So What Was Choice Number Two

[Mark Linkous]

Hello All,Just curious, what were your final candidates when you purchased your M?Like many, my prior car was a 2000 3.2TL. Vowing off FWD, rear drive was an absolute with mostly indifference to AWD. Furthermore, I could not stomach not having a warranty. This led me to the following: 1) 2002 Jaguar XJR C.P.O( I know kinda scary) 2) 2003 BMW 540i (Only pulled out when dealer said it could not be BMW certified, was listed as certified) 3) 2006 G35 6MT(New,Base Model, Gold color was the deal breaker, still question???) In fact, my car and the Serengeti Sand G were going to be the exact same price out the door. It was the color and baseness(word?) of the G that steered me away. Cheers,Mark

[szh]

I went in to the dealer with the expectation of replacing my previous 1995 Infiniti Q45 with a 2003 G35 Coupe. They did not have the Coupe on the lot ... they were pushing the 2003 G35 Sedan (that they had plenty of on the lot) and the 2004 G35 Sedans were due in, I think.

My wife and I saw three 2003 M45's sitting there and we were hooked on the unique look. I got a great deal on my car - cost me quite a bit less than a 2003 G35 Coupe 'cause I got a basic M45 model - and the rest is history!

As far as I was concerned, no other brand names made sense. I have been driving an Infiniti model of some sort since March of 1991 ... for a good reason!

Z

[auditech10]

The only other car I was even thinking about was a 2002+ Audi A6. I was in a black car and vowed not to get another black one. I was SET on a white on black but they are less than rare and the only one I saw was a 2004 model and the price was around 35K. I couldnt do that at the time. So I checked out a bunch of Ms online and went to the dealership to drive one. I was hooked right away and knew that when I first saw one of these when they first came out I knew I wanted one. So I looked and looked and asked a few salesmen about a white on black and never found one for about a month. The salesmen also told me that they never saw one. So I gave up and got the black on black, haha. Well not even a month after I got my M I not only saw one in person but saw a few on Ebay and other online car sites. Oh well!!! Im happy with what I got.Cheers

[HolySh*t]

WOW! I had no other options. After college I was driving a 1996 Buick Riviera SC. That car was sexy and shockingly fast. I was planning on driving that car until I found a low mileage white w/ tan leather interior 03 M45. Then 2 1/2 years later, the rest is history...

My firends and brothers call my M the "panty dropper".

[Mark Linkous]

Me too Auditech10. Also I forgot to include a Diamond Black 2003 Audi A6 2.7T in my list. It just did not feel that quick. The interior is amazing and I loved the optional sport seats. I absolutely do not regret my decision. I saw one (Diamond Graphite) in the showroom in '03 and loved it. It also goes down as the most beautiful saleswoman I have ever spoken to. My TL was only a few years old and I couldn't swing it. Good thing considering the M had just hit the market, thus no absurd discounts/leases. Thanx to allMark

[auditech10]

Oh I forgot to add that the A6 had to be the 4.2L V8. The biturbo is a dog in the A6 and I think after 02 they only came with an auto trans that drove smooth but was way too slow

[Jackhammer]

my M45 was actually my 3rd choice.

in order:

1. 94 NSX2. S/C 03 M3 Vert with Hardtop3. M45

[FoxApe]

Hadn't even considered an M45( didn't even know about em!) till i stumbled across NICO.

1. 02-04 ls 4302. 01 audi s83. 01-03 s5004. 300c or charger r/t

loved the ls430 but it lacked m45 power while costing 10k more(decent mileage)........... Really wanted an S8 but the one's I found were too far away and had mileage around 90k...............Same thing with s500 plus out of price range.............Only glanced at 300 and charger. Both have power i was looking for but the interiors are bland and uncomfortable (especially in charger) plus there are way too many of them on the streets.

looking at performance/classiness to affordability/reliability, 03-04 M45 was easy winner in my eyes.

[auditech10]

If it were a 2002 or 03 I would have taken the S8! No but for the price the M is such a great car, I think.

[m-tastic]

The o3/4 M45 was not even on the radar. I was actually shopping for a GS400 or a BMW 540 when I came across the M's on ebay. I had only seen one 03/04 in the flesh and had liked them but thought they were kind of obscure.

Shopped the forums, the aftermarket, and reliability.......03 M45 it was.

[panj]

Choice set:

1. 2008 Jag XF Premium Lux. (couldn't wait--date to far ahead)2. 2008 M45 Sport (lease too good on 2007)3. 2007 M45 Sport (choice)4. 2008 Audi A6 4.2 (options not ideal, lease higher)5. 2008 G37s (size issue stalled purchase)

[buhdda]

I wanted a mid size luxury sedan with lost of power since i felt the flagship sedans were too expensive at this point in my life.

Ruled out Jag Stype and Lincoln LS V8 Cadillac CTS based on being american

Ruled out A6 4.2 because every1 said they were unrealiable

so it was down to 5 series, e-class, GS, M

due to pricing i would have had to buy a smaller engine if i wanted a german car. ie 530i or e350, didnt like that idea but also didnt want to shell out the additional money.

So I was left with the GS430 and M45. I was leaning towards GS but the pricing points for the m45 was better so that is what i bought.
Modified by buhdda at 1:31 PM 10/4/2007

[virusx1]

1. 07 bmw 335xi2. 07 audi a6 3.2

[lswaidz]

For me it was between a brand new G35x (snow belt...), a used Lexus GS430, and a BMW 545i. The choice was simple... the M offered better performance than all of those, at half the cost. I drove a WS6 Trans Am for 2 years in the snow, so the M actually handles quite well... no looking back for me... my next car is going to be a Mercedes CLS AMG, either the 55 or the 63... we'll see in about 2 years. I really think that the CLS is one of the most beautiful vehicles ever... EVER... manufactured.