Roush Need advice on a new daily driver.

[sy1172]

I am considering the following cars. What is best. I want a fast, dependable, unique, not too big car that I can use for business too (not too flashy). Less than $45-50K new or used (2005 or newer).

What would you buy?

Mercedes C55 AMG
BMW M3
Audi S4
Chrysler 300 SRT8
Jeep Cherokee SRT8
Cadillac CTS-V

Personally, I love the Caddy (top contenter now) but I'm traditionally not a caddy kid of guy but with the LS6, I can get over it (body kind of bland too). C55 might be too flashy (in sales here), M3 is OK but I am disapointed with the power and the SMG sucks, S4 is nice but have had 2 and my ex drives an A4 (I know, who cares), the 300 SRT8 is great but my wife thinks I need to sell dope then and the SRT8 Cherokee's gas mileage is so bad.

Need help here please

Thanks,

 

[THX 138]

wait for the next m3. It will be a v8. Audi RS4 is a v8 but overpriced. CTSV has the LS6 5.7L from the old Z06 not the 6.0L LS2. The new Lexus IS series is nice. BMW is coming out with a 3 piece convertible hardtop. If they put that on the next m3 that will be the perfect car. The Infiniti M45 is very hansom too. the STS-V is probably out of your price range unless you find a used one but they look so nice.

 

[sy1172]

The next M3 will be too much money. RS4, yes, you are right. I do not care too much for the IS, hate verts and can do without the M45 styling (I'm 32,, too young for that fatherly car . STS-V is nice but too big and too much $. The CTS-V is great, used with <10K miles for in the low $30K range. I do like the SRT-8 line up but my experience with American cars is not good. I hate to be non-patriotic but their appearance, fit and finish and overall quality, not to mention service is lacking.....look at my 04 Saleen, not good for a $54K car.

Hmmmm. others?????

 

[THX 138]

Well the Chryslers are getting more Mercedes influence so the quality will only get better with newer products. The 300c is a beautiful car and the cassis is based off the old mercedes E series. Even in you get the base Hemi, some gears will really wake it up as they are 2.73s or something really low. And the base hemi vs the SRT8 will give you the MDS multiple displacement system and save some gas money. The Jeep GC SRT8 is amazing but the body kit kind of turns me off. I'd like to see the same truck with everything but that body kit and have it lowered. Also the Jeep Commander is very hansome in black with some 20" wheels and shoudl have great '06 discounts on them right now.

If you want to keep a Ford theme I really like the Explorer Sport Trac.
I wish SVT did the Adrenaline. You could try to make your own version to have it match the saleen with those new 20" Saleen looking rims.

I was going to do that but the gas milage is so bad on them. Also the Lincoln LS's are heavily discounted as they are being replaced with the new generation Lincolns. The new Lincolns are Ford based whereas the LS is more Jaguar based. If you're looking at SUV's you HAVE to see the new mercedes GL. I saw one with AMG or similar trim and was blown away

 

[elburrito99]

Do you have to deal with bad weather winter where you live? That could be a factor since you're talking about a daily driver. The Chrysler could be a bitch in snow, even with traction control.

The Jeep SRT8 is a remarkable vehicle, especially for the price. The awd system (specifically designed for the high hp and torque) is supposed to be excellent and it lets you rip up sub-5 second 0 to 60 times with ease. The Jeep's maintenance costs might be significantly lower than some others on your list. I have driven my friend's Grand Cherokee with the Hemi; it is solidly built and it hauls. I cannot imagine what another 100hp from the SRT8 engine feels like.

The Chrysler is nice, but very big and heavy.

The S4 looks a lot like a regular A4, which may be good or bad, depending on what you're looking for.

I have a friend who has an '06 E55 (not the C), and he cannot stop raving about it. Those are pricey, and I'm not sure it will be dependable after a few years.

I know several M3 owners and not a single one passionately raves about how much he loves his M3. They don't dislike their M3s, they just seem a bit bored with them.

My $.02.

 

[marcus95]

M45 or CTS-V.

 

[Disco]

Vince did you ever get a tune on that car yet? How about a merauder with a eaton blower on it? otherwise go mercedes the c36amg is a good buy and quick too. [email protected]

 

[sy1172]

Hey, did not get a tune yet. The car more or less has sat for a while now. I've been so busy with the house and job so little time for the Saleen (sadly enough).

Don't like the c36 too much, getting a bit old and don't like a SC 6.

 

[FASN8N]

Will someone explain to me why they can’t drive a nice or “flashy” car? I don’t understand what is wrong with buying a nice car if YOU like it YOU have worked for it?

