15k, old with $ leftover or new?

[Insomniator]

I have a (for the moment) 100 mile total commute every day... and my old 95 camry isn't gonna last much longer.

I want a car with a stick, ideally cheap to maintain and reliable but that of course depends on what I pay for it up front. I pretty much hate the look of most new japanese cars (civic, mazda 3 etc.) and probably can't afford 15k + maintenance for a nice euro (gti, m3 etc) but what about.... my favorite era of cars?

For ~3 or 4k I could get an BMW 328/528/635 or Benz 190E etc... and have plenty left to keep the things running. BUT I know it won't be cheap when they break.


Any thoughts? I think I'd just be very happy cruising every day in this
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r116/jrodnj/635CSi/DSC_0129.jpg
but its no good if it breaks down 5 times a year...

 

[CraigRT]

Why not just get a slightly newer (since you don't like the new ones) Civic or something..
97-00 era are great cars and if you find one with low miles, would have a shit ton of life left in it. I would rock one of those anyday for a commuter. I have a 15 year old (turning 15 in January) car that I commute in as well.

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

I just came into this thread to drool. Those lines are gorgeous.

OP, I doubt any of those older Euro's are going to be anything but awesome. Good luck on the reliability though.

If you're looking for reliable, why not set a price cap no greater than say $5-6k and specify less than 60k on the odometer? I found a Grand Am in the Chicago area with ~25k on the odometer for about $4,000. At that point you'll be getting low maintenance as well as a great price.

 

[T2urtle]

^ i would not go for grand am.

I came from a 96 camry as my first car and picked up a nice solid running 98 maxima, they do come in stick. They drink a little more gas then the camry if yours was a 4 cylinder.

the mk5 GTI's are as bad as the mk4 as long as you get a stick. it would be right around the price. But for me i would get what i have now but in a manual. 2003-2004 G35 sedan. These can be had with 100k miles on them at a $10k price tag. Easily a lot off problems with these cars VS a m3/gti. Again MPG will be lower, i get 18-22's with a AUTO TRAN and AWD. But i haven't spend any money on it other then general maintence.

If all cars were problem free, i would of easily gotten the M3, S4, M5

 

[KIAman]

With a 100 mile daily commute, my top priority would be reliability. With the amount of miles you are putting into the vehicle, any used car is going to be roasted especially older luxury cars.

I would stay away from your desire for an old old european luxury.

Instead, consider getting a new cheap (I know, they are not as fun) car. Although you will not appreciate the looks (because you don't like the looks of modern econocars) you WILL appreciate the warranty and reliability with your huge commute.

Edit: Also, if you define "no good" if a car breaks down 5 times a year, then you already excluded most old luxury european cars. Even a somewhat modern euro luxury car will be in the shop more than 5 times a year. Hell, my 4 year old BMW is in the shop more than 5 times a year and it hasn't even broken down.

 

[PricklyPete]

Any thoughts? I think I'd just be very happy cruising every day in this
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r116/jrodnj/635CSi/DSC_0129.jpg
but its no good if it breaks down 5 times a year...

As would I...awesome pic.

I knew a guy who was a fanatic with old BMW's..but he always had 2 working so that if one broke down...he always had another to drive while he spent the time to fix it. Didn't help the few times they left him stranded on the road...but makes ownership of older cars more tolerable...just have two. Same model makes it even easier...although less fun.

 

[PricklyPete]

As for a car to get. Buy a 2007 manual 4 cylinder Ford Fusion and then with the extra money, buy an old european "luxury" car and use the extra cash lying around to fiddle with it.

 

[Lotheron]

As for a car to get. Buy a 2007 manual 4 cylinder Ford Fusion and then with the extra money, buy an old european "luxury" car and use the extra cash lying around to fiddle with it.

or a Mazda6 which, if we're comparing 1st Gen CD3 vehicles, is a way better car. Also available with a 5speed in both 4cyl and 6cyl. I have the 6Cyl/5speed and I average 25MPG routinely which isn't bad considering I have a heavy, heavy lead foot.

 

[desy]

Or a Buick
If your going to spend 2 hrs a day quieter and comfortable and 3800 engine gets good HW mileage

 

[zCypher]

Or a Buick
If your going to spend 2 hrs a day quieter and comfortable and 3800 engine gets good HW mileage

I will have to agree here. Lots of highway miles, you should get something comfortable with good highway MPG. No reason to break the bank for something you'll be repairing more, spending more on gas (which only ever seems to increase in price), etc. Buy something that will cost you the least in insurance, gas, maintenance... Save your money for other toys? 😀

 

[Throckmorton]

100 miles a day??!!

Maybe you should shell out $13k for a Yaris. The $250 payment will be offset by the gas saving.

Let's say some old BMW gets 20mpg (optimistic). That's 5 gallons a day at $2.50 a gallon = $250 a month

The Yaris at 35mpg would drop your gas spending down to $142 a month.

 

[Insomniator]

100 miles a day??!!

Maybe you should shell out $13k for a Yaris. The $250 payment will be offset by the gas saving.

Let's say some old BMW gets 20mpg (optimistic). That's 5 gallons a day at $2.50 a gallon = $250 a month

The Yaris at 35mpg would drop your gas spending down to $142 a month.

True I didnt think it was that much.. gas is 2.80 by me actually. 100 a month! I think I'll just get a mini...