What new cars should I consider?

[m3f_12v]

Huh? Didn't we have this thread already?



You want the ATS...take a ride down to the Caddy dealer with your parents and bring one home. Not sure what there is to discuss until you get the car and want to tell us about it.

[m3f_KBuva06]

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...26798814&Log=0


there ya go, OP. Well within your price range, located in your city, and less than 45k miles. why you would not get this for "three years" over a cadillac ATS is beyond me. As long as you can sell it for $25,000 you should come out the same.


oh, and it has a LSD, rear wheel drive, and more than 272hp

[m3f_m3onrails]

Huh? Didn't we have this thread already?



You want the ATS...take a ride down to the Caddy dealer with your parents and bring one home. Not sure what there is to discuss until you get the car and want to tell us about it.

+1



Your other thread stirred up enough stuff, there's no reason to make a completely separate one. Especially when your mind is made up and you don't want our true opinions. It sounds like either a brag post, or you're just trying to get others to help you justify the decision that you're being forced into.

[m3f_Sharocks]

CPO E90 M3 or a Brand New S4 with like no options.

[m3f_RND1]

So far, I am stuck between the F30 328i and the Cadillac ATS 2.0T Standard Package. I am pretty much set on the ATS because:

-272 horsepower vs. the 328i's 240 (not sure about torque).

-88 pounds lighter than the 328i.

-LSD comes standard with 6-speed tranny.

-Standard nav and optional CUE system, which is supposed to be pretty good.

-Much lower price. Optioned the way I want it, the Cadillac is $36,000. The 328i with the sports package is north of $42,000. The base model 328i is a consideration, but it seems too bland and inferior.



Thanks for the input!

I think you'll know what to do once you drive these cars back to back. On paper, the ATS checks off all the right boxes, but how does it feel behind the driver's seat? How does it feel in the corners - balanced? How do the interior surfaces feel? It's all about the details. The classic BMW round speedo and tach just look so much better than the ATS dash. I don't know why GM's interior design always lags the Germans, but it does. That said, the rest of the ATS' interior looks pretty good, but the wood is a bit passe (maybe this is an option?). I'm not a fan of the wedge exterior, but I haven't seen it in person.



Oddly, I'm not a fan of the F30 turbo 4. BMW has lost the beautiful sound of the inline 6 found in our cars. Unfortunately given your wish list, there's not much out there. I would add the following to your search:



Audi A4 6sp 2.0 FSI Turbo Quattro

Lexus IS250 V6, RWD, 6sp



Sounds like your parents are influencing you towards the Caddy probably because they drive them? Since they're paying for it, it might be a done deal, but do your homework and see if you can sway them to the car you really want. If it's the ATS, that's easy. If not, you'll get to try to influence them and learn some valuable life skills.

[m3f_EmDeeAr]

I think you'll know what to do once you drive these cars back to back. On paper, the ATS checks off all the right boxes, but how does it feel behind the driver's seat? How does it feel in the corners - balanced? How do the interior surfaces feel? It's all about the details. The classic BMW round speedo and tach just look so much better than the ATS dash. I don't know why GM's interior design always lags the Germans, but it does. That said, the rest of the ATS' interior looks pretty good, but the wood is a bit passe (maybe this is an option?). I'm not a fan of the wedge exterior, but I haven't seen it in person.



Oddly, I'm not a fan of the F30 turbo 4. BMW has lost the beautiful sound of the inline 6 found in our cars. Unfortunately given your wish list, there's not much out there. I would add the following to your search:



Audi A4 6sp 2.0 FSI Turbo Quattro

Lexus IS250 V6, RWD, 6sp



Sounds like your parents are influencing you towards the Caddy probably because they drive them? Since they're paying for it, it might be a done deal, but do your homework and see if you can sway them to the car you really want. If it's the ATS, that's easy. If not, you'll get to try to influence them and learn some valuable life skills.

Thanks for the solid post.



