I don't want to ride my bike everywhere, I need a new car.

[vengie]

Well I listed my old car for what I thought was a lofty price.
Turns out it must have been relatively fair as I had someone pay cash for full asking less than 24hours after listing it.

As such, I need a new daily driver.
I'm looking to get back into a vehicle with a little more zip, my love of cars has waned terribly over the past several years and I'd like to rejuvenate the spark.

Musts
Budget <$25,000
Room for 2 car seats
Fun-ish
Automatic
Reliable as always

Cars on the list
Audi B8 S4
Lexus IS350
Infiniti G37/ Q50

Anything else I should be looking at?

[max_boost]

GTi

[ExtraSlow]

Gli

[Xtrema]

If you are going to put B8 S4 on this list, why not C43 and 340xi as well. Frigging BS S4 ain't reliable til you hit 2014 model year anyway.

IS350 is going to be tight with 2 car seats.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Trackhawk

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Gti
Edit: The holy grail 6-6: https://forums.beyond.ca/threads/417270-FS-2012-Honda-Accord-EX-L-w-Navi?p=5123278

[ExtraSlow]

yeah 6-6, the last true american muscle car.

[bjstare]

I'll sell you my Fiesta ST. It can do 2 car seats and is very fun.

[jutes]

TL or TLX

[Nufy]

Gti
Edit: The holy grail 6-6: https://forums.beyond.ca/threads/417270-FS-2012-Honda-Accord-EX-L-w-Navi?p=5123278

:clap::clap::burnout:

[vengie]

I'll sell you my Fiesta ST. It can do 2 car seats and is very fun.

I actually really like the Fiesta ST.
Very fun little car!

Being a DD thought I would prefer automatic.

[dj_rice]

Supra

[DonJuan]

You may also be in the same market I am, but because we might be saving for a new house. No for me at the moment.

Mercedes CLS550 or E550. From what I've researched look for one newer than 2014. Early version with the 4.7TT had problems but the later ones are good.
G37 and Q50 prices are so inflated right now.

[03ozwhip]

I gotta chime in with another TL SH-AWD option....

[tonytiger55]

Older E Class Benz.

[vengie]

Older E Class Benz.
tonytiger55

Interesting option, what makes you say this?

[riander5]

Yeah where was rage2 saying that the E550's can be tuned to blow the doors off an E63.

So what then, 2012 - 2014 e550?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1624837768005474/

[DonJuan]

Yeah where was rage2 saying that the E550's can be tuned to blow the doors off an E63.

So what then, 2012 - 2014 e550?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1624837768005474/

That one is tempting. High kms but 2012-2014 are the problem years (allegedly). Renntech stage 2 and full exaust, you're flying 540hp 700ft/lbs

[ExtraSlow]

Gpomp has an e series.

[vengie]

gpomp
What are your thoughts on the E series? Any real world advice?

[rage2]

That one is tempting. High kms but 2012-2014 are the problem years (allegedly)
I've never heard of this. Those are the facelift years, only years the 550 was fitted with the 4.7L V8 TT. Bulletproof, same with the matching CLS of that generation.

[msommers]

IS350 is going to be tight with 2 car seats.

I think all those choices are going to be tight with 2 car seats.

And if reliability is a must-have, Japanese vs. German is an easy choice unless it's a lease vehicle.

[bjstare]

Stretch the budget a bit and get an ISF. It's dead reliable, handles well, and is faster than any car on the list. Not as good in the winter as the S4, and the interior feels a bit toyota-ey in the early ones, but those are the only drawbacks.


I think all those choices are going to be tight with 2 car seats.

And if reliability is a must-have, Japanese vs. German is an easy choice unless it's a lease vehicle.

None of those choices are tight with 2 car seats. I've had every car on that list (I had an ISF though, not IS350, and my S4 was an 8.5), and they're all more than manageable with 2 car seats. The only caveat to this is that if one of the kid seats is rear facing, it'll need to go behind the short wife that sits in the passenger seat. If both seats are rear facing, or if wife is tall, then none of these cars will work and you need to go up an entire class size in vehicle.

If the kids are both fwd-facing, you can do basically any car, as evidenced by getting my whole family into my fiesta.

[riander5]

I think all those choices are going to be tight with 2 car seats.

And if reliability is a must-have, Japanese vs. German is an easy choice unless it's a lease vehicle.

