Need Help Deciding on a car

Toshi · Jun 6, 2004

oddly enough i'd actually consider the lincoln LS as well. rear drive, comes in a manual version (at least in v6 guise), and domestic cars have horrible resale values which is to your benefit.

manhattanprjkt83 · Jun 7, 2004

Personally I am a huge fan of european cars so i would stick with that. My dad just bought a 330xi bmw and it is one of the most solid cars i have ever driven in. I love it. So that gets my vote. I was actually out car shopping this weekend, looking at used audi s4's i would consider looking at audi as well just because the quatro system is so great. Personally i feel that BMW's are some of the best engineered cars in the world. Germany rocks!

golgiaparatus · Jun 7, 2004

CrAckErKorEan said:
I am the in the market for a new or used car. The max I would like to spend is about 20,000 on it. I can go a little higher but around there would be nice.
I need something with more room than a 90 miata, is sporty and can fit 4 people comfortably.

this is what I have been looking at. Comments and suggestions are welcome and if there is any type of car that I have missed or you have suggestions that would be great.

99-02 BMW 325-328i

Mercedes C320 C240 and i might llook at the ML320 ( would prefer a car though)

Volvo S60

Acura RSX S-Spec

Mazda 6i ( v-6) Mazdaspeed protege

Subaru WRX Wagon

I have driven the BMW and loved it. and the styling is great to boot.

I'm really liking the new Mazda hatchbacks... look sweet. I bet you can find one in that ballpart with very few miles on it. Mazdas run FOREVER btw. My Ex has one that has over 200k on it and it still runs like its brand new.

Brian HCM#1 · Jun 7, 2004

BMW's are great cars, however they are expensive to maintain.

dexterq20 · Jun 7, 2004

Dude... 3 Series. You won't be disappointed. I would recommend a y2k 3 Series, cuz starting in 2001, they made the handling more neutral, and it took away a lot of the car's personality. The y2k models feel much sportier and handle a lot better.

manhattanprjkt83 · Jun 7, 2004

You cant compare BMW and mazda, i mean mazda's are reliable but they are just in different leages.

manhattanprjkt83 · Jun 7, 2004

Brian HCM#1 said:
BMW's are great cars, however they are expensive to maintain.

Brian i just relized you jacked the CKY logo for your avatar :mumble:

Arsbars · Jun 7, 2004

Mazda 3 hatchback!!!

Under 20k and I love mine btw!!!

manhattanprjkt83 · Jun 7, 2004

Brian HCM#1 said:
BMW's are great cars, however they are expensive to maintain.

brian i just relized you jacked teh CKY logo :think:

:angry:

neaky: :eviltongu :nuts: :nope:

:mumble:

Clark Kent · Jun 7, 2004

What ever has the best mpg. ( ya dont want to be one of those butt sticks that buys a car with crappy mpg and then complains about the war and gas prices do ya?) Other than that, go Volvo. It is by far the safest car, the THINKING mans Mercedes...

los jefes · Jun 7, 2004

I'll submit a vote for the WRX wagon. My wife has one and it has plenty of room, AWD, and will leave that BMW sitting in the dust! Corners beautifully, gets good mileage 20-24 and 0-60 in 5.4 sec. Just my opinion.

Lexx D · Jun 7, 2004

CrAckErKorEan said:
99-02 BMW 325-328i

Mercedes C320 C240 and i might llook at the ML320 ( would prefer a car though)

Volvo S60

Acura RSX S-Spec

Mazda 6i ( v-6) Mazdaspeed protege

Subaru WRX Wagon

I think you need to figure out what your looking for.
BMW=status
Benz=status
volvo=safe
acura rsx=boy racer
mazda=not proven
suby=nice ride
what i'm saying is if your looking used go with a toyota, honda because they are the most reliable cars around. Beemers and stuff are nice but not always the most reliable and $$$$ to fix. I see the best value car is the scion tc, it will have good performance(not like the 2 econo cars available now). Amazing list of standard features and $16,500 loaded. check it out, style of a lexus price of a cheap toyota.

