What do you buy for $50k?

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I guess a good, low mileage E60 M5 is out of the question? Hard to beat that V10 :-)

Audi S5 is a nice one too though.

Do you like the way the Audi's handle and drive better than the newer BMW's?
 
Originally Posted By: drtyler
Do you like the way the Audi's handle and drive better than the newer BMW's?

My feeling is that BMW's engines and trans programming are better sorted out. Audi has nicer interiors. Handling is comparable.

The S5 SB I test drove had a strange lag/hesitation when you mashed the accelerator pedal while already in motion. I initially thought it was turbo lag, but some Audi geeks seem to think it may have been throttle position sensor issue on the particular example I drove. Whatever it was, it was quite noticeable.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
What about a Jaguar XE or XF? Not super common but also very nice. 380HP. V6 available. Both can be had for around your price range.

I drove the XE V6 on the same day I drove the 340i. I had high hopes for the XE, but despite its beautiful looks, I came away somewhat disappointed. Between the two, I think I would rather have the 340i. Here is an excerpt from one of my older posts:

Quote:
340i is responsive, quick, handles well, and sounds quite refined. I recently drove one back to back with the new Jag XE 3.0 supercharged. The Jag just did not impress me. It was not as engaging, not as communicative, and the engine had this metallic sound to it that I just did not care for. On top of that, interior materials and fit and finish were a mixed bag - some nice touches alongside some cheap plastics and poorly fitting elements. Then again, I'm not a huge fan of current 3-series interiors either.

The metallic sound I noted was most likely the supercharger whine, but it really made it sound like the engine was running dry. My wife's Q5 has a supercharged V6 and it does not sound like that at all.


That makes sense. The Lexus GS-F with the N/A V8 is lilely in your price range as well if you are willing to buy a 2016 or 2017 with 10k miles or so.

Its one of the few N/A V8 luxury sedans left on the market.
 
Originally Posted By: Snagglefoot
Turbos rely on much higher cylinder pressure. Anyone have any comments on the longevity of the rings and block surface.? I guess that should show up on the UOA’s if true.


As I've noted many times before, my Mazdaspeed 3 was running perfectly at 158,000 miles when I flipped it for the 2 Series. UOAs were uniformly good and I was using a 7.5k mile OCI.
 
Originally Posted By: MCompact
As I've noted many times before, my Mazdaspeed 3 was running perfectly at 158,000 miles when I flipped it for the 2 Series. UOAs were uniformly good and I was using a 7.5k mile OCI.

Mcompact,
Did you had a thread with laying some rubber with a custom work Cadillac? My memory is blurry....
Would that be in OP/QP range?
 
Originally Posted By: drtyler
I guess a good, low mileage E60 M5 is out of the question? Hard to beat that V10 :-)

Audi S5 is a nice one too though.

Do you like the way the Audi's handle and drive better than the newer BMW's?


E60 M5 is a beast with a heavenly sound, but they are probably one of the most expensive BMWs to maintain/repair on the planet.


If I had to pick a car it would probably be a 340i with the M-sport package or an M3. The 328i and below with the 4 cylinder just don't do it for me. It's not that they are slow, since they have good torque and power with the 8 speed ZF, I would just have a hard time spending that kind of money to hear that 4 cylinder buzz.

I've heard good things about the latest 5-series (G30 I think?) but that is probably well above 50k.

The AMG C63 is also a really nice car for the money. Tough decision.
 
Originally Posted By: pandus13
Originally Posted By: MCompact
As I've noted many times before, my Mazdaspeed 3 was running perfectly at 158,000 miles when I flipped it for the 2 Series. UOAs were uniformly good and I was using a 7.5k mile OCI.

Mcompact,
Did you had a thread with laying some rubber with a custom work Cadillac? My memory is blurry....
Would that be in OP/QP range?


Yes I did- a very fun ride; you could pick a nice CTS-V up and have the Lingenfelter kit installed for around $50k, I'd think.
 
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
Originally Posted By: drtyler
I guess a good, low mileage E60 M5 is out of the question? Hard to beat that V10 :-)

E60 M5 is a beast with a heavenly sound, but they are probably one of the most expensive BMWs to maintain/repair on the planet.

Not to mention that the only E60 M5 worth buying will take you forever to find.

The only acceptable spec, IMHO, is a 2010 with non-tan interior and active seating. They're rare as hens teeth, and you need to have $3k set aside for a rod bearing replacement.

Expect to pay about $30-35k + $3k for the aforementioned rod bearing replacement. Another $5k for a warranty if you're squeamish. I prefer the SMG, but to be considered drivable you need to flash the TCU.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
What about a Jaguar XE or XF? Not super common but also very nice. 380HP. V6 available. Both can be had for around your price range.

I drove the XE V6 on the same day I drove the 340i. I had high hopes for the XE, but despite its beautiful looks, I came away somewhat disappointed. Between the two, I think I would rather have the 340i. Here is an excerpt from one of my older posts:




The XE and XF are different cars, even though they look similar. The XF and the XF-R is a pleasure to drive. But they are not BMW's and they are not race cars. They are capable sedans with well tuned driving dynamics.
 
I also think you really need to try an SRT and see if you like the interior better than the Scat Pack. It's not as good as the GC's unfortunately (which I already told you) but it is better than the "regular" Charger's. Make sure it has the upgraded seats too, BTW.
 
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Make sure it has the upgraded seats too, BTW.

What are these? I don't see that being an option here. You either get Laguna leather, or Nappa leather with alcantara inserts. Both are same price.

The Scat Pack I drove had the leather/alcantara ones. They were fine. I think my biggest gripe is with the really dated dash/center console layout, like it came from the early 1990s.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Make sure it has the upgraded seats too, BTW.

What are these? I don't see that being an option here. You either get Laguna leather, or Nappa leather with alcantara inserts. Both are same price.



The Laguna seats are the upgraded seats. They used to be an expensive option, but no longer are.

My Charger had the Nappa seats, the Jeep has the Laguna seats. The Laguna seats are a lot better.
 
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Make sure it has the upgraded seats too, BTW.

What are these? I don't see that being an option here. You either get Laguna leather, or Nappa leather with alcantara inserts. Both are same price.



The Laguna seats are the upgraded seats. They used to be an expensive option, but no longer are.

But the seats themselves appear to be identical. It's only the fabric/material that's different. Correct?
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Make sure it has the upgraded seats too, BTW.

What are these? I don't see that being an option here. You either get Laguna leather, or Nappa leather with alcantara inserts. Both are same price.



The Laguna seats are the upgraded seats. They used to be an expensive option, but no longer are.

But the seats themselves appear to be identical. It's only the fabric/material that's different. Correct?


Yes, it's the seating surfaces that are different. The Laguna feels more upscale, they remind me a lot more of my M5 seats than the Nappa seats did.
 
Nappa seats in my Charger:
ChargerSRT802.jpg

ChargerSRT803.jpg


And apparently I don't have any pics of the Jeep seats. Bugger. I'll have to grab you some.

Here's a pic of the Durango SRT seats though:
 
Originally Posted By: HM12460
$50k is too much for a vehicle and too little for a house. Put it in the bank!


This!
cheers3.gif
 
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