Help Me Pick My Next Car....

**pokey** · 02-13-2010, 07:36 PM

The lease on my Cadillac CTS is coming to an end in May. I'm shopping for its replacement and thought I would come to all of you for an opinion.

Here are my requirements (set partially by my wife who occasionally drives the car when I've had one to many single malts):

-automatic (I know)
-all wheel drive (I live in Green Bay and this is my winter car)
-four doors (3 boys, 4th baby on the way, I sometimes have to pick them up from school)

Here is what I was out seeing today:
Mercedes C300
BMW 328xi
Audi A4

Color input also needed. I'm thinking black (or a pearl black), given my new found hobby

My summer car is in my avatar, a 2009 Eclipse Spyder GT. She's a fun summer toy that I like to keep shinny.

Suggest away, even if its not on the list above. I love to drive, and I want to have a fun car.

**MikeyC** · 02-13-2010, 10:54 PM

You're missing one car from your list! I would definitely put the Infiniti G37x on there. I was in your shoes a couple of years ago and I was looking at all the same cars as you are.

In the end I bought a G35x (G37 wasn't out then) because it had more hp, more bells & whistles, and it cost less than all the other cars on my list. In the G you get the hp of the BMW 335 for the price of the 328. Also, the G has the biggest back seat of the bunch.

Also, my mother-in-law has the Mercedes and I'm not impressed with it. The interior material quality is very low quality for a M-B. The BMW is very nice but you pay a $10K+ premium over the G to get in a similar car. The Audi is a nice car as well. I had an Audi once though. It spent more time in the service department than it did with me.

**LincolnZephyr2006** · 02-13-2010, 11:29 PM

I would look into the new CTS or a Lincoln MKZ.... both nice cars... but I am biased for American made cars...

**pokey** · 02-13-2010, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by LincolnZephyr2006

I would look into the new CTS or a Lincoln MKZ.... both nice cars... but I am biased for American made cars...

Being from Detroit, I'm usually partially to the USA. Both of my parents are retired are GM. I'm just frustrated by their attitude over the past years. In reality, I'm their target audience, and they have very little to offer. My parents moved to GB a few weeks ago, and trust me, I'm going to hear it for buying a kraut car.

**pokey** · 02-13-2010, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by MikeyC

You're missing one car from your list! I would definitely put the Infiniti G37x on there. I was in your shoes a couple of years ago and I was looking at all the same cars as you are.

In the end I bought a G35x (G37 wasn't out then) because it had more hp, more bells & whistles, and it cost less than all the other cars on my list. In the G you get the hp of the BMW 335 for the price of the 328. Also, the G has the biggest back seat of the bunch.

Also, my mother-in-law has the Mercedes and I'm not impressed with it. The interior material quality is very low quality for a M-B. The BMW is very nice but you pay a $10K+ premium over the G to get in a similar car. The Audi is a nice car as well. I had an Audi once though. It spent more time in the service department than it did with me.

You're right, I have to give Infinity a better look. I'm actually now leaning toward the S4 but the Infinity line might be worth a look at.

**rwright** · 02-13-2010, 11:44 PM

Black is a nice choice but as TRichard (Tad) put it, black is a part-time job. Would you consider silver? There's a 1,000hp Mustang that Asphalt Rocket did and the paint looks dripping wet. Couple that with some nice wheels and Opti-bond tire gel, wow wee!

Out of your list, I would honestly look at another Caddy. My wife and I looked at the C300 and it looked the part, the low end Mercedes, not too impressed either. We are looking at the Altima Couple in white pearl, the Murano (no color picked), and the orange Hummer H3. All different vehicles which makes the decision even tougher! Good luck on your next venture and be sure to clean it up real nice and show it off here!

Richard

*Edit - After posting this I read you're considering the S4, this takes the vote for me now! I love the new S4! One member here has a black S5 that is beautiful! Even captured a nice bird reflection on the hood!

**LincolnZephyr2006** · 02-13-2010, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by pokey

Being from Detroit, I'm usually partially to the USA. Both of my parents are retired are GM. I'm just frustrated by their attitude over the past years. In reality, I'm their target audience, and they have very little to offer. My parents moved to GB a few weeks ago, and trust me, I'm going to hear it for buying a kraut car.

lol

**richy** · 02-13-2010, 11:57 PM

I currently own a 2004 Infiniti FX35 and it is the best vehicle I have ever owned! Their quality rocks! I am looking to replace it in the next year or so, so like you, I have been looking as well. Audi makes a damned nice car. I have not driven one yet. I did however drive the Lincoln MKS with the Ecoboost engine...holey moley, I was in love! 110 HP and 100 ft-lb torque over the base 3.5L. I just can't decide whether I need another SUV or not. I also fell in love with the new Hyundai Equus that I saw at the NAIAS. Very, very, very nice. I will look very seriously at that car when it comes out, which is supposed to be later this year. The CTS is very nice, I just find them too common.