Buying a new car in the $15k range

[imhungry]

I'm currently in the market for a new car, current car is a '95 Accord DX with ~120k miles on it.

I'm looking to pay around $15,000 cash - I really want to go semi-luxury to luxury and have been looking at mainly the Infiniti G35 and Acura TSX. Both cars seem to be luxury cars that are fun to drive which is exactly what I want.


Both cars it looks like would be ~'04

The G35 has a lot more power but sacrifices fuel economy and certain interior refinements [The center stack looks incredibly plasticy to me]. I'd also rather go '04 with the G35 because it looks like the '03 model is FWD, unless it's the G35x which is AWD; I'm still picking up on the advantages and disadvantages of AWD on the G35.

I'm probably going to go test drive a few cars in the next couple weeks but I'll be looking for private sellers to keep costs low as possible.


Any other suggestions? I was also looking at the Maxima and possible Mazda3 but my only requirements really are a nice interior, power windows, and leather seats; all features that my Accord lack.
And what do I need to look out for in terms of reliability and mileage? - What should my target mileage be around..60k-ish?


Thanks for any help


Also - High maintenance cars and European [German] cars seem to be out of the question along with cars with high costs for replacement parts and repair. Nissan and Honda are my target companies right now.

 

[Slew Foot]

Can you really get an 04 g35 or tsx for 15k? The dealers I was going to were asking that much for an 04 civic.

EDIT: looks like you might be able to, neat.

 

[imhungry]

That seems to be the going price around here, even before haggling. Obviously it's not the OTD price but from what I've seen online it's not hard at all to find one listed for ~$15k...unless I'm missing something?

Some examples of the G35:
Here
Here
And here

And some of the TSX [I've noticed a higher resale value on these]:
Here
Here
Here

 

[Chapbass]

the G35 sedans go for a TON cheaper than the coupes on average it seems. sad, because i personally dont care for the sedans...but theyre still really nice cars

 

[evident]

tsx = more fuel economy and cheaper overall car to drive, but still pretty fun and has great ameneties
g35 = probably alot more fun to drive and alot more power, but crappier fuel economy and higher cost of ownership

pick one

 

[amdhunter]

Used RX-8.

 

[MiataNC]

Originally posted by: amdhunter
Used RX-8.

I second this recommendation. The RX-8 is a fantastic car, and you can pick up a loaded 2004-2005 GT for @15K...

But......

Be warned the RX-8 does NOT get decent gas mileage. The RX-8 is a sportscar and while the rotary engine is amazing and unique, it also sucks gas like crazy. My '08 averages 13 in the city. I drive it like I stole it, but the best you can expect is 15-16 if you granny an RX-8.

 

[bananapeel42]

RX-8 is a fantastic underperformer.

 

[imhungry]

This looks to be my list for now:
MAIN OPTIONS
Acura TSX ?04+ [~50-60k miles] - ~$14k
Acura TL [high mileage 2004] - ~80000 for $13-$14k
Infiniti G35 ?03+ [2004 ~60-70k miles] - $13.5k


Secondary Options:
Subaru Legacy GT ?05+ [2005 ~60k miles] - $14k
Nissan Altima SE/SL ?05 [2005 ~40k miles] - $14k
Nissan Maxima SE/SL (?04+) ? [2005 ~50k miles ] - $14k
Cadillac CTS 04+ - [2004 ~50k miles] - $14k
Lincoln LS V8 ?04+ - [2005 ~45k miles] $14k
Buick Lacrosse ?05+ [2005 ~40k miles] - $14k
Buick Lucerne ?05+ [2006 ~50k miles] - $12k
Pontiac Grand Prix GT/GTP/GXP ?05+ [2005 ~30k miles] ? 14k


Anything I should cross off the list immediately?

 

[Kromis]

Originally posted by: Chapbass
the G35 sedans go for a TON cheaper than the coupes on average it seems. sad, because i personally dont care for the sedans...but theyre still really nice cars

Why is that, anyways?

I know coupes go for like $4k more than sedans

 

[randomlinh]

RX-8, wtf.. that doesn't fit anywhere in what he wants.