Are you trying to fit 12 year olds in rear facing seats? lol

[DonJuan]

I've never heard of this. Those are the facelift years, only years the 550 was fitted with the 4.7L V8 TT. Bulletproof, same with the matching CLS of that generation.

Heard from a Lonestar tech friend. He mentioned the M278 on the CLS and E classes had a timing chain and tensioner oiling issue causing it to eventually rattle. Service bulletin(?) was issued for all 550's but he said he has never seen the issue on the S, SL, GL even. Only on the E and the CLS. Apparently the issue was fixed by 2014.

I thought they continued with the M278 till 2017? :dunno:

Air suspension problem because its air suspension. Par for the course.

[vengie]

Buddy of mine is trying to influence my decision and has lent me his B8 S4 until I find a new car...
ECU/ TCU tune, SC pulley, intake

Its fun.

112642

[bjstare]

S4s are a fantastic all-rounder. I really liked mine.

I didn't like the fact that the water pump was basically a consumable part, or that the engine was plagued with timing chain issues like every other audi in the history of audis.

[DonJuan]

Buddy of mine is trying to influence my decision and has lent me his B8 S4 until I find a new car...
ECU/ TCU tune, SC pulley, intake

Its fun.


Real question is:

What did you have to lend him? :D

[jutes]

Stretch the budget a bit and get an ISF. It's dead reliable, handles well, and is faster than any car on the list. .

Stretch the budget...don't you mean double? They are really hard to find too. Would love to own one.

[bjstare]

Stretch the budget...don't you mean double? They are really hard to find too. Would love to own one.

If going for a 2013-2014 then double, or more, yeah.

Sweet spot is 2010, IMO. They updated suspension, added mechanical LSD and bluetooth streaming, but you're not paying the premium for the updated interior. Might be able to get into one of those for the mid-high 30s, with higher kms on it (which doesn't matter cause these run for 1000000 miles).

[riander5]

Buddy of mine is trying to influence my decision and has lent me his B8 S4 until I find a new car...
ECU/ TCU tune, SC pulley, intake

Its fun.



For my money I'd way rather get a late model 335 or stretch the budget a bit (not ISF stretch) and get a 340.

340 engine is solid, a tune and it would keep up with that Audi most likely and wouldn't be on the doorstep of a catastrophic failure every pull like VAG products...

I loved my 340, if I was to keep it definitely would have tuned it.

[jutes]

If going for a 2013-2014 then double, or more, yeah.

Sweet spot is 2010, IMO. They updated suspension, added mechanical LSD and bluetooth streaming, but you're not paying the premium for the updated interior. Might be able to get into one of those for the mid-high 30s, with higher kms on it (which doesn't matter cause these run for 1000000 miles).

So $53k for a 2010 is a little high on the asking price then. https://www.kijijiautos.ca/cars/lexus/is/?utm_source=desktop&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=web_social_buttons&utm_content=vip#vip=28989112

[vengie]

Real question is:

What did you have to lend him? :D

:rocket::rocket:

[bjstare]

So $53k for a 2010 is a little high on the asking price then. https://www.kijijiautos.ca/cars/lexus/is/?utm_source=desktop&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=web_social_buttons&utm_content=vip#vip=28989112

Despite the fact that it has relatively low km's on it and seems decently clean, it's been listed for many months. I'd say yes, that's priced way too high.

[ganesh]

I know BMW is not on your List, I saw a Friend of mine posting his 435 for sale on Facebook. Here is the listing incase if you are interested,
https://www.autotrader.ca/a/bmw/4%20series/calgary/alberta/19_11227808_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=8_8_8&pc=T3R%200P5&sprx=100&modalXS=1

[rage2]

Heard from a Lonestar tech friend. He mentioned the M278 on the CLS and E classes had a timing chain and tensioner oiling issue causing it to eventually rattle. Service bulletin(?) was issued for all 550's but he said he has never seen the issue on the S, SL, GL even. Only on the E and the CLS. Apparently the issue was fixed by 2014.

I thought they continued with the M278 till 2017? :dunno:

Air suspension problem because its air suspension. Par for the course.
Weird never heard about it. Didn’t see it much on the forums either. The e550 was replaced with the e53 for the next gen. I miss that v8.

[Xtrema]

I didn't like the fact that the water pump was basically a consumable part.

Spot on. Bloody thing got me stranded 3 times the 6 years I had it.

