Car choices - down to 3.

megakid

megakid

megakid

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I don't think anyone will be able to tell me outright which one is better as I know this will probably be down to the test drive but maybe some experts can tell me if there's any marked differences between running costs etc or just opinions would be nice.

I've been on the hunt for a new car when I get to the states, I've been told to expect my visa interview appointment at the US embassy in the next few days so it might not be long before I can start test driving these things.

I'm planning to keep the car for 1-2 years and my budget is $55,000, so in no particular order -

BMW 1 Series M Coupe (new)
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If I get this, it'll be my first new car - ever. There's next to none available second hand yet in the US and I want a car pretty soon after I arrive. I like the reviews and the car but will I enjoy the new car depreciation? Manual box only - I've no problems with this as I do like driver involvement but I've got an inkling for some sort of "flappy paddle" box after I've been used to big chunky GM 6 sp manual gearboxes (not pleasant in my opinion, too long throw, too clunky, too mushy) attached to massive V8s for the last few years. Are the BMW manuals outstanding?

BMW M3 Coupe (~2009)
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Probably the most "sensible" choice. Dropped $20,000 off their list price, still a long way to go but am I correct in saying that they shouldn't drop as much as a new car (see above)? Nice engine, great car by all accounts. Found one with all the specs (DCT, premium packs) and color (Le Mans blue + Beige leather) for $53,000 so they're definitely around for the price I'm looking at. Anything I should watch out for with these? Obviously I will be getting a BMW warranty on this but can I expect huge bills otherwise? I was put off a E60 M5 because of the epic bills they can throw up, are M3s the same? DCT, as mentioned, I do have an inkling towards these but I will ofcourse test drive both a manual and DCT to make sure the DCT doesn't take away too much from the experience.

Porsche 911 2S [997] (~2005)
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Probably the outlier of the group. I haven't looked into these quite as much but they are definitely around in my price range. I imagine the bills will be instantly higher than the BMWs plus it's an older car. I expect less toys but I've heard the drive is amazing and the box a pleasure to stir. Will I be able to get a Porsche warranty on this sort of age car? How practical are the rear seats - non-existent I imagine? They also seem rarer on the second hand market (A lot of Cabs around thou).
 
In a country you don't know I'd go for the new, if anything goes wrong just take it back, if the Porsche goes wrong will you know where to take it?

$55k is a lot to shell out on a new move, what if you don't like it?

Unless you intimately where you are going and what you are doing that is.

I'm jealous I'd love to move to the States.
 
I'd probably go M3 out of those three, manual car is pointless in the USA tbh, it's not like there are ever any 'twisties' but there are countless stop signs and stop lights which I imagine makes changing gear all the time a right PITA.

Are you coming here to live permanently or just for work? i.e. is keeping it for 2 years because you have a temp/work visa in which case I'd be looking at leasing something just for the ease of not having to sell the thing at the end.
 
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Rich_L said:
I'd probably go M3 out of those three, manual car is pointless in the USA tbh, it's not like there are ever any 'twisties' but there are countless stop signs and stop lights which I imagine makes changing gear all the time a right PITA.

Are you coming here to live permanently or just for work? i.e. is keeping it for 2 years because you have a temp/work visa in which case I'd be looking at leasing something just for the ease of not having to sell the thing at the end.
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I'm coming out on a L1A visa and it should be extendible to up to 5 years.

I remember you pointing me towards leasing in the last thread I asked about US cars. To be honest, I haven't really looking into what method I'm going to be acquiring this car, whether it be a lease or paying cash. You're right thou and I will definitely check out leasing as a potentially easier option but as far as I can tell, these lease trades/swaps sites are generally the same as an autotrader type website. A minor thing but to me, leasing sounds like it has a more difficult "exit" to just selling the car if you want to get rid of the car mid-lease - unless the 2nd hand lease market over there is very strong.
 
I'm about 120 miles north of Chicago :) Fantastic city - sure you'll love it!

Anyway, reason I asked, Chicago gets quite a lot of snow in winter - something to keep in mind. Most of the sportier cars I see up here are 4WD/AWD because there is snow/ice for 4 months of the year - side roads are often not even cleared fully and have a compacted layer of snow for the entire season. Just something to think about :)
 
Curio said:
I'm about 120 miles north of Chicago :) Fantastic city - sure you'll love it!

Anyway, reason I asked, Chicago gets quite a lot of snow in winter - something to keep in mind. Most of the sportier cars I see up here are 4WD/AWD because there is snow/ice for 4 months of the year - side roads are often not even cleared fully and have a compacted layer of snow for the entire season. Just something to think about :)
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Awesome, thanks. I did wonder about the snow issue. Would I basically be off-road for 4 months a year if I got one of these cars then? I've never lived in a city that has more than 1-2 weeks of settled snow at a time.

They don't use snow chains or anything? Perhaps I can get myself some winter tyres for those few months? (Thinking out loud now)
 
megakid said:
Awesome, thanks. I did wonder about the snow issue. Would I basically be off-road for 4 months a year if I got one of these cars then? I've never lived in a city that has more than 1-2 weeks of settled snow at a time.

They don't use snow chains or anything? Perhaps I can get myself some winter tyres for those few months? (Thinking out loud now)
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Yup, snow tires help - but they don't work miracles. There's no reason you can't drive in winter in the cars you mention, but I'm guessing they would be a bit of a handful? Something like an Audi Quatro (just as an example) would be a good all-rounder, and you wouldn't need to change your underwear quite so often when the roads were slippery :)

EDIT: Of course, if you're living in the greater Chicago area then it might be less of an issue anyway - those roads will be well cleared. Then you just have the issue of all the salt/grit blasting your nice paintwork :(
 
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If a 911 is in budget I'd go for that, even if it is an older choice than the other two. I must add that I haven't considered all the practicalities.
 
Tbh, in America, i'd go for a Corvette GS too, they just seem to work over there, even though they're just a tykes car with a rocket under the bonnet.
 
I'd be buying some American new muscle car personally.

Out of those 3 I'd go M1 though, they look awesome.
 
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