$30,000-$40,000 for a car

[Arkaign]

I'm looking at buying a used car in the next 4-6 months, and have seen a lot of nice M5s out there for good looking prices. The latest example, on the DFW craigslist :

2001 M5, Black on Tan
6-Speed Manual
66,000 Miles
Dealer Records
$26,900

I'm not looking for a race car, but something safe, comfortable, with a touch of luxury and decent power. Room for the baby seat in the back is a must.

Anything else I should be looking at?

 

[exdeath]

A touch of luxury rules out Mercedes, Lexus, etc, which are more luxury than sporty, but also rules out Mustangs and pure performance cars that are all sport and no luxury.

I'd say something in the ballpark of M3/M5 or G35 would be perfect.

 

[Fenixgoon]

well since you are going for 30-40k, i might suggest a used or CPO 2004 Audi A8. although i don't know if you want a vehicle that big. A8's tend to have electrical issues although I don't know if this holds true for the 2004 MY, or even for a totally carfax-clean A8.

edit: you could also look at M3's as exdeath suggested, or an Audi S4

the E39 M5 is the "classic" M5, right?

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
well since you are going for 30-40k, i might suggest a used or CPO 2004 Audi A8. although i don't know if you want a vehicle that big. A8's tend to have electrical issues although I don't know if this holds true for the 2004 MY, or even for a totally carfax-clean A8.

edit: you could also look at M3's as exdeath suggested, or an Audi S4

the E39 M5 is the "classic" M5, right?

Hmm, yeah the A8 is nice (I like the BMW 7 series as well), but a shade too large for my tastes.

M3 might work, but have they made any 4-door M3s recently?

The E39 M5 is based on the previous-gen (non-Bangle) 5 series. 400HP/TQ, non-turbo, non-SC, non-AWD. I know things like brakes & parts will be $$$, but any idea of general reliability?

I'm loving how these things can be found for under $30k with low miles

 

[Arkaign]

This is the M5 I was looking at :

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/401415699.html

I looked at S4, but they're a little small, like the M3, and the idea of turbos+AWD gives me dancing visions of c-notes flying to heaven for maintenance costs. I searched for S6, and didn't see anything out there, did they make them back then? Pro/Con? I'm sort of sold on the whole NA+RWD+DSC thing, as my wife will be driving this a lot too. Of course, I won't have the cash in hand for another few months, so I'll be constantly considering alternatives, and garnering info from our excellent forums.

Thanks again, guys

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
This is the M5 I was looking at :

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/401415699.html

I looked at S4, but they're a little small, like the M3, and the idea of turbos+AWD gives me dancing visions of c-notes flying to heaven for maintenance costs. I searched for S6, and didn't see anything out there, did they make them back then? Pro/Con? I'm sort of sold on the whole NA+RWD+DSC thing, as my wife will be driving this a lot too. Of course, I won't have the cash in hand for another few months, so I'll be constantly considering alternatives, and garnering info from our excellent forums.

Thanks again, guys

The S6 was station wagon only in it's previous generation. The new S6/RS6 are sedans, but you won't find them anywhere near that price range.

 

[RKS]

I've always heard that BMWs are meant to be leased. With that said, that particular generation M5 is one of my favorite cars. It's a great combination of power and luxury. Under $30K seems like a steal for that car. With kids I'll wouldn't want to get a car without dark leather but it wouldn't be a 'deal breaker'.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: RKS
I've always heard that BMWs are meant to be leased. With that said, that particular generation M5 is one of my favorite cars. It's a great combination of power and luxury. Under $30K seems like a steal for that car. With kids I'll wouldn't want to get a car without dark leather but it wouldn't be a 'deal breaker'.

Cool Well, my son is 9 months old, and I'll probably have a different car in 2-3 years anyway, so I'm hoping this will work out well. I'm not one of those obsessive-compulsive types either, so aside from big floor mats, I'll not worry too much about wear and tear in the backseat.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: Arkaign
This is the M5 I was looking at :

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/401415699.html

I looked at S4, but they're a little small, like the M3, and the idea of turbos+AWD gives me dancing visions of c-notes flying to heaven for maintenance costs. I searched for S6, and didn't see anything out there, did they make them back then? Pro/Con? I'm sort of sold on the whole NA+RWD+DSC thing, as my wife will be driving this a lot too. Of course, I won't have the cash in hand for another few months, so I'll be constantly considering alternatives, and garnering info from our excellent forums.

