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    Sep 29, 2005 12:28:48 AM

    Louis Offline
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    Louis
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    What car for wifey?

    Hi guys,

    So I've got my 987S on order. Now to be fair, the wife wants a "nice" car also Another P car is simply not in the budget. Her requirements are that the car has to be automatic, be a 4 door sedan, decent performance and luxury and have some "status". So I've narrowed it down to the BMW 325i with sport package and the new Lexus IS 250. I went to the local BMW dealer and test drove it; not the fastest car but pleasantly enjoyable. The new Lexus is not out yet (next month); what would you guys get? Any other suggestions would be appreciated

    Sep 29, 2005 2:34:44 AM

    GM AustinM
    Rennteam Moderator
    GM Austin
    Loc: Texas , United States
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    Reply to: Louis

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Get the Lexus. It will be more reliable and is still a luxury name and a quality automobile with sporting performance.

    If it was for you and you wanted a four door, my advice would be the opposite.

    Sep 29, 2005 2:53:33 AM

    AJVIP
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    AJVIP
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    Reply to: Louis

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Quote:
    Louis (Toronto) said:
    Hi guys,

    So I've got my 987S on order. Now to be fair, the wife wants a "nice" car also Another P car is simply not in the budget. Her requirements are that the car has to be automatic, be a 4 door sedan, decent performance and luxury and have some "status". So I've narrowed it down to the BMW 325i with sport package and the new Lexus IS 250. I went to the local BMW dealer and test drove it; not the fastest car but pleasantly enjoyable. The new Lexus is not out yet (next month); what would you guys get? Any other suggestions would be appreciated



    When I hear wife, I hear BMW and Mercedes --- get her any womanly 3 series or Z4....or an even more womanly SLK or C class

    Sep 29, 2005 6:34:34 AM

    wtsnet
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    wtsnet
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    Reply to: AJVIP

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Something Audi? A4/S4 or the newer A6 if it's not too big?

    Or for something smaller, cheaper, and sportier, yet still practical, a VW Golf GTi hatch with DSG and plenty of knobs on?

    Or a popular choice for a 2nd car is a SUV, perhaps a BMW X3?

    Not sure what budget you're working to, or what sort of driving style your partner has - is she a zoomer or a cruiser?

    Sep 29, 2005 10:25:22 AM

    Ente
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    Ente
    Loc: Germany , Germany
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    Reply to: Louis

    Re: What car for wifey?

    If it wasn't for the four door requirement, I'd say get her an Audi A4 cabriolet. It's classy, elegant, not too pricey and still practical enough. It's also easier/safer to drive in snow due to fwd or awd.

    In the 4 door department I'd get an A4 or A6, as WTSnet mentioned, but considering your choice has been made and Lexus/BMW are the only available options, I'd go for the BMW.

    You'd doubtlessly get more car for the money from the Lexus but the BMW has the sleeker image... the "nicer" brand, and that's a decision factor in your case. If someone asked her what she and her husband were driving, saying a "Porsche and a BMW" fits just better than "a Porsche and a Lexus/Acura/Infinity".

    Sep 29, 2005 1:09:39 PM

    sdy284
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    sdy284
    Loc: Wisconsin, USA
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    Reply to: Ente

    Re: What car for wifey?

    here is an article from road & track about the IS350
    Click Here

    although the first car that came to my mind when reading your requirements was the G35 Sedan

    although for that matter, i'd much rather get an A4/A6 over a G35 Sedan

    Sep 29, 2005 1:49:09 PM

    MikeN
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    MikeN
    Loc: Arizona
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    Reply to: sdy284

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Don't limit yourself to the Lexus and BMW if possible....as a few others have suggested take a look at an Audi. I have owned 3 and all have been great......and nothing ever stops Quattro, one of the safest things you can get for the wife or anyone for that matter. My wife presently drives an Audi allroad 6 speed and loves it.

    Sep 29, 2005 3:09:09 PM

    percymon
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    percymon
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    Reply to: MikeN

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Mercedes B class would be somethign a bit different.

    Not a fan of the Lexus look - the new IS wing mirrors are way too big and spoil the lines of the car.

    Why not save soem cash and go for a Honda Accord ??

    Sep 29, 2005 3:12:15 PM

    sdy284
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    sdy284
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    Reply to: percymon

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Quote:
    percymon said:
    Mercedes B class would be somethign a bit different.

    Not a fan of the Lexus look - the new IS wing mirrors are way too big and spoil the lines of the car.

    Why not save soem cash and go for a Honda Accord ??



    apparently, you missed the part where the car had to have "status"

    Sep 29, 2005 3:19:15 PM

    wtsnet
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    wtsnet
    Loc: Bath, UK
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    Reply to: percymon

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Quote:
    percymon said:
    Not a fan of the Lexus look - the new IS wing mirrors are way too big and spoil the lines of the car.



    Yeah, I saw a pic of one today, and that's the first thing I thought too. They look way too big. But I'll reserve full judgement until I see one in the flesh.

