So weird Sean......

Did you ever get to drive a CTT? I want to schedule a test drive. Assuming the money comes through properly, I have expanded my budget to ~30,000.

I have no idea what I want, or what will make me excited. I might even test that m5, and deal with folding in half.

I did years ago. I am specifically looking for an 08. All of the woes of the 4.5 are gone in 07 (which wasn't sold here) so the 08 model year is bombproof in comparison to the 04-06. At 30k, you should only be looking at an 06 with EXTENSIVE service records that include the coolant tubes and cardan shaft. Most likely you'll see some air suspension work.

An 08 CAN be had for $30k, but it'll be over 100k miles.

The other benny of the 08 is that the difference between the S power and not is less than $2k in parts. Flash and an intake basically. On the 06 power adders aren't cheap.

As for the S, you don't want one. A brake job will set you back $6k.

What I set out to do earlier this month was to drive a couple units with > 150k miles. I wanted to see how they held up. Depressingly both experiences were really bad. Both trucks were owned by slobs though so perhaps that is expected. No P-car should have a trashed interior at 150k...including destroyed seats. That is my concern, although a seat replacement isn't that big of a deal.

You should contemplate your operating budget and not just your purchasing budget. Then determine length of ownership and what you want to lose on things before shopping.

The benefit of expensive German iron is that the depreciation can be over, so as long as you get something that doesn't rape you in upkeep you can regularly be ahead of something newer that was cheaper to begin with. My M5 to date was BY FAR the cheapest per mile car I've ever owned...and my Silverado by far the most expensive.

*I do cheat on one thing though. I do not include gas mileage in my calculation of cost. I should, but I haven't paid for my own gas since 1997.

Big difference in being able to purchase something and being able to own it.

At 30k I am left with 10k for incidental issues.

The 06 made me nervous and I knew you found a way out of that Sean. The GTS was a lot of fun, I thought a turbo might be more fun. Super SUV is maybe something I don't want.

I have thought of getting something like an E55AMG for 15ish and then sending it to be refreshed and the dial turned up a bit too.

I will be honest I want something to impress, that is comfortable, and will make me feel great when I drive it. And for me that means quick. I can't find a single 911 in the country that is newish for under 30k.

It is probably wrong for me to want to want nice things, but I do, and I'm tired of wanting.

I wouldn't turn the dial up on a Benz. Actually I am somewhat done with Benz as I really don't trust my rig.

I'd MUCH MUCH MUCH more trust an E39 M5 over the E55.

S5?

V8, 2 doors and AWD is a tough one.

I realize AWD isn't a complete necessity, but you can't drive a Vette here in winter even with snow shoes I don't think.

Not that it was at all on your list.

I realize AWD isn't a complete necessity, but you can't drive a Vette here in winter even with snow shoes I don't think.

It will be driven all year round. Just not in actual blizzards. I will keep the expy or part out and but another SUV ish thing for winter beatings.

Poo poo vette.

V8, 2 doors and AWD is a tough one.

Tough AWD?

My ONLY problem with the S5 is this. Even with the V8, it produces 349 HP and it is not a light car. My guess is an E46 m3 would roast it, but I don't know that. I don't know about the reliability, but I am guessing it is ok.

It is beautiful, and ok for comfort. It is hard to find a manual, but I probably could.

Ther turbo v6 is in the drop top, and maybe that would be the way to go.

I'll have to try this out.

 

Ramen burger.... mmmmmmmmmmm

V8, 2 doors and AWD is a tough one.

Tough AWD?

My ONLY problem with the S5 is this. Even with the V8, it produces 349 HP and it is not a light car. My guess is an E46 m3 would roast it, but I don't know that. I don't know about the reliability, but I am guessing it is ok.

It is beautiful, and ok for comfort. It is hard to find a manual, but I probably could.

Ther turbo v6 is in the drop top, and maybe that would be the way to go.

Power aside, the S5 is about dead nuts as quick as the CTT. It isn't ridiculously fast, but sub 5 second 0-60 and just barely into the 13's in the quarter isn't so bad. Interior is gorgeous as well and within budget. Reliable and an all year car in MN.

I'm not in love either, but it fits all the compromises. Worth a test drive IMO.

Of course, I am of the opinion that test drives are great entertainment.

I keep weighing what to go drive at Morries Luxury.

Bentley Cont Coupe, Maserati Gran Turismo, another Gallardo, Quattroporte S or wait for something more fun.

V8, 2 doors and AWD is a tough one.

Tough AWD?

My ONLY problem with the S5 is this. Even with the V8, it produces 349 HP and it is not a light car. My guess is an E46 m3 would roast it, but I don't know that. I don't know about the reliability, but I am guessing it is ok.

It is beautiful, and ok for comfort. It is hard to find a manual, but I probably could.

Ther turbo v6 is in the drop top, and maybe that would be the way to go.

Power aside, the S5 is about dead nuts as quick as the CTT. It isn't ridiculously fast, but sub 5 second 0-60 and just barely into the 13's in the quarter isn't so bad. Interior is gorgeous as well and within budget. Reliable and an all year car in MN.

I'm not in love either, but it fits all the compromises. Worth a test drive IMO.

I will test one again. I was not impressed last time, but I WANT to love it. When it came out I was so in love I almost purchased one new.

I think the v8 m3 burned me up. That car is nearly perfect.

Bentley Cont Coupe, Maserati Gran Turismo, another Gallardo, Quattroporte S or wait for something more fun.

I drove the quatroporte. Transmission felt like a truck.

Cont coup is a cool car, and Gallardo is another near perfect car. It would be mine if I had a few million to spare. That little guy begs to be an 1500+ HP beast.

I will also say that the GT and the quatroporte can be equipped with the nicest interior ever.