Dependable & Reliable Sporty Vehicle?

buy a honda or toyota.

Thanks wlogan for the response. Unfortunately, neither brand has really made a sports car in a while. The Scion FR-S is the closest thing to the Toyota brand, and Honda doesn't have anything really, except if you want to modify a Civic Si. I'm looking for something that's going to be quick & powerful but not cost me $5k a year to maintain. Some options I've considered are the 535i/xi and recently the 550i at someones suggestion, but This doesn't make sense to me: Toyota, Honda & Nissan all make luxury (Lexus, Acura and Infinity respectively) and non-luxury cars and they're all generally alright. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and VW, as far as I know, only make the one line of cars and yet they seem to have serious, costly, issues and just apparently aren't seen as that reliable. If the German automakers are focusing on just their one line, they should be just as reliable as the Japanese automakers, who seem to have no issues with both their lines, right?

it is wrong of you to expect the cars you say you want to perform in the manner you describe..they will be the exact opposite.

Also, if you think I am being rough on BMW, I am being honest having owned 5, including an R60 Mini Countryman S. I would NEVER own a Mercedes! The systems are redundant, thus more parts and more expense. Far from lean and mean.

Buy an E39 M5 and DIY. Done deal. Forget the rest. Otherwise, maybe buy a Cadillac CTS-V or ATS. Those cadi's seem decent.

Wow brilliant responses from Michael and Scott - Thank you - this is very helpful. Conventional wisdom tends to follow "you get what you pay for": usually, the less you spend (the cheaper product you buy) the more likely you're going to have a bad experience or have to rebuy because of issues. I recently wanted to save a few bucks on a spray bottle for pretty much a single use application (at best, use it once every 6 months). I found a bottle at a dollar store so I picked it up. I had a need for it 2 weeks later and the bottle was total junk: spilling from the head, leaking from the nozzle, I only get 1 spray every 7 pumps. Completely. Worthless. Go to a Home Depot (or Lowes - whichever) however and spend 12x more, and get myself a darn good spray bottle. This was sort of my approach for BMW's & MB's etc: "Ok so I spent 'little' (comparatively speaking of course) on my Toyota, and I got something that works rather well. Surely, if I spend more on a BMW/MB (brands that only focus on making 1 car) then the experience should be that much better/rewarding!" @Michael: I appreciate the honesty, and I'm certainly a DIY'er with a friend who owns a shop which makes it super handy. @Scott: Yeah I have access to an E39 M5 with about 100k miles that'll probably be a good place to start. On some of the BMW forums they have 'master threads' for former E39 owners who jumped to E60's and many of them regret the move or simply miss the E39.

I have owned several BMW's ...I would sell one and think I wanted a Toyota or Honda only to regret my decision and go back to a bimmer. NOTHING drives and handles like one. I have owned 3,5,and 7 series. However my fave was a Z3 roadster with the Mpackage....omg that was a GREAT car!!!! I am currently driving a 525 2001...LOVE IT!! as far as maintenance it has been a non issue. Make sure to do your home work and buy one with all books and records and then keep up with all services and you are good to go.....your only regret will be not buying one sooner!!! I NEVER want another Toyota or Honda after driving a BMW..:)

join m5board.com and there are a lot of DIY guides to tackle maintenance and common problems. It is the best forum on the interwebz.