What would you pair up with an M5?

[Tigumz]

Ferrari 360. Seriously. I've seen the coupes within a few thousand of your budget. Of course the preliminary homework load is much greater than other choices...

[PeterM5]

I just changed my M5 for the new SL500. Maybe be more than you are thinking of spending but I absolutely love it. It wasn't the greatest ever financial decision to swap the M5 after 8 months and 7000 miles but am loving the new ride. Bags of torque, even more than the M5 it would appear, but gives me the smoothness of ride that I missed from a previous big Merc. Bit of a shortage of seats admittedly and with snow here in London (again!) am investigating something with 4WD to go with it! Delighted to see all you folks still enjoying M5 life though. Good luck with your research.

[M5 Orthodox]

Originally Posted by racer10

I know this is subjective and "in the eyes of the beholder", but would appreciate your views. I really enjoy my 2013 M5 and use it as a daily driver with the occasional spirited highway run. I am thinking of adding a second car (used is fine since I have a price range that tops out at say 65k). I am considering the following : 911s ,or an SL550, or a Z06 , or an M3 convertible. If you were considering these cars which would you lean to?

2014 Acura NSX (but will likely break your bank of 65k). I think when it hits the streets it will be one of the more unique sports/exotic cars both in styling and engineering.

What do others think of the upcoming NSX?

[jdco]

My second is a Panamera Turbo. A bit over 65k.. If I had that budget I would look for a preowned 911 Turbo.

[cpiguy]

Originally Posted by Tigumz

Ferrari 360. Seriously. I've seen the coupes within a few thousand of your budget. Of course the preliminary homework load is much greater than other choices...

+1

[BMW0412]

you should buy another m5, so when 1 is dirty you can drive the other one

[Tomcat2048]

Originally Posted by BMW0412

you should buy another m5, so when 1 is dirty you can drive the other one

...or you could just wash the car...

[AM47]

I would go with a 911 4S, Ohio still has a few months of bad winter weather just in case you were tempted to take it out in January.

[cnicholson]

If track toy, I would go with a Cayman S. CPO lease return would be WELL within your range. Buy an extra set of wheels and some track tires and you are in business. Get a PASM model and it is great for local twisties as well.

I have a 997 Turbo and still think the Cayman is more fun on track (but a bit slower).

If you aren't a track guy, then go for a low operating cost car. For this purpose, I have a Chevy Volt. If bargain lease deals are still available, it delivers very high miles per dollar all-in costs....

[Rob///M5]

Originally Posted by cnicholson

If track toy, I would go with a Cayman S. CPO lease return would be WELL within your range. Buy an extra set of wheels and some track tires and you are in business. Get a PASM model and it is great for local twisties as well.

I have a 997 Turbo and still think the Cayman is more fun on track (but a bit slower).

If you aren't a track guy, then go for a low operating cost car. For this purpose, I have a Chevy Volt. If bargain lease deals are still available, it delivers very high miles per dollar all-in costs....

I'm also looking for a track/twisties car. Need to go drive some and see what clicks for me. No one has mentioned a Lotus Evora S yet. I haven't driven one, but looks like a fun toy.

I'm worried everything is going to feel slow after the M5 though.

[racer10]

After a lot of thought and a visit to the Detroit car show (C7 corvette looks much better in person than in pictures) I have zeroed in on a 2009 or better 911 s. I think it would pair up nicely with the M5 . Neither of which will see any track time. The Z06 while a wonderful value for the money has an interior that I have never been able to like much. Thanks for all replies.

[BMW0412]

Originally Posted by AM47

I would go with a 911 4S, Ohio still has a few months of bad winter weather just in case you were tempted to take it out in January.

hey long time no see, hows ur m5 ?

[racer10]

Originally Posted by BMW0412

hey long time no see, hows ur m5 ?

M5 wonderful car , with one exception being annoying brake squeak . No amount of hard braking seems to make it go away for than a day. Hope when weather gets warmer it goes away by itself.

[SANguru]

Originally Posted by Tigumz

Ferrari 360. Seriously. I've seen the coupes within a few thousand of your budget. Of course the preliminary homework load is much greater than other choices...

Ferrari ownership goes way beyond the price of acquisition... unless you are getting the 458, california or the new F12 where maintenance cycles are a lot longer now.

[SANguru]

it's heavy, it's not that much of a track car and seriously lack power.

super fun cars for $60-70k = Ariel Atom 3 or Caterham 7 which just started selling in the US. I took a Caterham 500 Superlight out with Dale Lomas on Nurburgring last year and had a blast.

Originally Posted by Rob///M5

I'm also looking for a track/twisties car. Need to go drive some and see what clicks for me. No one has mentioned a Lotus Evora S yet. I haven't driven one, but looks like a fun toy.

I'm worried everything is going to feel slow after the M5 though.

[Rob///M5]

Originally Posted by SANguru

it's heavy, it's not that much of a track car and seriously lack power.

super fun cars for $60-70k = Ariel Atom 3 or Caterham 7 which just started selling in the US. I took a Caterham 500 Superlight out with Dale Lomas on Nurburgring last year and had a blast.

Nice. THanks for the feedback.

[Tigumz]

Originally Posted by SANguru

Ferrari ownership goes way beyond the price of acquisition... unless you are getting the 458, california or the new F12 where maintenance cycles are a lot longer now.

I guess it depends on definition of way beyond, hence the due diligence recommendation. The price delta to a 458 would pay for alot of maintenance, esp on non CS 360's. I've been fortunate for the past few years with my Stradale but maintenance is coming up

@Rob, imo, Lotus (Exige) is fun for street twistys, tracking fun depends on how much power you expect...

[Rob///M5]

Exige is not sold here. Drove an Evora...you guys are right...tepid acceleration. Not exciting.

[SANguru]

Originally Posted by Rob///M5

Exige is not sold here. Drove an Evora...you guys are right...tepid acceleration. Not exciting.

Exige S, 240 and 260's are available in the US.

here's one up here in NorCal..

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/3568935767.html

[SANguru]

Good news is CS prices are going back up. A friend of mine just sold his for $165k (3200 mile garage queen). Had a CS when they first came out.. Belts, manifold/exhaust brackets and F1 pumps are very expensive along with blowing through Corsa's (especially the 225's up front) on track days but nothing drives like a CS or handles like it and the sound is intoxicating especially with a Capristo Level 3.

Originally Posted by Tigumz

I guess it depends on definition of way beyond, hence the due diligence recommendation. The price delta to a 458 would pay for alot of maintenance, esp on non CS 360's. I've been fortunate for the past few years with my Stradale but maintenance is coming up

@Rob, imo, Lotus (Exige) is fun for street twistys, tracking fun depends on how much power you expect...

[Rob///M5]

Originally Posted by SANguru

Exige S, 240 and 260's are available in the US.

here's one up here in NorCal..

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/3568935767.html

Ok, we'll I obviously don't know much about lotus

Sales rep told me only the Evora passed US airbag requirements.

[smashhell]

Originally Posted by M5 Orthodox

2014 Acura NSX (but will likely break your bank of 65k). I think when it hits the streets it will be one of the more unique sports/exotic cars both in styling and engineering.

What do others think of the upcoming NSX?

NSX this year? HA keep dreaming.
They don't even have the specs of that car down yet.
More likely 2020 NSX.
(*Also the original NSX cost as much as Ferrari of the time. So don't expect it to be under $200k)