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Buying a car . . . need ideas/recommendations

R

rancidcrabtree

Senior member
O.k. my accountant (read: wife) says I got 20K to spend on a car. My only solution seems to be the used car market. I got to have a sedan (family ya know) but I want something sporty. I'm currently looking into 2000-01 A4's and Passats. It seems the 1.8t is a pretty strong engine and has upgrade potential. I've looked a maximas but just don't like them as much.

Y'all have any suggestions or comments? Maybe something I'm missing? I've never bought a used car before, but faced with my budget, I see no other choice. HELP.

kev

 
I know, before all the nissan guys come in, I have nothing against maximas/altimas. I just can't get fired up about one. Not to mention two of my friends have them. I want something original.

kev

 
If you are lucky... even an S4 might be possible!
I know a girl that got a 2000 for slightly under 20k... she bargained the crap out of the dealer since they couldn't move the several they had on their lot!

1.8T Quattro would be my choice as well. Turbo + AWD = 😀
Does the accountant let you have a manual? Need to be a midsize/bigger sedan? A late 90s 5-series BMW or 2000-01 3-series would be my second choice(s). Or even a used Lexus IS300 or GS300.

You could always get a Honda... 😛
 
Maxima's don't seem like much? !?!?!!? Too each his own.

The 1.8T is like driving a lawn tractor. By the time it really gets going, it doesn't matter anymore. My friend has a A4, and while it does handle nicely, it feels like it can't get out of its own way. He even has the APR performance chip in it, which really really helped.

THe bottem lineis that its just not fun to drive. I'm also a firm believer in the fact that using the gas pedle in a powerful car is a big part of defensive driving. Nothing sucks like having an underpowered vehicle.

I drive a Maxima. I actually own 2. I looked at the Passat, and of course the A4 and aside from the 1.8T power issues, I was not comfortable in either. I'm not really a big guy but at 6'2" I didn't feel like I fit properly. My knees had dash clearance issues, and headroom was a problem.

 
Originally posted by: KokomoGST
If you are lucky... even an S4 might be possible!
I know a girl that got a 2000 for slightly under 20k... she bargained the crap out of the dealer since they couldn't move the several they had on their lot!

1.8T Quattro would be my choice as well. Turbo + AWD = 😀
Does the accountant let you have a manual? Need to be a midsize/bigger sedan? A late 90s 5-series BMW or 2000-01 3-series would be my second choice(s). Or even a used Lexus IS300 or GS300.

You could always get a Honda... 😛
Click to expand...

all good options, if you want something fun you have a lot of options,

you already have a sedan you said, like a taurus or something

maxima is too big to get that fun sporty feeling

The 1.8T quattro A4 is nice, i like the 2.8 better but its like a 6-7g option, and you can mod a 1.8t easier.

If you want something cheap and fun, a miata is also an option, its like a remote control car, but its pretty fun, no balls though

An older 3 series, even an m3 (careful about the engines on these), or a Integra Type R (its much different than a regular integra, and they keep value well)
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
RGN is biased, because he drives the best car on the road 😛
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Yeah, maybe I am. I do have a little insight on the performance of the A4 though. I've driven the damn thing enough times. Half of a 350 mile trip... Gimmie my Sexima err, Maxima anyday. 🙂
 
How about a 1999-2000 5 series BMW? They are great cars and it is a buyer's market right now. Check local listings or autotrader,
i'm pretty sure that there's one for you out there.
 
Originally posted by: bolido2000
Another vote for the Maxima. There should be tons of used ones to choose from.
Click to expand...
I saw, for $20,900, a fully loaded 2002 Maxima SE with leather and bose and all that with a mere 10k miles!
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: bolido2000
Another vote for the Maxima. There should be tons of used ones to choose from.
Click to expand...
I saw, for $20,900, a fully loaded 2002 Maxima SE with leather and bose and all that with a mere 10k miles!
Click to expand...

Crappy resale value is the reason why I bought a used Maxima 🙂. Best bang for the buck by far.
 
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