Mike, I have a manual is my 2009 535, which is an older generation of the 5 series. In doing a build on the BMW site, I can't find a configuration with a manual. When I bought mine back in 2009, the salesman told me that only about 1% of the 5 series are manual, so I suspect they discontinued producing them for the U.S. market. The CTS and E class seem to be the same way, no manual versions. I won't buy a performance car with automatic.

I went through the specs on the S4, and it is very comparable in size, height, weight, and interior space to my 535. The new 535's are much heavier, which I don't want.

I am pretty picky. IMU is a good resource about cars, and I trust his opinions. He is dead on with respect to dark colors- tough to keep clean.

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Hawaii (fuck) You

Thx. I had always assumed the majority of Beemers would be manual. Maybe as you said they know Americans don't generally want them? I had seen and article that Audi has made in roads but at Mercedes expense not BMWs. I guess I am stubborn if I had the cash I would by BMW (my dream). My neighbor had two Audis lower level 3 class equiv. They seemed to be dressed up VW's to me and he hated having to use the premium fuel.

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Elections have consequences.

Any performance car (supercharger/turbo) will require high octane. Even my old Pontiac GTP required it. My wife's Audi Q7 and my 535 require it. You're paying $60k+ for a car, so fuel costs aren't the big issue.

I bought my dream car, the current BMW. I will test drive the 2014 535xi as they have refreshed it for the model year. But they just bulked it up too much, and without a manual option, it's a no-go. But I have to get into the dealer to see.

I do love the BMW product. Now, I have learned a lot about Audi since we bought the Q7. They are very nice cars. Yes, they are made by VW, but frankly, they are pulling VW up not Audi down. On balance, I think Audi is making a better product than BMW. I still have more affection for BMW's, but it is really close.

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Hawaii (fuck) You

We discussed the dual clutch before. There is nothing that replaces a true manual transmission. It's binary for me, manual or not. There is no in between....for me.

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Hawaii (fuck) You

I really don't like those paddle on the wheel as much as a real stick IMHO.

Anyway, don't take my comments on VW wrong. With my budget for house and three teens I would gladly drive a nicely equipped Jetta or Passat.

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Elections have consequences.

i agree. and a briefcase full of cash is the best way to purchase it. even your insurance rates will be lower.

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the world will always the world. your entire existence is defined by your response.

Now that's an avenue I never heard of before. I guess I'm a sucker but I have had 6 years of virtually maintenance/trouble free driving with my 2007 Camry. I just replaced the brakes and battery this year.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

I don't know why people continue to perpetuate the "never buy a new car" myth. It's more about timing, how long you intend to own the car, and research than it is how many previous owners the car had.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

BR, I am with you. It's a great discussion. The reason I have only purchased new cars is the following:

I worked as a paperboy starting at 10 years old and saved all my money through 15. Then I got a part time job. When I turned 16 I used the money saved over six years to buy a used car. Of course that car was a lemon. I proceeded to buy four other used cars with various problems. One needed a new engine. One had a $1,000 fuel pump problem in the gas tank reservoir. I can't tell you how many times I turned the ignition, and the car wouldn't start. I got so sick of car problems that I vowed at 18 to never buy a used car again. I don't want someone else's problems. I want a brand new car, I take good care of it, and I have the safety of the warranty. It has served me well.

I get why people buy used cars. I'd rather spend the extra money and sleep better at night.

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Hawaii (fuck) You

buying a new car these days isnt as bad as it used to be, there are plenty of models that don't depreciate THAT much in the first year or two... but the whole financing thing is the kicker for me. pay cash, pay less.

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the world will always the world. your entire existence is defined by your response.

Conns - go to truecar.com and buy off the internet when you find the car you want. Buying a new car has never been easier and zero haggling involved. You pick the car and trim level (by cracky!) and it tells you the exact price you should pay. The only negotiating point of the dealership is the trade in if you have one. You can either take it in a few days before and have them evaluate it and give you a number the will honor in writing. If you try to negotiate trade in after the truecar price they will try and make up ground there. We just bought a 2013 Passat and love it.