I totally agree - the Caddy could be different once I drive it. I'll just have to wait and see. Also, yes, the ATS dash is just not up to par. It's too... laid back, I guess I could say.



The wood is indeed an option, and I would spec the aluminum trim instead.



My parents are not influencing me one way or another - it is pretty much my choice, as long as it is a new car in our price range.



People are going on and on about getting a used car. I want a low monthly payment with a minimal amount of money down, so this = lease in my opinion. At the end of the Cadillac's lease, the car's residual value will be around 20k. With the brand new price being 36k, we will have spent 16k on the car by the time the lease is done with. So, if I were to consider a used car, it would need to be 16k or less. So, with this said, I guess one could say that my actual budget is 16k. Sure, the ATS is indeed 36k, but that is it's outright price. With a lease, that full amount is not paid.

[m3f_RND1]

People are going on and on about getting a used car. I want a low monthly payment with a minimal amount of money down, so this = lease in my opinion. At the end of the Cadillac's lease, the car's residual value will be around 20k. With the brand new price being 36k, we will have spent 16k on the car by the time the lease is done with. So, if I were to consider a used car, it would need to be 16k or less. So, with this said, I guess one could say that my actual budget is 16k. Sure, the ATS is indeed 36k, but that is it's outright price. With a lease, that full amount is not paid.

Leasing is often a good option for business owners (like your parents) as they can write off the lease as a biz expense. So, $16K over 36 months = $444/month payment. Ordinarily, I would never advise going into the dealer with a payment in mind, but with leasing, this logic works. If your budget is $450/month, you can probably get into the 328i w/ sport package. The total price is irrelevant as the residual value can be played with to get you the monthly payment you're looking for.



I see right now on bmwusa.com they have a $399 and $459 36 month lease for the 328i and 335i respectively. You can likely get the 328i sport for under $459 even though the price of the car is far greater than the ATS. Good luck, let us know how the ATS is once you drive it.

[m3f_EmDeeAr]

Leasing is often a good option for business owners (like your parents) as they can write off the lease as a biz expense. So, $16K over 36 months = $444/month payment. Ordinarily, I would never advise going into the dealer with a payment in mind, but with leasing, this logic works. If your budget is $450/month, you can probably get into the 328i w/ sport package. The total price is irrelevant as the residual value can be played with to get you the monthly payment you're looking for.



I see right now on bmwusa.com they have a $399 and $459 36 month lease for the 328i and 335i respectively. You can likely get the 328i sport for under $459 even though the price of the car is far greater than the ATS. Good luck, let us know how the ATS is once you drive it.

Will do for sure.



Perhaps I misspoke before when I said the base 328i is bland and inferior, but it is subdued compared to any of the four lines.



When/if my car sells, we will likely put a nice chunk of that money down on the new car so as to lower the monthly payment. We'd really like something in the 300s, which is why the Cadillac is so appealing.

[m3f_KBuva06]

What about a new wrx

[m3f_hookah]

Thanks for the solid post.



I totally agree - the Caddy could be different once I drive it. I'll just have to wait and see. Also, yes, the ATS dash is just not up to par. It's too... laid back, I guess I could say.



The wood is indeed an option, and I would spec the aluminum trim instead.



My parents are not influencing me one way or another - it is pretty much my choice, as long as it is a new car in our price range.



People are going on and on about getting a used car. I want a low monthly payment with a minimal amount of money down, so this = lease in my opinion. At the end of the Cadillac's lease, the car's residual value will be around 20k. With the brand new price being 36k, we will have spent 16k on the car by the time the lease is done with. So, if I were to consider a used car, it would need to be 16k or less. So, with this said, I guess one could say that my actual budget is 16k. Sure, the ATS is indeed 36k, but that is it's outright price. With a lease, that full amount is not paid.

Im sorry EmdeeAr, But I really dont see the point of this thread. Its titled "what new cars should I consider" But essentially every suggestion thats been made to you, gets blasted for either not being new or not being practical enough. When your asking a bunch of performance nuts, what cars you should consider, The answer is usually going to be a BMW M car or something sports car oriented. Please dont take this the wrong way. You seem like a cool guy with a good head on your shoulders. But If you know you want the ATS just get it and post up some pics.

