On: Porsche on the financial brink

[tybris]

One thing's for sure, after this crisis we'll all be driving Japanese cars.

[donw → tybris]

I've been looking at new cars recently, and have to say that there's no way I would consider buying a BMW, or pretty much any car that isn't Japanese. The two- and three-year old used 3-series and Mercedes that I looked at seemed totally ragged, next to the condition of a used Lexus or even a Mazda.

I could spend $40k on a 3-series, or half of that on a used Lexus, or a quarter of that on a used Mazda 3.

[jarrodtaylor → donw]

Half that $40k would also buy an E46 M3, which would be a whole lot more fun that the Lexus or Mazda.

For the whole $40k you may be able to find an early Porsche 997 (like an '05) with little if any noticeable wear.

[sho → donw]

What you say is pretty much true, except I think you're a bit harsh on the BMWs - maybe you just saw some bad examples? But societal pressure for visible evidence of success being what it is, it doesn't really matter how good the Mazda 3 is - people will pay for the BMW. And to be fair, BMWs are really good cars. There's a premium but it's not a total rip-off.

Ask a girl sometime whether she'd rather date a man who drives a BMW, or a Mazda 3. That's all the information you need right there.

[axod → donw]

Mazda are fantastic cars. Would recommend.