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Just used this. In theory I will be paying 100 dollars less in total of the truecar.com price. Im going Wednesday with my dad to buy it assuming nothing changes between now and then.

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I always have a car and an SUV no older than 3 years....we're happy for ya.
Point is I've done a ton of vehicle shopping in my life.
Research on the internet.
Hit up a local Carmax. Sales people won't bug you to death.
I use it like I use Best Buy for electronics. Quick comparisons in one place and usually purchase elsewhere.
Why not test drive 3 different makes in 30 minutes.
If you have a trade in. Have Carmax make you an offer. It will be lowball but it will give you an idea where you stand and better yet a negotiating document for the dealer....which I always bump up but that's a secret.

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Kenny Williams fell for the banana in the tailpipe

Good luck! Just remember when signing all the paperwork, the "finance guy" is also a salesmen and is trying to get your monthly payments up. They try to guilt you into all the "warranty" options. Smile politely and just decline them all. If the guy isn't a dick shouldn't take more than 15 min to go through all that.

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bought a 2013 Chevy Cruze today. Love it. Thing handles great. Got a really good deal on it with the 2014s arriving and with being good friends with the sales manager. Had 5 miles on it when we pulled out of the lot. First time I have ever owned a brand new car. Hoping to get a good 10 years out of it.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Best of luck. It's a nice looking car. My son got a brand new 2012 Impala LT about 8 months ago. It has like 305HP. It was a "hail damage" special,yet there was no damage on the car. We walked in looking for a used Impala and walked out with a new one for maybe a little more than I payed for my Civic a few years earlier. I'm jealous because I love his car. I also like that Cruze. I think Chevy has kicked up it's game.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

I test drove an Impala and a Malibu today as well. I liked them both. But the better price and better gas mileage on the Cruze was just too good to pass up.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

I think the new Honda Accord is nice but the NEW Chevy Impala is the car I would want if I was in the market today.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

I think cross shopping is illegal in Mizzourah

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Maybe its all past reputation but people love accords. I think GMs and Fords must have gotten markedly better but many won't even consider it. There is a used car lot here that sells only accords and Preludes. He has them with 300k plus miles as well and sells every last one and makes good cash. They last and people want them.

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Elections have consequences.

What's wrong with the powertrains?

EDIT: Besides the CVT on the 4cyl., of course.

One thing I don't see a lot of but I think the car design is awesome is the 2 door Accords.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Comfort. The Hyundai Sonata was hands down the most uncomfortable car I have ever sat in. My test drive last 2 blocks. And Optima's are ugly. Not sure why they changed the look of the grill but it resembles a giant bug zapper. Accords are very nice looking.

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This and gas mileage were the 2 things I was most looking for when car shopping last summer. At the time, I was driving 60 miles round trip every day. The Cruze was the most comfortable of the handful of cars I test drove.

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The VW Passat is a great car. I bought one for Mrs. Scorehead last year with the 2.0 L Turbo charged engine. Fast as hell.

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CSFMB 2014 Nascar Pick 'em Champion

We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much. — Ronald Reagan

I am eyeballing that car. German car at a good price. Of course I will wait on IMU for approval.

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Elections have consequences.

Went with the Cruze. Got the price I was quoted. 2.39 interest rate on the loan I took out and also got a third key for my car thrown in.

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Nice. I think you are really going to like it. I like mine more each time I drive it.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

No. Was about to buy a Passat based on looks and gas mileage. Test drove it and hated it.. When you take your foot off the accelerator, the car dives forward. The sales guy warned me about that beforehand. I guess it's because of the high torque in diesels.

Too bad, because the car looks great.

I drive 66 miles per day so the gas Passat isn't ideal for me.

I've driven a manual transmission for the last 7 years - I know how a car with and without a manual transmission should feel when you take your foot off the pedal.

Bottom line to me was, I did not like the fact that when I took my foot off the accelerator, it felt like i was hitting the breaks at the same time..

I really wish it was different because I would have bought the car that day