How much driving are you going to do? I do almost 20k/yr, so I'd be biased toward the TSX. I've been in an 05 legacy GT, and it's nice, but I actually liked the TSX more. The legacy however, was more fun to drive

You mentioned mazda3.. seems like an odd choice.. I love mine, but the interior is far from "luxury" IMO. I'm 66k miles in, and getting some squeaks and rattles (but I also have been autocrossing it for it's life.... heh).

 

[Chapbass]

Originally posted by: Kromis

Originally posted by: Chapbass
the G35 sedans go for a TON cheaper than the coupes on average it seems. sad, because i personally dont care for the sedans...but theyre still really nice cars

Why is that, anyways?

I know coupes go for like $4k more than sedans

The only thing that i can tell...is that a ton of people (including myself) dont care for the sedans whatsoever, and they made a whole bunch of them. I LOVE the look of the coupe, but the sedan (at least, before 2007 when they redesigned them) has NO appeal to me whatsoever.

Only problem that I have with the coupe is...the rear seats. Anyone over 5'9-5'10 will hit their head on the bumps.


I personally am looking at a VERY similar situation...only for me, it was originally between the g35 coupe and the cadillac CTS (i know, not a very apples to apples car comparison). The CTS for me fell out of favor, and now im HEAVILY leaning towards the mazda rx-8.

I'll leave my reasoning to another thread, which ill probably be creating any day now

 

[Arkaign]

That gen G35 does have a pretty low-quality interior, for some reason none of the surfaces seem to look very good after a couple of years of average use. The platform is very satisfying to drive though, certainly more so than the TSX. The Sedans are a bargain indeed.

Might I suggest a third option? The IS300 6-Speed, with a Toyota Inline 6, RWD. They have pretty nice interiors, and last pretty well. Parts are affordable, and they're not hugely complicated to work on. The motor is a 2JZ-GE, very similar to the 2JZ-GTE motor that came in the Supra TT. They respond to Turbos VERY VERY well, the block and head are very stout.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...max_price=&cardist=925

 

[MiataNC]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
RX-8, wtf.. that doesn't fit anywhere in what he wants.

..."Both cars (G35/TSX) seem to be luxury cars that are fun to drive which is exactly what I want."....

The RX-8 GT comes loaded with leather, seating for 4, Bose, and optional Navigation. It is RWD, winds out to 9K smooth as silk, and has arguably one of the most satisfying manual transmissions you will ever have the pleasure to use. The handling is balanced, and the exhaust note is exotic.

It is not a car for everyone, but it does fall into the catagory of "luxury cars that are fun to drive" if the owner can live with the quirks.

 

[jtvang125]

Originally posted by: imhungry

The G35 has a lot more power but sacrifices fuel economy and certain interior refinements [The center stack looks incredibly plasticy to me]. I'd also rather go '04 with the G35 because it looks like the '03 model is FWD, unless it's the G35x which is AWD; I'm still picking up on the advantages and disadvantages of AWD on the G35.

Huh, where did you hear that? All g35's are rwd and the x models are awd.

 

[Throwmeabone]

The G35 is incredibly ugly. That's all I had to say.

 

[Miklebud]

Originally posted by: Throwmeabone
The G35 is incredibly ugly. That's all I had to say.

You sir, are an imbecile.

That's all I had to say.

 

[zerocool84]

RX-8 and luxury??? I didn't know they went in the same sentence.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: imhungry
This looks to be my list for now:
MAIN OPTIONS
Acura TSX ?04+ [~50-60k miles] - ~$14k
Acura TL [high mileage 2004] - ~80000 for $13-$14k
Infiniti G35 ?03+ [2004 ~60-70k miles] - $13.5k


Secondary Options:
Subaru Legacy GT ?05+ [2005 ~60k miles] - $14k
Nissan Altima SE/SL ?05 [2005 ~40k miles] - $14k
Nissan Maxima SE/SL (?04+) ? [2005 ~50k miles ] - $14k
Cadillac CTS 04+ - [2004 ~50k miles] - $14k
Lincoln LS V8 ?04+ - [2005 ~45k miles] $14k
Buick Lacrosse ?05+ [2005 ~40k miles] - $14k
Buick Lucerne ?05+ [2006 ~50k miles] - $12k
Pontiac Grand Prix GT/GTP/GXP ?05+ [2005 ~30k miles] ? 14k


Anything I should cross off the list immediately?

