New Car thread: Test Driving

[morbo]

Considerations

-M45-S
-M35-S OUT OF THE RUNNING
-RL OUT OF THE RUNNING
-LS460
-G37-S Coupe
-BMW 535i
-C63 AMG
-Audi A8
-Audi S5/A5

Test Driven
-M45 (Not yet. None available in SATX currently)
-M35 (Decent car. A lot better than the i [obviouslly] but I saw the limits of the v6 at about 75-80mph.)
-LS460 (AWESOME car. Just like the LS430, except much more modern and beefier. I look forward to checking out the AWD before I commit to it, however)
-G37-S (Not yet.)
-RL (Handles the best of any car driven so far. [didn't get a chance to drive the AWD LS460, comparing it to the RWD] Just to damn slow. the v6 is a bit beefier than the m35/i35 but not by much. If/When the v8 makes it to the RL, I have a baseline to compare it to)

So basically I've only test driven the LS460. I phuckin love it! It is, however, about 15k more than any of the other cars I'm considering. We will have to see if when I get ready to buy what the prices are, and maybe I can get an '07 to save some money.


I REALLY want an m45-S (AWD). The v8 is soooooooo mean, but from what I've read it has some problems burning oil. I'm not ooposed to a Q45 either, but they have not re-released them yet. Once the new Q's hit the market, I will probably add that to the list if I haven't purchased yet.


Thoughts? Ideas? Anyone have a suggestion for another car to consider?

[B+O]

You car selection is all over the board, i have no clue what you're looking for in a car..you've got luxury sedans, near luxury sedans, Sports cars and luxury Sports sedans all in the mix...

even have some upper and lower-tier cars going head to head...i.e M35 vs. LS460.


What are you looking for in a car?

[tnelson]

Gotta agree with Ivan, I cant tell what you want. I think thats the first thing to do is decide on a sports sedan vs large luxury cruiser, then figure out which one fits your needs best.

[NuclearSymphony]

Are European cars out of the mix?

[samblaze]

I do tend to agree that your selections seems rather wide at the moment. It's easier if you lay down some general ground rules for a car search....sedan/coupe, near lux/sport, bbv8/sportyv6 etc. Of course test driving lots of different models helps one set up these ground rules...

[Clarendon]

where do I go on this site to place a new post.. I am new..

thank you your help

[samblaze]

Originally Posted by Clarendon

where do I go on this site to place a new post.. I am new..

thank you your help

Do you mean a new thread? What you just typed IS a post. Select the appropriate forum and then look for the thread starter link towards the top. FYI it is considered thread-hijacking to ask off-topic questions in someone else's thread.

[morbo]

I looked @ the G35 coupe before I bought my I. I want to re-visit the G37 and see if it appeals to me. I don't think it will, but I haven't checked it out yet.

I went into all of this WANTING an m45 awd. The more I consider it, however, the less attracted I am (oil burning, fuel economy, "gas guzzler" tax, etc).

The m35-s appeals to me because it's sporty, luxurious, and the styling is on-par with the LS 460 (atleast I think it is).

The Rl is being considered because, well, it's an Acura. I could always buy one and re-badge it as a Legend

If I had the money, I would buy an LS460 right now. I have always loved the RWD v8, the amazing ride comfort, the amazing ammenties, and the uber-quiet ride.

The other Lexus vehicles don't appeal to me: the GS is too "bubbley", the ES is not much of an improvement on what I have now (i35), and the IS is a bit too sporty for my liking.

I realize I'm all over the map, but I'm marking vehicles off pretty quickly.

What do I want?

-Luxury Ride
-Big Body
-Modern Ammenities
-High reliability

[samblaze]

NuclearSymphony's got a point: Are Euro cars out of the question? Given your criteria I don't think the G37 even needs to be on that list (no lux ride, no big body). I also think of you're planning on keeping the car for 4 years+ and driving it a lot (ie fuel consumption is an issue) then I would seriously reconsider V8's (esp the oil burning M45, although I have only second hand knowledge of this issue). Having said that the LS460 is probably the smoothest V8 I have ever driven and it just makes the logical 'view' of fuel economy disappear when you drive it . I would say (since you're not into the GS) it comes down to the M35, RL and the LS460 as the expensive dark horse imho. If you're financing the deal then the latter two choices hold their value best out of the list

[NuclearSymphony]

Originally Posted by morbo

The Rl is being considered because, well, it's an Acura. I could always buy one and re-badge it as a Legend

A man after my own heart! Hope I get to see that . . . way too few KB1 Legends running around here

Originally Posted by morbo

What do I want?

-Luxury Ride
-Big Body
-Modern Ammenities
-High reliability

Hate to say it, but you've just described the larger BMWs/Audis/Mercs.

[morbo]

I'm not totally opposed to a Euro....

Problem with euro I have is 2 fold:

1) They're too god-damn common. Everyone has a 5/7 Series. An A8 is a bit out of my price range
2) I'd love a C63 AMG - but uhhhhhhhh...price?

Gimme some Euro suggestions that have at minum:

-20mpg
-High-end v6/beefy v8
-Technology package worth a damn (hdd nav, ipod intergration, bluetooth, etc)
-Wood. Wood. and more Wood.
-Reliability to match or beat the Japanese counterparts

Euros are not my strong suit. throw a suggestion or 2 my way.

[CEN2MENTAL95]

Originally Posted by morbo

I'm not totally opposed to a Euro....

Problem with euro I have is 2 fold:

1) They're too god-damn common. Everyone has a 5/7 Series. An A8 is a bit out of my price range
2) I'd love a C63 AMG - but uhhhhhhhh...price?

Gimme some Euro suggestions that have at minum:

-20mpg
-High-end v6/beefy v8
-Technology package worth a damn (hdd nav, ipod intergration, bluetooth, etc)
-Wood. Wood. and more Wood.
-Reliability to match or beat the Japanese counterparts

Euros are not my strong suit. throw a suggestion or 2 my way.

thats an oxymoron....you can't have reliability in a big body euro platform nor can you get 20mpg....

[morbo]

Originally Posted by CEN2MENTAL95

thats an oxymoron....you can't have reliability in a big body euro platform nor can you get 20mpg....

Thanks for being a dick. Did you completely discard the statement "Euros are not my strong suit"

I DID notice however, you have no suggestions for me. Thanks for nothing.

[morbo]

I updated the lit at the top:

The m35 is out of the running.

The LS460 still leads the pack. But the price point may knock it down to #2 behind the m45 (test driving one Wednesday)

I also jut discovered the m45 doesn't offer a "sport" [S] option package. They, do, however offer AWD.

I think I might go check out the RL on the way home. I'm not too optimistic about it, but I want to drive it before I discard it.


I'd love to go with a C63 AMG. Can I afford one? P H U C K no.

[stoffius]

Have you given the Hyundai Genesis a thought? You can talk all the smack you want, this thing is impressive! It has everything you're looking for and costs $38K fully loaded.

375HP V8 RWD Sedan