Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

I went with my father-in-law in the Grand Rapids area and drove up 28th Street and we checked out some possible new daily drivers for me.

I can't afford a CTS-V, am unsure of the GTO (unless the incentives are compelling), so I was also considering:

Acura TSX, TL
Infiniti G35, I35
Mercedes 240
BMW 335, 330
Saab 9-3
Mitsubishi Evo
Subaru WRX/STI
Audi A4
VW Passat
VW Touregg
300c

Few comments:
-TL A-Spec is a very nice car
-TL is very sharp
-G35 6 spd sedan was very quick, feels like solid 14's at least, probably a horror in snow (rwd only for 6 spd)
-240 Mercedes = too cramped in back
-Did not swing by BMW, out of time
-Did not swing by Mitsubishi
-STI is neat, very neat, but too boy racer for the most part, blue seat inserts etc.
-A4 Audi is just too boring for me
-Passat is boring has hell but had better rear legroom than A4 which is odd
-Touregg was claustrophobic and has huge roof pillars so you feel like you are in a armored vehicle... big turnoff
-300c did not look, ran out of time

All in all the game is not complete.

Keith

What about the new Saab 9-2x?
Not in for the wagons?

maximumrebel1

I'd say the Infiniti isn't the G35 the pimped out Maxima? Nissans are tough, out of those cars listed that's what I would get. Just my .02.

rwb

My sisters G35 4dr has been flawless as far as problems. Now her learning to drive a stick again after 10 years of not driving one was funny. Her husband still bitches about it.

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

G35's are RWD or AWD. Maxima is FWD. But it's the same engine I think. Folks are going low low 14's with G35 sedans. The RWD 6 spd one I drove was 3300 vehicle weight.

9-2x is wagon only. No wagons for me.

TSX is nice but 200hp + 3200 veh/wt = 15.7's = way slow. That's on par with a truck.

TL has been been tested to go 14.2-14.5 by magazines. Nice car, it's the front runner unless my other options make any progress.

TriShield

I loved the TLs, until I drove a few...

I thought about buying one last winter but was turned off by the tooth jittering ride, pronounced torque steer, and some surprisingly un-Honda like things - a noticable buzz at idle in the engine of every car, rattling headliner, uneven gaps inside, no metal trim anywhere... all of which I did not expect from a Honda product.

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

Hmm. I hear ya but the Acura TL's had really high build quality that I saw. The dash's are sharp, they have a chrome strip that carries into the top of the doors and the consoles is also set off by some chrome. I would say the TL had an interior comparable to Mercedes.

TriShield

The materials aren't Mercedes quality. If it was, all the grey strips would be real aluminum metal instead of painted plastic, as well as the huge hollow tuning ***** and interior door handles, the leather would be richer, it would have tighter gaps between the door panels and the dash, you wouldn't be able to see the edges of the colored film placed over the gauge numerals...

Sorry, I'll stop now. :o

Shinkaze

FYI I'm getting quotes right now on 2004 CTS-V test cars with 7K miles for $39K. Check Autotrader.com

If you can get one at Auction expect $35K

JBsC5

300C hemi and if you like a sharp four door fwd..The Acura TL is a good looking sedan w/ 270 hp

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

Short list for me is:

300C
TL
TSX (smaller)
Saab 9.3

JBsC5

The Saab 9-3 is the best value as the deals on Saabs in general are growing daily..

Because of the subsidized pricing and since we already have killer sports cars...

I'd probably take the subsidized lease deal on the Saab and right it off..

Favorite car is the 300C Hemi.

Close second is the Acura TL..

but as long as you have a weekend toy...I'd slice and dice the Saab dealer on a subsidized lease ...Its a nice car but nobody wants them.

Not sure but I'd check to see if you could also use the GM credit card points towards the purchase or lease...

When it comes to sedans I'd either go all out with the CTS V series..the 300 C hemi or go lowest price as a primary factor and hit up the Saab..(haven't shopped it but sales are soooo slow...I'd check out the best pricing (New York Newsday) and make the dealer near you match the pricing.

Nice luxury ride and a nice looking car to boot..

JBsC5

I happen to expect the pricing on 2004 GTO's to get very tempting..

Thats a nice car too...for the money you will see them offered at..

If you can live with 2 doors and wait it out...

The 05's hit and no ones going to be buying 04's on the lots..

Next week GM is offering zero percent financing for 3 days on all GM 04's..for 72 months...

Figure out what YOU feel the GTO is worth to you..take the 72 month financing and offer them a price your willing to pay..

Otherwise wait as the inventory must be HUGE..They planned on selling 18K units in 2004 and I believe they sold under 4,000...

They have to have a ton of them laying around...

Offer them I don't know exactly but they are offering 11 grand off 2004 C5 corvettes so how much less could the GTO incentive be? 25% less sticker on GTO should bring you in around 8 grand off sticker?

They are laying an egg at the dealership...so speak to the manager and tell him what you want and then walk if he says no...

Thats if you can live without front or awd...(just buy snow tires?)

The GTO is a nice car if you can live with the two doors..and having it die in the marketplace is a gold mine if your buying.

I like the GTO..if you can live with two doors..thats the way to go.

Executive express for camry money.

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

GTO's are going for like 30k out the door.... I got quoted $27K before tax and title.

TriShield

Someone on ls1gto.com posted a CA dealer selling them for $25k or leasing them for $199 per month.

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

I find it hard to believe, unless the person got GMS pricing.

TriShield

Boulevard Pontiac in Long Beach, CA. Apparently they have a ton of them.

Shinkaze

FWIW I think the CTS-V is an even better deal over the GTO at $40K (What I've been offered on a Black/Black 2004 with sunroof). You get a more modern Chassis, 4 doors, more room, higher quality interior, significantly stiffer chassis with better handling (Not to mention Navigation, Onstar, XM, and a gazillion other add ons). Not to mention it weighs about the same as the GTO and has a sportier set up.


(just my two cents)
-Adam

JBsC5

http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6404
http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6824

TTopJohn

What about the Subaru Legacy GT? I thought it compared favorably with the G35.

Out of your list, I'd get the G35 or the TL

If you thought the C240 was too cramped in back, you won't like the BMW 325/330 either - they are about the same in that area.