Buick *
Pointiac *

Unless you actually like depreciation, those cars will be worthless in 2 years. I'd go with the Honda TSX for fun drive and good resale value. It seems that the G35 sedans are depreciating a lot faster then the coupes... probably because they're goofy looking.

 

[MiataNC]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
RX-8 and luxury??? I didn't know they went in the same sentence.

Head over to www.mazdausa.com and look at the interior pics of the GT.

Leather
Heated Seats and side mirrors
Auto/HID headlights
Power everything
Bose sound (not up to audiophile standards but typical for "luxury" cars)
Optional NAV
etc

Pretty standard fare for "Luxury" and comparable to the G35 and TSX.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Kromis

Originally posted by: Chapbass
the G35 sedans go for a TON cheaper than the coupes on average it seems. sad, because i personally dont care for the sedans...but theyre still really nice cars

Why is that, anyways?

I know coupes go for like $4k more than sedans

It's really a supply and demand issue at two different fronts.

In the used market the guy that couldn't buy the hot car new is more than willing to pay a bit more used.

The G35 is a very nice car in all flavors. I like smaller more agile cars, but if I was told a 4 door G35 was my last car I wouldn't walk away ready to slit my wrists.

however...the TSX and G35 are not in the same ballparks. Either one is a great choice but neither would be listed at multiple choices under the same questions.

$15k is wonderful budget for a car right now. So many people looking to bail themselves out of shit. I know a lot of dudes picking up cars, motorcycles, boats and a/v equipment left and right at fire sale pricing. One picked up a CL ad for about $20k in jetski/trailer for $5000 in cash TODAY!. Thing had less than 3 hours on it and even some of the original tags still in place.

He got it for $4500. Brought it in cash he actually had $7500 in case it came down to a buying war.

It's insane. I wish I was in a better financial situation right now.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: imhungry
This looks to be my list for now:
MAIN OPTIONS
Acura TSX ?04+ [~50-60k miles] - ~$14k
Acura TL [high mileage 2004] - ~80000 for $13-$14k
Infiniti G35 ?03+ [2004 ~60-70k miles] - $13.5k


Secondary Options:
Subaru Legacy GT ?05+ [2005 ~60k miles] - $14k
Nissan Altima SE/SL ?05 [2005 ~40k miles] - $14k
Nissan Maxima SE/SL (?04+) ? [2005 ~50k miles ] - $14k
Cadillac CTS 04+ - [2004 ~50k miles] - $14k
Lincoln LS V8 ?04+ - [2005 ~45k miles] $14k
Buick Lacrosse ?05+ [2005 ~40k miles] - $14k
Buick Lucerne ?05+ [2006 ~50k miles] - $12k
Pontiac Grand Prix GT/GTP/GXP ?05+ [2005 ~30k miles] ? 14k


Anything I should cross off the list immediately?

I would focus on what the hell you really want first. Your line up is like asking should I buy a 2000 sq ft condo on the water or a 6000 sq ft acreage inland.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Chapbass
The only thing that i can tell...is that a ton of people (including myself) dont care for the sedans whatsoever, and they made a whole bunch of them. I LOVE the look of the coupe, but the sedan (at least, before 2007 when they redesigned them) has NO appeal to me whatsoever.

In reality the buyers in this segment and most need to get more than just themselves and a passenger to a destination.

Most need to be able to carry people around whether it's just "Let's get lunch come with me" or a salesman.

I love my 2 door car...I have had to rent vehicles though to supplement that.

Eventually I will have a hot land yacht and a hotter coupe.

 

[boomhower]

While my vote goes for the TSX, also consider the Audi A4.

 

[imhungry]

I would except I don't like the apparent maintenance and reliability issues German cars supposedly have. Parts and repair would also be exponentially higher than a domestic or Japanese car from what I hear.