Get a new GTO. You can talk them down to 27. I got a email. Solid, refined, nice, fast, intimidating. Yet, quite spartan on the technological BS and useless wired garbage.

The point is that a used vehicle with durability issues is not a good value........even though the original owner has taken the major depreciation hit.

If the vehicle is going to cost you $3K per year in repairs and maintenance and another $5K per year in depreciation..........you might be better off with a warranty and a lease on a new one.

Can you lease a 530 for about $700 per month? That's the cost of the older vehicle.

Might try the new Volvo C30, I didnt know they were out yet.

As they say, if you have to ask how much it is, you can't afford it. I am not in that social strata, so I have to keep potential big-ticket bills in mind when I get my next daily driver.

Not necessarily true. I can certainly afford it..........I just can't see paying $8400. per year for a vehicle........it's not all that thrilling for the short time you're inside it stuck in traffic.

GTO. Thats the car that failed to relight the Pontiac fire. Now its an unwanted orphan.

I'm with you on the technology BS tho.

I just gotta say, my friend's wife has a new passat with the turbo motor. WHAT A CAR! That thing flies, no cheap feel at all, very nice.

The 1.8T is well regarded. Not so sure about the other motors.

Should drive one. Quite the experience, its well respected in more diverse auto-markets than the US. Remember Americans would rather drive Sport utility vehicles than just plain Sports cars. In fact the only reason I gave it a shot, and probably the reason its good, is the minimal American involvement in its build and design. I was took when I drove it, I expected a Camaro, it was closer to a Cadillac. In a good way.

My cousin has had a 2002 since 05 and it hasn't had any problems so far. Its a 330CI with a 6spd, nice car.

Every time I find myself thinking about a newer car I can't get my eyes off that generation 7 series. You can get like a 2001 with 60k miles on it for $20k or less, hard to beat!

My problem is the W220 never really did anything for me, W140's are getting kind of old, and W221's are to new.

But 2001-02 740IL's, and XJ8's are priced just right for the years and mileage.

If you are serious, I would ask at the roadfly and bimmer and similar forums, where the real fanatics have the knowledge.

I'd definately take a look at the 330ci, so long as it was the pre-Bangle styled model, and without the run flat tires, Who needs i-drive (i-drivel) in a drivers cars.

Those little 3 series are really driver's cars, they handle so well they almost intuit your thoughts, I really like them.

One in good shape with a good history and in a color you like, and if you are lucky, one with the Sport package, (some of the M trimmings) would be nice. I'm not too sure what you get with it, but I think it might include M trimmed steering wheel and seats, better suspension and wheels, and possibly those run flats, which are expensive to replace. Either an automatic or manual are lots of fun.

I'm partial to the sports model. They have M-parallel rims, shorter wheelbase, shadow trim, higher gear ratio and a few other trick non LWB options. I've seen published reports of them doing 0-60 in 6 secs flat, not too shabby.

A lot of people get their undies in a bundle over reliability, but that's nonsense. Like every frickin' car, they have a few issues to watch. Buy a piece of ****, you'll end up with one like that 5 series mentioned above. My car has been nearly flawless. Why, because I bought one that was well maintained.

So, one 530 is a piece of crap with 50K on the clock and another with 50K on the clock is nearly flawless..........and you can tell the difference..........

.........well, OK then........

Yep.