Hey Guys,

My lease is coming to an end on my 03 Max, I'm currently shopping for a new car. I am looking into the G35x (love the Coupe, but it's undriveable in the snow), Audi A4, BMW 3 series, and the Acura TL (not likely since I'm looking for an AWD car).

What do you guys think? Has anyone driven any of these cars? If so what did you like/dislike. Thanks in advance for your input.

P.S. I have driven the G and I LOVED it.

 

The new G35C is 300 HP AWD.....

 

If you're looking for an AWD have you looked at the Subaru Legacy GT. It has a turbocharged 2.5liter pumping 250 horses. It's basically a detuned version of the WRX Sti motor.

 

The new G35C is NOT AWD.

 

Get the AWD G sedan. I owned a 03 330ci before my maxima. BMW's are awesome cars in every espect. I don't know if the new 3 is available in the xi (awd) yet though. Definately do drive one though, I'm sure you'll love it.

 

'05 Acura RL....nice!

 

if leasing, I'd get something european. New 3-series may not be avail in AWD yet, so try the Audi.

 

Dont get an A4 everyone and their mother has it.

 

G35 or 3 series are two cars that I would have chosen if only I could afford to pay that much. Which one is better… hm?

G35 – more power and more room.
3 series – handling and more refined, but more expansive in maintenance.

Test drive both of them and see which one is the best for you.

 

3 series is availible in 330xi all wheel drive, i have seen them.
g35 sedan is availible all wheel drive.
if you are going to buy one, not lease, i would go for the bmw xi. i dont think you will have any issues, besides basic maintanance.

 

Thanks for responses so far guys. I am definately leaning towards the G Sedan, As mentioned the Bimmer is expensive to fix, and the Audi is just kind of OK (1.8T has turbo, but no power). And yes the G Coupe is definately NOT AWD, I wish it were though .

 

G35 AWD model has had reliability issues and brake failure. Car and Driver, Road and Track, etc. all had trouble with this car. AWD Car... First how much performance do you want. Definately consider the Mistu Evo, Suburu WRX/ WRX STI. Any Suburu would work perfect. My son owns a Suburu, Audi, Jeep, VW, and Dodge dealer, so I will ask him what he would drive in your case. If you want a nice sedan 30k-40k go with Legacy 2.5GT, Audi A4 3.0 Quattro, and BMW 330xi. All of these I have driven and approve of. Great reliable AWDs with plenty of grunt. Trust me the Audi A4 3.0 Quattro w/ Sport and Ultimate package is stunning. If you can afford it an S4 is prefect.

 

Buy out the Maxima lease and drive it. If it's company paid, buy it out anyways and negotiate a car allowance. Lease cars are a waste of money.

 

I agree with you I hate leases, but If you can find a great lease with a dealer you like then do it. My maxima was my free leased company car and I bought it off lease for cheap.

 

I definately want a luxury car, so thats where Infiniti, BMW, and Audi come in. I've seen the Evo and the interior is like a toy car, same with WRX. They are very fast though.

 

Volvo S60R - nice rare car... 300hp AWD

Saab 9-2X (WRX and 9-2X now have a 230hp 2.5T for '06)

 

Oh man I forgot about my favorite perfromance mid size sedan the Volvo S60R. That car knocks me of my feet. 9-2x is a higher priced knockoff of the WRX wagon. Just go with the WRX wagon not a ****ty Saab.

 

Don't listen to this guy...Never buy out a leased vehicle, almost never worth it.

 

mmm, not true. you can get a great deal in some cases. it's hard in most cases, but depending on the price you have already paid, it may be worth to pa off the rest. gotta look at it on a case-by-case basis.

 

It is if you renegotiate the buyout price. Most people think this is set in stone, but it's not. Anyway, if you insist on leasing, my vote is for the Lexus GS300 AWD.

 

Get a VW R32 if you want AWD those things are mean.....

 

R32 discontinued you will be lucky to find one.

