What's a good replacement car for a lead foot like me?
November 13, 2015 12:58 AM Subscribe
My 2001 325i that I absolutely babied got totaled this weekend. I need a replacement. What should I get next? Details inside...
1. I loved my 325i so much. I tend to drive in urban areas and I loved the torque. I also loved how at 80-90 mph it was rock solid - hypothetically, of course.
2. I have a lead foot. It's bad for me, the environment, people around me. But that's just who I am. I was probably meant to be a Manhattan taxi driver. One of my minimum specs is that the 0-60 of my next car has to be no worse than the 325i.
3. Recently I changed my living situation such that now I drive into the city 1-2x per week, and the rest of the time I park at a commuter rail station.
4. I live in the SF Bay Area. No snow. (I'll rent to go to Tahoe... if I ever do.) Rain.
5. I loved my car. Just last month I spent $2k+ on maintenance and repairs.
6. I really liked the size of my 325i. I liked the turning radius too.
7. I always wished that my 325i had bluetooth and a rear view camera.
8. I'm thinking of buying a used car to replace it. I'm really looking for something headache free because my new job is also super crazy. Reliable is important.
9. No children... yet. It's mostly just me driving this.
Any thoughts on what I should get?
1. I loved my 325i so much. I tend to drive in urban areas and I loved the torque. I also loved how at 80-90 mph it was rock solid - hypothetically, of course.
2. I have a lead foot. It's bad for me, the environment, people around me. But that's just who I am. I was probably meant to be a Manhattan taxi driver. One of my minimum specs is that the 0-60 of my next car has to be no worse than the 325i.
3. Recently I changed my living situation such that now I drive into the city 1-2x per week, and the rest of the time I park at a commuter rail station.
4. I live in the SF Bay Area. No snow. (I'll rent to go to Tahoe... if I ever do.) Rain.
5. I loved my car. Just last month I spent $2k+ on maintenance and repairs.
6. I really liked the size of my 325i. I liked the turning radius too.
7. I always wished that my 325i had bluetooth and a rear view camera.
8. I'm thinking of buying a used car to replace it. I'm really looking for something headache free because my new job is also super crazy. Reliable is important.
9. No children... yet. It's mostly just me driving this.
Any thoughts on what I should get?
Is your budget in Tesla range? Because you'd love the Roadster and Model S.
posted by zippy at 1:33 AM on November 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by zippy at 1:33 AM on November 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
I have a used A5 Quattro with a manual transmission that I love love love.
posted by susiswimmer at 2:43 AM on November 13, 2015
posted by susiswimmer at 2:43 AM on November 13, 2015
Another one?
posted by paulash at 3:07 AM on November 13, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by paulash at 3:07 AM on November 13, 2015 [5 favorites]
A couple people i know have 3 series from around that time frame. Another friend of mine has an infiniti G35 he loves the crap out of. They've both ridden in/driven each others cars since one of the BMW people and the G35 guy dated for a while.
And building on that... my immediate suggestion would be well... That, a used G35/G37(or the new Q50 or whatever they're calling it). It's as close as you can get to a japanese BMW, with all the advantages that come from that. Cheaper parts, breaks less often, etc.
G35 guy is a huge leadfoot and just beats the shit out of that car. He's had it for years at this point and is really lax on the maintenance. Besides sets of tires, it's going strong. I can also definitely vouch for stability and quietness/confidence at high speeds because uh... Yea, lets just say that's been hypothetically tested.
If i had to list any low points compared to the semi-vintage 3 series it would be that the back seat is even more dumb(especially headroom, although i'm tall, like properly tall) and the interior is maybe like 7/8ths as nice. It's nice, but you notice it. The newer ones seem to have rectified at least the second gripe, though.
On rain, the TCS/VSC in it is like a videogame. I've been in it when my friend was utterly flooring it in the rain and it never gets squirrely or slippy, and handles it almost as good as the subarus i've driven which is very impressive for a RWD car with "performance" tires. I know what those BMWs are like in that situation and it's pretty surprising what a difference some computer control makes.
I'm not saying it's the go-to answer, but i'd definitely check it out.
