370z,RS5 Good Stablemates?
 

I have been thinking of replacing my Mercedes CL500, and feel the Audi RS5 would be a great subsitituion. I need a back seat, not for passengers but for bags, groceries etc. The Z and Audi would be a amazing combo. One a canyon carver the other a hwy missile. Not to pleased with the curb wgt of the RS5 which is comparable to the piggish GTR, but 450hp shouldn't make it seem so bad. A $90k estimated price isn't pleasing either. At that price there is a lot of competition in the sport coupe market. Not a BMW M3 fan which might change when they go turbo and the CTS V is way to heavy also. Just was wondering what you guys think of the RS5.

buy an sti or evo instead. use the extra money to turbocharge the z. or just buy a gtr. same interior space as the rs5 but much faster.

The CTS-V does not feel as heavy as it is... at least the 4 door doesn't. Also it's faster, and much cheaper than the Audi. With the Audi, you'll get slightly better interior, but with the V's boosted engine and magnetic ride suspension, it's a better car for the money for sure. Just my opinion though... take it for what it's worth. Also, with the V, you can increase boost for cheap. 700hp is not out of the question with stock internals.

CTS V has a coupe ? and i wrong?

How about a G37X sedan?
 

The RS5, M3 and Cadillac CTS-V coupe were compared in the latest isuue of Car and Driver (I read it cover to cover every month). They chose the M3, because it was the best car overall. Audi is still resorting to bandaids to address its nose heavy design, but it is a beautiful car (inside and out). It is expensive @ $90k. CTS-V coupe did well on the autobahn, but was let down by its brick hard Recaros and a somewhat cheap looking interior compared to the others. The M3 is just a good all-around combo. I would like one, but I'm turned -off by its poor fuel economy. I'd rather drive my 370z on the weekends and my Frontier 4wd during the week. Have you thought about the Infinit G37X sedan? I've read alot of positive reviews on this platform (basically a all-wheel drive, sedan version of the 370 chassis). I think it weighs 3,800lbs and accelerates to 60 in 5.4 seconds stock. Install a supercharger or even TT and have an all-weather rocketship with room for five for less than $50k.

Out of those cars a M3 coupe imo

RS5 vs whatever discussion aside, let's get one thing straight. The 370Z is an unnecessary purchase if you're buying any of those big boys. My guess is that you'd be selling the Z in very short order due to lack of use and interest in it.

As for the RS5, M3, CTS-V decision...

Buy the M3 if you have greasy, spikey hair and wear mirrored sunglasses often. It performs great, can be a track day weekend car if you want and balances the power, performance, amenities well. You're still a douche for driving it though, no matter who you are.

Buy the RS5 if you like the more rare, mature version of the M3. Yes it's nose heavy and uses electronics to compensate. However, unless you're a hardcore track enthusiast, you'll never notice nor care. It's the exotic of the bunch.

Buy the CTS-V is you're looking for an incredible deal but don't need 'flash'. The numbers speak for themselves in that car and you can easily forego the Recaro seat option. You'll always be looked at as driving a CTS instead of a CTS-V by everyone except the true enthusiasts who know better and understand what you bought.

Having thought all this over before, I'd get a CTS-V sedan (though the coupe does exist). It'll smoke just about anyone, would be great fun on the track, and you can still put a child's seat in the back.

PS, the Z has plenty of room in the back hatch to get groceries.

Thx guys. Imo the A5 is one of the best looking automobiles available right now. I like that u don't see them at every other stoplight. Not a fan of the GTR because of it's looks and excess weight, along with all of it's electronics. 3 series are a dime a dozen. I also feel no car is worth a $100k so that might kill the purchase. Definitely won't ever sell the Z. That car is incredible and I'm having a lot of fun with it. Thx again for the replies.

the S5 starts at 53K, you must be getting everything and the kitchen seat for a 90K price. And the cts v will do 0 60 in under 4 secs so even if it is heavy its still fast but mpg sucks IMO go S5 as the base model is nicely equiped and maybe get a few upgrades but not up to 90K

the gtr is a bit heavy, but none of the cars you mentioned are featherweights either. they are all heavy too. and the rs5 has as much electronics as the gtr, with the difference that the gtr uses electronics to set lap records while the rs5 uses electronics to mask its crappy handling and lack of balance. Lookswise the cts is even uglier than the gtr. Seriously, consider the gtr. It's the fastest of the bunch, has as much room as the rest of them, and has the best aftermarket support for mods.

He's talking about the RS5, not the S5.

If the GTR had better front end styling, I'd be all over it. One of the recent magazines had a new GTR rendering incorporating the Z lines in the front end and it looks amazing. Their next gen Z rendering looks mouthwatering too.

If you're keeping the Z, definitely get the CTS-V sedan.

get the GT-R

it is awesome simple as that. you don't really notice the weight.

