It was time to replace my 9 year old Civic Sedan so I decided to get a used sporty sedan. After driving the Saab 9-3, Audi A4, Acura TSX and Mazda 6 I was less than impressed to say the least, but thought I had found a winner when I checked out an '04 Bmw 325i. It just drove so much better and felt more responsive than all the others. I waited weeks for the right deal, but I just kept finding ads with prices higher than blue book value. I also felt I was making too many compromises by stripping all options to keep the price down (the wife had arbitrarily decided $20K was the limit and was pretty anti-BMW) and I wasn't very psyched with the prospect of BMW repair costs and their lousy stereos.

Then one day I see a loaded 2003.5 G35 5AT sedan on craigslist for $22K. The mileage was listed at 16,500. Hmmmm, somehow this vehicle had totally slipped under the radar as an option but after some extensive internet research (including a thorough perusal of this forum) I figured at this price I'd have to check it out. I met the guy selling it, arranged a test drive and we were off. Immediately, I knew this was a BMW contender at the least and judging by the plushy comfort it was quickly becoming my new favorite. After gunning it around a corner to the interstate on-ramp and then effortlessly merging across 3 lanes it just about blew me away. OK man, just one question, why is it a few grand under blue book and the mileage so low? Well, turns out it was rear-ended by a teenage punk shortly after he bought it but had the body work done tight by the dealer and all seemed swell again. Living in the city, and public transporting to work, he just wasn't driving it enough to justify the lien payments. Well, it that case, would you be willing to take $21,500? He sure was and after my mechanic gave it the go ahead (and told me he'd have bought it himself if it was the coupe) it became mine.

It was 3 weeks before I got to take it out of town on the country roads and really began to appreciate its nimble character. I've put 1500 miles on it and love getting behind the wheel every time. I'm 6' 4" and after years in the cramped Civic, the power driver's seat continues to amaze me and my back. I don't dare raise it any higher though, unless I want to poke my head out the sun-roof. Backseat riders emit a chorus of "NO WAY!" when I tell them to recline their seats and the 16 year old kid next door who has ignored me every time I say hello suddenly said "That's a nice car man!"

The brakes are starting to squeal a bit and it's a killer at the gas pump, but I wouldn't trade this ride for anything. Every time I see another G35, I feel like Larry David in his Prius - I just have to wave. The best part? It came with this unique G35 key chain with blue LED headlights.
<img src="http://members.verizon.net/~astitt/car/keychain.jpg" />The nifty keychain (but does it come in sedan??)
<img src="http://members.verizon.net/~astitt/car/mine5.jpg" />Camped out
<img src="http://members.verizon.net/~astitt/car/mine3.jpg" />The Original ad pic

 

That is a killer deal. Congrats...I have a civic too and it sure is a difference in power.

 

Great deal. That keychain must be worth a lot as well. lol