Another "What Car Should I Buy?" Question

[Jesse Kidd]

Ok, I have $20,000-$25,000 to spend, and have never had a decent car before. I've saved up this money for the express purpose of purchasing a car I can at least be somewhat proud of. I'm leaning towards something (used) in the sports sedan/pseudo-sports car category, any suggestions? I do like the Audi A4/A6, anyone a fan?

Jesse

[Tom1975]

I have an Infiniti G35 sedan, I got mine new for $35,000 with all the options, so I would imagine you could get a used that's only a couple years old for 20-25k. I looked at the Audi's but the A4 was too small and the A6 was more expensive the G35.

[touchfaith]

Public Service Question: Can you drive a stick??

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

There are a lot of reliability issues with Audis. I like them, but you're going to be spending a lot of money/time/frustration on repairs. I'm not an expert on used car prices and things vary quite a bit, so it's hard to say.

Over/under on first M3 reply? How old does an M3 have to be before it's < $25k?

[joshman1204]

2005 ford mustang GT

[Jesse Kidd]

Would prefer a manual transmission, both as I like it better and have never had an automatic before.

The G35 is definitely something to look into, thanks for mention.

[SL__72]

[ QUOTE ]
Would prefer a manual transmission, both as I like it better and have never had an automatic before.

The G35 is definitely something to look into, thanks for mention.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats the car I'd buy if I were going to spend that much on a used car.

[bravos1]

[ QUOTE ]
There are a lot of reliability issues with Audis. I like them, but you're going to be spending a lot of money/time/frustration on repairs. I'm not an expert on used car prices and things vary quite a bit, so it's hard to say.

Over/under on first M3 reply? How old does an M3 have to be before it's < $25k?

[/ QUOTE ]

I currently own a 2004 Audi A4 and have never had ANY issues with it. A few others I also know that have Audi's have also not had any problems.

The A4 is a great car and you could get one in that price range if it's about 2 years old. Hell wanna buy mine? Just kidding as my wife would kick my ass (/images/graemlins/shocked.gif - that's what happens when you get married) if I bought yet another new car.

[Packerfan1]

If you like the Audis I'd recommend the VW Passat. I just leased our 3rd straight one - the new 2006 to add to our 2004 Passat wagon and replace my 2002 Passat GLS when the lease ended.

They are outstanding cars for the money and you should be able to find one a 2005 model in your range (if not a 2006 if you like them better)

I couldn't recommend them highly enough.

Pack

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

[ QUOTE ]
I currently own a 2004 Audi A4 and have never had ANY issues with it.

[/ QUOTE ]
This is the exact opposite of the experience of a handful of people I know with Audis (usually S4s). They're all sick of the maintenance and are looking to sell theirs.

[mostsmooth]

the answer is always the same, toyota corolla

[Los Feliz Slim]

I had a 2001 A6 2.7T that was a great car to drive. Stopping it, unfortunately, was continually a hassle because the brakes needed to be repaired at least twice a year. Lots of other little stuff happened as well. If it hadn't been covered under the lease I would've spent thousands over 3 years.

[bravos1]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I currently own a 2004 Audi A4 and have never had ANY issues with it.

[/ QUOTE ]
This is the exact opposite of the experience of a handful of people I know with Audis (usually S4s). They're all sick of the maintenance and are looking to sell theirs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmm Interesting. Guess I'll have to keep my eyes open and expect the worst??

[JinX11]

G35, son. Don't you know?!?

My car...

http://www.imagedad.com/uploads/fba9954686.jpg

[Slow Play Ray]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I currently own a 2004 Audi A4 and have never had ANY issues with it.

[/ QUOTE ]
This is the exact opposite of the experience of a handful of people I know with Audis (usually S4s). They're all sick of the maintenance and are looking to sell theirs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sometimes you get lucky. My buddy has had a 2001 A4 for 4 years w/o a single problem, and my ex-girlfriend has the exact same car and it's been in the shop 9 times.

And while we're at it, I'm trying to decide between:

a) a 2005 (brand new) Mazda 6 5-door, 5-speed, loaded for $21,600
b) a 2004 Acura TL, 6-speed, loaded except Nav. for $27,000
c) keeping my 1999 Nissan Maxima through the winter and then getting something.