On volvo, i haven't driven any of the newest ones... but i am familiar with the old S70/v70 and while they have the interior and stiff chassis feel, and power to them... they just feel really detached compared to something like a BMW or the infiniti. It feels more like a beefy luxury car than a sports car with luxury bits. I will acknowledge though, that most of the not-base-model volvos have a lot of power and you can immediately tell. They just don't look or feel like it, and aren't that fun to drive in that same sort of crisp way. Also, my friends old V70 he bought meticulously maintained from a mother on craigslist(with all the records, etc) freaking always had something broken on it. Not stops the car from driving stuff, but like... the sunroof jamming, or the auto climate control shorting out for the 2nd time, or the stereo fucking up, or the interior lights getting screwy, or the windows rolling themselves down, or... The powertrain was rock solid but every freaking time he'd get something fixed we'd be driving down the highway on a 75 degree day with the heat stuck on 90 if the ignition was on the next weekend. It did at least sound mean though, in a way that a BMW i6 does and the G35 just sort of... doesn't.
posted by emptythought at 5:14 AM on November 13, 2015
And building on that... my immediate suggestion would be well... That, a used G35/G37(or the new Q50 or whatever they're calling it). It's as close as you can get to a japanese BMW, with all the advantages that come from that. Cheaper parts, breaks less often, etc.
G35 guy is a huge leadfoot and just beats the shit out of that car. He's had it for years at this point and is really lax on the maintenance. Besides sets of tires, it's going strong. I can also definitely vouch for stability and quietness/confidence at high speeds because uh... Yea, lets just say that's been hypothetically tested.
If i had to list any low points compared to the semi-vintage 3 series it would be that the back seat is even more dumb(especially headroom, although i'm tall, like properly tall) and the interior is maybe like 7/8ths as nice. It's nice, but you notice it. The newer ones seem to have rectified at least the second gripe, though.
On rain, the TCS/VSC in it is like a videogame. I've been in it when my friend was utterly flooring it in the rain and it never gets squirrely or slippy, and handles it almost as good as the subarus i've driven which is very impressive for a RWD car with "performance" tires. I know what those BMWs are like in that situation and it's pretty surprising what a difference some computer control makes.
I'm not saying it's the go-to answer, but i'd definitely check it out.
On volvo, i haven't driven any of the newest ones... but i am familiar with the old S70/v70 and while they have the interior and stiff chassis feel, and power to them... they just feel really detached compared to something like a BMW or the infiniti. It feels more like a beefy luxury car than a sports car with luxury bits. I will acknowledge though, that most of the not-base-model volvos have a lot of power and you can immediately tell. They just don't look or feel like it, and aren't that fun to drive in that same sort of crisp way. Also, my friends old V70 he bought meticulously maintained from a mother on craigslist(with all the records, etc) freaking always had something broken on it. Not stops the car from driving stuff, but like... the sunroof jamming, or the auto climate control shorting out for the 2nd time, or the stereo fucking up, or the interior lights getting screwy, or the windows rolling themselves down, or... The powertrain was rock solid but every freaking time he'd get something fixed we'd be driving down the highway on a 75 degree day with the heat stuck on 90 if the ignition was on the next weekend. It did at least sound mean though, in a way that a BMW i6 does and the G35 just sort of... doesn't.
posted by emptythought at 5:14 AM on November 13, 2015
There's always the Model S P85D (or P90D) if you have/can make a place to charge it. If you're into neck snapping acceleration, anyway. Hypothetically.
No row your own gears, though, which is a bit sad.
If going for a gas-powered car, the Infiniti mentioned above is the way to go. There's a reason people lust after the Nissan Skylines, and that is in fact what the G35/37/Q50 is, just rebadged for the US market.
posted by wierdo at 5:46 AM on November 13, 2015
No row your own gears, though, which is a bit sad.
If going for a gas-powered car, the Infiniti mentioned above is the way to go. There's a reason people lust after the Nissan Skylines, and that is in fact what the G35/37/Q50 is, just rebadged for the US market.
posted by wierdo at 5:46 AM on November 13, 2015
I am you except mine is a 325xi 2003. Given the demise of your car (I feel for you) this might not work for you but I'm waiting for the Tesla3 expected in 2017. It seems to push all the right buttons for people who love their 325s.
posted by bluesky43 at 5:51 AM on November 13, 2015
posted by bluesky43 at 5:51 AM on November 13, 2015
My husband used to have a BMW that he loved back when we were dating. Got an SUV when we had a baby and now that we drive my own SUV when we're out with the kid and don't really need two of them, he decided he wanted to go back to a car and was almost set on another BMW. The salesperson at the dealership really let him down and since he was out looking at cars with another car-loving friend, they went to see the Infinitis. Fell in love with the Q50 hybrid and is now very happy with it. Drives beautifully and has all the bells and whistles. Check it out.
posted by CrazyLemonade at 6:42 AM on November 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by CrazyLemonade at 6:42 AM on November 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
What's your budget? Current bodystyle 1- or 2-series, current bodystyle A3, current bodystyle GTI are all great choices.
posted by ftm at 7:07 AM on November 13, 2015
posted by ftm at 7:07 AM on November 13, 2015
+1 G35 it is very fun to drive, stiff suspension, nice pickup
Though if you have the money, my dream car is an M3.
