05-23-2014, 04:14 PM | #1 |
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$80K max budget, 4 doors, what else is there?
assuming you have a $80K (US) max budget, want 4 doors (2 young kids), less than 190 inches in length, won't be taking the car to the track (no time in my life right now), decent gas mileage (for a sports car), just looking for the most enjoyable (with some luxury) car to drive on a daily basis.
Other than the Germans, is there anything else out there to consider? The way I see it the only options are: -M3 (no M4 GC plans from BMW) -Next Gen (this year maybe) Audi S4/RS4 (I know the RS would be a couple years away and S4 is more of a 335i competitor). -Next Gen C63 (should be shown this year), don't care much for the spy shots so far. I looked into the Macan Turbo, hard to get it under $80K and then when comparing to the M3 it just doesn't make sense (unless I really needed the utility). I used to own a 2009 C63 and have driven a 2009 M3 many times, currently own a 335i xdrive. Before kids I always had BMW Roadsters/Coupes (Z3 M Roadster, Z4 roadster, Z4 M Coupe), I like smaller cars. |
05-23-2014, 05:19 PM | #3 | |
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Maserati Ghibli (195 inches) Infiniti Q50S Dodge Charger SRT (200 inches) Chevrolet SS (195 inches) Last edited by EMpunker; 05-23-2014 at 05:28 PM.. |
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05-23-2014, 05:22 PM | #4 |
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Mini Cooper Countryman.
Seriously though, I'd echo ISF or ATS-V. I'd just be weary of ATS resale value. F80 M3 would be my choice.
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05-24-2014, 06:11 AM | #5 |
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Here are the competitors to the M3 as I see it:
W205 Mercedes C63 AMG Cadillac ATS-V Jaguar XE-R None of these are available yet. I listed them in the order I expect to see them hit the market, starting with the C63 early next year sometime. Not sure when the other two will hit. The ATS-V has already missed a number of predicted auto show debuts. Here are some potential competitors to the M3, if they get built: Infiniti Q50 R "Eau Rouge" B9 Audi RS4 sedan New Lexus IS-F Of those I think the Infiniti is the most likely to be built and give the M3 a heck of a fight. The only problem is pricing - under 80k is a big ask for the power train borrowed from a six figure car. |
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05-24-2014, 11:07 AM | #6 |
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Jaguar XE-F ???
I think Jaguar XER-S is more possible, if they decides tho bring the V8 with 550hp in the small platform !? Or if the stay with an tuned 380hp V6 than XER was the most possible moniker. And about the timetable ... look at the F-Type, were the Super-Sportsmodell came together with the smaller engines from the beginning ... so I would expect early 2015 for the small Sports-JAG !? |
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05-24-2014, 12:14 PM | #7 |
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@Mako, honestly, if you are looking for a sports-car/luxury ride for under $80k, I think the M3 is going to be the best in its class, at least as of now. The only way you'll be able to find anything that competes with the M3 in terms of power, fuel economy, sportiness, daily-driver usability ect.. is by breaching your $80k limit.
The Audi RS4 is also a pretty good car for its $. I think the new generation has a bit more horsepower than the current M3/M4. It certainly doesn't have the track abilities of the BMW, but you said yourself that weren't worried about track days. I think the RS4 is worth your look, especially considering winters in Chicago...that AWD will come in handy. |
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05-24-2014, 02:58 PM | #8 | |||
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Whatever they call it exactly, they need more than 400hp for sure. It remains to be seen if they put a V8 in this car. I'd only give it a 50/50 shot at best. They may go with a higher boost version of the V6 instead Quote:
http://www.jaguarusa.com/all-models/xe.html I doubt it will be available a whole year earlier anywhere else but I suppose it's possible. I do agree that the R model (or whatever it is called) could show up at the launch with the other models Quote:
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05-24-2014, 07:19 PM | #9 |
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05-25-2014, 08:19 AM | #10 |
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Possible. Nothing official yet to my knowledge. It would be based upon the next generation B9 A4 though - no B8 RS4 sedan will be produced.
Anyway the language you used made it sound very much like you were referring to an existing product so my apologies if that was not the case. |
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05-25-2014, 07:13 PM | #12 |
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05-26-2014, 07:08 PM | #13 |
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this. I once sat in the backseat of a CTS-V and the seat felt like it was made of wood.....horrible quality everything. No fucking way! lol
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05-29-2014, 02:25 PM | #16 |
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None of the cars on sale today.
Porsche Pajun is IMO the only real likely hope to better the M3. Someone will say that it's an M5 competitor but given that the Panamera is a 7 series alternative and still give the M5 a run for it I expect the Pajun to give both the M5 and M3 hell, likely not at $80k though and likely not in the next 3 years either. The new Benz C AMG will likely be a barnstormer but the shape of the new C class looks redicolous as a sports sedan and the transmission will likely be more lux than sport. So the M3 is more than likely going to be the best choice for quite a while. |
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06-06-2014, 12:02 AM | #17 | |
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Good deals on M5s and E63s right now, too.
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06-06-2014, 12:07 AM | #18 | |
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Plus, there are existing tunes out there right now for the W204 that significantly enhance the various transmission programs. People routinely get well over 500+ horsepower from the W204 with a mere software tune. With bolt-ons, even more power. I expect the W205 to be very tuner friendly also. After all, the next C63 will share its motor with the AMG GT (much like the W204 shared its motor with the SLS).
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06-06-2014, 01:22 AM | #19 | ||
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