[gmrankin]

toyota corolla

I have a 2005 Corolla XRS. Nice car.

[chuddo]

http://www.auto-sfondi-desktop.com/Wallpapers_Bugatti_/Bugatti-Veyron/Bugatti-Veyron-05/Bugatti-Veyron-05_800.jpg
rent it for a night.

[jaydub]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I currently own a 2004 Audi A4 and have never had ANY issues with it.

[/ QUOTE ]
This is the exact opposite of the experience of a handful of people I know with Audis (usually S4s). They're all sick of the maintenance and are looking to sell theirs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sometimes you get lucky. My buddy has had a 2001 A4 for 4 years w/o a single problem, and my ex-girlfriend has the exact same car and it's been in the shop 9 times.

And while we're at it, I'm trying to decide between:

a) a 2005 (brand new) Mazda 6 5-door, 5-speed, loaded for $21,600
b) a 2004 Acura TL, 6-speed, loaded except Nav. for $27,000
c) keeping my 1999 Nissan Maxima through the winter and then getting something.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think it's fair to compare a Mazda 6 to an Acura TL. I cannot think of a single metric on which the Mazda would win. If the Acura is clean and the 5K extra is no biggie, you have to take the Acura. I mean the Mazda 6 is a likely step down from your Maxima depending on the model.

Regarding the reliability question, as a rule, the japanese luxury lines own the germans on any type of reliability scale. The germans excel more in the higher end which at 25-ish you are nowhere near. Plus the G35's are sweet, get AWD if you are near snow, big horsepower on a RWD does not mix with snow.

[Slow Play Ray]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think it's fair to compare a Mazda 6 to an Acura TL. I cannot think of a single metric on which the Mazda would win. If the Acura is clean and the 5K extra is no biggie, you have to take the Acura. I mean the Mazda 6 is a likely step down from your Maxima depending on the model.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. The Mazda 6 is mostly "because I've never owned a brand new car before" and it's the only car in that price range I really like the looks of/stats on. Plus the hatchback is a big bonus for camping/snowboarding types of things.

But really, I have already made the decision to wait until next summer and buy a 2005 TL. The Maxima's going into the shop tomorrow for new bearings and shocks and hopefully she'll be good to go until next summer.

[RunDownHouse]

If option c is really an option, then why would you spend $20k+ right now anyways? Vanity?

[rohjoh]

http://www.subaru.com/media/image/2006/impreza/wrxstisedan/photos/photo2_lg.jpg

[Supersetoy]

For that amount of money, I'm going for a Toyata Prius. That's the car I'm currently looking at trading in my GTi VR6 for.

Then again, you probably don't have the traffic that we have here, and are not in the same mind set as I am: Looking for something that's reliable, will get me good mileage and I can drive for 250K+ miles.

[Slow Play Ray]

[ QUOTE ]
If option c is really an option, then why would you spend $20k+ right now anyways? Vanity?

[/ QUOTE ]

Option C is totally an option. It's basically because I have the "my car just hit 100k miles" bug. I love the car, have had it for almost 5 years with no problems, and it's still in really nice chape because I take good care of it, so there really is NO reason I should be getting a new car right now.

I totally fell in love with the new TLs when they came out, so I decided I would wait one year and buy one used. Now that the year has passed, I found a good deal on one, but then started thinking maybe I'd like a new car and started thinking about the 6. But like I said, I have basically decided to get some upkeep done on the Maxima and think about it again next year. This is the correct decision.

[RunDownHouse]

Personally, I don't understand buying cars brand new. Its burning up $x the second you drive it off the lot. I've never bought - or driven - a brand new car though, so maybe I'm missing some kind of mystique that makes it worth it.

[Slow Play Ray]

[ QUOTE ]
Personally, I don't understand buying cars brand new. Its burning up $x the second you drive it off the lot. I've never bought - or driven - a brand new car though, so maybe I'm missing some kind of mystique that makes it worth it.

