to driving for utility is loosing market share so to speak.
If you are considering new cars on that list, then you can't afford it given your salary. Heck, I make several times your salary and outside of the M3, I don't think I could afford those cars.
Even if you are considering used, those cars cost a lot to maintain and repair and they are not known for their reliability. Oil changes are going to run $300+. Repairs on those cars can run into several thousand dollars.
In addition to the cost of the car itself, you have to factor in insurance costs which can be substantial (I pay about $4500 a year and I have no accidents in over 15 years), maintenance costs (tires on one of my cars runs about $1600 a set and last about a year), gas mileage (those cars are all gas hogs), etc. Owning a nice car goes WAY, WAY beyond just buying it.
Given your salary, you should be looking more at the M3, C63, ISF, SLK, Z4, S5, etc.
Guys. I live in Singapore and my paycheck is in Singapore dollars. ( USD$10715 ) which isn't as much as compared to others. Why do some of you guys have to flame me for it?
Here are my current choices.
BMW M3
BMW M5
BMW M6
SL 500
or a CL 500.
Thoughts?
M3 for track/sports car use. M5 is more of a saloon which is dead sexy but I'd only get if you needed the room.
The M6 is fast - I can personally vouch for that (200+ km/h!). Beautiful IMO.
SL 500, not bad, I'd prefer a Bimmer though. Same goes for the CL.
What do you need the car for? Do you have kids? Is this a weekend car? Do you often need extra space? We need more information.
All three are a bad choice, the M5 is horrid, way to jerky around town and while very quick it has shocking reliability with the electrics. And the new F10 or replacement 5 series is around the corner So you'll be stuck with a new... old looking car. And when the new M5 comes out then you'll realy regret having bought it.
The CL is very nice but dated and there's no way you could go from thinking about an M5 to a CL500. the 600 is way nicer and then you you want performance then you should be looking at the CL63 or 65 AMG the 65 is biturbo.
And the new 7 series is one ugly car, again with horrid electrics plus all the new bmw's have an active sleep mode and it's already stranded some cars on the side of the road. and no one really knows yet how these will hold out to real world use. plus the 760 is due out soon so the 750 residual will be hit by about 10%.
Personally if you've that much money to play with, then hold off or Go for another M3. the difference between the new M3 and previous model is staggering. Hard to believe the two cars carry the same badge.
The CL is very nice but dated and there's no way you could go from thinking about an M5 to a CL500. the 600 is way nicer and then you you want performance then you should be looking at the CL63 or 65 AMG the 65 is biturbo.
And the new 7 series is one ugly car, again with horrid electrics plus all the new bmw's have an active sleep mode and it's already stranded some cars on the side of the road. and no one really knows yet how these will hold out to real world use. plus the 760 is due out soon so the 750 residual will be hit by about 10%.
Personally if you've that much money to play with, then hold off or Go for another M3. the difference between the new M3 and previous model is staggering. Hard to believe the two cars carry the same badge.
Just for driving around and speed, because I usually drive to other Asia countries for mini races and yes, I have 1 kid. It's my everyday car besides my wife's Dodge for weekends.
Here is list of the fastest cars in the WORLD!!!!!
and the number in the beggining is how fast it can go in 0-60, then the name, then the year...and the price.....
NOTE THEIR IS NO BMW M SERIES!!!!!
2.4 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport 2009 2.4 2.5 $2,000,000 [3]
3.1 Nissan GT-R 2010 3.1 3.2 80,790
3.1 Ferrari 430 Scuderia 2008 3.1 3.2 282,306
3.14 Ferrari Enzo 2004 3.14[7] 3.3[8] 643,330[9]
3.3 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 2009 3.3[10] n/a 103,970
3.3 Ford GT 2006 3.3[11] n/a
3.3 Noble M400 2007 3.3[12] n/a
3.3 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 2007 3.3 3.3[13]
3.3 Noble M12 GTO-3R 2005 3.3[14] n/a
3.4 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 2009 3.4[15] 3.7[16]
3.4 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera 2007 3.4[17] 3.8[16]
3.4 Mercedes-AMG CLK GTR 1998 n/a 3.4[18]
3.4 Porsche 911 Turbo 2007 3.2[19] 3.4[20] 128,700
3.48 Westfield Megabusa 2006 n/a 3.48[21]
3.5 Porsche 911 GT1 n/a 3.5 3.5
3.5 Porsche Carrera GT 2005 3.5[22] 3.5 448,400
3.5 Dodge Viper SRT-10 2008 3.5[23] n/a
3.5 Ferrari 430 Scuderia (European spec) 2007 n/a 3.5[24]
3.5 Bristol Fighter T 2007 n/a 3.5[25]
3.5 Jaguar XJ220 1994 n/a 3.5[26]
3.5 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR FQ400 2005 n/a 3.5[27]
3.5 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR FQ400 2009 n/a 3.5 79,015
3.5 Noble M15 2006 n/a 3.5[29]
3.5 RMC Scorpion 2008 3.5[30] n/a
3.6 TVR Sagaris 2006 n/a 3.6
3.6 Porsche 959 1986 3.6[31] n/a
3.6 Bugatti EB110 2006 n/a 3.6[32]
3.6 Fisker Tramonto 2006 n/a 3.6[33]
3.6 Pagani Zonda F Clubsport 2006 n/a 3.6[34]
3.68 TVR Tuscan S 2004 n/a 3.7 [35]
3.7 Ferrari F50 1997 3.8[36] 3.7[36]
3.7 Ascari KZ1 2006 3.7[37] n/a
3.7 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2006 n/a 3.7[38]
3.7 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano 2006 3.7[39] n/a
3.7 Tesla Roadster Sport 2009 n/a 3.7[40] 128,500
3.8 Ferrari F40 1992 3.9[31] 3.8[41]
3.8 Lotec Sirius 2007 n/a 3.8[42]
3.8 Maserati MC12 2004 n/a 3.8[43]
3.8 Evans 486 LM 2006 3.8[44] n/a
3.8 Invicta S1-600 2006 n/a 3.8[45]
3.8 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 2006 n/a 3.8[46]
3.85 Lamborghini Diablo SV 1999 3.85[47]
3.9 Cadillac CTS-V 2009 3.9[48] n/a
3.9 Corvette C5 Z06 2004 3.9[49]
3.9 Gillet Donkervoort 1990 n/a 3.9[50]
3.9 B Engineering Edonis 2001 3.9[51] n/a
3.9 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM 2003 n/a 3.9[52]
3.9 Lotus Exige 240R 2005 3.9[53] n/a
3.9 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR FQ360 2007 3.9[54] n/a
3.9 Tesla Roadster 2008 4.0[55] 3.9[56] 109,000
I lived in Singapore for 3 yrs before moving to the US. I never ever had a need for owning a car at all. this was due to the huge amount of public transportation as opposed to the place where i live now in the US. I knew only one person who owned a car in Singapore and he had a nice comfy mercedes( can't remember model tho). A car was the most pointless investment ever in Singapore LOL. That said,if u want something nice, go for a newer M3 or a mercedes CL series like everyone else is saying.
