Any daily driver advice?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
From: U.A.E
I have had this dilemma and tested everything (approximately) over 400 hp+ mercedes , porsche or bmw .
Good candidates for me were ; CLS500 , C63s AMG coupe ( even though suspension too stiff ) , BMW X6 and BMW M550i x drive ... ended up with the M550i
Good candidates for me were ; CLS500 , C63s AMG coupe ( even though suspension too stiff ) , BMW X6 and BMW M550i x drive ... ended up with the M550i
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 118
Likes: 13
From: Asia
That's what I did in the past. But once problems started with the car out of warranty, defects that you don't normally see in Japanese, German, heck even Korean cars, and when visiting the Ferrari workshop you realize that it's not only you with such issues, I had to get rid of it. And now I appreciate Porsche even more. 
Track Day
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 17
Likes: 18
From: Santa Barbara, Ca.
I've started looking for a new daily driver to replace my BMW M4. The starting point was something more practical (4 drs), V8 and big FI horsepower - I have a NA 991.1 GTS that I intend to keep for a long time. As much as I've enjoyed my BMWs I feel like I need to change things up a bit and I don't want to own a Panamera on top of my existing 911. I'm now looking closely at the new E63 AMG and the Cadillac CTS-V. I'll have to wait a year or so for depreciation to work its magic with the new E63s but there are plenty of nearly new CTS-Vs around at great values (you'd have to hate the idea of money to buy a car in this class new).
I like the idea of a 640 hp RWD sedan that's 400 lbs lighter than the competition and I think the car looks pretty awesome. I've had a short test drive in one and my driving impressions were very favorable (this was expected). Initial impressions of the interior and tech were also positive (my expectations were low on this front). Does anybody here have anything they can share about the ownership experience? What's reliability like? How does the build quality hold up after a couple of years? These are really my areas of primary concern - Cadillac doesn't do well at the JD Power surveys at all and that's definitely a cause for concern.
I like the idea of a 640 hp RWD sedan that's 400 lbs lighter than the competition and I think the car looks pretty awesome. I've had a short test drive in one and my driving impressions were very favorable (this was expected). Initial impressions of the interior and tech were also positive (my expectations were low on this front). Does anybody here have anything they can share about the ownership experience? What's reliability like? How does the build quality hold up after a couple of years? These are really my areas of primary concern - Cadillac doesn't do well at the JD Power surveys at all and that's definitely a cause for concern.
RL Community Team
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: The Woodlands, TX.
Originally Posted by K-A
The new M-B sedans look like interchangeable bars of soap, interiors with the gear stalk feel like lazy boys. The new 5 is also a step back from its predecessor imo. Nothing really exciting coming out in the sedan world to me.
But you alreay have a 911, so who cares. Therefore you have a bunch of good options to choose from. As you said, just avoid new as nothing depreciates like a high performance M-B or BMW.
If you can stand the cheapo interior, I’d say get something more interesting like the Giulia Quadrifoglio.
But you alreay have a 911, so who cares. Therefore you have a bunch of good options to choose from. As you said, just avoid new as nothing depreciates like a high performance M-B or BMW.
If you can stand the cheapo interior, I’d say get something more interesting like the Giulia Quadrifoglio.
RL Community Team
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From: The Woodlands, TX.
Originally Posted by Via Huerto
I'd go for a CPO 2015 BMW M5 with low mileage. RWD, a little heavy but a beast and a blast to drive. Prices have come way way down. Understand 100% BMW fatigue but the Mercedes look characterless and the gear lever on the stalk is deal breaker for me. Cadillac has terrible interior build quality which would drive me insane. If I was going to choose American I'd go all in on a Chevy SS. No pretense with the Chevy.
RL Community Team
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: The Woodlands, TX.