[/ QUOTE ]

You are right. This has always been my belief until I started flirting with the idea of the 6 last week. I shall stick by my guns and not make any irrational decisions. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[FatalError]

2001-2002 BMW 323Ci should come out in that range

Get one thats still got a year or 2 left on it's 5 year warrenty

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

[ QUOTE ]
And while we're at it, I'm trying to decide between:

a) a 2005 (brand new) Mazda 6 5-door, 5-speed, loaded for $21,600
b) a 2004 Acura TL, 6-speed, loaded except Nav. for $27,000
c) keeping my 1999 Nissan Maxima through the winter and then getting something.

[/ QUOTE ]
Of these two, I'd definitely go for the TL. Whether or not you get a new car or hang on to your old one is up to you.

[touchfaith]

Cars suck, get an SUV.

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5849/uppersardinecamp15tx.jpg

"Do you see why?"

[handsome]

[ QUOTE ]
Cars suck, get an SUV.


[/ QUOTE ]
Unsound advice, even if they are dirt cheap.

If I had 20K+ to spend on a car, I'd go with a WRX STi or a Lancer EVO. I'm not ready to be luxurious yet.

[theben]

used audi A4 (A6 probably too costly), used BMW 3 series, used acura TL/CL, used infiniti G35 or I35, used lexus IS300, new acura TSX or RSX. basically, all entry level 'luxury' mfg. car models of compact sedans/coupes.

[ftball0000]

wrx

[scrub]

[ QUOTE ]
wrx

[/ QUOTE ]


Good luck finding one that someone didn't beat to all hell before selling it to you--when I looked around at used ones, I couldn't find one that hadn't been abused and modified.

scrub

[david050173]

[ QUOTE ]
Personally, I don't understand buying cars brand new. Its burning up $x the second you drive it off the lot. I've never bought - or driven - a brand new car though, so maybe I'm missing some kind of mystique that makes it worth it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Buying 35K cars is just burning money. Doesn't matter if they are new or used. The question comes is it worth it too you? If you look at the cost difference of a 2 year old BWM from a dealer and new one it might not be that great ( you have to remember to calculate in that you will get 2 more years of driving out of the new one and a slightly better interest rate). For a couple of thousand dollars it might be worthwhile to save the time and get exactly the car you want. Of course if you want a cheap car nothing beats buying a 500 beater and hoping you get lucky...

[DangerGoodson]

http://www.acura.com/images/rsx/rsx_gall_img_07.jpg

I actually bought one of these about a month ago. Type-S like mine will run you 23-24k. I leased mine. Depending on the rate you get and what you put down, could be as little as $280 a month.

[Ass Master]

Buy a Ford Crown Victoria! Or buy a Chevy Caprice or Impala from the Mid-90s.

[DasLeben]

I'm tired and still a little drunk (yeah, monday night, but I don't work tomorrow), so I'm just going to give a quick opinion:

1. Audi A3 with the 2.0 FSI (great engine)
2. Acura RSX-S
3. Volvo S40

The S40 is decidedly more tame than the A3, but it's a solid car. The A3 would be my number one pick though. Then again, I'm a big fan of sport hatches. Unfortunately I've never driven the Acura. Looks great on paper though.

[jaydub]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm tired and still a little drunk (yeah, monday night, but I don't work tomorrow), so I'm just going to give a quick opinion:

1. Audi A3 with the 2.0 FSI (great engine)
2. Acura RSX-S
3. Volvo S40

The S40 is decidedly more tame than the A3, but it's a solid car. The A3 would be my number one pick though. Then again, I'm a big fan of sport hatches. Unfortunately I've never driven the Acura. Looks great on paper though.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, their 2.7 is a great engine.

Their A3 is just for people who want to say they drive an Audi but can't afford one. Same to the used BMW 323 comment.

[DasLeben]

[ QUOTE ]
Their A3 is just for people who want to say they drive an Audi but can't afford one. Same to the used BMW 323 comment.

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you uhh...ever driven an A3?

I also don't much understand your comment against the BMW 323. Granted, it's not as fast in a straight line as the other E46s, but it still handles exceptionally well, and is still a very balanced and competent machine. Also, its 2.5L inline-6 has been BMW's bread and butter for years.