SOT: Daily driver shopping, German car content Options

[BigDBass]

I'm shopping for a new DD. Depending on who you ask, it's time to either put the trusty 84k miles '96 Cherokee in someone else's hands (my queen), or to supplement it with a new DD (her jester).

I'm rather enamored of the Audi A3 Quattro. I've been doing a lot of reading and I'm sort of leaning towards a ~2007 3.2 V6 over the 2.0T or 2.0 TDI diesel (only available in FWD).

Other vehicles on the fringes of my mind are Mazda 3 hatchback, Mazda CX-7, VW GTI, Infiniti M35 or M37. Not a big BMW fan (plus my wife hates bimmers).

I thought it would be dumb not to inquire with my car buddies here who are far smarter and experienced when it comes to these four-wheeled hunks of metal that drink fossil fuels.

Comments, criticism, donations, and hijacks are hereby requested!

[avidfanjpl]

I love my 2007 G35 for a DD.

Astonishing acceleration. 0-60 in 5.3

Only 20mpg if you don't beat it, but 60-90 mph is killer! Launch is positively awesome. Low gearing makes it a rocket, but 3200 revs at 80.

And you can get one just past 60k miles for 18k.

Just pick a good color. This car is bulletproof. But the brakes can cost, and the rears wear out first.

Also, every 45k you need to clean the throttle body.

Outside of that, it is just Gas/Tires/Oil.

I have 64k miles on it and on the 3rd set of just new skins. Got about 32 out of 2 sets of RSA's then switched to a more aggressive asymmetric set for dry handling.

These cars are a much better value than any M series, but the 2002 M45 is a pisser in the old body style for even less.

4.5L in a small frame. But pricey for parts. And they are now 8 years old.

John