Originally Posted by gearboxtrouble
I've started looking for a new daily driver to replace my BMW M4. The starting point was something more practical (4 drs), V8 and big FI horsepower - I have a NA 991.1 GTS that I intend to keep for a long time. As much as I've enjoyed my BMWs I feel like I need to change things up a bit and I don't want to own a Panamera on top of my existing 911. I'm now looking closely at the new E63 AMG and the Cadillac CTS-V. I'll have to wait a year or so for depreciation to work its magic with the new E63s but there are plenty of nearly new CTS-Vs around at great values (you'd have to hate the idea of money to buy a car in this class new).
I like the idea of a 640 hp RWD sedan that's 400 lbs lighter than the competition and I think the car looks pretty awesome. I've had a short test drive in one and my driving impressions were very favorable (this was expected). Initial impressions of the interior and tech were also positive (my expectations were low on this front). Does anybody here have anything they can share about the ownership experience? What's reliability like? How does the build quality hold up after a couple of years? These are really my areas of primary concern - Cadillac doesn't do well at the JD Power surveys at all and that's definitely a cause for concern.
I like the idea of a 640 hp RWD sedan that's 400 lbs lighter than the competition and I think the car looks pretty awesome. I've had a short test drive in one and my driving impressions were very favorable (this was expected). Initial impressions of the interior and tech were also positive (my expectations were low on this front). Does anybody here have anything they can share about the ownership experience? What's reliability like? How does the build quality hold up after a couple of years? These are really my areas of primary concern - Cadillac doesn't do well at the JD Power surveys at all and that's definitely a cause for concern.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 137
From: SLC, Utah
I've never owned one but can't help but notice... are the Audis of today just not that good? This thread has a lot of mentions of BMW and Mercedes with a few sprinkles of Jaguar and Cadillac but nobody mentions Audi.
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 61
Likes: 2
From: Houston, TX
Audis are nice but the only model they sell that fits the bill is the RS7. I'm sure its a rocketship in a straight line (pretty much a Panamera Turbo under the skin) but I've never liked Audis FWD bias. Theres an all new RS7 imminent in europe so this is probably not the right time to buy one anyway.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 145
They also still have the least sorted chassis’ out there in non-AMG form, imo.
BMW has also dropped the ball (but at least MB is trying). Like they’ve just become corporate drones who have no fun. The new 5 lost the sexiness the F10 had. Looks like a 3 from behind. And I agree the F10 M5 is a huge letdown. Feels like a massive executive car, not an “M.” Engine is powerful but lacks any character, it’s crazy fast but you’re so isolated that it manages to make you always feel like you’re on a ho hum Sunday cruise.
I never loved Audi’s, but lately out of the “big 3” they’ve been getting more of my attention.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 61
Likes: 2
From: Houston, TX
I'd go for a CPO 2015 BMW M5 with low mileage. RWD, a little heavy but a beast and a blast to drive. Prices have come way way down. Understand 100% BMW fatigue but the Mercedes look characterless and the gear lever on the stalk is deal breaker for me. Cadillac has terrible interior build quality which would drive me insane. If I was going to choose American I'd go all in on a Chevy SS. No pretense with the Chevy.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,535
Likes: 1,403
From: SW Colorado
I'd go for a CPO 2015 BMW M5 with low mileage. RWD, a little heavy but a beast and a blast to drive. Prices have come way way down. Understand 100% BMW fatigue but the Mercedes look characterless and the gear lever on the stalk is deal breaker for me. Cadillac has terrible interior build quality which would drive me insane. If I was going to choose American I'd go all in on a Chevy SS. No pretense with the Chevy.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 318
Likes: 58
Audi
My guru Audi repair shop said stay away from the brand. It's mostly what they work on. The old ones were great but new are disposable. They said buy a Porsche. Did that.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,535
Likes: 1,403
From: SW Colorado
Forgive me, Hawkeye, but I have to pick on the SUV meme. Outside of the US and China, does anybody besides posers buy "luxury" SUV's? And for everyone who thinks they are fun to drive, have they compared them to mid or large size sedans, especially hot-rod versions? And for SUV owners in the US, how many ever use any of the "utility" capabilities beyond what an AWD sedan or wagon can provide (or just any of these "rugged" capabilities at all)?
RL Community Team
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From: The Woodlands, TX.