Getting a new car soon

[Greco101]

Finally... I've been out of a car since my GTO got repo'd and my girlfriends been having to drive me around like my mommy. Pretty emasculating. :(

I've been thinking... I'm obsessed with cars... Love damn near each and every one in its own way... so picking is a chore for me but thankfully (kinda?) my options are somewhat limited by convenience and $


What I'm looking for in my next car:


Luxurious
Min. of around 300 hp
NOT FWD
under $40,000
Sedan


so far, here are the possibilities:


Benz C55 AMG
2000+ M5
2002+ BMW 540i
2004+ Audi S4
2004 BMW 545i

[moojoe]

Id personally say the Audi.
ever since I was young, my dad has driven audi's, and they have always been some of the funnest cars I've ever driven. theyre also built like a tank. I got rear ended in a A6 with the guy going about 25, and there was absolutely no damage to my car, but his was completely screwed. (some american car). since my dad got them, I got an A4, and besides my subaru, its been the best car I've ever driven. One of my friends has an RS4, and I know a guy who has an S4, and because I know how to fix/work on cars, I'm constently tinkering with them and upgrading them in various ways. simply put, all around great cars to both drive and work on.
also got to drive and play with the R8 a few weeks ago...damn. I dont think i've ever had more fun in a car. even driving super exotics, nothing beat just the shear driving pleasure of the Audi.

[Commando]

under $40,000

Dude, you amaze me. You come across as younger but if you can afford a car like that....

I owned a Charger for little while and it was amazing. I had to get a truck but if would ever suggest a sports car that what it would be.

[Greco101]

Well, I'm only about to turn 19.

Personally, I love the front end of the chargers (including that 6.1 in the srt8) but I feel the ass end and interior are a little bland. Plus I smoked an str8 in my GTO which means either:

A: Bad driver
B: He was scared of it
C: The charger is an even bigger boat than the '06 GTO's
D: All of the above

[Commando]

Plus I smoked an str8 in my GTO which means either:

That's easy to answer. It's because Chargers are beasts (like 1000lbs heavier).

I totally agree with you that they will get smoked by mustangs. That was the only but still a huge drawback. They feel a bit a heavy....

[Greco101]

That's quite a bit of weight consider the 15/100 "rule."

Also, I forgot to mention... Although I LOVE the newer audi's (especially that open mouth grill on the RS4's and some S4's) the hp they lose from the engine to the wheels kinda sucks... especially because they don't offer very many bolt ons yet.

I'm looking towards the 500hp range and am kinda shy of tubos... MTM offers a nice super charger kit but at ONLY around 20,000 dollars! (for a bolt on?! wtf?!!!) the 340hp translates to around 260whp :o/

[Omega]

Hmm. Interesting requirements for a car. I'd say drop the price you're willing to pay (Save your money. It'll be better.) and forget about the Sedan part. Maybe even lower the hp you want (lightweight with low power is better than heavy with lots of power often -- If you don't believe me, Try it in Forza: Porsche 914 with 200rwhp and under 1 ton will beat cars that have 350rwhp and weight considerably more).


I'd also say that at your age you should worry about reliability. BMW's and Merc's are notorious for being in the dealership getting something fixed. Unless it's an old one. Then all you need is a roll of duct tape, some hammers, and some spanners.

The big Japanese 3 make really reliable cars (That's Toyota, Nissan & Honda), so perhaps a Lexus, Infiniti, or an Acura is what you want. They're usually pretty reliable, I know the older Lexus IS300 is quite quick and it's a 4-door, and I'm sure with a little work you could get it to 300rwhp for a lot less than a Merc.

Now, Audi's something I'm not sure about. I know they're quality, but I don't know about their reliability. If you could find examples of their reliability, that'd be my option. Not to mention, I love the way Audi's are styled.

Just my two pence (wait... I mean cents. I've been watching too much Top Gear. =p).

[calumc]

I'd be inclined to go for something in the jap line as well.
For that kind of money you could import something like a Skyline, Supra or a nice STi. You might not get one quite as new but you can be garunteed it will be reliable.

**** just remembered that it would be right hand drive :-/

[SgtM]

Young guy.. So Cali.. high gas prices. Driving anywhere takes you forever. Go with a extended cab light truck, and modify the hell outta it. My S10 5 speed gets about 28 MPG.

[NightrainSrt4]

I don't mean to be rude if it comes across that way, but I remember you talking before about how the GTO was just too much for you yourself to afford, nonetheless the insurance.

You want something powerful and fast, pick up an older car and rebuild the engine/slap some bolt ons for it. If the bodies messed up a bit, grab some new panels and get a cheap paint job. You can do this on the cheap and beat the hell outa those 40k cars you just mentioned. You can get some nice late 90's A4's on the cheap too.

You guys were just in a tough situation not too long ago, and I don't think jumping right back into something 40k is a very wise idea. Eventually the novelty of nice/fast cars is going to wear off, and what are you going to be left with, a huge ass bill.

Please don't take this the wrong way as I am not trying to be rude or mean. Just think about it for a bit before someone flames me or something. Please. Just coming from a young guy whose gone through the sick car thing...

