Which would you buy???

[fraga]

So...given that each of these cars, used, runs close to each other in price, which would you choose.

[PM5K]

I don't know but this probably isn't the best place to ask.

[fraga]

Where should I ask...the Political Forum...

[Leetonidas]

You got damn RICHER!!

[bigzak25]

if I had to choose between those 3, i'd choose the lexus.


but if i personally had money to burn and needed a vehicle, i'd go with a nissan maxima or crew cab silverado bro!

[fraga]

Never said it was for me...

[mrsmaalox]

From those 3 I'd pick the Lexus. I've had a couple of BMWs, they got boring real fast. You can't go anywhere in San Antonio without seeing literally hundreds of those Mercedes on the road, which may be a testament to their reliability, but I just get the impression that it's a testament to their affordability and any wannabe can afford one now.

[bigzak25]

what do they wannabe?

[balli]

I have no idea what any of those cars look like or what their respective specs are. But despite the overblown safety dustup earlier this year, I am a loyal Toyota man. So I say... Lexus.

[mrsmaalox]

what do they wannabe?

I don't know, richers maybe? That's just how it seems to me :)

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Wow.
Wannabes, huh?

[fraga]

I've always noticed a ton of the C240's and C230's on the road...which is like the base model...I rarely see the 300...

[mrsmaalox]

I've always noticed a ton of the C240's and C230's on the road...which is like the base model...I rarely see the 300...

Well because I can't say with 100% accuracy which ones I'm seeing, I'll go with what you see :toast

But I'd still go for the Lexus, they're sexy.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Wannabes, huh?

[bigzak25]

the man or woman always makes the car. never the other way around.

[mrsmaalox]

the man or woman always makes the car. never the other way around.

This is true ;)

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Another satisfied Toyo owner. Haven't had a single problem with two different Lexs in over a decade.

[CavsSuperFan]

There is nothing wrong with any of them…Its just that these are the entry level Luxury lines designed for people who can’t afford the real deal…

Buy an Accord or Camry & stop being a poser...

[Spurminator]

I wasn't sure how to answer your question so I went out and bought one of each. My favorite is the Mercedes.

[Frenzy]

If you need a car to jump up the way ppl see you....well that's its pretty sad.

[Kori Ellis]

Probably the Lexus. The BMW 3 series isn't that great - the interior is pretty cheap looking and there's nothing really special about them. And I agree with mrsmaalox, there's too many Mercedes 300s around.

[Wild Cobra]

Probably the Lexus. The BMW 3 series isn't that great - the interior is pretty cheap looking and there's nothing really special about them. And I agree with mrsmaalox, there's too many Mercedes 300s around.
No kidding. I would not by the Escort of BMW, and low end Mercedes started being built like shit in the early 90's. I like BMW, just not the entry level. To me, it would be like buying an Escort rather than a Taurus.

Now a 6 series... Now we are talking.

BMW 650i:

http://www.lease-auto.com/photos/actual102365/640x480/BMW-650i-Convertible.jpeg

[silverblk mystix]

No contest.

BMW 3 series. Not even close.

I had a 328i once after owning the Lexus and I used to manage a property that had pricy Mercedes cars and although nice, the Lexus and Mercedes get boring pretty fast.

I remember thinking once while driving the lexus for about two years....that it was kinda Vanilla...and I started eyeing Bimmers and Audi's...and wondered if I had made the right choice...

I mean there was NOTHING wrong with the Lexus...it just didn' satisfy...and I had bought the Lexus because I had compared the BMW and the Lexus and it seemed like the Lexus just had more options for the money.

Well, I finally stepped up to the BMW ...and the first week I bought it I took a road trip---and that is when it hit me...that is one awesome machine...I connected with it like I had never connected with any car...

I kept that Bimmer for about four years and loved every minute of it...sometimes I would get off of work...start driving home...tired and weary...then all of I sudden I'd smile...as the car always felt solid,tight and it drove and felt like a dream---two or three years after the honeymoon period...and I thought to myself...

THIS is why you pay the extra money....

No contest.

[CuckingFunt]

Just in terms of styling, I'm not a huge fan of the sedans from either of the three companies. If I had to choose, though, I'd go with the Lexus. Based mostly on looks.

If it was the Lexus IS C you were considering, then it would be a no-brainer. That's a gorgeous car.

[TDMVPDPOY]

beamers are too common man

mercs...how old are you?

lexus? its a toyota...

[Wild Cobra]

beamers are too common man

mercs...how old are you?

lexus? its a toyota...
Lexus is probably the better choice, but I didn't vote since "none of the above" isn't an option.

[Cane]

All entry level luxury cars are "wannabe" cars but so what imo.

I'd go with the Beamer - prefer its emphasis on driver satisfaction over the imo more effeminate Lexus and Merc brands.

[baseline bum]

I'd buy a Honda and save some of that money for something I wouldn't get bored with in three weeks.

[fraga]

So you're saying you'd get bored with a Mercedes...Lexus...or BMW...oooooooooookay...

