Car Shopping

[mrichman]

This is my first post!

I currently lease a 2001 Lexus GS 300. My lease ends in August, and I'm shopping around for something new. I'm looking at the Audi A4 3.0 Quattro Tiptronic, BMW 330 (coupe or sedan), and Mercedes-Benz CLK320 (or just another GS).

My lease on the lexus is $646/mo. (incl. tax) for 39 mos. I'd like to keep my next car around $500/mo (probably for 48 mos.).

Does anyone have any comment on what I'd be able to get away with among the A4, 330, and CLK for ~$500/mo?

MSN Autos compares the three here .

Some must-have features for me include:

"best pick" rating on www.highwaysafety.org
Automatic tranny
Xenon headlamps
Premium stereo (I love my Mark Levinson in the GS)
CD changer
and...oh yeah...A/C! (I live in South Florida!)

I've grown to ignore the navigation system in my Lexus...my passengers really dig it though.

 

[tmoody]

reviews of the spectrum of car mags rates BMW higher than all the models you have listed. i researched for many months in trading in my Z. as i have posted before, i've had the 330 for one month now and absolutely no regrets. as you are looking to lease, resale value has very little impact, but BMW also holds up very well on that end. for me, it was performance, quality, and customer service. i've heard good things about lexus but IMO there's no question. BMW 325 was compared to 3 of the 4 cars you have listed and came in second to infiniti G35 because engine was less powerful. 330 is a tested machine and always comes out on top.

 

[mrichman]

'Resale value' does not apply with respect to leases, but RESIDUAL VALUE has a tremendous bearing on the lease payment. Here is a link to the cars with the highest residual values:

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/99268/article.html

 

[Tom]

Being an Audi A4 owner myself, I'd say your best two choices would be the BMW or Audi. The thing I love most about the Audi is the AWD drive system, however the interior design is very bland and the 3.0 liter engine gives decent horsepower. If you are looking for a slightly more performance edge, I'd say go with the BMW. Not only is it faster, there are greater after-market parts available for it.

 

[MrElussive]

Are you looking for pure luxury, or luxury and performance? The Audi A4 and BMW 330i are both great sport sedans that accomplish luxury and performance very well. The CLK320 and GS300 are both more aimed towards luxury.

 

[epj3]

Since you live in florida you do not need All wheel drive, so I wouldnt reccomend the audi. You're going to get biased opinions here, as almost all members, except mrelussive, are bmw owners.

 

[codex57]

Don't get the GS. A new one is right around the corner. I'd wait for that one if you wanted another GS.

If you don't go with the BMW, give the G35 a test drive.

 

[gizzy]

If your looking into the quatro - I would suggest the 330xi as an alternate. If AWD is not what you want - then consider the 330i or the A4 3.0 with CVT.

 

[izzyracer]

If you do decide on a 330. Make sure you are aware of the different packages. Sport, Premium and Performance. I did not know I had Sport and Premium Package until I got home. And how I wish I knew about the performance package.

 

[bmwrocks]

They don't even discuss the xi as an option in south FL dealerships. It is just not necessary when you have all the other electronics to control your car in rain/sand/gravel/black ice.

So forget the xi or the quattro for that matter IMHO.

All the cars you mention are sweet. Good luck choosing a winner. They all have their pros and cons.

I wouldn't do too much analysis. Just go with your feelings and instincts. They are usually right.

 

[Blue]

I, too, looked at an A4. I chose the 2001 325i over the 2003 A4. The Audi was a hell of a lot cheaper, too. Audi is nice, but it's no BMW.

 

[black330i]

I think you've gotta go with the BMW on this one. In all of the car mags, whenever they review a sport sedan, it's always, "It corners/looks/feels great, but it's no 330i." The 3 series is the car to beat - and so far, nobody has beat it. Just make sure you get a manual transmission

 

[AWD330XI]

The only Audi I would even consider is an S4. But at $50k, I'll take a stripped M3 instead, please...

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

BMW rules!!!

 

[MrElussive]

If you do decide on a 330. Make sure you are aware of the different packages. Sport, Premium and Performance. I did not know I had Sport and Premium Package until I got home. And how I wish I knew about the performance package.

Knowing the options available for the car is part of basic research, buddy! Use the Internet, that's what it's there for.