[killergamer]

You got the money go for a Hybrid there nice and you don't have to worry about gas money.

[chaksq]

I haven't been on the forums for a while nor am I a very active member so you may not care what I think. I also missed hearing about the repo, I do remember you getting the car in the first place.

However, I honestly think your not thinking this through that clearly. You got about a $35k car repo'd not too long ago (its not like it happened 10 or more years ago) now you want to buy a more expensive car? Not to mention your only 18 why do you need a high power luxury car, you've got plenty of time for that. If your set on something luxury get an older or more affordable model like a 3-series BMW maybe E36 or E46 thats still respectable as a luxury car.

Also having a car repo'd is probably because you missed payments or something, that stuff hurts your credit score which will hurt you later unless you try to fix it. You should buy something you know you can pay off with a significant margin for any "opps I'm broke" situations you may run into.

Thats my proverbial 2 Cents. I just want you to think about this before you go out buy a car and end up right where you were before.

[NightrainSrt4]

Also having a car repo'd is probably because...

His family went through a pretty bad identity theft issue.

I just don't think the expensive car is the way to go. But it is not my business, so I will stay out of it. I just don't think it is the best of ideas. A 40k car isn't a track car, least not for a young person like us. And with many cities upping fines on speeding/racing/whatever to $1000+ +jailtime +Loss of license, high powered expensive cars just don't seem appealing to me anymore. And thats just my secondary justification, money being the first. But it is his decision, I was just adding my opinion.

[Quakken]

You could always go for a seriously cheap (less than 10k) late nineties honda. edit- or a 99/2000 integra (http://www.edmunds.com/acura/integra/2000/consumerreview.html. Or a WRX Sti, just a couple years old (http://www.edmunds.com/subaru/imprezawrxsti/2005/consumerreview.html).

The honda's, at least, will last to 200k miles+ and get 30 miles per gallon. You cannot beat them, and unless you have some specific need (racing, running crack across the country) you really just don't need a high power big car.

Heck, late nineties/early 2000's used anything. Just don't spend double for a car at a dealer that you could get 2/3 years old from a private party. Test drive it, have your mechanic check it out, and you will be happier with far more money in your pocket.

But you do what you wish. If you are _set_ on getting an expensive, large sedan, then it's your money. But saving more money is always a better decision if you don't really need what you want to buy. If anything ever happens, you will have more money in the bank rather than trying to make payments on a car that you didn't really need in the first place, when you could've gotten a cheaper, older and perhaps even more reliable car.

[Greco101]

my grandma passed away a couple weeks ago :down::( and we came in to some money. Also, the identity thing is finally getting into court within the next couple weeks and her credit will be cleared soon after that's done.

I'm asking for power, luxury, 4 door because it will probably be my car for a long while and I'd like to have a more sophisticated car for later down the line. Sedans also are much cheaper to insure and I can actually put stuff in the car if I needed. (I bought a normal size computer chair and it wouldn't fit anywhere in the GTO.)

[NightrainSrt4]

I still think you should spend under 10k and put the other 30k in a CD for college or something. Plenty of affordable luxury used cars under/around the 10k mark. Like I said though its all up to you just giving opinions :)

And just because its a sedan doesn't mean insurance is cheap. My SRT4 is a sedan and were talking with a clean record 3-4k a year year priced out at like 10 different insurance companies. Not exactly cheap.I would trade if for a regular low mileage neon + cash any day as I've learned it isn't worth it. ehhh


Edit: And I am very sorry to hear about your grandmother.

[danthegeek]

I think you should buy an old muscle car. They are an investment, unlike new cars. Hell, my nova has 325-350 hp and that enough to get in trouble, enough trunk space to fit 4 bodies, and seating for 5. You can make a car like this fast really cheap if you want. Also, insurance is cheap. You may ask why, well historic tags my friends :D. $25 a month for full coverage.

This is just my suggestion because if you get tired of the car in a few years you can sell it and get your money back + some.

-dan

[Omega]

I'd be inclined to go for something in the jap line as well.
For that kind of money you could import something like a Skyline, Supra or a nice STi. You might not get one quite as new but you can be garunteed it will be reliable.

**** just remembered that it would be right hand drive :-/

Skylines (The imported ones, good luck finding a non-imported one for sale) cost closer to 60k, and good luck finding a 4-door skyline (They exist... but they're rare). An older Impreza or Evo would be an alright choice, but insurance wouldn't be good.

I know what he's trying to do. He wants the power, but he wants cheap insurance and reliability. Sedans & Luxury cars much cheaper to insure.

I still say that you should look in to '00-'04 models by Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura. You might not get the power but it will function as a car, should have plenty of space, and they've got a good selection of luxurious sedans.


A good idea might be a Ford, too. We have a 2004 Ford Escape, the V6 model. It's had close to 105k miles on it over the past three years. It's a small SUV so it fits in compact spaces with room to spare, it looks good (ours is white), and it's pretty reliable. All we've had to do to it over the past 100k miles is one set of tires and some oil changes (oh, and an oil pan gasket). That's it.

