2008 BMW 135i, asking $35,988, 6696 miles, cold weather package, sport package, comfort access, premium hi-fi, 6 speed(might be a tough selling point with wife). 6yr/100K certified used warranty (adds 2 years on after the regular 4yr/50K, covers mechanical stuff, not upkeep or wear/tear, or accessories).
Any negatives to it other than the price? 300 hp, 300 ft-lb, almost the exact options I would spec out.
Also been looking at Mustang GT, Infiniti G37, Genesis coupe. An Accord or Altima makes so much more sense though. Maybe I should just keep the Grand Prix… Nothing about any of these caers makes sense for winter. Or with college coming up next year. Someone set me straight.
I like the 135i, just a little small. I also like the Mustang GT… they did some really nice updates for 2010. (You could get a Mustang GT fully loaded for the price of the used 135i), but I think either of them is a good way to go. Hell, I like the G37’s, too.
If you’re worried about how it will go in the winter, maybe check into a 335xi? Same motor as the 135i, but a 3-series, comes in coupe or sedan (a good bit more space than the 135), and the “x” designation (on all newer BMW’s) stands for AWD.
Crap, looks like the 135i doesn’t have a limited slip differential. It uses traction control and uses the brakes to slow the spinning wheel, which supposedly works fairly well. Not sure I’m thrilled by that. Mustang is probably the least costly. 335 is too much $ for me, and probably so is the 135i and G37 (there are pretty much only AWD G37’s in the Northeast).
I already have my spreadsheet going to figure out invoice price, incentives, warranty comparisons, etc. Didn’t know that BMW has no manufacturer holdback, and Infiniti is only 1% of the base MSRP. Big 3 are 3% of total MSRP, hence why they will sell at or below invoice. Except of course the Camaro, and their ridiculous 20" tires that cost $400. Those two things were enough that it got crossed off the list.
I know these are dumb choices for a daily driver, but I drive almost 50 miles a day, and apparently I’m sometimes “miserable” when I get home, so maybe a fun car would make it better.
Mustang GT is a hell of a nice car, but small in comparison with the Camaro/Challenger. Makes a better handling car due to the lighter weight, though. Not really big enough for a family. The 135 is fugly and smaller thatn the Mustang. The 335 TT is a nice car (A friend has one he’s turning in off of a lease very soon - loves it but time for something else). Used Beemers still bring too much $$. I wouldn’t own one unless it had a factory warranty.
G37 is nice but expensive. Genesis is a great buy for the money. Accord coupe is pretty sweet, too.
If it were me, Mustang GT or Genesis coupe. Both are sweet cars. The Mustang is dead reliable. The Genesis has a great warranty.
You can find other models, too… the 335 is the next step down from an M3. They also make 325xi, 328xi, and 330xi models. Not as quick as the 335 but still probably a killer DD.
I looked at an Accord in the lot, but I think I may have dozed off while checking it out.
Smaller size (& coupe) doesn’t bother me, since my daughter can buckle herself in, and we have the Acadia for family stuff. Kind of ready for something smaller and better handling, but still with grunt. I guess that’s a Mustang. Blasphemy! I’d have to keep it over in bay #1 away from the Firebird or the garage might implode.
Rode in a new 335XI last Saturday. I thought it was going to be a rocket. I wasn’t impressed by any means of the acceleration, but probably because it was so smooth.
