lol

 

That is funny. Why bother just get a Vette.

 

I sat in a CTS-V and the quality was quite impressive (relative to what I've heard). I'd give it a test drive before discounting the caddy. 4 doors and a corvette engine sounds like a nice mixture to me. I just wish it was in my price range! Good luck!

 

How about a used M5? I looked at an '02 this weekend with 30,000 miles for about $45,000. It was at a dealer so I'm sure you could find a better deal.

Kevin

 

I have to agree. If it's power you want, a used E55 or M5 is probably the way to go. I'm Canadian as well, so I know how ridiculous the prices are for these cars new, but I'm pretty sure you can get a used current generation E55 for the price of a new S4. I don't think I'd buy a car in automatic, but you can't beat the pulling power of the E55.

If you're willing to wait, I'm pretty sure the next gen M3 will be available in a 4 door version again (i think the naming convention means it'll be a M4.. at least they were considering this at one point).

By the way, the Elise and Vette are totally different cars. The Elise is ridiculously light and nimble. Think go kart on steroids. Although I fully appreciate the virtues of the Vette (particularly Z06), I'd give my left nut for an Elise in Exige form!

 

Sounds good on paper but in reality not so good. I bought a 95 6 spd 540i in 98 thinking the same thing, but in 3 yrs I had a 6 yr old BMW with 80K miles, out of warranty, and repairs became very expensive. The difference in depreciation between yrs 1 to 3 compared to 3-6 is not as big as one would think as these cars continue to depreciate heavily between yrs 3-6.

 

If I'm getting a two door I'd definately go Vette Z06, I wouldn't be caught dead in the Elise. I think it looks ridiculous. IMO

I'm not buying german used. I know people that have them and they seem to need to get a loan each time they get their car fixed.

The E55 AMG is pretty awesome 8.5lbs per horse and 7.73lbs per ft/lbs of torque. The C55 AMG is 9.7lbs per horse and 9.4lbs per ft/lbs of torque.

Compared to the Audi S4 M: 11.32lbs per horse and 12.748lbs per ft/lbs of torque.

Compared to the G35 6MT sedan: 11.79lbs per horse and 13.52lbs per ft/lbs of torque.

These numbers are the best indication. The question is then drive train efficiency, you gotta think the S4 being AWD is the least efficient. The question would be: Is the Mercedes with the automatic tranny as efficient or more efficient than the G in the drive train?

As powerful as the E55 AMG is I'm a little concerned with size and it weighing 470 lbs more than the G. I still want the car to be nimble not a tank on the road.

Of course the E55 AMG is out of my price range new so the C55 AMG seems to be the only option at this time.

It would be nice if the M3 comes with a 4 door and a V8. 6 cyl aren't made for 4 people in the car, period.

 

I hear you on the Z06. But if we're talking 2 door, there are lots of fun options out there. Unfortunately, my wife and child may not approve

I also hear you on the maintenance cost of the used German cars. I used to have a 3 series and my dad has a 540i. Having said that, if you can get a certified model, you can get an extended warranty that takes you out to 6 or 7 years. Yes, you pay a little more for it, but well worth it.

When you test drive the C55, let us know how it runs. I've never driven one, but I imagine it's a rocket, and has gobs of torque.

I'm hoping and praying that the new M3; (a) comes in 4 doors, and (b) is not fugly. If so, it'll likely be my next car. Of course, I've just purchased a bunch of mods for the G, so I may have to wait a while to justify the purchase

Good luck with your purchase.

 

Just called down to the Mercedes dealer. They told me they never have the AMGs in stock so a test drive is out of the question.


But.....

Mercedes is bumping up to a 6.3L.

So 2007-2008 should see a C63 AMG. And get this: he said ruffly the same price as the C55 AMG as long as the Canadian dollar holds. I find this really really hard to believe.

480hp and 450 ft/lbs of torque.

http://www.eurocarblog.com/post/40/m...on=notify_post

I don't think a qualify as a preferred customer though.

 

Sounds like fun in the winter!

That certainly would be a beast of a car. Although based on what this dealer is saying, there are a whole bunch of people out there who are buying these cars without ever test driving them? This always amazes me.

Reminds me of the Subaru dealer that told me they don't allow people to test drive the STI because it's so powerful. WTF? Okay, next dealer.

 

If you let them run your credit rating (they do this when you give them your drivers liscense and they disappear for a couple minutes to "get the dealer plate") they would have let you drive the STI - if you have good credit.

 

This guy never even offered to look at my license. Funny though, I've test driven countless cars, and they've never checked my credit rating for a test drive. Keep in mind I'm in Canada so things may be a little different here. As far as I know, they're just photcopying it, so that they have a way of tracking you down if you don't come back with it.

The Infiniti dealer had no trouble with me test driving the G, and it's not significantly different in terms of price. The argument from the dealer wasn't about price, but instead was about me not being able to 'handle' such a powerful car.

I'm also pretty sure he didn't think I was a punk, given that I'm in my early thirties and was there with my wife.

By the way, my credit is excellent

 

^ They cant run your credit without your approval! Amount of credit-requests come up in your credit history. Many credit requests show as a needy person, therefore, running credit on you everytime you want a testdrive is really bad on you!

 

^+1