off topic car question - 1 year to decide

[mlweaver]

I have one year left on my lease (2008 BMW 335xi) - and I've decided that the current and forseeable offerings from BMW don't look like good long-term investments. So I have one year to select a new car, and I am planning to buy this time. Any suggestions? Here are my criteria:
MANDATORY: under $50,000
ESSENTIAL: efficient and cheap to operate, regardless of fuel type
DESIRABLE: coupe or hatchback or wagon style, fun to drive
PROHIBITED: SUV's, typical 3-box sedans

So far I like these cars:
Nissan Leaf (available 2011?), although it may not have enough range
Mazda 3
Tesla model S (available 2012?)
Mini
Cadillac CTS coupe (base model)

Anybody shopping cars for 2011 yet?Mark W in mid-MO
2008 335xi coupe
1993 850Ci 6-speed

2 turbos ..................or 12 cylinders, no waiting!

[lezonebay]

whichever BMW decides to import.

Big improvement will not happen to the 3 but slight changes. the iDrive will be the newer style (much much better) and some exterior updates.

I would also predict that a resale value of the 335d will be higher then the 335 or any gas BMW so if you buy it will be a good buy.
A car that moves as fast as the 335d and uses that small amount of diesel fuel can not be forgotten.

you can easily get 35-40mpg and still be a fast one... I generally disliked diesels until a few years ago. Now I wish I could get one.
Also the diesel fuel price has dropped. this was my biggest complaint and this happened. The diesel fuel is same or less then the 87 octane so there is a HUGE price savings !

I suggest test drive it and decide. I would NOT buy anything with FWD but Honda or Audi.

Tesla is a joke, I would not consider buying it. Lease is different story.
Mini to me is a toy not a real car. a 1 series for the same money is sooo much better.
the CTS Coupe is awesome and the engine 3.6l V6 is a good one. The rest is still GM.

I'm partial to BMW even though I hate the current style. The newer cars are much nicer again. By 2016 we will have a fleet of nice BMW's again. The Bungle effect will tone down completely and a newer generation of cars will replace them with a classical style.

The 1st gen Bungle 745i's are in the high 10's now in price. 2002 models in 8 years dropped from high 60's to low 20's and high 10's. Pretty scary stuff as far as investment goes. <a href="http://mydrive.roadfly.com/photos/pic.php?u=56726KDZYN&i=8969"><img src="http://mydrive.roadfly.com/photos/pic.php?u=56726KDZYN&i=8969" border="0"></a>


1997 BMW 840CiA
1990 BMW Z1
2002 Astro Van AWD
2003 Nissan 350Z Enthusiast Package
1987 BMW 535i with 5spd manual
1992 BMW 735iL
2007 Mazda CX9 AWD
1998 Yamaha Blaster+Breeze

1995 850CSI CD00177 (SOLD)

[mlweaver]

Hi Laszlo!
Thanks for the input - I wish BMW would import the small engine and diesel powered one series cars to the USA. I'll keep an eye on the 335d.
Regards,
MarkMark W in mid-MO
2008 335xi coupe
1993 850Ci 6-speed

2 turbos ..................or 12 cylinders, no waiting!

[lezonebay]

with over 200HP and huge amount of torque and relatively low weight that is a serious little car. I had a pleasure to drive a 123d hatchback and WOW. Blows the door off of an 8 for sure. It also had a sport package and 18" wheels plus tuner mapping (supposedly gained an another 30HP) and I loved it.
The noise of the exhaust was just that though. No rumbling BMW sound at all. quirky little rattle nothing else. Oh well, we saw 45mpg+ on average and we rolled it like we stole it.

that engine and trans (6spd) would be perfect in a little coupe...

<a href="http://mydrive.roadfly.com/photos/pic.php?u=56726KDZYN&i=8969"><img src="http://mydrive.roadfly.com/photos/pic.php?u=56726KDZYN&i=8969" border="0"></a>


1997 BMW 840CiA
1990 BMW Z1
2002 Astro Van AWD
2003 Nissan 350Z Enthusiast Package
1987 BMW 535i with 5spd manual
1992 BMW 735iL
2007 Mazda CX9 AWD
1998 Yamaha Blaster+Breeze

1995 850CSI CD00177 (SOLD)

[mlweaver]

I sent a letter to BMW NA asking them to reconsider importation of the small and diesel engine 1 series cars. Of course, I got the usual corporate-babble meaningless reply, but at least one more voice for the little cars has been registered upon Mt. Olympus.
Mark W in mid-MO
2008 335xi coupe
1993 850Ci 6-speed

2 turbos ..................or 12 cylinders, no waiting!