- Oct 10, 1999
- 26,170
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I have a 1999 Chrysler 300m. It's gotten to the point where it's starting to become costly to maintain and repair. I figure I will probably hang on to it for another 6 months to one year, so I'm doing a little bit of research here.
I don't want anything that gets worse gas millage then the 300m.
I prefer the car to have leather seating, and to be somewhat comfortable to ride.
I also don't want anything that's going to be slower than my 300m.
I want it to hold 4 people, though the back seat doesn't have to be very comfortable, as I won't be riding back there.
I'd like to spend under $15K, but realistically my budget will be capped around 20K.
I'd like something that will last "forever" if taken in for scheduled maintenance on time.
I will be the first to admit I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to cars.
I am 26, single, and have no kids. I don't need a big car. I spend about 100 minutes per work day sitting in traffic (20 mile commute each way.)
I'm leaning towards a manual transmission, but I plan on test driving both a manual and an automatic of whatever top 2 or 3 models I wind up choosing between.
In order of priority
1. Reliability
2. Everything else
The models that interest me the most are in the poll ... Though I may have left out obviously good cars, if that is the case, please suggest in a reply ...
2002-2003 Acura 3.2CL Type S
I want a coupe, I can get one with decent miles in my price range. Better milage & performance than my 300m. Nice interior. Honda, so should be reliable I'm thinking? Front wheel drive makes me sad, though it would probably be a decent car in the winter (I'm near Chicago, so I drive in the snow a lot, and I don't have a garage so I am not going to trade out snow tires every winter.)
2002-2004 Acura 3.2TL Type S
Is a 2004 TL better than a 2003 CL ? Would prefer the coupe, but that doesn't mean I don't even want to consider the Sedan.
2003-2004 Infinity G35
Good performance, millage is comparable to my Chrysler. Perhaps a bit "nicer" than the Acura. I know lots on this board say Nissan has good reliability, and lots love the G35, but how does it compare to Honda, and more specifically the Acura 3.2
2003-2005 Subaru Impreza WRX
4 wheel drive would be nice in the winter. Not as nice of a car as the Infinity or Acura 3.2, decent performer, would be able to get a newwer one than the other options due to lowwer prices.
2003-2005 Acura RSX Type S
Could practically buy brand new with my price range, but not sure if I like the RSX. The millage is really good compared to the other car's I'm thinking about. The acceleration won't be as good as the bigger cars, but I'm thinking the handling would be better maybe, is that just a bad assumption though?
2001-2003 BMW 330i
I'm concerned about long term maintenance costs being a lot and possibly the car spending a lot of time in the shop. Handling is awesomely awesome though, and overall it's a very nice car with decent power as well.
2001-2002 BMW 330xi
as suggested by secretanchitman
Millage and general performance is worse than the 330i.
I'm concerned about long term maintenance costs being a lot and possibly the car spending a lot of time in the shop. Handling is still awesome, overall it's a very nice car with decent power. I imagine this won't get stuck so easy in the winter, which would be a definite plus as they seem to wait until AFTER there is a foot of snow on the ground to plow.
2001-2002 Saab Viggen Hatchback
As suggested by Rogo ...
Very nice looking. Good handling, decent power. Comfortable for someone my size. Excellent gas millage I dunno how much I'd have to spend on maintenance though.
200?-200? Honda Accord V6
Decent milage, reliable reliable reliable. Boring? Should be comfortable.
I should add, I am 74 inches tall, and I am heavy, so I don't fit well into most of the really small cars.
I have traditionally been an American car buyer, but It seems like all the "fast" American cars have crappy handling, get terrible millage, have reliability issues, are "too small", or are too expensive.
I kinda want a Vette, but I'm going to wait until I sell my townhouse and buy a place with a garage before I buy something like that.
While I like my 300m, the new 300 has very loose suspension and drives like a boat. The GTO gets crap for milage. The 4.6 Mustang doesn't impress me. I really like the 86-87 GN but I don't think they would be as reliable as a modern Honda, Subaru, or Nissan.
Facts, Suggestions, and Opinions are appreciated.
Thanks!
Cliffs
I want something quick, efficient, and most importantly reliable. My budget is $15000 to $20000.
Needs to be "better" then my 300m in terms of performance and millage. It also needs to be very reliable.
If you don't like what I have listed in the poll, please feel free to make a recommendation. I have bad taste and can use some help.
EDIT: changed title, added cliffs, updated title again, updated cliffs.
