Lebowski's Next Car Thread, and Farewell to the C6

[SJ_GTI]

You're probably right on the 335i not feeling special enough.  I like it, but think I'd think I settled.

I will say this is exactly the reason I got the S4 instead of the A4. I don't really need the ~330 HP, but I knew if I got an A4 I'd be bored with it after a year or two and anxious to get something better. So I figured I'd just plop down for the best version I could get (not RS4 out at the time, my car is a 2010 model). I have not regretted the decision a bit, and even today I really have no desire to get a new car. This is the longest I have owned a car since graduating college, and honestly I don't see myself getting something else any time soon.

I will say that I almost agree with GoCougs. The last gen S4 to my gen S4 went through a similar transition to what is happening to the M3 now. It went from a ~320 HP V8 to a ~330 HP supercharged V6. Efficiency went way up and performance improved as well (wider torque curve with a forced induction engine), yet I cannot help but wish I had a V8 instead. It just feels more special. But for the S4 at least, the new gen was simply too much of an overall upgrade to go backwards just to get the V8. I imagine it is a similar situation with the new M3.

As for the gearbox, I am definitely completely opposite to you. There is no way I would buy a car with a traditional slushy automatic. While I fully understand they are just as (if not more) efficient and they are smoother, I am simply too used to the feel of a gearbox. I prefer manual, but I have driven a few DSG cars and that is one type of automatic I could live with day to day. It still "feels" like a manual when it comes to responsiveness and such. Of course the DSG is faster and smoother than I can shift myself (plus it never misses a shift), so there have been a few times I have actually wished I had the DSG...but if push comes to shove I would almost certainly go with a manual again.

[MrH]

240 miles or so?  When you've got a second car, that seems fine to me

[Lebowski]

I think most of us can agree we wish it had a v8. Reality and what we wish for aren't always the same.  Don't think I want a "new" car that is that old (e90 sedan discontinued after 2011, introduced in like '07). The new one is faster, lighter, I believe roomier, IMO the interior is better and I like the exterior styling better. I'm sure the tech is better on the newer car.  I can spec out and order a new one exactly like I want vs searching for a used one in perfect condition equipped close enough to my preferences to settle for it.  Just not worth it to me, I'd prefer to buy new.

[Lebowski]

240 miles ... I don't know. Yes I have the 4runner but would be nice to take the fun car on weekend trips.

[MexicoCityM3]

I think most of us can agree we wish it had a v8. Reality and what we wish for aren't always the same.  Don't think I want a "new" car that is that old (e90 sedan discontinued after 2011, introduced in like '07). The new one is faster, lighter, I believe roomier, IMO the interior is better and I like the exterior styling better. I'm sure the tech is better on the newer car.  Just not worth it to me.

I agree. Everytime a new M3 comes out it's the same ritual of moaning that the old one was better in most magazines. Then two years on it is again the "best ever". I wouldn't think twice about getting the new one. Plus if you get it now, you'll have a current model for 7 years.

I agree on test driving the Tesla though. However, the Tesla high end model P85 is quite a bit more expensive IIRC.

[r0tor]

I would imagine the range on the Tesla in Florida with the AC cranked is much less than the 240 miles as quoted.

Anyway... I would need to drive the M3, C63 AMG and this beast

[12,000 RPM]

240 miles or so?  When you've got a second car, that seems fine to me

Ah I guess that's good enough for commuting. Still though, seems like Lebowski still enjoys and prioritizes driving for this 2nd vehicle.... which would put the M3 ahead of the Tesla.

[Raza]

Haha, look at the unthusiasts.  M3 or Nissan Leaf?  Nissan Leaf! 

[Raza]

Hey Adam, I think you should get a Prius V.  People who buy those aren't interested in other cars after a test drive.  Many of those who test drive aren't interested in cars at all, even!

[MrH]

Ah I guess that's good enough for commuting. Still though, seems like Lebowski still enjoys and prioritizes driving for this 2nd vehicle.... which would put the M3 ahead of the Tesla.

The Tesla is a weird vehicle. It's very much the enthusiast choice oddly. Explosive torque instantly. It's a throttle response that can't be matched by gas powered cars. The handling dynamics are strange and awesome too. It's heavy, but all of the weight is so slow that it stays really flat.