[baseline bum]

So you're saying you'd get bored with a Mercedes...Lexus...or BMW...oooooooooookay...

First week it would be like sex, second week it'd be amazing, and third week it would just be my car.

[MiamiHeat]

Where's the new PT Cruiser?

[braeden0613]

BMW by a long shot.

[bigzak25]

from what i've heard, buying a new BMW if you can afford it is a solid choice.

They have warranties that last the first, what...5 years?

And that includes everything, including all services, if I heard correctly.

I could be wrong.

But being that this is a 2008 beamer, and who knows how it's been driven or what warranty it's under...i'd tend to go with the safer choice in the lex.

BMWs will be awfully expensive to upkeep and fix if they are not under warranty.

I mean...it goes for any car, but especially for imports.

Lex being a toyota...i'd imagine parts are much more readily available and most likely cheaper.

[Wild Cobra]

Lex being a toyota...i'd imagine parts are much more readily available and most likely cheaper.
Still cost about 3 times as much as a Ford, Chevy, or Chrysler.

[DMX7]

BMWs will be awfully expensive to upkeep and fix if they are not under warranty.


No, they're really not that bad.

[fraga]

If you need a car to jump up the way ppl see you....well that's its pretty sad.

Well by this logic...why buy a nice house...or nice clothes...or have nice things in the first place...

[gatoloco]

Well by this logic...why buy a nice house...or nice clothes...or have nice things in the first place...

The thing is, a house is where one would most often intend to raise their family.

So spending money on a house, and maybe a little extra to try to have one in a safer area, is very wise. It's also a lifelong kind of investment if you choose wisely, and one that could hypothetically serve generations of your family.


Now clothes...that is more on par with a car, especially if one is shopping for the sporty, flashy kind of car.

You buy it, you use it, and after a relatively short period of time, you get a new one or new ones.

That's not to say that people cannot be very wise with their automobile purchases as well, but those people are less often thinking about themselves when they are buying a car and more often thinking about their family needs.


As for other nice things in general...hey, they are nice to have. I have an hdtv like most others do today. I of course don't need it, but it's more for the family to have family time, so I feel it was a good investment.

Now something like an iphone? That stuff is just ridiculous.
That's for people that like burning money.

[Cry Havoc]

Depends on what you want to do with the car.

I can tell you that without a doubt, the BMW 3 is going to be the best handling, most adept car on the road for speed and driving it 70 mph into a 30 mph onramp and not even worrying about losing traction. That car is built almost for the track the day it comes off the lot (obviously after the engine is broken in a bit). They are fast and they feel like a borderline race car (or at least as close as you're going to get in a larger car with a lot of amenities). Jeremy Clarkson alluded to the fact that people who buy an M3 are the most satisfied drivers in the world -- even more so than Ferrari owners.

I have ridden in my friend's M3, and it's quite brilliant. The car feels rock solid no matter what you're doing, cruising around or flooring it at 115 down the interstate, there's very little shake or wobble to the chassis at all.

The other two models trend slightly more toward luxury over sport/performance, although they're all three nice models of car.

I'd rate them:

1. M3
2. Lexus
3. Benz

Mercedes has been getting better lately, but I've heard horrible things in the past about their quality control.

[fraga]

^^ I think you misunderstood 3 Series. I didn't mean an M3...sheesh M3 hands down..I was thinking of the 330...325...that type of 3 Series...

[Cry Havoc]

^^ I think you misunderstood 3 Series. I didn't mean an M3...sheesh M3 hands down..I was thinking of the 330...325...that type of 3 Series...

Wouldn't you be able to get an 08 M3 for about the same price as the 250 IS?

EDIT: Meh, scratch that. For some reason I thought the Lexus/Benz were in a higher price bracket.

I'd probably go with the Lexus... although it might be a draw between the 3 series.

[lebomb]

So...given that each of these cars, used, runs close to each other in price, which would you choose.


I drove a 2000 Benz C-280 sport for 3yrs.............. girls thought I was rich.........LOL. Basically I can tell ya that the average person bases the cars in this order.

1. Benz ......... seems the most prestigious to the avg. person
2. BMW ........ very nice, but their autos arent as exclusive as a Benz
3. Lexus ......... wanna be Benz and Beamer

..........this is my humble opinion.

[fraga]

Well it's more about luxury and amenities for me...

[lebomb]

Well it's more about luxury and amenities for me...


BENZ for sure then.
:hat

[Soul_Patch]

Lol @ buying cars based on how others perceive them....

[lebomb]

Lol @ buying cars based on how others perceive them....


I didnt say it was smart or right............Im just saying how it is. *shrugs*

I drove both a Beamer and Benz before I made my purchase............the Benz was a bit larger inside, and felt much heavier...........more substantial and luxurious. The Beamer may have been sportier, but I went with a luxury sport I guess you can say.

[Cry Havoc]

Lol @ buying cars based on how others perceive them....

