This or an E39, I'll take both. This or an E60, Pontiac wins. I value what little eyesight I have.

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BTW, you wouldn't catch me anywhere near the current 5 series. Not even for half price. But I'm also greatly skeptical that the G8 can age as well as a 5, given equal treatment.

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And mullets. Lots and lots of mullets.

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I think you put far too little faith in a quality american car vs a econobox cavalier or sunbird. Once you hit over 25 grand, the quality improves greatly and the car holds up much longer, especially with care and not beating the thing to death.

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But how a car holds up over the long term is what truly matters for ownership. Any car can be prepped to show well for a press day. I've certainly read enough long term reviews that have discounted the importance of various mechanical failures because they happened under warranty. But most folks have to hold their cars through the term of the lease or loan, and resale value matters a great deal.

In general I would anticipate that the BMW has a sturdier chassis and basic mechanical bits, but much more complicated, tempermental electronics, hydraulics, etc., and that its parts and labor rates to be substantially more expensive.

The Pontiac, on the other hand, is likely to be a little more economical to maintain, but more prone to wear and tear issues, like to the suspension, body, trim and interior pieces. I'd expect its engine, HVAC and general electronics to be pretty solid and durable. But I'd also expect a lot more squeaks, rattles and partial failures of miscellaneous systems.

In many ways, I wouldn't consider the two cars to be natural competitors. Ray did. And I think it will be instructive to see how each ages in relation to the other. We could certainly use some solid, economical, homegrown performance bargains, besides the Corvette.

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Or a brand new muscle car with an LS3 that any mechanic in the country can work on.

Man, its hard to decide...

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I've driven the G8 GT multiple times now. It really is fantastic, but I have to give credit to Wes for really nailing it down. It is everything everyone loved about the old BMW 5-series with none of the bloat and excess that plagues them today.

I adore my German car, but getting a $300 repair bill to fix my radiator fan pissed me off. An identical repair in my Buick cost me $45. It's probably different for you in Yurpe, but over here, I couldn't possibly justify a BMW or Mercedes when this offers you 95% of the car for 50% of the price. And even with that awful Pontiac grille, it's still a damn fine looking car in person.

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Over here, well, I'm looking out my window and seeing an Impaler, a GrandMa, a Buick Light Sabre, two Dodge Rams and an old Cadillac DeVille. I actually can't even see a compact car from where I'm sitting.

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@layabout met the real Santa:E28 M5s haven't depreciated into my price range yet. 540i maybe, but no M5.

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