I’m finally ready to upgrade from my dad’s trusty 2011 Toyota Camry and step into the world of performance cars. I’ve been narrowing down my options and currently I’m torn between two very appealing choices.
On one hand, there’s the AMG model. From what I understand, it offers a sleek, luxurious design and packs a bit more power right out of the box. The AMG aesthetic and performance pedigree are huge draws for me—there’s something about that aggressive styling and refined interior that just screams “premium.”
On the other hand, I’m really intrigued by the setup featuring the B58 engine mated to a ZF8 transmission. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the B58’s performance and reliability. When paired with the ZF8, it promises an insanely responsive driving experience, which is exactly what I’m after. Plus, I’m planning on getting a Stage 2 tune that should push the car up to around 500 hp. I believe that extra boost will strike the perfect balance between a spirited, sporty drive and comfortable everyday usability.
So here’s where I need your input:
Which option do you lean towards and why?
For those familiar with these models or similar modifications, what has been your experience?
I’m looking for honest feedback—both the pros and cons—as I try to decide which car will not only turn heads but also give me that killer driving experience I’m dreaming of. Any insights, personal anecdotes, or technical advice would be greatly appreciated!
Used Euro sports sedans are VERY expensive to service. Adding a tune, as @VOLVO-V70 pointed out makes them even more expensive.
If you cannot afford to buy a new BMW or AMG Merc, you can’t afford a used one either!
Personally I hate both because they have a screen that looks like some dumb kid added it after the car was built. I expect any screens to be IN the dash, not ON the dash. That’s why we bought our Audi.
Thanks for your feedback. I’m 30 and I don’t live in the EU, I’m from Georgia. Yes, I would say your words make sense and you may be right. But we only live once, I don’t think buying a BMW or MB is a bad idea, yes they are less reliable than a Honda, Toyota or maybe a Volvo. As for the insurance, it doesn’t matter as it only covers accident costs and nothing else. I can definitely afford both cars with their running costs.
In Georgia we have a slightly different situation and we can service the cars really cheaper, but still the fact that the cars are USED EURO SEDANS does not sound reliable.|
But still want to understand the pros and cons between these two cars.
I share the same belief. We only live once. Although my car is not a high performance car, i plan to drive it for a limited time before I raise the white flag on it. I enjoy the driving experience from owning it. It’s just not practical to keep driving or owning it for a lifetime.
Once I throw in the white flag, I’m going straight back to an ordinary car. At least, though, I can say to myself, I once drove my dream car in this lifetime.
Have you checked insurance costs for both? My guess is that the BMW will cost less to insure, but that’s for a stock car. If you add the tune and need to use your insurance, they might deny your claim because of the tune. Also, you probably need to make other modifications to the BMW with the tune to accommodate the higher power. I worked with a guy that loved 5 series cars. He’d buy new and keep them for about 10 years. He knew that the plastic items wore out and would replace them proactively. For instance, he replaced the water pump with the plastic impeller at 5 years for the racing water pump with a metal impeller. The M5 undoubtedly has the racing water pump already and your insurer won’t deny claims for modifying the car.
A 2011 Toyota Camry has either 169 hp (4-cylinder) or 268 hp (V-6). That’s a lot of performance, even compared to sports cars from just 15-20 years ago!
My advice is to do nothing, keep the 2011 Toyota Camry, continue to drive it, and keep up on the repairs and maintenance. This vehicle, even with a 4-cylinder motor, offers excellent performance, excellent reliability, and excellent fuel economy. It may not “turn heads”, and it may not offer a “killer driving experience”, but it also won’t drain your bank account with endless co$tly repairs, expen$ive insurance, and so on. It also won’t break down often, and leave you stranded in inopportune times.
Also, anyone (especially a woman) who is “impressed” by expensive cars/clothing/vacations is not someone you want to attract, as this person will leave you high and dry financially. Someone who is impressed by thriftiness and responsible spending would make a much better life partner.
Actually, I can confidently say women aren’t necessarily attracted to expensive cars. Most women don’t even know the brand of the vehicle they drive.
Men are the ones who are attracted to cars, and they can tell the name or brand of the vehicle a mile away without looking at the emblem.
When you pull up at a stop light alongside a sport or luxury car, who do you see looking at you? Who is then revving up their engine for a race to the next stop light? Or who do you see leaning all the way back in the driver’s seat as if they are hiding from a cop ? Never a woman
Women tend to only care about the size of a vehicle. The bigger an automobile is, the more things she can accommodate in it. This is why women love SUVs.
A Camry is a sedan, there are 15–20-year-old sedans/coupes with 425 horsepower. My sons old Chrysler has 345 HP.
A 4-cylinder Camry is not a performance car.
I have the impression that this will be the OP’s first actual car purchase and that they are still in the High Risk Age category. If so, neither of the cited options or any “performance” car would be a good choice.
As others have noted…
Insurance would be expensive
Maintenance and repairs will be expensive
And while you may achieve the goal of “turning heads”, it may be because people are wondering why you blew your money on that vehicle?
Finally as Bcohen alluded to, there is nowhere outside a track, where you can safely or legally utilize the potential of a 500 hp vehicle.so you’re wasting your time and money on something you’ll never use and/or may actually be undriveable in snow, ice or rain.
Are you looking ahead to the future, or are you just living for today?
Specifically, have you begun to save/invest money for a future home/condo purchase, and fund your retirement, both of which you should be doing at the age of 30. Have you begun your 401k contributions, and to progressively increase those contributions as your income increases?
If you don’t do those things, you will not have a happy life when you get older, and the mere memory of having owned an expensive-to-maintain performance car at the age of 30 won’t put food on your table.
Well, that’s not entirely true. As someone who still enjoys an abundance of horsepower, how fast you can get to the speed limit is still exciting and fun. It can also be beneficial and safer under certain passing situations.
And because there is an analog gas pedal, I can control how much power is put down when there are less than ideal road conditions.
I mean, so long as you understand what you’re getting into, and you’re okay with all of that. I’d go for the BMW. The B58 is a sweet engine. The C43 AMG (there was no W205 C45 AMG in 2018-2020), isn’t bad, but of the two it’s probably going to require more upkeep costs, and the coupe version doesn’t doesn’t look that attractive to me.
Umm, are you getting liability only insurance? If you’re having to finance either one of these cars. That’s absolutely not going to fly with the lender. As that doesn’t protect their asset at all. If you’re buying the car outright (which is usually the way to go if you can do it). Then it’s up to you. But in that scenario, you’re really exposing yourself to liability in the sense that if you get into an at-fault accident and your car needs say a new bumper cover/bumper structure, and a new fender and new wheel/tire, etc. You’re going to be looking at five figure repair bill that you’ll have to foot. I wouldn’t want to be put in that situation if I could help it.
My friend has comprehensive insurance coverage. One night he hit a hole in the road which was under construction and it cost his insurance $10,000 in repair.