 

I did just buy my leased vehicle. Its my maxima and I got it dirt cheap. KBB private party at the time was 12,500 I got it for 9,500. Also you KNOW THE CARS HISTORY!!! You know that some punk kid wasn't getting air and messing with the car. You know if it has had any wrecks, you know the mechanical history. Buying out your leased vehicle can be a very good thing. Why do you think CARFAX exsists and is in business? The main thing in buying a used car is know how it was driven, did the owner change oil every 3,000, etc...

 

Leasing is generally good for the people who always want a new vehicle every couple years. For those planning to keep their vehicle longer than that, than financing it would usually be the better option. Did you buy your car outright cash? Or did you finance the $9500? How many years was the lease for? Let's say it was 3 years and you finance for the typical 5 years. You've been paying for the same car for 8 years??? Not worth it IMO. Not all situations are the same, that is why my original post said ALMOST. That is all.

 

If you are paying cash for the remaining balance, maybe it would be worth it in SOME cases. If you are financing the balance for the typical 5 years, not worth it.

 

My dad has a really good deal. The lease on his 2003 3 series is coming up soon (of which he pays $0 because the company pays for it entirely) and they said he can buy it in December when the lease ends for $8,500. $8,500 for a 2003 BMW is incredible. I didn't look up the KBB value but I know it must be much higher than that. He is just going to buy it from the dealership and then sell it privately and keep the extra money since he's getting the 2006 330i for free again. I'll convince him to get tint and rims for me with the extra money since he's giving it to me at no charge in 3 yrs when the lease is up on this one (just need to give him whatever maxima sells for then) hah yah right who am i kidding? that money is going to my senior year of college at 45k a year.

 

45k a year!!! where do you go to school?

 

Holy Cross in Worcester, MA...It's actually $42,500 this year if you live on campus...good thing my dad makes enough money where there are no loans and I don't have to pay anything. I'd hate to spend the first years of work just paying off any loans.

 

A lease is never a good buy and is often called a fleece. A car dealer would much rather lease a vehicle than sell because their rate of return is much higher. The problem today is that people pay too much attention to what "my monthly payment would be." You gain no equity from your investment and often the buyer ends up paying entirely too much in fees from driving more miles than was originally agreed upon. When you buy out your lease, you think you are getting a great deal but you have already paid for the vehicle's depreciation. The monthly lease payment includes fees from the projection of the vehicle's value at the end of the lease term.

 

R32

Found four....closest one is 2 miles away....farthest 7.....

 

bah. you cant compare an r32 to maxima or 330i or g35.
r32 is in the same league as wrx and evo. sub-compact and cheap(er) built interior.
the last 3 cars are not luxury or near-luxury vehicles by any means. i think the thread starter is looking to upgrade, not downgrade his next buy.

 

I wouldn't consider an R32 a downgrade. They are very nice cars maybe not "luxury" it wasn't built for that, it was built to go fast.


I have had this conversation b4 about the 3 series not being a luxury vehicle. you want luxury go with a 5, 6, or 7 series.

 

R32s interior is very european sports luxury. Have you sat in one?

 

Well then im moving...

 

 

Looks nice to me. What would I know I drive a 740iL?

 

Not fast 0-60 6.4 Seconds weighs 3400lbs. Cheaper interior!? Much nicer than my maximas.

Don't knock a car just becuase it is not your own. Be appreciative of a cars engineering and design.

 

I would suggest that you buy this: http://www.infiniti.com/content/0,,c...-32005,00.html with the V8, ça vas de soi.

Good luck

 

All 2005 and 2006 BMW vehicles come with a "full maintenance program" for four years or 50,000 miles that includes scheduled maintenance like oil changes and certain wear-and-tear items such as brake pads and wiper blade inserts. BMW expanded the length of the program for model year 2003. Upgrades are available to six years or 100,000-mile coverage

 

I just saw a black r32 today and a BMW dealer and let me tell you that thing is really nice. If I saw it before my Max I would have bought it. The interior is really nice especially the seats with the R sitched in.