Also Tesla is one smooth ride.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 7:59 AM on November 13, 2015
Though if you have the money, my dream car is an M3.
Also Tesla is one smooth ride.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 7:59 AM on November 13, 2015
have computers and cameras that stop them "getting totalled" when the driver is driving faster than they are competent to do so.
Maybe we can check our wild ass assumptions and leaps of conclusion at the door?
OP: Is there any reason you aren't just going up a generation in BMW? Consider that the weight increase would mean you'd have to consider the 330 (2006 on) model because the 325 at that age is pretty breathy. I have a 2006 330 sport that I adore and I suggest you test drive one. It has the bluetooth in it and is very, very comfortable and fast, comfortable and a significantly better car then the previous generation (yours).
Other than that, Lexus IS250 is an excellent car at that age. We bought one for my wife and I was very pleasantly surprised at its competence and level of comfort/ride quality. The G35 I didn't like so much - some poor ride qualities over road imperfections and it felt a little over-damped to me - like the often taken path of the damping being decided by what 'feels sporty' to marketing rather than what is actually a good damping/spring balance.
posted by Brockles at 8:53 AM on November 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
Maybe we can check our wild ass assumptions and leaps of conclusion at the door?
OP: Is there any reason you aren't just going up a generation in BMW? Consider that the weight increase would mean you'd have to consider the 330 (2006 on) model because the 325 at that age is pretty breathy. I have a 2006 330 sport that I adore and I suggest you test drive one. It has the bluetooth in it and is very, very comfortable and fast, comfortable and a significantly better car then the previous generation (yours).
Other than that, Lexus IS250 is an excellent car at that age. We bought one for my wife and I was very pleasantly surprised at its competence and level of comfort/ride quality. The G35 I didn't like so much - some poor ride qualities over road imperfections and it felt a little over-damped to me - like the often taken path of the damping being decided by what 'feels sporty' to marketing rather than what is actually a good damping/spring balance.
posted by Brockles at 8:53 AM on November 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
A 2005 Ducati ST4s with bar risers and bags.
posted by bdc34 at 9:05 AM on November 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by bdc34 at 9:05 AM on November 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
If you need a sedan this is out but I have a Volvo C30 and regularly drive it at 90 on 280 because I literally cannot tell that's how fast it's going it just naturally goes that fast and feels incredibly solid. No rear camera needed because of that bigass back window. Excellent pickup, very comfortable ride, turns on a dime - great handling on my regular route over hwy17. Volvo reliability for me through and through. You'd have to get it used as they're not bringing any more in. I regularly get offers for mine so they might be hard to find.
posted by marylynn at 3:53 PM on November 13, 2015
posted by marylynn at 3:53 PM on November 13, 2015
I'll go with the KISS answer and say you should just find a used E46. ZHP if you can find one.
posted by a halcyon day at 5:03 PM on November 13, 2015
posted by a halcyon day at 5:03 PM on November 13, 2015
Torque in the recent 4 series diesels is awesome. I have a 420d and love it.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 11:01 PM on November 13, 2015
posted by Joseph Gurl at 11:01 PM on November 13, 2015
Condition is king in used - so get a good inspection by finding a car's enthusiasts online and asking them for decent service shops. If reliability and lead footedness are the key factors than the I would suggest you look at either the first or the second generation of the Honda S2000, like this or this. Much less reliable would be a SLK, and there's the 350 or this ridiculously priced 55 which has the V8. On this same theme of trading cash for lower reliability there's this Porsche Cayman, the boxster with a roof.
This is likely your chance for bit to make something even more ridiculous than your BMW your primary means of conveyance. I've got a Lexus for the back seat and the reliability and it's very nice but a little sleepy. Go big. Get a car with no roof. Or side windows, or exterior door handles, or traction control. Note: don't make yourself dead. Take it to track day.
posted by zenon at 8:50 PM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
This is likely your chance for bit to make something even more ridiculous than your BMW your primary means of conveyance. I've got a Lexus for the back seat and the reliability and it's very nice but a little sleepy. Go big. Get a car with no roof. Or side windows, or exterior door handles, or traction control. Note: don't make yourself dead. Take it to track day.
posted by zenon at 8:50 PM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by ambrosen at 1:09 AM on November 13, 2015 [2 favorites]