What Car Should I Buy

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday April 5, 2008

Joshua Dowling

Jason from Drummoyne wants to replace his ageing MX-5 with another fast and fun car. He's had a promotion since he bought the Mazda convertible a few years ago and, after being interested in but dismissing a Porsche Cayman he now can't decide between a Mini Cooper S with the works, a BMWM3 or a Mercedes-BenzC63. His wife wants him to be rational, save money and buy the Mini. We have other ideas.

Mini Cooper SJCW

JCW stands for John Cooper Works. It also stands for "some extra money for some extra performance". The regular CooperS has a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine but the JCW kit turns up the wick. With a starting price of $45,400 the regular CooperS isn't cheap. One with the works (pun intended) is a ridiculous $52,110. It's quick and it's cheaper than a BMWM3 and MercedesC63, but you're likely to get a lower percentage return of the purchase price when you sell it. Good points: it's cute, fun to drive and easy to park. Bad points: looks like a girl's car unless you fit black wheels, the ride is firm and the steering zig-zags under acceleration.

BMWM3 coupe

This is, without doubt, a brilliant car. It won Drive's Car of the Year award last year, despite costing more than $150,000 and being out of reach to most new-car buyers. It's a race car with number plates and raises the bar for all vehicles, not just fast ones. But, if you're not going to drive the M3 on the occasional race track day (contact Eastern Creek Raceway 9672 1000 for details of the next one) there is something else you should consider ...

Mercedes-BenzC63 AMG

Some people still think Mercs are old-man cars. They haven't driven one of these. This is the first Mercedes that can give an M3 a bloody nose. It absolutely hammers the M3 in acceleration and isn't half bad in corners, long an AMG weakness. At $140,000, it's $15,000 cheaper than an M3, its power is more accessible and its sedan body more practical. Simply squeeze the right foot towards the carpet and hang on. The M3 is awesome but the C63 is epic. Go directly to your Mercedes dealer now. Do not pass go, do not check with the wife.

www.drive.com.au/whatcar

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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