All of you guys responses are valid, but I'm looking for a luxury sports coupe. CTS-V coupe would be at the top of the list if I didn't see a million sedans and wasn't american made. Guess I'll wait and see how the 2011-12 turbo M3 looks. Don't want u guys to think I don't appreciate your opinions, because I do.

how about a used e46 m3, or a 911 carrera

I've tried to love Audi, but I just can't.. They charge a premium for everything like they are BMW, but they fall short in performance or heritage to command it.

I cross shopped a M3 coupe with the GT-R in late 2008 also and I definitely made the right choice.

the GT-R has plenty of luxury options.

My parents drove over 900 miles in one trip, 10 hours in the GT-R, no backache nothing. and 3 days later they did it again. no problems

Has ipod,bluetooth and all that ****.

comfort settings

what more do you want? a tray to hold your coffee? :roflpuke2:

Oh wait the GT-R has that too I think.

I find that Audi are generally ******* overpriced just like every other german "luxury" brand. + I find that most Audi cars all look the same upfront the one more bulkier than the other but generally the same and you see audis and BMWs everywhere and I would never buy one because they are so spread everywhere

Yeah, BMW, Merc, Porsche models don't look alike at all. :ugh2:

Meh, the RS5 is still a MUCH nicer car than the two you listed. Upscale...

I test drove an A5 3.2 and it's very nice. I suspect the RS5 would be even better. :)

The Recaro's on the CTS-V are a hit and miss. Some people can't live with them, some can't live without them. I've sat in both and I'd spring for them. As far as comparing interiors. The M3 is BORING! Just like any other BMW, sans the new Z4. Of course, Audi always has a nice interior, and actually, I found the interior of the V to be a very nice place to be.

CTS and CTS-V are very nice inside and out. A5 interior is very nice as well. Nice design... driver oriented.

RS5..nice choice

The RS5 should have a starting price of 70k if you are getting it loaded beyond then you will be looking more to 80k w/o dealer mark up. Also i do believe that they can co-exist with out a problem, however you will like the creature comfort of the RS5 more.

Here is the thing in one year on just about any audi you loose roughly 30-50% if you choose to get rid of it. just food for thought. Considering it will be an RS5 it should hold value better. B7 RS4's CPO'D are still selling in the mid 50k areas.....

IMO, the CTS-V

Audi's are a joy to drive , Have you ever driven one MMC ? I know you have a GTR so your standards will obviously be high but audi's have a very solid feel to them, and are very classy vehicles.. I owned a 99 a4 and it was awesome.. AWD was great, handled any snow that was thrown at it with ease and I sold it at 164k with the engine and tranny still going strong.. Loved it.

I feel the new M3 is put way too high on a pedistool.. I have driven one for more than 500 miles and I can honestly say the ONLY thing it has on the Z is a bit of handling and a back seat... The car is simply the same speed as our Z ( fully modded with a tune ) for twice the money... It handles well , prob a little better than the 370z but not 40k worth... I know it shines on the track but 95% of the people buying it dont track it.

My buddies has been in the shop twice at 9k miles... Syncros went in third and 4th gear, new tranny was covered, than his rear diff went.. Now they arent covering it, only 400 miles after he got the tranny replaced because they said his black box said he revved 1400 rpms over redline? He doesnt recall doing it at all, and I believe him. He is a responable mid 30s businessman that really doesnt abuse the car to any crazy extent. And I know he def didnt do it in those 400 miles after they warrantied his tranny because he stressed how he drove it hard right off the lot and thought thats why his syncros went and was gonna take it easy. Than 400 miles later he hears clink clank and his diff is hanging on the ground !!!! Yes on the ground.. and now they are telling him its on him cause he revved his motor 1400 rpms over redline ????? HUH ? No thanks to any company that treats their customers like that. $4700 repair bill, the car has been sitting at bmw for 2 months now and he is refusing to pay for it.

He hates it and is currently trying to get out of his lease to get either the caymen S or even a nismo 370 since he has seen/driven mine he respects the value at hand. They told him is he pays the 4700 they will get him in a 2011 at the same rate but he doesnt want it. To me the cars a dissapointment but everyone seems to love it, who knows , maybe he got a dud but that car 0-130 is the SAME speed as my base modded 370z.

As for the OP I would take the rs5 out of the bunch but like others have said I think your Z will become less desirable... the cts-v is a good compliment to the Z i think if you were to keep both.

Yes, I have driven many different models over the years. Most recently, I gave the S5 a good look before buying the G37 and I could justify the marginally better performance for the 15k difference.

I'm a value shopper - that is why I own a GT-R over a 997 Turbo and a G37 over a S5.

props to you! good choices....

The RS5 is just dead sexy, but I've never driven one (only ridden in an A5).

The 335i is one hell of an engineering marvel, so I'd vote for the new M3 when it comes around. Once the MotorSport arm gets a hold of that design, look out...

Though the 3-Series styling doesn't do much for me... I can't take a liking to the Caddie's looks; but I'm sure it's a rocket.