Except an A6 is not fundamentally a Euro Passat, as they are on totally different platforms. A much better analogy is A3 and Golf. But the thing is, the Golf platform is actually good enough to be an A3, and the A3 is only modestly more expensive than a top-spec Golf. The platform that spawns the Impala is not good…

The BMW dealer I bought my car from has some truly cringeworthy radio commercials, but they are never, ever about the price of the cars. Always about how great they are to drive, or how wonderful the service is, but never the price of the cars.

My local Ford dealer is also a Lincoln dealer in the same building. Rowe Ford Lincoln in Westbrook Maine. The Lincoln store used to be combined with Mercury across the street, but when they nuked Mercury they sold that building and moved Lincoln into the Ford store.

Can second this. Ordering my BMW was a very nice experience, even with beating them up a good bit on the already discounted European Delivery price. I simply told them what I was willing to pay, they could take it and my order or I would order it elsewhere.

I own an '11 328i wagon. I have had ATS's and CTS's as rentals, and like them, but I would still buy a BMW over either of them for the simple reason that GM just doesn't sweat the little details the way the Germans do. The most offensive thing in an ATS is the instrument panel - it is just SOOO cheap looking! And it…

The XTS is fundamentally an Impala. Obviously not as close as the Escalade is to a Tahoe, but still...

My BMW dealer asked me if it was OK to put their badge on - I said no of course. They don't put the stickers on the cars on the lot either.

Someone has probably said it already, but my pick would be a taxi. Any taxi. Thus it is not your problem to deal with.

IMHO - putting Euro lights on is putting it BACK to original. The US lights suck... I had a 300TE that I rather liked, though it is not the sort of car that really inspires love. First thing I did was the lights, I like being able to see at night.

I have a nice, but hardly concours quality '74 Triumph Spitfire. When I am at shows, I have a sign that says "Feel free to get in" that I keep on the car as long as I am near it. Never a problem, lets people relive memories or see what it feels like. Leads to many, many smiles. I just can't get worked up about paint.…

I have to fly into Newport News and drive to Williamsburg tomorrow for work. So no avoiding it. But I am always extra cautious in VA. I save my hoonage for Montana, $40 fines and no reporting back to Maine!

Exactly the issue. I have bought some used cars that came with super-high mileage tires. Even from name brands like Michelin, the lack of grip has been scary. All that keeps you on the road are those 4 little patches of rubber, I would just as soon have them be a bit more grippy and have to replace them more often.…

Meh, it's not that big a deal. I buy new, I buy used, depends on what it is. With BMW, I want EXACTLY what I want, and I want to do European Delivery besides and have my every 3-4 years or so month in Europe. Did it in 2011, will do it again next year, and probably again in 2018 or 2019. But I can't justify buying a…

Me too! I love those wheels on yours.

My then 80-odd year old wiseass grandfather did this while travelling to Alaska to go fly-fishing with my uncle about 10 years ago. While in line for security, he turned to my uncle and said "So Bruce, which bag is the bomb in". Needless to say they got hauled off for a stern talking to and had all their stuff gone…

They are out there. Of course, they have all the grip of cast iron on pavement. But if you are just driving a mushy old Buick anyway...

I didn't contradict myself. I have owned a number of BMWs bought used out of warranty. What work I did not do myself was done much more reasonably than the dealer at independent mechanics. These cars are not space ships. My current BMW will NEVER darken the dealer's doorstep once BMW is no longer paying for it. And I…

Or move. I found a perfectly lovely 2700sq/ft 6-car garage with an entirely adequate detached 1200sq/ft house. And while I do occasionally miss living right downtown, every time I put a car up on my lift in that heated garage, the feeling quickly goes away.

The trick to buying new is to keep it so long that the depreciation is but a distant memory. Take great care of the car, don't put too many or too few miles on the car, and enjoy it for 20 years. This is my plan for my bought new unicorn spec BMW 328i wagon. I put about 8K a year on it, maintain it by the old school…

Toyotas require preventative maintenance too. They just suck so much to drive you can't tell the difference when it isn't done. My couch is a more interesting drive than an LS400.