Just like the Olympics, my dad gets a new car every 4 years. So now that his lease is up in a few months, it's time to look again. Help me get some ideas.

This is the list so far:

G35
IS350
330i
300C/Charger
RX8
Legacy GT

First three are the strongest. The G35 is fast and cheap(for it's class), the IS350 is fast as long as you don't have to turn but expensive as hell, the 330i is just an incredible machine and words simply don't do justice. It's my personal favorite.

The last three are kinda weird darkhorses that my dad tends to like. He has a secret muscle car fetish, hence the 300/Charger. I think it;s because theyre cheap muscle. SRT-8 or bust is my opinion. RX8 is a cool sports car with a back seat, and the Legacy has him hooked. Then again he had a Legacy Turbo way back when, so I'm not suprised.

So, gimme some suggestions. I will not accept the TL as a legit suggestion because I'm done with FWD and hated the gobs of torque steer(and so did Big Poppa). Plus I don't own DVD Audio discs, so Eliot Shiner can suck my nads. I don't care if its 10 grand less than a 3 series, it just doesnt give me a boner and thats all that matters.

I'd love a used S2K or NSX(like he used to have) but I think he needs a car that is winter-safe as well.

His current car is a 2003 530i, so remember it's got to live up to one hell of a car.

 

2.5gt Ftw!!!!!

 

The new 3 series sedan is pretty ugly. If he chose the coupe I'd say yes.

 

I would pick those in that order.

Though going from a 5 to a 3 may be a little strange.

 

Dark colours mask the awful flame surfacing. Besides, you don't see it's ugliness when you drive it

2.5GT is incredible, it's just got a small backseat. If the car is gonna be manual, it's near the top of the list. Auto 2.5GT is poo unfortunately.

Nelson-suprisingly it wasn't that bad. I found the new 3 to be closer to the E39 5 than the new E60 5. That is a fucking WEIRD car, and I hated driving it. Especially iDrive. The E39 felt like a razor sharp tool, in the same way a Miata or a Boxster does. The E60 just feels like a Benz E-Class.

 

It depends on whether he wants a continuation of the E39's dynamics.. or whether he wants a contrasting experience.

For shits and giggles, it would be fun to flog a 300C SRT-8. Fuel economy will be non-existant. Expect mid-teens if he drives like a hooligan.

But if he's looking for a continuation of the E39 experience, why not buy the E39 outright?

 

You have such a boner for BMW it's ridiculous. They're nice cars, my dad has a 2004 330Ci 6-speed Sport, I've driven that, the 530i and 540i, and a handful of other BMW's. But they're not the end all of automobila for crying outloud.

With that said, I'd get the Legacy GT.

 

Everyone insists the E60 is soft, and I agree. But my comment was coming from a "downgrading" perspective, not my perspective, but what your dad may feel.

 

Because BMW is charging a complete ass-rape for it. Otherwise it would be open and shut. Leasing works best, as my dad is able to write off a significant portion of it (as a bussiness vehicle) and get a tax refund on it. The money he's paying for the car ends up being less than the depreciation, hence he leases every four years


Untold Pops can afford a Ferrari or a Cayman, the BMW is the best driving car that can be had in the price range. Now that I think about it, the Legacy was driven on a rainy day, which sucked. My only complaint really was that it was TOO quite. Lots of turbo noise, but barely any engine noise. Looks like a call to HKS will be in order if he winds up with one

So dudes, any suggestions besides those cars mentioned.

P.S. Dave I have a serious boner for the SRT, but the fuel economy thing makes me go flaccid all the same. Please tell me it takes 89 octane.

 

2.5GT is the best out of the group...and if it came down to it your dad could drop less than 1k to get that bitch OVER STi HP.