[riander5]

I know BMW is not on your List, I saw a Friend of mine posting his 435 for sale on Facebook. Here is the listing incase if you are interested,
https://www.autotrader.ca/a/bmw/4%20series/calgary/alberta/19_11227808_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=8_8_8&pc=T3R%200P5&sprx=100&modalXS=1

This is a solid car that matches pretty much all of OP's asks... Could even snag for $25 with some easy negotiating!

[gpomp]

gpomp
What are your thoughts on the E series? Any real world advice?

Um mine is 32 years old so probably not a good data point

[gmc72]

I know BMW is not on your List, I saw a Friend of mine posting his 435 for sale on Facebook. Here is the listing incase if you are interested,
https://www.autotrader.ca/a/bmw/4%20series/calgary/alberta/19_11227808_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=8_8_8&pc=T3R%200P5&sprx=100&modalXS=1

Dammit that's nice.

(whispers to self)
I don't need a new car
I don't need a new car
I don't need a new car
I don't need a new car
I don't need a new car
I don't need a new car
I don't need a new car
I don't need a new car
.............................

[max_boost]

Dammit that's nice.

(whispers to self)
I don't need a new car
I don't need a new car
I don't need a new car
I don't need a new car
I don't need a new car
I don't need a new car
I don't need a new car
I don't need a new car
.............................

Just do it man. Life is short. It’s just money. The plan is to have fun and die with zero. :devil:

[DonJuan]

Weird never heard about it. Didn’t see it much on the forums either. The e550 was replaced with the e53 for the next gen. I miss that v8.

Apparently it was fixed with a check valve to stop drain back of oil.

This one is tempting AF, but I'm SURE its a grenade.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/2014-mercedes-benz-cls-class-cls-550-navigation-backup-camera/m5761885

This is the one I'd go get.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/edmonton/2014-mercedes-benz-cls-550-4matic/1657112046

To have a 3 car garage or CLS550 on the driveway? That is the question. These questions were easier when I was single.

[jutes]

just do it man. Life is short. It’s just money. The plan is to have fun and die with zero no kids and maxed out locs. :devil:

ftfy.

[tonytiger55]

tonytiger55

Interesting option, what makes you say this?

Its at the age where owners either keep them or sell them. At that point all major maintence is done and you can pick up something decent. Its going to a case of where the owner has not maintened them or has babied them.
The only thing to watch out for is transmission issue. A buddy of mine may be selling his E class. The only major issue he had was the transmisson going just out of warrenty. It was a known issue he had found on the forums. Other than that he has loved it.
The E classes are really nice. Even better if you can get a AMG.
Have a browse at the Lexus GS series or whatever they are. The IS are nice. I find them a big tight, especially if enjoys Alberta beef and pawwk chaawp.

Im not sure why Audi S is your your list. Thats like getting a into a relationship with a divorced chick thats coming out of her Eat Pray Love phase and who was a late 2000's bar star babe (Guys, you know exactly what im talking about, don't act like you don't). Don't do it. Or get a WRX.

My lean is towards the Infinty Q50. We don't need to go into details why its good. Its been covered. But if you do a bit of work. A good maintained E-Class is on the table. I would pick that.

[gmc72]

Just do it man. Life is short. It’s just money. The plan is to have fun and die with zero. :devil:

My life would be really short if I came home with that. About 2 seconds after showing my wife I'd be at the pearly gates, or the other gates depending on religious leanings.

[Team_Mclaren]

My life would be really short if I came home with that. About 2 seconds after showing my wife I'd be at the pearly gates, or the other gates depending on religious leanings.

YOLO it, she might like it. MY wife has stopped questioning why I have so many cars.

For OP, dont listen to these fucks, if you want something reliable, non of the German options should be on your list. Get a G37 or GS and call it a day. You can get the latest Gen GS350 for around 25k.

[vengie]

Looked at a 2012 S4 tonight.
Significant rust on the fenders.
Boo

[rc2002]

For OP, dont listen to these fucks, if you want something reliable, non of the German options should be on your list. Get a G37 or GS and call it a day. You can get the latest Gen GS350 for around 25k.

Agree on the GS. It’s good value. They have more room and seem to depreciate more than the IS.

[vengie]

Good lord it's insanely difficult to find a decent vehicle under $30k right now...

Ragrets

[max_boost]

Good lord it's insanely difficult to find a decent vehicle under $30k right now...

Ragrets

sell high and buy higher :D