    Sep 29, 2005 3:25:33 PM

    RichJ
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    RichJ
    Loc: London, England
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    Reply to: wtsnet

    Re: What car for wifey?

    How about 130i??? For me its a dog but has a sweet engine and is RW and supposedly a riot in the twistys

    Sep 29, 2005 3:26:44 PM

    sdy284
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    sdy284
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    Reply to: wtsnet

    Re: What car for wifey?




    this is the IS350 Here is a link to an article about it in road & track

    Sep 29, 2005 4:08:19 PM

    CS
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    CS
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    Reply to: sdy284

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Status?
    Maserati Quattroporte
    M5 V10
    AMG C55 / E55
    RS4 / 6

    Sep 29, 2005 4:12:16 PM

    wtsnet
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    wtsnet
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    Reply to: CS

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Quote:
    CS said:
    Status?
    Maserati Quattroporte
    M5 V10
    AMG C55 / E55
    RS4 / 6


    Budget?

    Sep 29, 2005 4:27:35 PM

    CS
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    CS
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    Reply to: wtsnet

    Re: What car for wifey?

    For a wife, Lexus IS is good enough. Women like Lexus, don't know why, they look at it same as BMW/MB/Audi.
    I let my wife drive my M3, she hates it, she said it is too fast.
    Ask her to test drive:
    9am Lexus IS250
    930 IS350
    10am BMW 330i
    11am MB E350
    1130am C55 AMG
    12noon Audi A4 3.2
    1230 S4
    1pm lunch
    2pm Re test drive the top 2 cars she likes
    3pm go get the one she likes the most
    5pm Use your Boxster to dust her off

    Sep 29, 2005 4:31:15 PM

    GM AustinM
    Rennteam Moderator
    GM Austin
    Loc: Texas , United States
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    Reply to: wtsnet

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Quote:
    wtsnet said:
    Quote:
    percymon said:
    Not a fan of the Lexus look - the new IS wing mirrors are way too big and spoil the lines of the car.



    Yeah, I saw a pic of one today, and that's the first thing I thought too. They look way too big. But I'll reserve full judgement until I see one in the flesh.



    Yes, the Lexus is NOT the car for percymon or wtsnet or Louis or me or almost any other enthusiast. But we're not talking about us, we're talking about the wife. The status is more important than the performance. The perception or image of performance is more important than the actual performance. More importantly, Louis is going to catch heck if he pushes for the BMW and then the wife finds she has to take it to the shop every other week to fix some glitch in the electronics, or whatever. Enthusiasts can put up with that because it's just part of the price to be paid for the BMW's sporting performance.

    The Lexus will have none of those problems. It will start every day and run fine and the wife's experience with the Lexus service department is almost guaranteed to be a pleasant one.

    And, my apologies to Louis wife if I've generalized incorrectly.

    Sep 29, 2005 5:11:09 PM

    Ente
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    Ente
    Loc: Germany , Germany
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    Reply to: GM AustinM

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Let the wives among us speak!

    My 2c: BMW/Audi/Merc definitely have more status. So if it's status and class she's after, that seems like the best bet.

    Lexus/Infinity/Acura offer more car for the money... more luxury and options.. but underneath they're still Hondas, Toyotas and Mitsubishis... what's that do for status?

    Sep 29, 2005 6:09:55 PM

    CS
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    CS
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    Reply to: Ente

    Re: What car for wifey?

    In North America is different than in Asia / Europe
    Lexus did a very good job of marketing here in America.
    Infinity is Nissan, not Mitsubishi

    Sep 29, 2005 6:20:48 PM

    TheOldMan
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    TheOldMan
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    Reply to: wtsnet

    Re: What car for wifey?

    I went through the same process when I purchased my 997s. My wife was given a choice of pretty much any car she wanted. She looked at the BMW 3xx, the Audi A4, Lexus RX330, Lexus GS, Mercedes C&E, Acura TL and the Infiniti G35x/M35x. Before actually looking at the cars, her first choice was the Audi followed by the BMW. After driving all the cars, she went for the Infiniti G35X.

    At one point in her decision process, keyless entry became a must have. As a mom, she liked the ideas of not needing a key to unlock and start the car. After she made that decision, a lot of cars fell off the list. So her last choice became her first choice and she is so very happy!

    The best ideas is to let your wife go shopping for a car and see what she likes. At the end of the day, it may turn out be very different than what you thought when you started.

    Sep 29, 2005 6:21:33 PM

    Ente
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    Ente
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    Reply to: CS

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Quote:
    Infinity is Nissan, not Mitsubishi




    Sorry.. Nissan. See, that's what I'm talking about... same difference. It's still no BMW .

    I've caught a glimpse of both sides of the market, being a US resident with European heritage who is currently parked in the UK. During my recent years in the US I got the impression the German cars were more expensive and smaller/less optioned, but had the higher marque status. Could be wrong of course and I'm not sure whether that holds true for Canada. Best thing is indeed to ask the wife what she'd like, as suggested in an earlier post. Comfort/features or status/brand name?

