fperra

OK guys and gals, I'm curious to hear what you think. Next month I turn 67 and I'm finally going to sign up for Social Security, This should add about $32,000 to my disposable income annually. My Corvette is pretty much a GTG, car show, weekend ride car and my truck is only used for those occasionally where only a truck will do. I've been using my wife's Genesis for most of my daily drive requirements, but I'm tired of hearing her complain, and I can't blame here. So I'm looking for a daily driver. I've nailed it down to three cars: a loaded 2013 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 (6 speed with recaro seats and track package), a soon to be available 2013 BMW 135is, and the same BMW in convertible version. About a $10K difference between the Mustang and the BMW coupe and another $4K for the convertible. Which would you go for?

grandsport4me1963

I still tell my wife to this day that my old sold BMW 1998 328i was the best experience of quality and comfort as compared to all other makes I've owned. I've experienced 10 makes. BMW over Ford if that's your only choice. Oh and I personally like coupes in the NW.

Joy of 6

although not on your list, I'd get a CTS-V over any of those. 2nd choice would be a Fox body mustang (84 to 93) they are cheap, fun to drive and good visibility out the windows

JETninja

CTS-V or the Mustang. You'll love the sound and room much better...and the Bimmer weighs almost as much as the Mustang. (and its overpriced in my opinion.) The whole M thing has lost it roots....

Knob Jockey

How about a 1000 RWHP S-2000?

Should get you around the lake nicely.

fperra

I already have a 560 whp S2000, but like the Corvette, not a daily driver. Up for sale soon.

CTS-V is nice but more money than I want to spend. So far in my lifetime I have never bought a used car. Hope to keep it that way.

boardroomjimmy

If you must have a V8, I'd go used 08-11 m3 or 08-11 c63 amg. Both used, can be had for around 50k. Much nicer interior than the mustang. With our crap weather, a used 335xi or a audi s4 would work nicely also. As I get older, the quality of the interior gets more important. After all, when your stuck in traffic thats what matters.

AaronZ51

Well Fred, based on your track record, I would probably say the coupe Bimmer. I'm afraid you would have a hard time leaving the Mustang alone as a nice daily driver and not start the customization process on another car. Other than that, I don't know squat about the BMW's.

Mr. Peabody

If you are asking for our view on the 3 that you’ve narrowed it down to then I would probably go with the Mustang GT. It looks nice, sounds good, has more room to carry things than either of your current sports cars.

However if you are asking what we would do in your situation given:
1) no used car
2) must pay full price with one years soc sec (which from a financial management perspective I agree with 100%)

I would once again suggest that you consider the Sonata 2.0T SE. It’s fun to drive, has decent get-up-and-go, gets decent mileage and can carry a ton of stuff. Goes good in the snow. You already seem to like the Wife’s car.

XC6VETTE

OMG I hope I found this in time to save you from yourself.....

What? No fart can Fiat? BMW...really? Can you actually live in Lakewood and still be an east side yuppie at 67? I just can't picture you in a skirt or as a poser.

Phil, a little help here....if you can spare the time...which you should have plenty of since you couldn't find the boat shop tour yesterday. Get lost did you? Oh never,mind, he likes anything as long as it has chromies.

Screw the (us) Germans...you already got rid of a 5 series. Or try a Mercedes...they're getting better looking while BMW's are turning into bathtubs. Speaking of bath tubs...have you considered a German sewing machine, errh I mean Porsche.

Hell, grow some red, white and blue hair and get the CTS-V coupe for crap sakee....they're to die for and they'll deal.

OR

....what was the question..... Who was this for again?

EVAN&MONICA

Thought I recognized the screenname (I'm Evan of "EVAN&MONICA" on s2ki), was going to suggest an S2k but since your already covered there.

I guess I'd go with the GT

Evan

XC6VETTE

Have you driven a Mustang (or Camaro) in the rain? They're notoriously bad in the wet....this is a daily driver right?

Vert in the PNW....?

Do the BMW's your considering have an AWD option? Have you consider an Audi? If your serious about all weather performance daily driver that's the ticket.

See, this time I'm mellowing as I drink...much like the wine I'm drinking.....did somebody say wine.....Phil, where the hell are you?

fperra

CTS-V is out. Too expensive and I won't buy Government Motors as long as Obama is in office.