Thanks again, guys

The S6 was station wagon only in it's previous generation. The new S6/RS6 are sedans, but you won't find them anywhere near that price range.

Yeah, I wouldn't mind a station wagon necessarily. What price range are we talking about for what years?

I'm sort of leaning towards the M5 due to the incredible cost ($26.5k, 400hp, 66,000 miles) .. as long as I can reliably find them for $25-30k by the time I have the cash (hopefully October/November)

 

[vi edit]

The '05+ G35 5 speeds came with around 300 ponies under the hood. You've got 4+ years of saftey advancement going on there over the BMW. I would assume a fraction of the maintenance costs, and about the same amount of space.

It just seems like a smarter move with the only downfall being a little bit less grunt and badge bling.

 

[vi edit]

S6 Wagon

Pretty cheap actually. Kinda high miles though(just under 90k). They weren't blisteringly fast, but they were pretty grunty.

If you want a fast wagon, check out a Volvo V70R. You can get them with a 6 speed. 2005's are going for around 25k or so.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: RKS
I've always heard that BMWs are meant to be leased. With that said, that particular generation M5 is one of my favorite cars. It's a great combination of power and luxury. Under $30K seems like a steal for that car. With kids I'll wouldn't want to get a car without dark leather but it wouldn't be a 'deal breaker'.

Kind of my thinking as well. 66K isn't all that high but my wallet would be frightened of getting anything major done to that car. It's a super high performance motor, not a grocery getting 6-cyl.

 

[ViviTheMage]

s4 !! But thats well under 40k

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: Arkaign
This is the M5 I was looking at :

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/401415699.html

I looked at S4, but they're a little small, like the M3, and the idea of turbos+AWD gives me dancing visions of c-notes flying to heaven for maintenance costs. I searched for S6, and didn't see anything out there, did they make them back then? Pro/Con? I'm sort of sold on the whole NA+RWD+DSC thing, as my wife will be driving this a lot too. Of course, I won't have the cash in hand for another few months, so I'll be constantly considering alternatives, and garnering info from our excellent forums.

Thanks again, guys

The S6 was station wagon only in it's previous generation. The new S6/RS6 are sedans, but you won't find them anywhere near that price range.

used RS6's (2003) are going for about $60k last i checked. bi turbo V8 AWD, : drool;

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
s4 !! But thats well under 40k

S4 is kind of small though. I also don't want turbo or AWD.

I'm thinking of putting another 5-7k into a maintenance fund for the car, but from what I've seen on M5boards.com it doesn't seem to be a very high-maintenance vehicle, but when it needs service, it's 2-3x more than working on a Honda/Toyota/GM product. I can live with that, as long as I've got the $ put aside ahead of time.

 

[Aimster]

BMW X5 4.6 2003.

Same thing as your M5, just SUV version of it.

 

[fstime]

Your right about B5 S4's, the turbos usually go around 75K miles.

Regardless, if you get an S4, S6, M5, M3, or whatever, you must be prepared to drop at least $1000 at anytime for whatever issue you may have. As long as you know that....

Also check out 1998-2002 Mercedes E55 AMGs, roughly the same performance numbers as the M5 and is found cheaper in most cases.

I will admit, its probably not as much of a drivers car like the M5 might be but its still a beast and you can't match the ride and luxury of a Mercedes.

 

[GoatMonkey]

If you're worried about the safety, you can watch the video here:

http://www.euroncap.com/tests/bmw_5_series_1998/49.aspx

It was actually one of the first cars with side airbags.

Beautiful car. Just keep an eye on the cooling system. I'd advise you to not keep it too long either. A replacement engine would run in the neighborhood of $10k if it got to the point where you had to do it. But if you don't mind a bit of a risk to your wallet it would be a fantastic car to drive.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
s4 !! But thats well under 40k

S4 is kind of small though. I also don't want turbo or AWD.

I'm thinking of putting another 5-7k into a maintenance fund for the car, but from what I've seen on M5boards.com it doesn't seem to be a very high-maintenance vehicle, but when it needs service, it's 2-3x more than working on a Honda/Toyota/GM product. I can live with that, as long as I've got the $ put aside ahead of time.