Or getting different points of view from people who might have more experience or owned a particular model? I mean, if I was thinking about buying a IS 250 and someone told me they HATED theirs, and could list a number of reasons why not to get one, I'd at least take it into consideration.

I rode in a 2010 Camaro SS on a road trip, and just about 40 miles of riding in it was enough to make me sure I never wanted to buy one. It pitched and rolled into the corners like a luxury sedan, not a sports car. It wasn't horrible, but in a car with 420+ hp, it was an unforgivable flaw to me. Nice car, but damn, it felt like a Chrysler inside.

[fraga]

Lol @ buying cars based on how others perceive them....

Pfffffffffft...how do you buy cars...based on safety, reliability and affordability...

[gatoloco]

bang for the buck!

which can be interpreted in a couple ways...:lol

[hater]

1. it's bimmers not beamers
2. never buy a new car
3. which 3 series? world of difference between a 325 and a 335
4. fuck toyota
5. lot of better cars out there for the money

[lebomb]

1. it's bimmers not beamers



LOL............I completely agree with this. :lol

[fraga]

5. lot of better cars out there for the money

Please to elaborate...

[Cane]

Well it's more about luxury and amenities for me...

Thats more Merc and Lexus territory then. I would also look into Acura and Infiniti vehicles since they come with a lot of standard features and have a lot to offer at entry luxury prices except they don't have as prestigious of a badge.

[Soul_Patch]

May not get you the pussy, or envy of others...but Hyundai is coming out with some very nice, and very well reviewed cars lately. If i wouldn't have just bought my wife an Infiniti, i would be buying a Hyundai most likely.

You could get a nice Genesis (bigger and much more amenities) for what you would be spending on a base line 300, 3series or lexus.

[fraga]

Man that Genesis sedan looks like they took a BMW...Infiniti...and Lexus and mashed it all together...

[Soul_Patch]

I agree, but it is a really nice, and very sound car. Read a little about it. i was surprised when i read all the reviews and comments.

[hater]

Please to elaborate...


Acura and Infiniti

more luxury, electronic gadgets, reliability and better pricing than Merc/BMW

but if you're like me and like to drive the hell out of it, BMW is my choice

[Nathan Explosion]

I had my little 2002 Jetta GLS 1.8t a few years back with the windows rolled down and the sunroof open. I'm at a light and take off like I normally do (quick on the acceleration but not flooring it as I had my son in the car). I hear this engine just really going and changing gears very quickly on my left and realize the car next to me is really accelerating from the light. I look down just as I hit 45 (my normal cruising speed on this particular road) and finally the car next to me passes me up.

Then it dawned on me. I think the guy was racing me because the engine sure sounded like he was trying to. As he passed me up going 60 I noticed he was driving a 325i. Take the story for what it's worth, but the guy's engine was really revving and he could barely keep up with me. My engine was much quieter and I hadn't even heard the "whistle" of the turbo charger when it kicks in.

I've thrown that Jetta into manual (sport shifting) and really floored it. If this had been a race, I would have destroyed the guy.

I don't know if this was an indictment on the car or the driver (I'd have to say driver imo) but it was startling that this "sportier" luxury car was struggling to keep up with my Jetta under normal driving conditions.

Anyway, I'd say go with the Lexus. It's a freaking Toyota for christsakes and those things are reliable as hell. Personally, I'd prefer an Acura or an Audi. One for reliability and one for sport.

An RS4 would absolutely destroy an M3 btw. Even though both are considered to be in the same class. I've had the pleasure of driving an Audi S8. Absolutely beautiful car with some horsepower to boot.

[fraga]

Well to be honest...I currently own a fully loaded 07 TSX...this was more to see how people viewed these 3 cars...with everyone putting in their own two cents on likes and dislikes...I was wondering if it would persuade me enough to get me in one...

[pawe]

You are in the wrong forum to ask this kind of question. Look at some of the people here who commented cars are just cars, cars are only meant to transport you from point a to b, entry level luxury cars are for posers.

Go to: my.is, MBWorld.com and e90fanatics.com
and you'll get better comparisons and reasons to get these kinds of vehicles.

[fraga]

Well now you tell me...

[fraga]

So...the C300 is officially out...test drove one yesterday...was EXTREMELY disappointed...the car is solid...sporty...that's about it...for the price...you are extremely low balled on the amenities that come with the car...sure you get sun roof...leather...but the damn thing still had dial knobs for the A/C...the Sports Shifter was side to side...I mean what the hell...not up down...or down up...but side to side...nobody shifts side to side...no HID's...Mercedes really doesn't care about their entry level cars...next stop...the Lexus...

[hater]

You are in the wrong forum to ask this kind of question. Look at some of the people here who commented cars are just cars, cars are only meant to transport you from point a to b, entry level luxury cars are for posers.

Go to: my.is, MBWorld.com and e90fanatics.com
and you'll get better comparisons and reasons to get these kinds of vehicles.

well those fanboys at thos sites will swear their car (either MB or BMW) is the best thing in the world. So I don't think their opinion really counts