[gimme135]

Suppose for some reason, maybe just a personal thing or something drastic, that turns you off completely from getting the 1, and you decide to NOT get it, what would be your other choice?

I'm having a hard time coming up with a viable 2nd choice. This won't be my only vehicle, so I can't justify another SUV like the X3 or X5. The Porsche Cayman is actually TOO sporty for me right now. I don't like the E92. I love the E46 coupe, but I want to purchase new with full factory freshness. Maybe Infiniti G35 Coupe, but it doesn't have amber rear turn signals. I think Mercedes is crap. Audi doesn't inspire me. VW too juvenile (sorry to all you venerable VW owners). Subaru and Mitsubishi too tinny.

I just don't know.

Suggestions? :iono:

[bpointer]

I kind of like the Lexus IS350. It is a nice good running sporty sedan with substance.

[ichiban]

my second choice would probably be a used 335i if i can find the options i like, and 3rd choice would be a new g37s.

[128er]

Im getting a 128i...but my second choice would probably be a Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5SE

[josh]

Audi S5

[kere]

Will get the 120d coupe, second choise would be new 3 door 120d or used 320/330d.

[1ster]

2008 STI. You can probably tell that styling doesn't mean a whole lot to me.

[Oregon]

A pre-1974 BMW 2002.

[SmoothStyle1]

The 2009 Acura TSX coupe seems, on paper, to be a highly qualified contender. Even more so if it has the SH-AWD as rumored.

When it comes to automobile responsiveness and a crisp driving experience, Acura is only second to BMW (in my opinion).

The TSX coupe should hit showrooms a couple of months after the 1-Series.

[theslik1]

I'm gonna get laughed at (and probably deserve to be ) but I'm going to give the Pontiac G8 GT a very close look. It's obviously much larger than a 135i but has a laundry list of good stuff...RWD, 362 hp V8 (on 87 octane!), a nicely engineered limited-slip diff , and a base MSRP of $29,995 which leaves plenty of cash for mods. As far as tweakability, LS engine gurus are expecting to get an easy 400 hp with CAI, catback, and premium gas tune.

If GM can avoid de-Holdening the car too much it could be a screaming performance bargain. We'll see...

[SmoothStyle1]

Originally Posted by theslik1

I'm gonna get laughed at (and probably deserve to be ) but I'm going to give the Pontiac G8 GT a very close look. It's obviously much larger than a 135i but has a laundry list of good stuff...RWD, 362 hp V8 (on 87 octane!), a nicely engineered limited-slip diff , and a base MSRP of $29,995 which leaves plenty of cash for mods. As far as tweakability, LS engine gurus are expecting to get an easy 400 hp with CAI, catback, and premium gas tune.

If GM can avoid de-Holdening the car too much it could be a screaming performance bargain. We'll see...

Pontiac GT =

[Devon K]

Depending on price and insurance punch: Evo X. I am liking the initial test drive reports - everyone is raving about the spectacular handling (no complaints of understeer there), great dual clutch tranny, looks much better and more mature than Evos past, plus it's a much more tractable daily driver now. Should be about the same cost as 335i, maybe a few thou lower.

[theslik1]

Originally Posted by SmoothStyle1

Pontiac GT =

Yeah...it's a stretch. I've previously owned two GM's and vowed "never again". I keep telling myself "but it's a Holden, but it's a Holden"...

[ttdmac]

If the 135i doesn't shape up to what I'm looking for then I'll probably just get a 335i coupe.

[GreenMonster]

Originally Posted by SmoothStyle1

The 2009 Acura TSX coupe seems, on paper, to be a highly qualified contender. Even more so if it has the SH-AWD as rumored.

yep, it'll be interesting to see of the TSX comes out with SH-AWD...

I'm looking at the 128, and a turbo 4 w/ awd in a TSX looks like it would be a nice choice...

I've only got 67K miles on my CLS 6spd, so I don't really need to get anything right away... Maybe I'll just keep the CL for a bit longer (it's paid off), and buy a cheap used weekend toy.... or just wait till the 1-series hits the used car market if the price for a new one isn't to my liking.

I'd expect the TSX to move "upscale" price wise, so my final decision really depends on pricing... I really don't want to buy a car for much more than $30K (if I can).

I'm also waiting to see what the next gen RWD Tiburon is going to be like too...

[theslik1]

Originally Posted by ttdamc

If the 135i doesn't shape up to what I'm looking for then I'll probably just get a 335i coupe.

That was my original choice but my wife balked at the price. Oddly enough I could probably talk my way into a 335i sedan (vs. coupe) pretty easily. Perceived practicality, I guess...

[SmoothStyle1]

Originally Posted by GreenMonster

yep, it'll be interesting to see of the TSX comes out with SH-AWD...

I'm looking at the 128, and a turbo 4 w/ awd in a TSX looks like it would be a nice choice...

I've only got 67K miles on my CLS 6spd, so I don't really need to get anything right away... Maybe I'll just keep the CL for a bit longer (it's paid off), and buy a cheap used weekend toy.... or just wait till the 1-series hits the used car market if the price for a new one isn't to my liking.

I'd expect the TSX to move "upscale" price wise, so my final decision really depends on pricing... I really don't want to buy a car for much more than $30K (if I can).

I'm also waiting to see what the next gen RWD Tiburon is going to be like too...

I can’t see the TSX encroaching much beyond $30K simply because it would then eat into the TL market.

I’m very excited about the TSX coupe; so much so that I’m definitely gonna wait until it arrives before I make up my mind on the 1-Series. When it comes to performance and quality/reliability, Acura is tops.

BTW, I wouldn’t get too excited about the next gen Tiburon because Hyundai handling and performance is shit.

[ttdmac]

Yeah I just need a car to work as both a commuter and the occasional track day, until I get some more cash saved up and the time to build myself an Ultima GTR.

[Fast Kiwi]

335cp all the way.. if it was a true price thing then id say you should be able to find a couple slightly pre-owned maybe even cpo'd.. (sedan or coupe)

[imported_sbw]

A fully loaded Volkswagen GTI!

It goes like stink and has many of the nice traits of a BMW. Everything but rear-wheel drive. The 2.0T turbo engine is amazing. Go try one! Get the 18-inch alloys! :thumbup:

[gimme135]

Originally Posted by bpointer

I kind of like the Lexus IS350. It is a nice good running sporty sedan with substance.

Lack of a manual tranny in the Lexus, no? = totally unacceptable to me. I can't even consider it. Excellent reliability though.

[elusiveguy]

Originally Posted by 1ster

2008 STI. You can probably tell that styling doesn't mean a whole lot to me.

+1 We'll see how things pan out though.