You might have already done this but since you're thinking ahead by setting up a fund, you might want to price out some parts that would likely need to replace within your ownership time frame. Things like CV joints, clutch, starter, alternator, radiator, belts, water pump. This might at least give you an idea of what you are looking at assuming you can do some of this work yourself.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
s4 !! But thats well under 40k

S4 is kind of small though. I also don't want turbo or AWD.

I'm thinking of putting another 5-7k into a maintenance fund for the car, but from what I've seen on M5boards.com it doesn't seem to be a very high-maintenance vehicle, but when it needs service, it's 2-3x more than working on a Honda/Toyota/GM product. I can live with that, as long as I've got the $ put aside ahead of time.

You might have already done this but since you're thinking ahead by setting up a fund, you might want to price out some parts that would likely need to replace within your ownership time frame. Things like CV joints, clutch, starter, alternator, radiator, belts, water pump. This might at least give you an idea of what you are looking at assuming you can do some of this work yourself.

That's a good idea, and sort of what I had in mind for the fund. Luckily I won't have to worry about CV joints (M5 is RWD).

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Aimster
BMW X5 4.6 2003.

Same thing as your M5, just SUV version of it.

Eek. Except it's 350ish HP/TQ instead of 400, has the aerodynamic profile of a small house, and weighs about 900lbs more

It wouldn't be a bad choice, though, if I wanted an SUV. I'm actually thinking of grabbing a classic CJ to hit the trails with next summer, but a lot of that depends on finances at the time.

 

[Fenixgoon]

any reason against AWD, arkaign? just curious

hmmm hmm, chrysler 300/dodge charger SRT8? RWD, 6.1L V8 for SRT, both should be able to be had for 40k or less (the charger moreso than the 300)

or for a little less, 300C or charger RT could also do - both of those (new) get the lifetime powertrain warranty, fwiw.

i'll keep tossing out ideas... they may not be *good* ideas, but i'm trying to get the ball rolling

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
any reason against AWD, arkaign? just curious

hmmm hmm, chrysler 300/dodge charger SRT8? RWD, 6.1L V8 for SRT, both should be able to be had for 40k or less (the charger moreso than the 300)

or for a little less, 300C or charger RT could also do - both of those (new) get the lifetime powertrain warranty, fwiw.

i'll keep tossing out ideas... they may not be *good* ideas, but i'm trying to get the ball rolling

Had an old Eclipse GSX for a while, and the AWD in it had me changing CV axles about every 40-50k miles. Of course I drove pretty aggressively back then as well. Eventually the transmission/differential was just too wore out, and I didn't feel like dumping any more money into that bottomless pit.

So, AWD for me means more $$$.

I'm not a fan of the 300. I like the GTO, but I want 4 doors

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
any reason against AWD, arkaign? just curious

hmmm hmm, chrysler 300/dodge charger SRT8? RWD, 6.1L V8 for SRT, both should be able to be had for 40k or less (the charger moreso than the 300)

or for a little less, 300C or charger RT could also do - both of those (new) get the lifetime powertrain warranty, fwiw.

i'll keep tossing out ideas... they may not be *good* ideas, but i'm trying to get the ball rolling

Had an old Eclipse GSX for a while, and the AWD in it had me changing CV axles about every 40-50k miles. Of course I drove pretty aggressively back then as well. Eventually the transmission/differential was just too wore out, and I didn't feel like dumping any more money into that bottomless pit.

So, AWD for me means more $$$.

I'm not a fan of the 300. I like the GTO, but I want 4 doors

Well the eclipses really are exceptions to the rule. They were frighteningly bad at reliability.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Luckily I won't have to worry about CV joints (M5 is RWD).

Like almost every car with IRS and RWD, the M5 uses halfshafts that are mated to the final drive with a CV joint and to the hub with a CV joint. The M5 will have at least 4 CV joints in total, possibly more if the driveshaft itself uses a CV joint, which is becoming more common.

Notice the CV joints in this photo of an IRS setup.

Both of my RWD Porsches use CV joints on each end of the rear halfshafts too, and on the 944 Turbo the CVs are one of the weaker points if you make a habit of shifting too roughly. With 400 ft-lbs of torque and 4,000 pounds of weight, I would imagine that the M5 puts a pretty hefty amount of stress on its CV joints as well.

ZV