Everyone spends money on something in their lives, this is what keeps you going and makes you strive for the next goal. I know people who love nice cars, so they buy a nice car to drive. Some people love sports, so they spend money on season tickets, memorabilia, and traveling to games. Some people love nature, skiing, or the beach and they buy a home in one of these areas to enjoy their passion…

I constantly hear people say, I don’t want to buy this or that because it may be too “flashy” or “ostentatious”?

Who cares what the next guy thinks! Is it the fact that you might make someone jealous? They had the chance to work just as hard as you did to buy what they want?

Do you think driving a nice car will make your clients think you make too much or it might turn them off?

I don't know about you, but I want to deal with someone who is the best in their field and puts something back into themselves. I want the guy who is wearing a Rolex and driving a $100k car doing my business and representing me, not someone who is wearing a $50 Timex and driving a 1980's Camry with 300k miles on it.

Sorry for the rant, but I just don’t understand the theory behind this and want to try and get an explanation.

So, your question about which car to buy:

Mercedes C55 AMG --You get power, class, German refinement and 4 doors to carry clients and family
BMW M3 --Great car, but I am not a fan of SMG (make mine 6 speed please) and no 4 door option for family or clients
Audi S4 --Ok, but sort of bland in my opinion
Chrysler 300 SRT8 --Fun to look at, but never been in one. Seems like you can have your cake and eat it too
Jeep Cherokee SRT8 --Same as above, except you can go off-road
Cadillac CTS-V --Nice car, but if I was spending this type of money I would look at an 03 E55 Mercedes currently in the $41k-$54k range (check Ebay)

 

[THX 138]

Will someone explain to me why they can’t drive a nice or “flashy” car? I don’t understand what is wrong with buying a nice car if YOU like it YOU have worked for it?

Everyone spends money on something in their lives, this is what keeps you going and makes you strive for the next goal. I know people who love nice cars, so they buy a nice car to drive. Some people love sports, so they spend money on season tickets, memorabilia, and traveling to games. Some people love nature, skiing, or the beach and they buy a home in one of these areas to enjoy their passion…

I constantly hear people say, I don’t want to buy this or that because it may be too “flashy” or “ostentatious”?

Who cares what the next guy thinks! Is it the fact that you might make someone jealous? They had the chance to work just as hard as you did to buy what they want?

Sorry for the rant, but I just don’t understand the theory behind this and want to try and get an explanation.

Exactly. I work my ass off to be an engineer. I don't feel guilty for having or spending my money. I earned it for sticking with school while everyone else droped out just like my dad earned his money by being a machinist since he was 13 in Greece and working 60-80 hours a week his whole life ON TOP of moving to strange countrys all over the world to finally find Southern California to call home. The only thing I worry about with the nice car I finally have is it getting stolen or me getting carjacked. Most guys I grew up with that had nice cars ended up getting handguns

 

[elburrito99]

For many professions, especially those that involve customers/clients who can take their business elsewhere, image is unfortunately a very large part of one's daily existence.

Most people wouldn't want to see their doctor walk into an appointment wearing shorts and flip flops (is she/he taking this appointment seriously), their general contractor show up wearing a diamond studded Rolex (is she/he overcharging me for this remodel?), or their attorney wearing a suit that's falling apart (if this attorney's any good, why can't she/he afford a decent suit?).

And this often extends to what car one drives.

As an attorney in Los Angeles, I see this on a particularly intense scale. I've actually heard people say things like "he's a good attorney, he drives a Porsche." I also know a plaintiff's attorney working in a small firm who once bought a 911 Turbo that he couldn't afford (he was living in an apartment at the time), in hopes of securing more clients. Heck, I have clients that I will drive around in my wife's Durango (complete with car seats and random Cheerios strewn about the back seat) because the Saleen might come across as too flashy, while I have other clients who will outright ask me to take them out in the Saleen.

 

[Disco]

Vince go all out E55 amg they really rip. Well if you ever want a tune im here.

 

[FASN8N]

For many professions, especially those that involve customers/clients who can take their business elsewhere, image is unfortunately a very large part of one's daily existence.

Most people wouldn't want to see their doctor walk into an appointment wearing shorts and flip flops (is she/he taking this appointment seriously), their general contractor show up wearing a diamond studded Rolex (is she/he overcharging me for this remodel?), or their attorney wearing a suit that's falling apart (if this attorney's any good, why can't she/he afford a decent suit?).

And this often extends to what car one drives.