[m3f_EmDeeAr]

Im sorry EmdeeAr, But I really dont see the point of this thread. Its titled "what new cars should I consider" But essentially every suggestion thats been made to you, gets blasted for either not being new or not being practical enough. When your asking a bunch of performance nuts, what cars you should consider, The answer is usually going to be a BMW M car or something sports car oriented. Please dont take this the wrong way. You seem like a cool guy with a good head on your shoulders. But If you know you want the ATS just get it and post up some pics.

Ok I gochya. But I found some info in here valuable.

[m3f_hookah]

Ok I gochya. But I found some info in here valuable.

Then I recant my statement, If this gave you insight in your decision, than it serves a purpose.

[m3f_MikeNSX]

I like RND1's recommendation of the Audi A4 2.0 Turbo Quattro. Nice car. My wife drove one a few months ago when we were looking for a new car for her, and it is a really nice car.



I've owned 5 Audi's over the years and can say that they are great driver's cars and have a wonderful interior. I would not recommend keeping it past warranty, as they tend to break and cost a lot of $$$ to maintain. Since you'd be leasing the car for 3 years, you will have no problem.



An Audi is FAR more prestigious than a Cadillac (at least in my opinion), if that makes any difference to you. Also, younger upwardly mobile people tend to drive Audi's... older people tend to drive Cadillacs (with the exception being the CTS-V). My wife grew up in Delray Beach and in Boca, and her recollection of people who drive Cadillacs in Florida is that they were the ones who frequented the early bird specials.



The new Cadillac ATS is a completely untested in the world car. I personally don't recommend to anyone that they buy a car in the first year of production, so I cannot recommend an ATS until after it's sorted out.



Go drive an A4. I really think you'll like it.

[m3f_EmDeeAr]

Then I recant my statement, If this gave you insight in your decision, than it serves a purpose.

Oh I prepare my anus every time I click "M3Forum" on my bookmarks bar. Basically I'm wondering why anyone WOULD by the 328i over the ATS, seeing as the Caddy looks so attractive on paper. The Caddy seems the best for me, but I wish the 328i was instead.

[m3f_EmDeeAr]

I like RND1's recommendation of the Audi A4 2.0 Turbo Quattro. Nice car. My wife drove one a few months ago when we were looking for a new car for her, and it is a really nice car.



I've owned 5 Audi's over the years and can say that they are great driver's cars and have a wonderful interior. I would not recommend keeping it past warranty, as they tend to break and cost a lot of $$$ to maintain. Since you'd be leasing the car for 3 years, you will have no problem.



An Audi is FAR more prestigious than a Cadillac (at least in my opinion), if that makes any difference to you. Also, younger upwardly mobile people tend to drive Audi's... older people tend to drive Cadillacs (with the exception being the CTS-V). My wife grew up in Delray Beach and in Boca, and her recollection of people who drive Cadillacs in Florida is that they were the ones who frequented the early bird specials.



The new Cadillac ATS is a completely untested in the world car. I personally don't recommend to anyone that they buy a car in the first year of production, so I cannot recommend an ATS until after it's sorted out.



Go drive an A4. I really think you'll like it.

Alright, I'll do it ASAP. My only hangup is that it is AWD (albeit rear biased).



As far as prestige goes, I'm not too concerned. I - like pretty much all of you I'm assuming - want that middle ground - a head turner, but not "look at me and how cool I am". I want my car to say something about me, and for it to be true. Unfortunately, Audi = douche in my mind. This is of no offense to anybody in particular, but it is the stereotype I have in my head, and it is definitely so in Miami. The typical student at UM has a boner for any and all Audi's, and I just don't like it.



I'm going to test drive one anyway. I shouldn't run my mouth or stereotype anything until I've experienced it.