[chancelperry]

Okay, I know these two cars are not comparable performance wise, but they are comparable price wise. Since I work for Apple, I qualify for the X Pricing therefore making the Taurus the same price as a fully specd out 320i. I test drove both and love both. I'm just having trouble deciding what is more important. Any input would help. Just throwing this in the air, hoping that this will help me make a decision.

[phillye30fanboy]

Taurus is bigger, probably cheaper insurance, funner, MUCH less conspicuous in my opinion, if you're running from the police chances are you'll have the same powertrain as them, cheaper parts if you need them. I love driving the SHO

[Gastoys]

The SHO is just a hopped up Taurus rental car with the resale value of one too. Why do you want to own a $45k SHO that is based on a $20k car? Then in three years it will be worth $20k? The two cars are also in two very different market segments.

The only way I would buy a $45k Taurus is if the dealer had a $300mo lease special and I needed a commuter/grocery getter. Why not jump on a 328i lease? If u must buy a rental company's favorite car why not at least get the 5.0 Mustang.

Personally, I would buy the Ford Focus ST, and take the $20k saved and buy a used e46 M3.

Best of luck in your quest.

[Efthreeoh]

Fun fact....


BMWS ARE RENTAL CARS IN EUROPE

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Fun fact....


BMWS ARE RENTAL CARS IN EUROPE

Say it isn't so! But. But. It's a PREMIUM BRAND! They use them as taxis too by the way.

Given the choice, I'd take the SHO all day long. Although the Focus ST is closer to the 3er chassis-wise and much more entertaining. Should be cheaper yet with X-plan.

[puma1552]

Originally Posted by Gastoys

The SHO is just a hopped up Taurus rental car with the resale value of one too. Why do you want to own a $45k SHO that is based on a $20k car? Then in three years it will be worth $20k? The two cars are also in two very different market segments.

That's not true, SHO cars hold their value quite well.

and take the $20k saved and buy a used e46 M3.

You mean a ragged out 10 year old M3 with a lot of miles that will cost $1000 a month to endlessly repair? I can't think of a bigger waste of $20k. I wouldn't touch an E46 M3 with a 10 foot pole. On top of that, the cars look old and outdated, and they looked fat and bloated when they were new, and still do. Those cars were too short length-wise to pull off the wide body look, they just looked fat.

Anyway personally between the two I'd get the 320i, but I won't deny that Ford is building great stuff. But I second the guy I quoted, get the 5.0.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic

Say it isn't so! But. But. It's a PREMIUM BRAND! They use them as taxis too by the way.

Given the choice, I'd take the SHO all day long. Although the Focus ST is closer to the 3er chassis-wise and much more entertaining. Should be cheaper yet with X-plan.

And, God forbid, they are Police cars too!

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

And, God forbid, they are Police cars too!

True story, the day we were at the Welt picking up my car they were having a ceremony delivering the first F31 tourings to the police. I have pics somewhere.

[Elk]

Originally Posted by Gastoys

Why do you want to own a $45k SHO that is based on a $20k car?

For the same reason people buy a 335, a $50,000 car based on a vastly cheaper platform.

Go for the SHO. Much more fun, far greater performance.

[tuned2ride]

The SHO is a much more substantial car. Coming from a Camry, I think that it is the one that you should pick unless you can't live with a +40% fuel cost tab in reference to your hybrid.

[trey100]

I like the idea of the SHO but I'm sorry I would never buy one. First they are huge and still look inside and out a bit cheesy in my opinion. I wouldn't get a 320 either though so my opinion doesn't count.

[chancelperry]

Originally Posted by tuned2ride

The SHO is a much more substantial car. Coming from a Camry, I think that it is the one that you should pick unless you can't live with a +40% fuel cost tab in reference to your hybrid.

That is my main dilemma right now. With the 320i the gas mileage isn't bad coming from the Camry. But like I said, engine wise the two can't be compared. It's 184 hp 4 cylinder vs 365 hp V6.

[MSchott]

Originally Posted by Gastoys

The SHO is just a hopped up Taurus rental car with the resale value of one too. Why do you want to own a $45k SHO that is based on a $20k car? Then in three years it will be worth $20k? The two cars are also in two very different market segments.

The only way I would buy a $45k Taurus is if the dealer had a $300mo lease special and I needed a commuter/grocery getter. Why not jump on a 328i lease? If u must buy a rental company's favorite car why not at least get the 5.0 Mustang.

Personally, I would buy the Ford Focus ST, and take the $20k saved and buy a used e46 M3.

Best of luck in your quest.

A rather misinformed post. The current Taurus is a very nice high end domestic family car. It's large, comfortable and well designed. The Avis rentals I've had a fully optioned with Ford Sync and leather. They drive nice and as optioned are probably in the mid to high $30K's. The Taurus is far from a $20K car these days.

[DesertSmokeBBQ]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Fun fact....


BMWS ARE RENTAL CARS IN EUROPE

They are in the US as well. I've rented several F30's when needed

[RoundelM3]

Driving a Taurus is like driving an armored car with gunslits for windows. They're big, heavy, not particularly efficient (I doubt any Taurus would get the 28/32MPG my 335i with MPPK gets), and unless you get the AWD, it's just another FWD sedan with poor outward visibility. I rented a "normal" Taurus last year and was not impressed at all, but then if you haven't owned a BMW for any length of time, they're probably a good choice for the average driver. If the OP is coming from driving a Camry, obviously the qualities inherent in a BMW have no real meaning to him.

[Elk]

Originally Posted by roundel335

If the OP is coming from driving a Camry, obviously the qualities inherent in a BMW have no real meaning to him.

And some here wonder why the world views BMW owners as arrogant jerks.

[Mardio]

Nothing wrong with a SHO, a ford beast.

[Cup o' Joe]

Originally Posted by phillye30fanboy

...MUCH less conspicuous in my opinion...

Or you'll stand out even more cause people will think you're a cop

[chancelperry]

Originally Posted by Elk

And some here wonder why the world views BMW owners as arrogant jerks.

The reason why I'm even thinking about a 320i is because of how it drives and the way it makes me feel. Every time I test drive it, it puts a smile on my face and it's a car I enjoy driving. On the other hand I'm up in the air on the SHO because of the features it has that are not configurable on the 320i. The SHO drove the same way, minus I couldn't control the suspension, but it had way more power and that's what is enjoyable about the SHO .

[Cup o' Joe]

Originally Posted by chancelperry

The reason why I'm even thinking about a 320i is because of how it drives and the way it makes me feel. Every time I test drive it, it puts a smile on my face and it's a car I enjoy driving. On the other hand I'm up in the air on the SHO because of the features it has that are not configurable on the 320i. The SHO drove the same way, minus I couldn't control the suspension, but it had way more power and that's what is enjoyable about the SHO .

Do you need the extra space in the SHO? Do you need the extra power in the SHO?

Buying or leasing? Have you calculated payments? Insurance? Fuel?

[CirrusSR22]

Despite the haters, I don't think you're crazy for wanting an SHO. It's a good car.

I'd personally buy a 2014 Impala LTZ over a 320i if I was going to spend $35,000 right now. And I was a huge GM hater just a few years ago. The Impala LTZ is a gorgeous car with great reviews.

[chancelperry]

Originally Posted by Cup o' Joe

Do you need the extra space in the SHO? Do you need the extra power in the SHO?

Buying or leasing? Have you calculated payments? Insurance? Fuel?

No to the extra space. No to the extra power, as someone has already pointed out that I'm coming from a Camry. The power is very fun though. Gas mileage sucks, and insurance rates are cheaper.