Cars with WOW factor - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

albertGQ · 07-30-2007, 12:59 PM

This is a year away but I thought I'd start getting opinions now since this is going to be my second biggest financial decision of my life so far.

So around next April, I'm thinking of selling my RSX and upgrading. I am unsure as to what I'm going to get, but the four makes I'm considering is a Lexus, Beamer, Benz, or Porsche. Next year will be 2008 and I hate buying brand new cars. I'd rather buy one a couple years old so I won't have to pay GST and I wont' take the immediate depreciation hit. So I'll probably get a 2005 or 2006. My price range is just going to be about $35k (give or take)

I'm turning 29 next year, so I'm thinking of getting a four door. A 300 series beamer came to mind. I also am thinking of staying with a two door or even get a two seater instead. I want my car to have that WOW factor when I drive. I am single and plan on being single for awhile, so the WOW factor is important to me. Which of the four makes of cars have the most WOW factor that is in my price range? I am unfamiliar with cars especially those four makes since I never thought I would be able to afford one.

This is just preliminary talk, but what car do you guys suggest? The only porsche I can afford is the boxster and I'm not sure I want that.

Who knows, maybe I'll end up keeping the RSX, but I am serious about upgrading. Oh, and the car must be a vehicle I can drive year round. I don't want a sweet summer car and then drive a crap-mobile in the winter

Burninator · 07-30-2007, 01:13 PM

I am quite fond of the Lexus IS 350

albertGQ · 07-30-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burninator

I am quite fond of the Lexus IS 350

How much?? Is it in my price range?

RougeUnderoos · 07-30-2007, 01:19 PM

You'll be able to get a pretty slick 4 year-old car for 35 grand.

If impressing people is what you are after, buy a C or E class Mercedes. Very few people will know you got it for 35 gs or know the difference between it and the really expensive models.

albertGQ · 07-30-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

You'll be able to get a pretty slick 4 year-old car for 35 grand.

If impressing people is what you are after, buy a C or E class Mercedes. Very few people will know you got it for 35 gs or know the difference between it and the really expensive models.

Do you have any pics??

photon · 07-30-2007, 01:20 PM

G35 Coupe! Infiniti is another good premium brand. Or since you don't need 4 seats, you could even go with a 350Z.

Heh, I'm almost in the same state of mind, though my budget is a little bit higher. I hate having the same car as everyone else, so that's entering into my decision quite a bit.

Problem with a 3 series BMW is EVERYONE and their dog seems to have a 3 series BMW. There's so many of them I don't think anyone notices them anymore.

Same thing with a Boxter, it's the Porche that everyone can afford.

For that price range it'll be a stretch to get anything decent from MB or Lexus too. The IS250 is a nice looking car though, but I'm not sure what year they released the new design.

You could go in a different direction such as a RX-8, or even a Miata with some nice add-on stuff. Or a Honda S-2000. Or a Mini Cooper S

Back to BMW, you might be able to find a Z4 roadster for that low. Or the Pontiac Solstice, or even the Saturn Sky (that one is pretty rare).

The WRX STi will get you wow factor, but only for it's performance (ugly car IMO).

A bit bigger, you could look at a Jaguar S-Type, nice looking car IMO. Or even a Volvo R60, though not sure if you could find one that cheap. Caddy STS as well. Audi A4.

Sorry, lots of options, not sure I've been a help or just made things worse.

photon · 07-30-2007, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

If impressing people is what you are after, buy a C or E class Mercedes. Very few people will know you got it for 35 gs or know the difference between it and the really expensive models.

Get an E class, the C class look soooo cheap:

RougeUnderoos · 07-30-2007, 01:22 PM

http://www.mercedes-benz.ca/

There's even a feature for searching out used MBs.

ricoFlame · 07-30-2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

G35 Coupe! Infiniti is another good premium brand. Or since you don't need 4 seats, you could even go with a 350Z.

there's 6 or 7 G35's in the parking lot where i work, and they make me want one so bad. they look great.

photon · 07-30-2007, 01:23 PM

Jag S-Type:

photon · 07-30-2007, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricoFlame

there's 6 or 7 G35's in the parking lot where i work, and they make me want one so bad. they look great.

Heh, that's the only thing that makes me not want one, there's a lot of them out there.

TheyCallMeBruce · 07-30-2007, 01:24 PM

IS350 new would be completely out of your price range. But I do agree, Lexus 250s, 350s...so on have the "Wow" factor.

BMW 330ci would be a good choice...you "might" and I emphasize "might" be able to get one for $35k if it is a couple of years old. However, seems there's a certain mystic that comes with a BMW owner. I see either young idiot punks who drive it like they stole it, or old guys.

My opinion is to forget about Benz. If you can, look into Audis as well. Audis have a high wow factor.

HelloHockeyFans · 07-30-2007, 01:24 PM

In your price range, I think a used 325ci is what I'd go for...

Also, you'll probably be looking at close to 38K for that...

photon · 07-30-2007, 01:25 PM

G35 Coupe

TheyCallMeBruce · 07-30-2007, 01:25 PM

Ah yes, like people have mentioned...how can I forget the G35 coup. I have a few friends who own one and they are sharp. HOWEVER...

G35s are as common as civics these days. If you are going to get one, get one with a color that is a bit rare...such as white.

Table 5 · 07-30-2007, 01:26 PM

the only wow a lexus generates in my mind is "wow, that guy sure must seriously lack imagination".

Personally, I dont think any of those really have a wow factor any more since there are a lot of them driving the roads of Calgary these days. They are great cars, but pretty saturated.

Spend your 40-50 grand on a classic from another era...much bigger wow factor.

photon · 07-30-2007, 01:26 PM

2005 Audi A4

arsenal · 07-30-2007, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

Heh, that's the only thing that makes me not want one, there's a lot of them out there.

Get the JDM badging for it

Fozzie_DeBear · 07-30-2007, 01:31 PM

How about an NSX? Fairly rare, VERY sporty, and old enough that you can score one in your price range

albertGQ · 07-30-2007, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

G35 Coupe! Infiniti is another good premium brand. Or since you don't need 4 seats, you could even go with a 350Z.

Heh, I'm almost in the same state of mind, though my budget is a little bit higher. I hate having the same car as everyone else, so that's entering into my decision quite a bit.

Problem with a 3 series BMW is EVERYONE and their dog seems to have a 3 series BMW. There's so many of them I don't think anyone notices them anymore.

Same thing with a Boxter, it's the Porche that everyone can afford.

For that price range it'll be a stretch to get anything decent from MB or Lexus too. The IS250 is a nice looking car though, but I'm not sure what year they released the new design.

You could go in a different direction such as a RX-8, or even a Miata with some nice add-on stuff. Or a Honda S-2000. Or a Mini Cooper S

Back to BMW, you might be able to find a Z4 roadster for that low. Or the Pontiac Solstice, or even the Saturn Sky (that one is pretty rare).

The WRX STi will get you wow factor, but only for it's performance (ugly car IMO).

A bit bigger, you could look at a Jaguar S-Type, nice looking car IMO. Or even a Volvo R60, though not sure if you could find one that cheap. Caddy STS as well. Audi A4.

Sorry, lots of options, not sure I've been a help or just made things worse.

I'm leaning towards this. Do they only come in soft top or are there hard tops available??