Which One Would You Get?

[George L.]

This coming March I will be getting a new car. Originally I wanted to hold out till the 2006 gs430 came out, but recently I test drove the BMW M3 and fell in love. What would you choose? And why if you could...

[GuyTelefunken]

M3 if you love to drive and feel passionate about it. GS if you love to drive and don't want to feel the passion. Of course, with the M3 you are most likely to get to know your dealer on a first-name basis, probably not the case with the Lexus.

Two different animals, fitting very different styles. I'd seriously consider reliability:

JD Powers on the 2004 M3

JD Powers on the 2004 GS430

I've had a 3-series, albeit not the "M". I do admit, there is no comparison in the driving experience. But I do appreciate the reliability of the GS. I can count the squeeks and rattles in the GS, on one hand, even if I were missing some fingers. I'd need a whole lot more fingers to count them in the BMW!

[George L.]

M3 if you love to drive and feel passionate about it. GS if you love to drive and don't want to feel the passion. Of course, with the M3 you are most likely to get to know your dealer on a first-name basis, probably not the case with the Lexus.

Two different animals, fitting very different styles. I'd seriously consider reliability:

JD Powers on the 2004 M3

JD Powers on the 2004 GS430

I've had a 3-series, albeit not the "M". I do admit, there is no comparison in the driving experience. But I do appreciate the reliability of the GS. I can count the squeeks and rattles in the GS, on one hand, even if I were missing some fingers. I'd need a whole lot more fingers to count them in the BMW!

I was going to do a 3 year payment plan for the m3...Do you think that it will hold up maitnence wise for 3 years? Once I pay it off I'll most likely sell or trade it in for a new car. Will the resell value hold strong for just 3 years?