Quote:
Originally Posted by bcrdukes
Thanks for the update.
I thought about this coincidentally over the long weekend and is there really a worthy competitor to the IS500 in that price range? I can't think of anything that would come close to be honest. I hope I'm wrong.
At least, nothing that will be as reliable and doesn't come with the baggage of a steep depreciation curve depreciation and what-have-you.
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Well, if you're using the criteria of RWD + V8 + compact sedan there isn't really anything new at the price.
BMW only makes xDrive 3 series sedans now - no more RWD for the M340i. If you want RWD you have to step up to the M3, and that's over 100K nowadays (whereas the F80 M3 was still in the high 80s range). Granted the M340i is likely to be faster than the IS500, but having driven it, the car feels artificial. It's fast, very competent, but doesn't really have anything to give it character or personality. Have not driven the M3 (either F80 or G80) so I can't comment.
The C63/C63S is similarly priced to the M3 once you start adding options, and it's the only other game if you want a luxury-badged sedan with a V8. Honestly if you have the means this is probably an amazing choice - the AMGs have a lot of character, a lot of fun, and have the interior wow factor that the Lexus and BMW are both missing. Test drove the C43 AMG and it was much more alive and fun/naughty than the BMW M340i.
When you look to the USA, you have the Dodge Chargers/Hellcats as the sole remaining domestic entrant in the V8 sedan space, but you don't get the premium build quality/badge of the luxury brands. You do get a larger vehicle, and the price is pretty good.
Of course, all these other competitors will also have the baggage of depreciation and possible problems past their warranty period, as you pointed out. That's one thing that is a black mark for my wife and I when we are running our comparisons. Currently owning a 10-year old GTI (soon to be 11) that has had it's fair share of issues throughout the ownership period has left us a bit wary of German cars.