Time for a new car, 45k budget. Opinions?

Time has come to move onto a new car. I'm looking for 45k max for a budget. Used, low km, no older then 3 years old. I love my luxury cars but I've always just stuck to Bmws and Mercedes. Might try something new.

Here are the contenders

- Mercedes Benz C400
- Audi S3
- Mercedes Benz CLA 45
- Lexus IS350 f
- BMW M3 (09-12ish) I realize this one is outside my 3 years rule

I'm looking for some opinions from some of you that currently own or have owned any of the mentioned cars. Which one would you choose and why, etc. All feedback is appreciated.

also if anyone has any other suggestions in this price range, please mention it. Thanks!

You could find a decent Infiniti Q50 or Jaguar XF in that price range.

I've owned two E9x era M3s now, a 09 DCT coupe and now a 08 6spd sedan. I keep coming back to the BMW because it felt the most sportier out of all of them. Plus the S65 V8 is magical with the right exhaust.

Shameless plug: considering selling my 08 with 67k on it for far less than your 45k budget ;)

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Originally posted by jutes
I've owned two E9x era M3s now, a 09 DCT coupe and now a 08 6spd sedan. I keep coming back to the BMW because it felt the most sportier out of all of them. Plus the S65 V8 is magical with the right exhaust.

Shameless plug: considering selling my 08 with 67k on it for far less than your 45k budget ;)

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Great cars aren't they? I use to have an e46 M3. Unfortunately I'm looking for a DCT not manual.

Why no Infiniti????

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Originally posted by Sonic
Why no Infiniti????

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I've never drive the q50 but the styling is just a little bland for me. Maybe if I drove one I would change my mind but infinity was never on my radar.

XF center console is unbearable to live with. It's very dated.

I don't think the M3 is a fair comparison with the rest. If it's in the running then I'd pick that over most other cars. Having owned a 12 E92 M3, albiet for a relatively short time, it was an amazing car.

Do they offer warranties on an M3 that old? If so, get that.

C vs CLA is an odd comparison because it's either size or power that you want more.

Lexus center console with the mouse is stupid.

I like Audi because it's vanilla. It just works. ,:)

Why no XFR? C63? ISF?

They might be outside the 3 year rule, but if you're willing to bend it for an M3, you should think about those too.

With some haggling you might be able to get this close to 45k:
2014 E550 Coupe -$49,900

Get a 2018 Golf R w/DSG. You essentially get a new S3 for the price of a used one and the 2018's have the virtual cockpit and massive infotainment screen. If you get used versions like an M3 without warranty you better make sure you have more money available possible repairs if it's going to be a daily driver.

2017 camaro ss

04 cobra with $20k of mods