Well I was planning on purchasing a new car beginning of next year anyway, but due to the wreck I was in looks like I will be collecting quite a bit from insurance.

My current car is 97 3.0 CL..love it to death but ready for something new.

Cars I am thinking about... (budget ~25k)

Audi 3.0 A4
Audi TT
350z
G35\G35c
02/03 TL-S
e46 330c\ci
IS300


Whichever I get I am not planning on modding it heavily, maybe rims and some coilovers. Looking for something sporty and luxurious without sacrificing much of either.

I know a lot of you own these cars and was hoping you could shed some insight on how well the cars are holding up and if you are happy with it.
Also if you could purchase again would you?

 

Audi 3.0 A4 - Can't comment here, never driven one.
Audi TT - More sport than luxury.
350z - Luxury who? Interior is blah, IMO. Ride is far from luxury.
G35\G35c - No experience
02/03 TL-S - Good balance of luxury and performance.
e46 330c\ci - Definitely more sporty, but just not as refined as Acura IMO
IS300 - Sporty, not extremely fast, and bad interior.

For $25k in GA you can get a brand new AV6 6spd coupe... not on your list but definitely something you should consider. Since you're thinking about doing suspension mods the AV6's handling could be taken care of and it doesn't sacrifice luxury or safety -- the car has a great interior, is ultra-refined, and in 6spd is very quick (not G35c or anything, but the interior on the AV6 makes up for it).

Edit: I do have an AV6 coupe, but it is an automatic. I'd buy it again (bought it 4/03 $23.9k otd with 01 EX coupe trade). Hands down the best interior in its class and the J30A4 is smooth and plenty powerful. Handling could be better, but as I understand it the 6spd comes with stiffer springs.

 

My vote is for the 02/03 TL-S.

 

If I have to go strictly for cars on your list.

AV6 6spd if you want my personal suggestion. Plenty of power (debatable, but could be quicker than TL-S), fresh interior, excellent safety, manual transmission avoids tranny problems, new voice-recognition navigation system superior to old one, etc.

 

I am assuming these are not brand new ones with 25k budget. I personally like the looks of the audi A4, G35c is really nice. Wont want the TL-S cause of the tranny, 330ci is nice also. If i had to choose it will be 1st. G35c, 2nd 330ci 3rd Audi A4

 

Thanks for comments suggestions, rep points for all.

I should have added the AV6 to the list, didn't cross my mind for some reason. The only thing holding me back from the TL and AV6 right away is the size. And yes with a 25k budget I will not be purchasing new.

 

If you go European, it would be a worthy investment to get an extended warranty. Small things that break (such as BMW window regulators) get pricey very quick. This is only an issue since you are planning to buy used. The TL-S feels a bit bigger than the AV6, but I do see how they both are a bit pudgy in comparison to the others on your list. The added weight and size means dividends in ride quality, though -- something to consider if luxury is the most important. If sport is most important, an IS300 would be a good choice. I'm not into modding, but I understand it has a lot of potential and is a great-handling car factory. It has good looks (from the outside) and Lexus reliability and service.

Anyway, good luck with your purchase and let us know what you decide.

 

i say IS300 if you plan on heavily modding it...the aftermarket support for the 2jz engine is probibly more than the rest of those cars combined. it's not a bad platform to start with for suspension either, and pratical since it's a sedan...

 

Too bad it would take about 8-10k to get a reliable turbo for it.


Audi 3.0 A4
not worth it, get the 1.8t instead

Audi TT- dunno

350z- great car

G35\G35c WIll have to find a higher mileage one for 25k?

02/03 TL-S- Fawk dat

e46 330c\ci WIll have to find a higher mileage one for 25k

IS300- nice car but pricey to make fast


I bet you can get a low mileage A4 1.8t for $25k. Or a Low mileage 350z. Those are the two i would go with.

330ci or G35 if you can get a low mileage one too

How about a used GTO? The LS1 should be cheaper when the LS2 comes out.

 

Umm, it's the other way around man...

Acura is in NO WAY more refined than a BMW.

BMW= better materials, craftmanship, engineering...

Acura=affordable, some options, not as high quality materials


If you spend $30k on a used BMW you'd be WAY better off financially then a new or used Acura.

 

not necessarily...the stage 2 kit from srt is $5,500 shipped...and that's putting down 375 to 420whp http://www.swiftracing.com/

 

Used GS300? Not that sporty but

 

I have a good friend who works at a very nice bmw dealership near me (just got a great deal on my brothers new bmw) so 330 is in the price range with my connection.
I have found 30-40k mile g35's in the price range as well.
Also not planning on modding heavily..maybe rims and coilovers but that would be it.

Thanks again for all your comments and insight, it is greatly appreciated! (more is welcome )

 

I would really look around for a Audi S4 if I had 25k

Im sure you could find one at a dealer that came with an extended warranty. Scalbert just got one but not sure what he paid. I love these cars.

Some I saw were 2000s with around 50K on em with a warr. for about 22k.

I would jump on that if I had 25K to spend.

 

If you look hard enough you may fing a G35 for that amount. But the miles may ba a bit high. Other than that I'd go with the IS300 and spend csome cash in the next couple years to make it faster.

 

'03 CLS 6MT

 

350z>*

 

350 or g coupe

 

03/04 Cobra. Not luxurious but definitely sporty.

 

G35....Def one of the best cars out