    Sep 29, 2005 6:31:13 PM

    CS
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    CS
    Loc: LA
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    Reply to: Ente

    Re: What car for wifey?

    I've got my wife a VW Toureg V8 with Navigation, she loves it. She has no excuse to get lost on the road.
    Super smooth, quiet, higher seat and utility.

    Sep 29, 2005 6:49:20 PM

    wtsnet
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    Reply to: CS

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Yup, I like the Touareg as well. Is looked down on for some reason though, compared to an X5. Residuals aren't as strong over here.

    Sep 29, 2005 6:50:34 PM

    sdy284
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    sdy284
    Loc: Wisconsin, USA
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    Reply to: CS

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Quote:
    CS said:
    In North America is different than in Asia / Europe
    Lexus did a very good job of marketing here in America.
    Infinity is Nissan, not Mitsubishi


    and lexus is toyota & Acura is Honda

    Sep 29, 2005 7:02:09 PM

    wtsnet
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    wtsnet
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    Reply to: sdy284

    Re: What car for wifey?

    And Porsche is VW....

    Sep 29, 2005 7:03:36 PM

    CS
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    CS
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    Reply to: sdy284

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Ferarri is Fiat?
    RR is BMW?
    Bently is VW also?

    Sep 29, 2005 7:37:57 PM

    GM AustinM
    Rennteam Moderator
    GM Austin
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    Reply to: wtsnet

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Quote:
    wtsnet said:
    And Porsche is VW....



    I think you have that backwards. In light of recent acquisitions, VW is Porsche.

    Sep 29, 2005 8:18:17 PM

    wtsnet
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    wtsnet
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    Reply to: GM AustinM

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Quote:
    GM Austin said:
    Quote:
    wtsnet said:
    And Porsche is VW....



    I think you have that backwards. In light of recent acquisitions, VW is Porsche.


    Grin. I was just stiring by the way, if you hadn't guessed.

    20%... That's more Porscherer than it useta be....

    Sep 30, 2005 12:34:51 AM

    Louis Offline
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    Louis
    Loc: Toronto , Canada
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    Registered on: Jun 28, 2005
    Reply to: CS

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Quote:
    CS said:
    For a wife, Lexus IS is good enough. Women like Lexus, don't know why, they look at it same as BMW/MB/Audi.
    I let my wife drive my M3, she hates it, she said it is too fast.
    Ask her to test drive:
    9am Lexus IS250
    930 IS350
    10am BMW 330i
    11am MB E350
    1130am C55 AMG
    12noon Audi A4 3.2
    1230 S4
    1pm lunch
    2pm Re test drive the top 2 cars she likes
    3pm go get the one she likes the most
    5pm Use your Boxster to dust her off



    Well, when we go together on longer trips or have to carry more than just the 2 of us (mothers, friends, etc) we'll need to take the car that holds more than 2 people and guess who's going to drive it? So I'm leaning towards the "driver's" car and the 325i would be the top of the budget, so I guess that rules out the Maseratti! We're not into SUV's so that rules out the X3 and Touareg, etc. We're not too thrilled on the looks of the Infinit G35, plus it's been out for a few years now; when I get a new car I like to get it close to the beginning of the model line launch so it doesn't look dated when the new one comes out in a couple of years. Audi is a consideration but it didn't get great reviews; did you guys read the sports sedan comparison in Car and Driver this month? Check it out:

    http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article_id=9993

    It seems that the BMW is the real driver's car with the requisite luxury, etc. We're leaning that way so far? Wifey has always wanted a BMW/Mercedes ; but I'm just not about to consider a C class Mercedes; no way

    Sep 30, 2005 12:37:49 AM

    Louis Offline
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    Louis
    Loc: Toronto , Canada
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    Reply to: wtsnet

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Quote:
    wtsnet said:

    Not sure what budget you're working to, or what sort of driving style your partner has - is she a zoomer or a cruiser?



    I'm the zoomer, she's the cruiser But maybe she'll be transformed into a zoomer if she has a "livelier" car

    Sep 30, 2005 12:52:37 AM

    Louis Offline
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    Louis
    Loc: Toronto , Canada
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    Reply to: Louis

    Re: What car for wifey?

    Does anyone have a BMW with Steptronic transmission?; in my short test drive I kind of enjoyed it. On Saturday, I'll take wifey to try it out and see what she thinks. It's basically the same as Porsche's tiptronic, no? If it were my choice it would be 6 spd manual all the way, but that's not an option- I taught her on my current std car but she doesn't like it . I guess I'll be the only one driving the Porsche
    So currently we're leaning towards the 3 series (rave reviews always and apparently the "Benchmark" in it's class)
    Maybe we're too "young" for Lexus (29, 28)? Maybe we should try the Audi before counting it out?
     
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