New Car Quandry

[Golfhuntfish]

Hello DFW club...I am new to the club. Curious about folks opinions? If you had a choice, which would you prefer? 97 C4S with Supercharger, 2011 Shelby GT 500, 2011 Cadillac CTS V Coupe, 2011 BMW M3 or 2011 BMW 550? All have pros/cons...curious to see what consensus prevails. Thanks.

[RAC3ME]

To answer your question we need to know what you intend on doing with the car. I assume it will be your DD. Will you be modding it? How long do you plan on keeping it? Do you enjoy the track more than the occasional street race or vice versa.

With that said I have been lucky enough to drive all but one of those cars. The 97 C4S is the unknown to me. Personally for my needs, of the other 4 cars you ask about, I would choose between the CTS-V coupe or the M3. I would do the M3 if you plan on tracking more and if you only plan on keeping the car until warranty is up (No matter what BMW will cost more to maintain after warranty is up). I would do the V if you are more into brute force while still retaining luxury and comfort. The V is also easily modifiable compared to the M3. The price per HP gained is much more affordable in the V.

But if you are considering a 550 I would much prefer the CTS-V Sedan as I think it looks much better than the coupe. Then again that is just personal preference.

Best of luck! And welcome!

[Golfhuntfish]

thanks...It will be a DD, hard to really justify a track car...to make a small fortune in racing, start with a big one right. Agree on the cost of BMW...great until warranty is gone, same with the CLS 550. V may be the most rational. Never a huge fan of Mustang but recently drove the Shelby and it was a beast...again, not a good DD. All the best.

[Silentrun]

Once you go Porsche...well I am addicted to the "koolaide." It's a great GT or Track car. Though I am not sure what the supercharger is about.

[RAC3ME]

thanks...It will be a DD, hard to really justify a track car...to make a small fortune in racing, start with a big one right. Agree on the cost of BMW...great until warranty is gone, same with the CLS 550. V may be the most rational. Never a huge fan of Mustang but recently drove the Shelby and it was a beast...again, not a good DD. All the best.

Ya, the GT500 is a very nice car but the V is faster, nicer and far easier to drive IMO on a day to day basis. However the savings on the GT500 may be of importance as well.

[ranger22]

I pick E90 M3, but I might be a little biased........ :whistle:

[golfinz]

For the price point you are looking at you could also get into a used Lexus IS-F, which Al brought my attention to today :whistle:

Whatever car you pick, welcome!

[RAC3ME]

For the price point you are looking at you could also get into a used Lexus IS-F, which Al brought my attention to today :whistle:

Whatever car you pick, welcome!

lol... Ruh Roh :whistle:

[nash]

97 C4S or 997 C4S? If it's a 997 that would be my choice. M3 second choice... Maintenance cost on a supercharged 997 (or '97 for that matter) should be a concern for you if you are already concerned about an M3's after-warranty costs.

[RaceMX-M3]

Out of those options I would only pick the 2011 M3. That's me. Pick the one that best suits your needs. :dontknow:

....and welcome. :thumbsup2:

[RioGrandeValley]

2011 E92 BMW M3 and call it a day. Gotta love the M :)

[GTCole]

Porsche. There is no substitute. You listed the other cars just to make it seem like a tough decision. Now make the right one and get it over with.

[Zinia]

Welcome.

CTS-V would be my choice but in a sedan.

[Fubar]

Buy American... make your mama proud.

[Fubar]

Don't mind us... Me and CC08GT2 have a friendly feud going.

I happen to own a '09 CTS-V. It's been a really good car. It has been one of the few daily driver cars that has kept me happy for more than 12 months. The only car I am currently considering as a trade is the V coupe. However, the kid factor will probably keep me in the 4 door. If you liked the torque of the GT500 the caddy is the only reasonable substitute.

I'm just not a fan of the current 5 series. M3 are good looking cars tho, fun and fairly easy to mod.

I have never own a Porsche but based on my experience with P owners (zealots like CC not included) I would say that's a good 2 choice.

Welcome, and good luck.

[BLKFIN]

Watch out...that Lexus Koolaid taste pretty good....doesn't it Al?:driver:

[RAC3ME]

Watch out...that Lexus Koolaid taste pretty good....doesn't it Al?:driver:

That it does! ;)

[Fubar]

Driving Lexus = Living in a Bubble

minimal outside input

[imaj]

FWIW...Based on the data...I think you cannot go wrong with the 2011 Shelby GT 500. Gotta love the power plant that resides in the car.

