Posted on 02/03/2016 8:46:26 AM PST by C19fan
I was doing the same thing. But we’re empty nesters and the cds is my commuter - 160 miles a day on mostly twisty back roads with virtually no traffic. As long as I can get my bass and a small amp in, I’m good. :-)
If you’re willing to put up with the almost-certainly-higher maintenance costs, the big 7-series BMWs are pretty close to the old GM land barges in size and ride, and a LOT more sophisticated in design. The 740 in particular (and I’m starting to see the 745 as well) seem to be good bargains as far as retail price. The real thorns will be service costs and having to deal with BMW’s “iDrive” system.
I’ve considered those cars and the early Mercedes CLS, but I always run up against the narrow focus of big luxury sedans. I ended up trading my Flex on a Hummer H2, which has had a few headaches as well, but all have been problems with peripherals rather than core mechanicals.
last summer we were looking for a car for my wife. After the obligatory dealership visits and test drives she settled on a Toyota Avalon. Nice car but I thought the front seats were a little uncomfortable but it was what she wanted so I was fine with it. Just before we went to buy one I talked her into test driving a couple of BMW 3 series, at first protesting I finally convinced her it was just a look and I did not intend on trying to talk her into purchasing one. After the 2nd test drive she got out and was just staring at it, I said “what?”, she said “I’ve never driven a car like that before”.....we now have a 2015 3 series BMW in the garage. Told you that to tell you this, you might know already but looks like Toyota and BMW are gonna team up for that 2018 Supra you referenced.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/2018-toyota-sports-car-feature
My limited experience with high -end German marques (Mercedes S-class) is that they are in love with tight steering and suspension. I like a soft cushy American ride, and as few gizmos as possible. You used to be able to buy a big car with no gizmos (Chrysler Newport, for instance). No more. Also, I’m a (very) used car buyer, as the costs with full sized new cars is out of my range.
I love my Pontiac G8, it’s a big, comfy high way cruising sedan with a V8 and a nice suspension. 6 years, 50K miles, no problems. Wish they still made them.
Oh, wait, they do, it’s now the Chevy SS. Pricey, but our Aussie friends still know how to make a nice car.
That story is scary funny. I recently acquired a 5 series based upon very similar circumstances. As I have told my wife, it is a car that drives like few others. Traded in a high-end American vehicle with all the options and I will tell you this, the execution of the same and similar options on the BMW is far and away superior. It’s hard to describe, but the execution on the BMW is so much more refined. Sure, the American vehicle did the tasks, but in a way I always felt was clunky, if not grudgingly. Couldn’t be happier with the vehicle. Looking forward to the 2018 Supra, but my guess is very $$$$$.
The brand new 7-series seems absolutely amazing with some real breakthrough stuff. It’s just too big. Seems like a car for an old wealthy guy with a few gold chains around his neck.
Big is relative. Dr. Sivana is talking in terms of mid-70s American land barges like the Chrysler Newport, the Cadillac Fleetwood, or the Lincoln Mark VII. Next to those things, the “big” BMW is positively svelte.
ETA: also the mid-90s size explosion with the Caprice/Roadmaster/Olds Delta big sedans and wagons, and the blimp-like Cadillac Fleetwood (again). I.e. the good ol’ American Couch-on-wheels.
LOL. It was hard to opt for the Tc when the FRS was there. It was fun to drive.
I bought the one I test drove.
I drive from central KY to Louisville every day, 80 miles each way. It’s about 40 miles to Bardstown, and every mile of it is two lane twisties that crotch rocketters dream about. And virtually no traffic.
These roads all have a 55mph speed limit and you will kill yourself if you maintain that speed. But I was doing about 80 one day in a fairly tame part and two cars passed me, doing a fair clip themselves. They were both KY highway patrol cars. I checked my mirror and about 500 yards back one flipped on his blues for a couple of seconds. I tapped my brakes in acknowledgement.
When I drove in Seattle (41 years), if I was behind the wheel, I was thinking about cops. Out here, it’s like a parallel dimension. It is spectacular.
If I lived in Seattle, the FR-S would be stupid. Here, I almost literally race to work every day. It is exhilarating.
I’m running on Bridgestone Potenza RE71R’s right now and on a switchback hillclimb the G forces were so strong that I was nauseous by the end. I’m 62 and just can’t do roller coasters like when I was a kid.
I absolutely love this car. BTW, I had an Opel GT with rather wide tires and wheels back in the mid-70’s. This car is very much like that one on a heavy dose of steroids.
Wow I’m envious. A long drive, but you make the best of it. That car can definitely ride on a rail. Here in Atlanta we have so much stop and go that it’s frustrating. I really get to work out my Tc if I go in late and traffic is light!!!
Yep, had 5 GM vehicles in a row ‘till Obama bailed ‘em out, that was the end of that. From what I can tell that Supra is supposed to go for around 40-50K but you know how it is, if the product is hot I’ve seen dealers ask OVER MSRP.....and get it. good luck.
Got one in 1970.
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