I can understand the want for vroom vroom noises, but it's an interesting enough choice it's worth a test drive to see if you're into it.

[Raza]

The Tesla is a weird vehicle. It's very much the enthusiast choice oddly. Explosive torque instantly. It's a throttle response that can't be matched by gas powered cars. The handling dynamics are strange and awesome too. It's heavy, but all of the weight is so slow that it stays really flat.

I can understand the want for vroom vroom noises, but it's an interesting enough choice it's worth a test drive to see if you're into it.

Lebowski had a Power Wheels as a kid, he doesn't need to try the Tesla.  He already knows what it's like. 

[SJ_GTI]

Hey Adam, I think you should get a Prius V.  People who buy those aren't interested in other cars after a test drive. Many of those who test drive aren't interested in cars at all, even!

[SJ_GTI]

I think most of us can agree we wish it had a v8. Reality and what we wish for aren't always the same.  Don't think I want a "new" car that is that old (e90 sedan discontinued after 2011, introduced in like '07). The new one is faster, lighter, I believe roomier, IMO the interior is better and I like the exterior styling better. I'm sure the tech is better on the newer car.  I can spec out and order a new one exactly like I want vs searching for a used one in perfect condition equipped close enough to my preferences to settle for it.  Just not worth it to me, I'd prefer to buy new.

I agree 100%.  At the end of the day the overall package is still superior (and the V8 thing is more emotional than rational anyway).

[hotrodalex]

If the Tesla was faster than the M3, I'd say go for it. But it's not, so M3 it is.

[GoCougs]

Tesla? C'mon, guys. Model S sales have dropped big (-12% overall, and -36% in Kalifornia (er, Bay Area/Si Valley and LA)). Lewboski can't afford to be stuck with a $80k-$100k paper weight.

[Lebowski]

Tesla? C'mon, guys. Model S sales have dropped big (-12% overall, and -36% in Kalifornia (er, Bay Area/Si Valley and LA)). Lewboski can't afford to be stuck with a $80k-$100k paper weight.

You're trying too hard here.

[GoCougs]

You're trying too hard here.

You should have seen the first three revisions...

[FlatBlackCaddy]

The M3 used will be worth atleast 7-8K more than a similar year and optioned 335i. Your overall cost to own might just be a few thousand dollars difference. Definitely get the M3.

[Lebowski]

You should have seen the first three revisions...

Getting to take a swipe at tesla whilst making erroneous speculation about what Lebowski can or can't afford all in one post is a rare treat indeed. I don't blame you for getting excited.

[GoCougs]

Getting to take a swipe at tesla whilst making erroneous speculation about what Lebowski can or can't afford all in one post is a rare treat indeed. I don't blame you for getting excited.

Don't make this easier than it has to be.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Damn I was hoping you'd grab a C7! But I would go with the M3 over the 335i.

[68_427]

The Chevy Ss is getting a manual and magnetic ride next year.  You could grab one for $50k fully loaded no problem.

Just a wild card.

[Raza]

The Chevy Ss is getting a manual and magnetic ride next year.  You could grab one for $50k fully loaded no problem.

Just a wild card.

Isn't that a full size car?

[68_427]

Like the size of an E60

[MrH]

Uh, not quite. It's substantially bigger.

[68_427]

Its only 4-5 in longer.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

The Chevy Ss is getting a manual and magnetic ride next year.  You could grab one for $50k fully loaded no problem.

Just a wild card.

Or wait a few months and grab a lightly used one for 25K.

[Raza]

Hmm, it's slightly smaller than I thought.  Only 195.5" long.  That's only 2" longer than the current (enormous) 5 series.

[GoCougs]

Doesn't necessarily look like it (at least IMO) but get close to it and the Chevy SS is a large car, no bones about it.

[Lebowski]

At the risk of sounding like a snob, aside from the corvette and maaaaybe the Tahoe/Yukon/suburban (though this newest gen I don't love) there really hasn't been m a GM product, and I dare say won't be anytime in the future, that I could ever see myself buying.  SS looks ok but I wouldn't buy it, and not just because of size.