As an attorney in Los Angeles, I see this on a particularly intense scale. I've actually heard people say things like "he's a good attorney, he drives a Porsche." I also know a plaintiff's attorney working in a small firm who once bought a 911 Turbo that he couldn't afford (he was living in an apartment at the time), in hopes of securing more clients. Heck, I have clients that I will drive around in my wife's Durango (complete with car seats and random Cheerios strewn about the back seat) because the Saleen might come across as too flashy, while I have other clients who will outright ask me to take them out in the Saleen.

Thanks for your take on this issue. I can see your point on the doctor in flip flops or attorney in cheap suit, these are scenarios where the individual is being too cheap or unprofessional. Having the best of something is on the other end or the spectrum and I don't see how it can hurt you. If you have worked hard for what you have, screw what other people thing. If they are jealous, that is their problem.

 

[Cali 281SC]

$45-$50k? Whew boy,you got lots of options.

I would go with a used S500, used Lexus LS 400/430, but that's just me. Give me the flashy, the ostentatious, just not gawdy. You are worried about getting carjacked? Are you serious? Where do you live? what time of the day do you drive? I live in Stockton, crime capital of the State of California (I wish I were kidding). I'm an attorney in downtown Stockton. We have Mercedes and high end vehicles driving around all day (not too many people cruising downtown past 8:00 P.M. unless they are going out to clubs or movies, but you're a family guy like me, so not likely).
Stolen? Who cares? That's why we have good insurance. If you cant afford to buy good coverage, you can't afford the car.

Face it, if you already own a Saleen, you certainly don't own a collection of discreet vehicles.

Get what you like, what looks good to you. Forget about what other people think. You will drive the car, not them.

good luck.

 

[sy1172]

Too flashy and all that does matter with my occupation so an E55 or M5 or LS430 or some of the others are out. I have looked at them all and ended up buying a CTS-V...for it's power, handling, braking and overall stealth nature. All that and it's a bang for the buck too. I loved the Infiniti M45 but again, too much and overall too buttoned up, too regulated and too many options. I have seldom been so excited about a car as the V.

Thanks all.

My Saleen is up for sale now!!! Email if you are interested!

 

[FASN8N]

Congrats on the CTSV purchase. I am sure you will love it

 

[sln8661]

If it's going to be your daily driver does it really need to have as much hp as your Saleen?

For me a daily driver would be something comfortable with just the enough horse power to enjoy the ride. Which makes me want to suggest the new BMW 355ci. In-line 3 liter 6 cylendar engine with twin turbos putting out 306hp. I test drove it and it's definetly a lot of fun and would make a great daily driver. Not too flashy either.

 

[sy1172]

Does it need to have as much power as my Saleen???? Do bears crap in the woods,of course it does...that's a silly question. Even though theSaleen has more power, the CTS-V will take it hands down...at least so says my seat dyno. I like the Saleen, but not love it. The build quality is crap, pure garbage. My 91 Syclone had a better interior finish...as did my camaros and so on. Ford is a few steps behind for sure.

As far as the BMW goes, my current daily driver is a '02 BMW 530I with sport. Nice car, service blows (at least at my dealer) and I'm done for a bit with BMW. Had a couple Audi's, done the BMW thing, don't want a benz, not into the total sophistication of a *** car so I thought I'd give Caddilac a try.

Try this in your Saleen. 90mph, (in my V) shift into fourth and break the back tires loose...that's serious power. I tried it with the Saleen and it's not possible (now I do have 315's out back) but still.

 

[2000xp8]

Vince go all out E55 amg they really rip. Well if you ever want a tune im here.

The E55 amg would be my first choice in a foreign ride.

But, in reality i'm an american muscle type, and quite often i contemplate getting rid of my two cars and getting a CTS V. But i live in the northeast and i need something AWD, so i'd really have to budget for 2 new cars if i ditched the xp8.

There is actually a cts v on ebay right now with a magnacharger eaton setup on it.

Edit:
Just read above, you already purchased one, good choice.

 

[THX 138]

The E55 amg would be my first choice in a foreign ride.

But, in reality i'm an american muscle type, and quite often i contemplate getting rid of my two cars and getting a CTS V. But i live in the northeast and i need something AWD, so i'd really have to budget for 2 new cars if i ditched the xp8.

There is actually a cts v on ebay right now with a magnacharger eaton setup on it.

Edit:
Just read above, you already purchased one, good choice.

What's an XP8? I sat in the CTS-V at the L.A. auto show on sunday. The throw of the shifter seemed really long. Other than that I like it. I'd like to drive one. The spy shots of the next one are awesome.