Dr. Pomade

Guys, thanks for the input. Will keep you updated.

Yeah, I'm pretty much dead-set on it being white, regardless of what I go with.

That's about lame. I really don't want to switch to a Mac, but I feel like it's an inevitability.

/thread

That's discouraging, because the Toshiba Satellite's are laptops that are on my short list. They got good reviews on Consumer Reports. So both the sound and video on yours is junky? Also, did you have Best Buy set up your laptop for you - like do the recovery disks or whatever? Question for everyone: should I not care what Consumer Reports has to say about things? I thought they are reputable.

How about an i3 laptop? Two years tops on that one?

I don't think you have to worry as much with quality when it comes to diamonds in earrings versus diamonds in, say, an engagement ring. That's because women don't examine the diamonds in earrings the way they examine (i.e., scrutinize) the diamonds in an engagement ring. So, with less examination (i.e., again, scrutiny), there comes greater leeyway for you, the buyer. I don't think there's going to be that much difference when it comes to diamond earrings between a $500 set and a $1300 pair. The vendor trying to sell you the $1300 may say, "But these are high quality diamonds!" And my reply would be, "Listen, brah, they're earrings, not an engagement ring. I don't care about their technical specs as much as I care about (1) how big they are and (2) if they look like I think they should." And then my magical car KITT normally chimes in with, "Excellent reasoning, Michael." Eight-hundred dollars is a fairly significant price difference, and, IMHO, I don't think you'll be able to see that difference clearly between the two sets of earrings. So, all things being equal, I'd be inclined to just go with the cheaper set, as I don't think the more expensive set really would be worth the difference.

Yeah, reliability is probably more important to me at this point than performance or even aesthetics. I'll likely buy slightly used (or new) and plan to keep it for several years. So, I'll need it to last, and I don't want to have to worry about the thing falling apart three days after it's out of warranty. For me, right now: Reliability/maintenance > Aesthetics > Performance

Andy, so what about maintenance and the Porsche you were discussing earlier? More or less of a hassle than BMW? Also, how about the costs associated with both?

Can you qualify what you mean by last a while? I use my laptop, on average, 8 to 10 hours per day, every single day. I'd like for it last for at least three years. (I think three years is reasonable with expectations on the life of a laptop, right?) I don't mind paying more for something that's going to last longer. Also, I don't mind paying more for something that improves my quality of life. Since much of my live revolves around my laptop, I look at it as an investment and therefore don't mind paying more.

I'm planning on purchasing a new laptop. The laptop I like has a Core i3 processor. Will that processor be "fast" enough for me? Here's what I use my laptop for: - work stuff - lots and lots of word processing - surfing the Internet - and that's about it. No gaming, no video editing, none of that. My current laptop has an AMD Turion processor. I would rate is as "meh." So, will I be satisfied with the Core i3 or should I go with a Core i7? Also, while I'm at it, what are your thoughts on Intel versus AMD processors? Thanks, and sorry if I butchered any of the technical language.

Wait, does Audi's warranty suck or something?

JP, nope, no longer single, boss. So you'd go BMW > Audi?

PS - Mike, no, it has to be a car, my good man.

Sounds like - based on the feedback thus far - the V8 Audi will be easier to maintain than the TT BMW? Bonus points for that. Jones - I'm planning on leaving it completely stock, no mods whatsoever. So I'm not so much concerned about modability. Ben - good point on seeing more BMWs versus Audis, and that matters to me with respect to this car. Andy - great write up: thanks for taking the time to do that. Price comparison: Audi vs BMW vs Porsche vs Benz? And which is most worth the money? At this point, for me, it's going Audi > BMW (but just slightly) > Porsche > Benz. If, however, there's too much price difference, then that could affect ratings. Also, Putty, the GTR is somewhere on my list, though I'm thinking it will be in the mix come next spring when I start thinking about "fun" cars (e.g., Z06 vs GTR).

Okay, so if I'm narrowing it down to the S5 and the BMW 335xi, then I'm wondering: -Is the S5 AWD? -What does a used S5 (say, 2007 on) cost? -What are the maintenance fees typically associated with both? I know the Mercedes hasn't exactly been cheap to maintain. I'd figure the Audi and the BMW are probably in the same ballpark?

Damn, would do (minus that Hot Wheels emblem).

Okay, now need an S5 in white to compare.

Actually, I think I'd be fine without the tint, etc. Not to say it's not nice looking, but I'd be completely content without it. That car in the pic I quoted previously looks perfect. It looks like it's stock minus being debadged somewhat? Also, I don't like a lot of tint on my daily driver. Not sure why, just don't.

Meaning with tinted windows?

That car is gorgeous, IMO - exactly what I'd want my daily to look like.

No swaps - if it isn't fast enough for me when I buy it as is, then I bought the wrong car.

I'll go used unless Audi offers some kind of sensational deal for buying new.

No, haven't looked at them (though I haven't really looked into anything seriously, and only casually checked out the BMW's a few weeks ago). They look great. I like your style, but I'm saving the Vette vs. * discussion for another thread, coming next summer. No, I'm really leaning toward AWD this go round. Don't need it - I've had no problem driving the C230 in terrible weather for years now - but I think I really want it. Jesse, I looked into the Infinity. I liked it, though aesthetically I'm more inclined to go with the BMW/Audi/Benz. Also, I've contemplated a 911, but I'm already kind of a douche, and me driving a 911 might be too much douchiness for the universe to handle.

Audi S5 vs. BMW 335xi coupe: why one over the other?