hhhhheeeelllllppppp!!!!! please?

Question

ok.. im a 16 year old hs junior. my birthday is in like 4 months and i'm about to turn 17, well anyways thats not the point. the point is that my dad wants to buy me any kind of car i want, but i am confused. i dont know which one to get, so i want you to help me out by telling me which car looks better. is it the lexus sc430 http://www.lexus.com/models/SC/ click on photo gallery or should ii get the new bmw 3 series hardtop convertible http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/3/335iconvertible/gallery.htm please please help me out!!!! thankxxx a bunch

Answer 1

Get the Lexus.
Great car and very dependable.

Answer 2

When I was 16, I was given a Range Rover HSE, an old one, but a Range Rover nonetheless. My father then totaled it on an icy morning and it saved everybody's life in the car (It was not his fault, but that's irrelevant.)

Anyway, I was car-less for awhile and then I found a 1993 BMW E36 325i. I saved up enough money to buy it, $5000, exactly. I worked hard for a few summers at a suit-and-tie job and in hindsight, it was worth it. The BMW was, and still is the greatest automotive experience I have ever had.

BMW is so reliable and the performance is unparalleled. I never once had to take that car in for major service, despite the 162,000 miles on it. Even at 13 years old, the car still had zippy 0-60 times and the thing was a tank. I loved that car, I never had a problem with it and the service records never showed a major problem of any sort, even the clutch after 150,000 miles still worked okay (I replaced it myself at 155,000.) That car taught me so much about driving, it taught me how to deal with traffic, how to keep focused on the task of driving (it was a manual) and off the radio, cell-phone, whatever.

Now, fast forward a few years, I now run my own company and I have become a real car addict. I have a few more cars....A Porsche or two, an Audi, a few Mercedes and quite a lot of BMWs. I am also looking at an E39 540i. BMW opened me up to a world of fantastic cars. This is why I would not hesitate to purchase a BMW for my daughter.

Let’s look at the whole picture here: If you spend the money for a new car, most kids in your position get a Pontiac Grand Am (It is true.) I believe those to be one of the most unsafe cars on the road. I just completed a 3,000 mile roadtrip and the car is so poorly constructed it is a hazard to everyone on the road and inside the car. Instead, buy the BMW and learn something about driving, the car is safe as it can be with numerous different airbag systems and the best brakes out there. Most cars purchased for teenagers are notorious for having poor brakes, which is a necessity.

Specifically, the BMW 335i is not for you. I’m sorry but it isn’t. It is a great car, fantastic handling, safety, performance and aesthetics. The problem is that it has a twin-turbocharged engine. For a first-time driver, it’s just not safe. You would be better off getting the 328xi. It has all-wheel drive and that means it will be better in slippery conditions. Sure, it’s not as sexy as the 306 bhp 335i, but it is still very fast.

You have to remember that statistically, you are going to crash or be crashed into. It happened to me 3 times! None of which were my fault, but 2/3 resulted in totaled cars! I am a good driver, I know I am, but sometimes you just get unlucky. I know that had I been in the 1993 BMW in one of the crashes, I would be dead. You have to stack the odds in your favor, and unfortunately being a teen driver just means that you start off with the odds stacked high against you.

I think that you should get a Sedan. First, it’s bigger, which is good so you can haul friends around in your awesome BMW. It’s also good because I remember doing a lot of projects in High School and in College and having a Sedan where I could have the trunk space and fold down the seats for space. It’s also safer, because it’s a little larger. You’ll also find that a Sedan or Coupe handles better than a Cabriolet because there chassis (Frame) hasn’t been built up to accommodate not having a roof. There won’t be a performance difference; the sedan will probably be faster anyway because there’s no heavy retractable hardtop.

If you really want to get a 335i. My first turbo, the 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo, I hit the accelerator on the first rainy day and almost spun around in traffic. It took me a week to get a good feel for it. The first day off the lot, I smoked the tires (accidentally-on-purpose) and was burning out without even wanting too. The Porsche only has about 290 bhp, versus the 335i’s 306 bhp. You might beat my Porsche (just kidding) but you should expect a little of that, even with BMW’s awesome Dynamic Stability Control.

I can’t really speak to the Lexus because I have never owned one or ever will. I know that they’re handling is very poor and although they are safe, BMW is the better all-around package. A Lexus is a Toyota in a tuxedo, a BMW is James Bond. It’s true. Ultimately it doesn’t matter if you get a BMW cabriolet, its still a BMW and that makes it classy and the best choice.

Answer 3

Honestly if you know your going to get a new car I would take the time and go test drive them. See which one feels more comfortable. Who knows you may end up not liking either one of them and pick something completely different. When it comes down to a car this is something you will be spending some time in. You want it to become you. Something that shows who you are. Quite honestly there are a lot better choices then the BMW. Take a look at the Infinities (if your looking for something that expensive) Maybe even an Alfa Romero Hell you want comfort go with a Rolls Royce. You can’t get any more comfortable then that. If my Father would have bought me a car it would have been an Alfa. I think you would even look awesome in a Ferrari Or maybe even a Lotus! Yes I'm just kidding around with the exotics. But honestly you should take the time to test drive more then just the 2 cars you have selected. Spend a Friday and Saturday and take the time to explore and see what your options are. Again you may not like either one and settle on something completely different. Oh and PLEASE don't complain about the color. You got a car!!! That’s more then most Teenagers. Hope you make a wise choice. (Infinities are very nice)

Answer 4

Lucky you, when I was sixteen... Ahem! I would stay away from the European imports like BMW. This isn't an everyday drivers car; but a high-maintenance relationship. I'm more partial towards Toyota (Lexus if must have a luxury car). They have the reliability thing down a little better. Personally the least amount of money should be spend for the most car that you need. My first car was a European Import, a 1979 Fiat Strada. It had heated rear windows that kept my friends' hands warm when they pushed.

Answer 5

Wow, must be nice.

In all seriousness, why not get yourself something cheap and replaceable for a first car. Almost guaranteed you'll have an accident somewhere along the way, and do you really want to ding up a lexus or a beemer?

Get a basic Jeep, or even an impala or something. That way you have wheels, but won't have to worry so much about the car. Then after a few years, when you know a bit better what you really want in a car, you can get something nicer. I'm sure if your dad is willing to get you a lexus now I'm sure you can arrange something to defer some of that money and get a realistic first car.

Good luck.

Answer 6

its your first car. Get a Toyota Camery or the Toyota celica. That way when you get your first accident, which you will, you can afford to get it fixed. The lexus is more car then a new driver can handle. Forget the BMW unless you want to be in the shop all the time. Go easy on your dad just because he is a nice guy you don't need to take advantage. He might respect you more if you picked Toyota

Answer 7

Get the BMW. The car is amazing and its the greatest. Great driving, great handling, great looks, great performance. You will love it everyday of your life. Lexus is ok too but I know more older people who drive Lexus.


Take Sams advice.

Answer 8

okay, am in like the same thing, only its a benz, volvo, or bmw. i think i am getting the bmw x5 the cars aren't my kind of style, but you have to try them both on the same day, but i can't decide if i should i get 2 cheap cars! I like my dad's Ferrari, but i can't get one yet, it's way to much!

Answer 9

Lucky girl...I got a 10 yr old Honda CRX for my first car...still haven't had a brand new car yet and I'm 29.

Anyway...my vote...the BMW.

Answer 10

just remember lexus is made by toyota so wuld u get a toyota or a bmw?