GOING TO SLEEP FOR THE NIGHT SO NO UPDATES UNTIL TOMORROW. Don't vote if you don't like the options please. Thanks!
I don't want anything that gets worse gas millage then the 300m.
I prefer the car to have leather seating, and to be somewhat comfortable to ride.
I also don't want anything that's going to be slower than my 300m.
I want it to hold 4 people, though the back seat doesn't have to be very comfortable, as I won't be riding back there.
I'd like to spend under $15K, but realistically my budget will be capped around 20K.
I'd like something that will last "forever" if taken in for scheduled maintenance on time.
I will be the first to admit I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to cars.
I am 26, single, and have no kids. I don't need a big car. I spend about 100 minutes per work day sitting in traffic (20 mile commute each way.)
I'm leaning towards a manual transmission, but I plan on test driving both a manual and an automatic of whatever top 2 or 3 models I wind up choosing between.
In order of priority
1. Reliability
2. Everything else
The models that interest me the most are in the poll ... Though I may have left out obviously good cars, if that is the case, please suggest in a reply ...
2002-2003 Acura 3.2CL Type S
I want a coupe, I can get one with decent miles in my price range. Better milage & performance than my 300m. Nice interior. Honda, so should be reliable I'm thinking? Front wheel drive makes me sad, though it would probably be a decent car in the winter (I'm near Chicago, so I drive in the snow a lot, and I don't have a garage so I am not going to trade out snow tires every winter.)
2002-2004 Acura 3.2TL Type S
Is a 2004 TL better than a 2003 CL ? Would prefer the coupe, but that doesn't mean I don't even want to consider the Sedan.
2003-2004 Infinity G35
Good performance, millage is comparable to my Chrysler. Perhaps a bit "nicer" than the Acura. I know lots on this board say Nissan has good reliability, and lots love the G35, but how does it compare to Honda, and more specifically the Acura 3.2
2003-2005 Subaru Impreza WRX
4 wheel drive would be nice in the winter. Not as nice of a car as the Infinity or Acura 3.2, decent performer, would be able to get a newwer one than the other options due to lowwer prices.
2003-2005 Acura RSX Type S
Could practically buy brand new with my price range, but not sure if I like the RSX. The millage is really good compared to the other car's I'm thinking about. The acceleration won't be as good as the bigger cars, but I'm thinking the handling would be better maybe, is that just a bad assumption though?
2001-2003 BMW 330i
I'm concerned about long term maintenance costs being a lot and possibly the car spending a lot of time in the shop. Handling is awesomely awesome though, and overall it's a very nice car with decent power as well.
2001-2002 BMW 330xi
as suggested by secretanchitman
Millage and general performance is worse than the 330i.
I'm concerned about long term maintenance costs being a lot and possibly the car spending a lot of time in the shop. Handling is still awesome, overall it's a very nice car with decent power. I imagine this won't get stuck so easy in the winter, which would be a definite plus as they seem to wait until AFTER there is a foot of snow on the ground to plow.
2001-2002 Saab Viggen Hatchback
As suggested by Rogo ...
Very nice looking. Good handling, decent power. Comfortable for someone my size. Excellent gas millage I dunno how much I'd have to spend on maintenance though.
200?-200? Honda Accord V6
Decent milage, reliable reliable reliable. Boring? Should be comfortable.
I should add, I am 74 inches tall, and I am heavy, so I don't fit well into most of the really small cars.
I have traditionally been an American car buyer, but It seems like all the "fast" American cars have crappy handling, get terrible millage, have reliability issues, are "too small", or are too expensive.
I kinda want a Vette, but I'm going to wait until I sell my townhouse and buy a place with a garage before I buy something like that.
While I like my 300m, the new 300 has very loose suspension and drives like a boat. The GTO gets crap for milage. The 4.6 Mustang doesn't impress me. I really like the 86-87 GN but I don't think they would be as reliable as a modern Honda, Subaru, or Nissan.
Facts, Suggestions, and Opinions are appreciated.
Thanks!
Cliffs
I want something quick, efficient, and most importantly reliable. My budget is $15000 to $20000.
Needs to be "better" then my 300m in terms of performance and millage. It also needs to be very reliable.
If you don't like what I have listed in the poll, please feel free to make a recommendation. I have bad taste and can use some help.
EDIT: changed title, added cliffs, updated title again, updated cliffs.
GOING TO SLEEP FOR THE NIGHT SO NO UPDATES UNTIL TOMORROW. Don't vote if you don't like the options please. Thanks!
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