[J-son]

m3 all the way

[BLKFIN]

Driving Lexus = Living in a Bubble

minimal outside input

Thats funny coming from the guy in the FGT wrapped and lit like a cop car. No bubble for you! :ahhhhh:

[Fubar]

Thats funny coming from the guy in the FGT wrapped and lit like a cop car. No bubble for you! :ahhhhh:

I'm not trashing the Lexus at all. There are many people who love the separation that they deliver. I think they do a better job of creating a quite, smooth ride than any other car I have been in. I just don't it. I want to hear the things around me. I want some decent road feedback. You know, driver stuff.

I'll give you a ride in the Ford, and you can tell me if you feel like your in a bubble or F15.

[RioGrandeValley]

Hey leave Toyoda alone. Oops my bad L I mean...BMW The Ultimate Driving Machine needs No Substitute :)

[RAC3ME]

I'm not trashing the Lexus at all. There are many people who love the separation that they deliver. I think they do a better job of creating a quite, smooth ride than any other car I have been in. I just don't it. I want to hear the things around me. I want some decent road feedback. You know, driver stuff.

I'll give you a ride in the Ford, and you can tell me if you feel like your in a bubble or F15.

Whattup Mark. Have you had a chance to drive or ride in an IS-F. It's not a typical Lexus. I don't think a bubble at all. Rides quite harsh and sounds quite nice. It's a drifting machine IMO.

Regardless. I have love for all cars. BMW does many things better than Lexus minus the cost of maint part and cost of mods. All good cars on his list IMO. Just like anything else there are pros and cons.

[Fubar]

Whattup Mark. Have you had a chance to drive or ride in an IS-F. It's not a typical Lexus. I don't think a bubble at all. Rides quite harsh and sounds quite nice. It's a drifting machine IMO.

No, good point... the last time I drove a Lexus they didn't even make SUVs. Can you guess what year that was youngster. I'm sure the IS-F is a far cry from the LS400 I was sailing around in. At that time, I was completely amazed and impressed with the LS ability to shield the driver the from outside input. I thought... these guys are going to put Mercedes out of business. Then about 30 minutes later I realized that I hated it.

[RAC3ME]

No, good point... the last time I drove a Lexus they didn't even make SUVs. Can you guess what year that was youngster. I'm sure the IS-F is a far cry from the LS400 I was sailing around in. At that time, I was completely amazed and impressed with the LS ability to shield the driver the from outside input. I thought... these guys are going to put Mercedes out of business. Then about 30 minutes later I realized that I hated it.

Ya, I thought the same thing. Lexus and performance don't go hand in hand. When I drove one I was impressed overall, not just that it's a Lexus but that it handles quite nicely and was still relatively comfortable and well finished inside.

What I like about Lexus is they take their time to do things right. The LS400 you mentioned was a 5-6 year long project if I remember correctly. The LFA as I'm sure you are aware was an even loooooonger ordeal. In the end I think they did a great job. Could be better but overall awesome for their first shot at a performance sedan.

Oh and google says the the LX was their first intro into SUV's in 1996. lol.

[calintexas]

The M3 is a very good daily driver, especially with the M-DCT twin clutch transmission and electronic shocks (EDC). I'd expect the CTS-V to be great too in a slightly larger package than the M3. If you're not married to 2 doors, a C63 could be another great choice. It should come down to what you like best.

[Mr.Big]

With DD being one of your stipulations the "V" gets a strong 1st choice vote...:thumbsup2: hard to beat in all aspects...

[bioderek]

m3 for all around practicality and fun.

[TomBoy]

Another compelling point for you... How big/tall are you? Over say 5.9, makes it tough in the M3.. At least for me at 6.1 and 232 lbs... That's a factor in some of the cars you mention... The more we know about you, the better.. Do you like driving the twisties? Hard & fast acceleration? Autocross? Road courses? The more we know, the better off you are (with our recommendations anyway!)

[ranger22]

Another compelling point for you... How big/tall are you? Over say 5.9, makes it tough in the M3.. At least for me at 6.1 and 232 lbs... That's a factor in some of the cars you mention... The more we know about you, the better.. Do you like driving the twisties? Hard & fast acceleration? Autocross? Road courses? The more we know, the better off you are (with our recommendations anyway!)

I hear you about finding cars that fit. I'm 6' and ~220. I think the sedan (E90) has plenty of room to fit me. The old Audi S5 was another story.

[BMWAgee]

Cts or m3!