[chaksq]

Oh my apologies, I don't remember hearing about the identity theft. Forget most of what I said. I understand about wanting a reliable car for the long term thats a good idea actually. I still think you could try to find something a little cheaper the Infinity G35 is nice or a Mazda Millenia with the miller cycle engine. Sorry to hear about you Grandmother, you have my condolences.

[Greco101]

The G35 was also one of my top choices and honestly I completely forgot they come in 4door

[Quakken]

Still say that integra would treat you nice... It's technically "luxury" for the insurance companies, so (for at least mine) its less then the hot-rod imports that you come across (less than a prelude or even a civic).

Or step up to an acura sedan. I bet that they would be pretty awesome too.

[NightrainSrt4]

If money doesn't matter and whatnot, while on the Acura theme, imo the Acura TL Type-S is a beautiful car. Still think its a bit much, but a nice car nonetheless.

[Greco101]

acuras (honda) have great resale value and are extremely reliable but when comparing it to the 07 G35 sedan, the G35 takes it on everything.

Also, the acura is FWD and nearly every review mentions squeaks and rattles.

[Omega]

I wouldn't listen to "official" reviews. I'd go for a test drive, honestly.

[Greco101]

I wouldn't listen to "official" reviews. I'd go for a test drive, honestly.

They were consumer reviews

[Omega]

They were consumer reviews

Ah.

I would totally go for the G35. They're nicely styled, decently powerful, luxurious, and come in sedan. It's almost perfect.

Not to mention it's got a VQ35 under the bonnet, and there's some after market support for it. It is, in fact, the exact same VQ35 in the new Fairlady Z (er, 350z), which even with it's 2 ton weight, it has 305rwhp and it's respectable quick.

Also, which '07 G35 do you mean? The G35/V35 or the G35/V36? The G35/V35's engine has 298rwhp and the G35/V36 has a 306rwhp VQ35HR from the latest Z.


Either option is pretty good imo. I'd take the G35/V35 though, because I think it looks better.

[Luke122]

I"m a huge fan of the 2000 M5's, and 2000 S4's.

Having driven both, they are both super nice cars, and under your $40k price by a decent margin (though the M5 is quite a bit higher than the S4).

The S4 (for 2000) is 280hp AWD, with a 6spd manual, and when I punched it in first, I was totally unprepared for the acceleration, and actually lost my grip on the steering wheel.. it pinned me into the seat!

Other than that, I'm a big fan of the Honda S2000, but it's a 2 dr 2 seater convertible. ;) 240hp, rwd, and 6spd with a 9200rpm redline. zooooooom

[Greco101]

Also, which '07 G35 do you mean? The G35/V35 or the G35/V36? The G35/V35's engine has 298rwhp and the G35/V36 has a 306rwhp VQ35HR from the latest Z.


Good question. Honestly, I didn't know there was a difference. Now I'm gunna have to research the differences. Thanks for pointing that out. +rep

Luke - While looking up the s2000, I came across this (http://www.pikec-tuning.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=55822&sid=9833e411fceb24a8b73f6d5d750f3dac). Not sure if you'd be interested, but it's a pretty interesting read.


EDIT: Wow, the 2007 4door in manual is hard to find! There are only 5 on autotrader in the whole United States! Wtf?!

[Omega]

Good question. Honestly, I didn't know there was a difference. Now I'm gunna have to research the differences. Thanks for pointing that out. +rep

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infiniti_G35

V35 is first gen
V36 is second gen.

Enjoy.

[BigJohnson]

Being pretty big into cars I am going to throw my thoughts in. If you are going into Japanese imports I would stay away from the skyline. Brand new range from $60-120k. I was thinking about one of those, did a ton of research. The G35 is an incredible car. I drove an '07 M35 and G35. They were both more car than completely necessary. Which makes it fun. They were really nice cars. But I really do agree with the TL typeS. Thats the car I've been drooling over lately. Its disgustingly fast. Its only drawback is the FWD. But its a honda which makes it cheap to fix and you local garage more likely to be able to handle it. Rather than a high profile import that not all garages will touch, or be able to fix some of the complicated stuff.
A muscle car, if you can find a good frame and interior, is really the way to go though. Because when you are ready to step up to a more adult car your sale will have a better audience.
Have fun is the search though. Its really the best part about buying a car. Drive everything. Then make your decision.
Sorry to hear about your grandmother.

[Airbozo]

Credit rating: It will probably take close to 9 months for the record to be amended and then it is _usually_ just amended. The incident is still there, but an explanation is attached. If possible _demand_ to have the entry expunged. Make sure this comes up in court so it is on record. Also request free monitoring so you can check if it gets cleared up for free.

Acura's: If you are tall or big framed you may want to get one of the newer ones. The older models were quite uncomfortable for me at 6'2". I always felt like i was driving a clown car with my knees in my chest.

Lexus; (Luxury EXports to the US) Save some money and buy a regular toyota... (that and who wants to drive around in a car that has the "Looser" symbol on it?)

G35/6: Great car, test drive one first.

Sorry to hear about Granny...