OK, my lease is coming up on my C230 Sport Sedan and time for a new daily driver.

The options are:

1. 2010 Mercedes C300 - 228 hp / 6 speed manual / RWD

2. 2010 BMW 328i - 230 hp / 6 speed manual / RWD

3. 2009 Infinity G37X Sedan AWD Sport - 328 hp / 7 speed automatic

4. 2010 Subaru WRX STi

Outlier was the Audi A5 with the 2.0T engine. Loved the test drive but the lease rates from Audi are idiotic, so no go.

Some key considerations:

- I live in Canada

- RWD is not an impediment as I am a Canadian and I'm always shod in snow tires in the winter.

- I'm performance oriented, but I'm a reasonably senior corporate guy (the Subaru is a bit of a square peg so to speak).

Thoughts, opinions, etc?

Edited December 25, 200915 yr by bigoak

Considering the square peg thing, I vote for the G37. This is the reason I picked up a used, very low mileage 2002 BMW 525i w/Sport Package. Not much power, but enough to get me in trouble, 4 doors, nice ride, minimal investment, no payments, and acceptable for taking prospective customers out for lunch.

Ditto on the G37, better value for the money!

The automatic of the G37 is a no-go for me, plus AWD always feels heavier and less nimble. I've always preferred the driving dynamics of the BMWs over the solidity of the Benz's, but that's just me.

The BMW is also the only choice with my preferred engine type - inline six!

How about the Ford SHO, nice balance between power, room, and cost. It comes with all wheel drive. Ford parts are also cheaper so it can cost less to maintain. I'd also look at the Flex, the G37, and some of the Lincolns, maybe the Mini Cooper (they are great in the snow). I know some of you are rolling your eyes but Ford has made some drastic changes for the better.

Yeah but it's still a FORD...sorry.

Go with the G37.

I detect a trend here. They are great cars.

The automatic of the G37 is a no-go for me, plus AWD always feels heavier and less nimble. I've always preferred the driving dynamics of the BMWs over the solidity of the Benz's, but that's just me.

The BMW is also the only choice with my preferred engine type - inline six!

Interestingly, the Audi A5 was a quattro and was awesome...very nimble...

And I really hadn't thought about the inline 6 vs. V6. Better harmonics, smoother power application...hmmm...good point.

How about the Ford SHO, nice balance between power, room, and cost. It comes with all wheel drive. Ford parts are also cheaper so it can cost less to maintain. I'd also look at the Flex, the G37, and some of the Lincolns, maybe the Mini Cooper (they are great in the snow). I know some of you are rolling your eyes but Ford has made some drastic changes for the better.

I'm likely only going to get a 36 month lease, so maintenance likely won't be a major factor. I will only be out of warranty (based on mileage) for a short period at the tail end (likely the 3rd year) and most of these vehicles are well-built.

Not sure I can talk myself into a Ford...and SHO in Canada is not that cheap...$47,529 with $2,500 delivery discount (compared at $38,595 in the US)...unless the dealer's going to really move, it's still quite expensive compared to the competition (lines up with the G35 for performance and bells & whistles)...

Edited December 26, 200915 yr by bigoak

And the winner is...

Black on black C300 RWD 6 Speed with Premium Package and Ipod integration kit...

Its no C63, but it will do!

Bigoak - Well chosen...

GGarrard