Lexx D · Jun 7, 2004

CrAckErKorEan said:
Im being superficial when it comes to what im looking for. I want something that looks good handles well and is not a slug, not just something that gets me from point A to B. I want A to B and still have fun.

I just think with your budjet your better of with a new car than a used. Either way you go if you buy used make sure it has a warrenty just in case(certified used from the car company not some random company like hrg or something).

jacksonpt · Jun 7, 2004

FWIW... generally speaking...

European cars (german in particular) will "feel" better... that is, they are designed to be driven, period. They are generally layed out better, feel better, and drive better when new. However, problems/squeeks/rattles will creek up much faster than in their japanese counterparts. Japanese cars may not be quite as ergonomical, but they will last much longer and be much more reliable.

For example... my wife drives an 03 BMW 325xi, I drive a '96 Toyota 4Runner. It's clear to me that BMW put a lot more thought into how the interior should be layed out. However, in just over a year of ownership, the BMW has had more problems and been to the dealer more often then my 4Runner was in the first 6 years I had it (general maintenance stuff not included).

I absolutely love german cars... Porsches and Audis especially. But I would never own one as my primary vehicle. I much prefer the significant advantage japanese cars have in reliability over the slight advantage german cars have in performance.

If I were in your shoes, I'd look into a used Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Lexus, Infinity, or Acura. Toyota/Lexus get's my first pick, but that's just me.

Lexx D · Jun 7, 2004

That's what i was getting at only with a perfect example.

jacksonpt · Jun 7, 2004

OK, now that I've read through the thread...

If you think you lose too much value buying new, keep the car longer. Nothing like having a car for a few years with no car payment.

BMWs are ok... but IMO, they are underbuilt and over priced. Plus I don't like the image they give (all about status), but that's just me. If you like the 3 series, look at an Audi A4. Very similar car, but not as ostentatious as the BMW - again, IMO.

Mercedes have been getting AWFUL reviews from consumer reports and the like since Chrystler took over. I have no experience with them though.

The S60 is a nice car... a little slow for my taste, but still very nice. A small fortune to maintain though, probably the most expensive of the bunch.

The Acura is probably going to be the most reliable of the bunch, and should have reasonable maintenance costs. They are fun to drive, especially if you get the sported out one (bigger engine, brakes, suspension, etc.). Of the cars on your list, this gets my vote. The TSX would be a very good upgrade, but more than you said you wanted to spend.

I don't know much about Mazdas, other than they are taking a really aggressive line in the auto market, and I have a huge amount of respect for that. Last I knew, they shared a lot of parts with Fords - that alone would keep me from buying one.

I'm not a fan of subies, but you can't deny the performance of the WRX.

jacksonpt · Jun 7, 2004

CrAckErKorEan said:
Im being superficial when it comes to what im looking for. I want something that looks good handles well and is not a slug, not just something that gets me from point A to B. I want A to B and still have fun.

What about a used celica or prelude? With $20k you could be pretty picky - get one in great shape with low miles and keep it for 10 years without thinking. Just watch out for ones that were abused by kids.

Acadian · Jun 7, 2004

I have a WRX, and other than the "I :heart: ARCADIAN" that is written on the pannels

...I love my car! :thumb:

jacksonpt · Jun 7, 2004

CrAckErKorEan said:
What in the jap market compares to the 3 series. I think I have written off Benz from what I have read. Still going to look.

From everything I've read/heard, the Infinity G35 is the closest things to a 3 series. The 4door is very close on paper, and the 2 door is supposed to be one of the best sports cars you can buy for the money. Car and Driver loves the G35. They are fairly new, so finding one used might be tough.

jacksonpt · Jun 7, 2004

Now that I think about it... I believe I have the episode of car and driver where they name their 10 best for 2004 recorded on my PC somewhere. I'm not sure of the format, or how I'd get it to you, but I can see what I can do if you're interested. I only paid attention to the S4 review, but they named the 3 series and the G35 to their 10best list.

jacksonpt · Jun 7, 2004

What about a honda S2000? Not sure if you could find a used one for $20k or not... but they are a blast to drive.

ghostrider · Jun 7, 2004

RX-8

If I was going Mazda, I'd go rotary all the way.

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