I actually liked the BMW 5 series a lot although I'll admit it was not the best looking car by a long shot. It was Connie who didn't care for it and it was her car.

Haven't had the chance to drive the new Mustang yet, but I will soon. I think they have made a lot of improvements in it for 2013.
As far as the BMW 135is goes, it reminds me of the BMW 2002tii which I fell in love with in my college days. Just couldn't quite come up with the cash back then. So stay tuned,

grandsport4me1963

Quote:

Originally Posted by fperra

Haven't had the chance to drive the new Mustang yet, but I will soon. I think they have made a lot of improvements in it for 2013.
As far as the BMW 135is goes, it reminds me of the BMW 2002tii which I fell in love with in my college days. Just couldn't quite come up with the cash back then. So stay tuned,

You deserve the fit and finish of the BMW...may as well drive in comfort if it is in fact your DD.

tjwong

If it was me I would get a CTS V wagon then add the LPE 750hp kit, I tried talking my wife into that for the new kidde wagon. But it looks like we will be getting a new Cadillac SRX or a Lexus RX350. I would love a new Denali suburban but can't seem to part ways with 60k.

fperra

Hey Tom, congrats on the new bambino. The way you're pumping them out lately you might start thinking about a minivan.

alanfigliola

Whatsa matta you, you no even mention considering da"SMART CAR" that git ya around Lakewood in fine form , lol AL FIG

XC6VETTE

last901

Sure, drag me into the discussion... (as if I ever required any assistance adding my two-cents worth).

What's the deal on Connie being unhappy with you and the Genesis? Is she complaining because you use it when she needs it, or is she unhappy with the car?

My opinions are going to do nothing, I'm sure, to help you make up your mind. I think you simply wanted us to know you will have an additional $32,000 annual "fun money" and make a lot of us get out the calculators or the SSA benefits estimator to try and figure out how much you used to make when you were still employed.

BMW's are interesting cars. I had one and (probably) will never own another. It's perhaps unfair to base my comment on just one example, and a '76 2002 at that. In my opinion they are really expensive to maintain. That said, I think new BMW's come with free maintenance for the first 3 years or some specified mileage.

Still, if I were "allowed" only one car, I would certainly take a hard look at the BMW's again. To my mind they are a natural melding of quality and performance. I'd probably be an M3 or 335i candidate.

I also owned a Mustang GT, and while they're appealing, they are still, effectively, a 2-seater. Besides you'll have to deal with Ford dealers. Oh, and buy the way, as ap mentioned, they can be lethal in the wet. At least if you drive as badly as I do.

As you know, I'm a huge Mazda fan. Not suggesting you consider a Mazda - although I can make that happen for you quite reasonably. It's just that my relationship with University Mazda in Seattle is such that they always take care of me and my family. Daughter Shelby just bought a new CX-9 and I bought another "3" hatchback in the last few weeks. I think our family members have owned something like 12 Mazdas since 1992. They have all been wonderful cars. More or less.

The Koreans - Hyundai and Kia - are making some great cars - but you already have the Genesis so I assume you've, ostensibly, decided you don't want to go that route.

Consider this; if you want a BMW, consider leasing one. I have no idea what lease payments would be, but the intriguing thing is that you would have relatively little money out-of-pocket up-front and on a, say 3-year lease, you'd have all maintenance covered, still be under warranty the entire time you would have the car. When the lease is up, you turn the car back in, buy it for the residual amount (or make an offer) or sell it, pay off the lease company and pocket the difference. I'm oversimplifying here, but you get the idea. Don't you?

Or... why don't you take that extra loot you're going to get. give it to me (and the museum, of course) so we can finish up the Blue Blaster and get the boat in the water. I'll even ask Chip to give you a ride in it. I think we've found a Merlin V12, but they aren't cheap to build.

What ever happened to your fondness for FIAT Cinquecentos?

fperra

This is a first.An almost serious response from Phil.

Anyhow, as far as my fondness for FIAT Cinquecentos, if you look at the original posting, it was the young lady in the advertisement that fancied my interest. I might give up one years worth of SS for a week with her and a prescription of cialis. But of course I would have to get Connie's permission for something like that.