About to start looking for a new car again, opinions?

[camoeto]

It has been > 2 years since I sold my G8 GT to purchase a 335i 6MT. The 335i has been a great little car but I'm getting a bit bored with it and it has been to the dealer so many times I want to get rid of it before warranty runs out. Making the inevitable comparison between the 2 having owned each for 2+ years, I would have to say that I liked owning the G8 more, even though the 335i is a much better car in pretty much every way other than the engine. I wouldn't get another G8 but a manual trans is the one feature I absolutely must have so a GXP is a must. Here are the options I am currently considering:

- New Mustang Boss 302. + Great engine, handling, and style. - expensive for what you get, little interior room, and new model coming out in 1.5 years.
- Used G8 GXP 6MT. + It's my dream combo from my original G8 purchase in 2008 of the LS engine with a manual in the G8 body. - Hard to find, overpriced, fuel economy, Chevy SS coming out soon.
- New Chevy SS. + It should be like the GXP but more modern and better, right? - Knowing Chevy they will FUBAR the styling and I doubt the 6MT version will be available at launch.
- Used (2010+) E60/F10 BMW 550i 6MT. + Features, engine. - Reliability, E60 is very dated, F10 is a pig, aftermarket is expensive and limited.

That pretty much narrows it down. The V8 BMW is an intriguing choice, but somehow I doubt I would like it as much as Ford Coyote or GM LS engines, and I'm ready to take a break from BMW (I also had 530i prior to the G8 that was a maintenance nightmare). I'm thinking Boss 302 is probably the car most would want, right?

[SRG963]

You list is missing a slightly used CTS-V

[Chewy]

My dad has an F10 M5 and while yes it's heavy, it's not meant to be a race car. It's a gentleman's sports sedan IMO. Oh and it goes like SNOT! Truly the best car my ass has sat in. He had an E60 M5 before the F10 and an E39 M5 before that and no major issues. The E39 had clutch issues, but they all did from what I've heard. His 335i has had more problems than any of them actually. He actually got the extended warranty on it.

I'm waiting for the SS... We'll see...

Chris

[camoeto]

You list is missing a slightly used CTS-V

I thought about that one but you're talking about at least mid-40s for a 3-4 year old specimen with reasonably low miles. It's a pig to boot that weighs 4250 pounds and gets 13 MPG on premium. Not crazy about the styling either although it's ok. G8 is still the best looking 4dr sedan on the road.

[camoeto]

My dad has an F10 M5 and while yes it's heavy, it's not meant to be a race car. It's a gentleman's sports sedan IMO. Oh and it goes like SNOT! Truly the best car my ass has sat in. He had an E60 M5 before the F10 and an E39 M5 before that and no major issues. The E39 had clutch issues, but they all did from what I've heard. His 335i has had more problems than any of them actually. He actually got the extended warranty on it.

I'm waiting for the SS... We'll see...

Chris

The E39 530i that I used to have before the G8 did not have many major issues that were BMWs fault, but plenty of minor ones such as dead pixel rows on the LCD, cracking "wood" trim pieces, bad sensors, stuck thermostat, too many suspension pieces that needed to be replaced before 80k. It also started eating a quart of oil every 5k miles towards when I sold it at 90k. Mostly minor issues but that car had no warranty so all repairs paid out of pocket.

Having learned the lesson on the E39, I bought the E90 335i as a low mileage CPO car with extended warranty to 100k. Let's just say that was a wise decision to get it with warranty. Everything I read on the BMW boards about 335i "reliability" turned out to be true I have had multiple repair on it paid for by BMW where the cost would have been in the thousands had I been paying out of pocket.

[Zodiac]

I think based on what you listed it sounds like the Boss 302 or GXP M6 is what you want, I'm not biased or anything lol, but I prefer the Boss if you don't need the extra space.

Based on your service nightmares with your 335 why get another BMW?
The Chevy SS will probably suffer like the rest of the GM lineup with poor styling.

It seems you have gripes with all of them though. Why not test drive the ones you can and take it from there?

[Eric_GT]

I'd probably get the Mustang out of those choices.
IMO, the GXP will not live up to your expectations. I have 'gone back' to cars already off fond memories and they never lived up to the expectations.
It's like getting back with an ex.

Do you need the backseat though that a four door has? The Mustangs back seat is pretty useless from the ones I have looked at. If not...Mustang.

[N-V-ME]

The Gxp and gt is night and day! The Gxp has been my favorite car I have owned. I have modded mine to an extreme, but it brings me a smile everyday. You just going to have to accept gas just sucks, but that's the choice you make buying these types of cars, plus the good old gas guzzler tax.

Just my opinion best of luck with what ever you end up with.

[camoeto]

I'd probably get the Mustang out of those choices.
IMO, the GXP will not live up to your expectations. I have 'gone back' to cars already off fond memories and they never lived up to the expectations.
It's like getting back with an ex.

Do you need the backseat though that a four door has? The Mustangs back seat is pretty useless from the ones I have looked at. If not...Mustang.

Well, I need the back seat to be large enough to be able to fit a booster seat. My son is about to turn 4. I did test-drive a regular Mustang GT and it seems that the back seat is large enough for kids.

Maybe my G8 memories are really better than reality was, but I really did like the car and would probably still be driving had it been a manual. I could go without the fancy-schmancy BMW interior. The other areas where I felt the G8 was lacking in comparison to the other options on the list are suspension, brakes and steering feel. The suspension and brakes can be improved through the aftermarket, though I probably wound't do anything about the brakes given how much it would cost, while the steering feel is what it is.

Speaking of the devil, the BMW just had another speed sensor fail therefore rendering all ABS/traction/stability system useless so I see another visit to the dealer in the crystal ball The last time the car was at the dealeler was barely a month ago. for Time to start looking...

[Zodiac]

Well, I need the back seat to be large enough to be able to fit a booster seat. My son is about to turn 4. I did test-drive a regular Mustang GT and it seems that the back seat is large enough for kids.

Maybe my G8 memories are really better than reality was, but I really did like the car and would probably still be driving had it been a manual. I could go without the fancy-schmancy BMW interior. The other areas where I felt the G8 was lacking in comparison to the other options on the list are suspension, brakes and steering feel. The suspension and brakes can be improved through the aftermarket, though I probably wound't do anything about the brakes given how much it would cost, while the steering feel is what it is.

Speaking of the devil, the BMW just had another speed sensor fail therefore rendering all ABS/traction/stability system useless so I see another visit to the dealer in the crystal ball The last time the car was at the dealeler was barely a month ago. for Time to start looking...

Yeah definitely get a new car. I have a 2.5 year old in a car seat and he fits snuggly. If I had a smaller carseat he'd be better off, so that mod is coming soon. Being that your kid is 4 and only needs a booster then you will be fine.