Car recommendations?

[flood]

I currently drive a bmw 735i.
I would like to be driving one that is one generation newer.
I should be able to afford one soon, but saving towards it is going slow.
What I'd like to do is sell my current car and get a cheaper one for the meantime to save money (depreciation, insurance, parking... etc).
I want something thats cheap, reliable, has a low insurance rate, and not small (no CRX).
I've found a 89 jeep cherokee (4.0L) for $2300 that I'm having checked out at the mechanic right now. What are some other cars I should be looking at?

 

[justint]

How much did you pay for the 735i?

 

[BatmanNate]

If the cherokee is considered a light truck (I don't know if it is or not) then the insurance might be higher on it than a sedan. Are you looking new or used?

 

[flood]

I'm looking used... the Jeep has lower insurance than my 735i, and I'd probably get only liability on it which would make it even lower.

I bought the 735i for $8950
The ones that I want are ~$19k

 

[Desslok]

That second 7 series goes for 19k?

 

[BatmanNate]

That jeep sounds like a pretty good vehicle then, if you're not overally concerned with gas mileage. A Toyota pickup would be good too if you needed cargo space instead of passenger space.

 

[Quixfire]

The Jeep Cherokee is a solid vehicle; the most I saw them for were thermostats and A/C evaporators. In the same class I would also look at a 91-94 Explorer, or 88-93 Chevy Blazer. If you don't want a SUV then please narrow the field down by stating more of what you are looking for.

 

[flood]

That second 7 series goes for 19k?

yep, just gotta shop around

That jeep sounds like a pretty good vehicle then, if you're not overally concerned with gas mileage. A Toyota pickup would be good too if you needed cargo space instead of passenger space.

Cargo and passenger space is a big plus, but not a requirement. I dont like trucks because the cargo space isnt covered and I'd like something that can seat 4 people.

If you don't want a SUV then please narrow the field down by stating more of what you are looking for

I actually dont like SUV's too much. Its primarily the handling of the jeep that I dont like the most.. but I can live with it. I dont drive too hard during daily driving (working on gettin a track car - rx7/240sx)
Also dont like the sparse interior... I'm going to miss my 7 *sigh* but I think it'll be worth it when I'm able to pick up my newer 7

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: flood

That second 7 series goes for 19k?

Not that particular one, but I've seen many nice ones go for that much.

That jeep sounds like a pretty good vehicle then, if you're not overally concerned with gas mileage. A Toyota pickup would be good too if you needed cargo space instead of passenger space.

Cargo and passenger space is a big plus, but not a requirement. I dont like trucks because the cargo space isnt covered and I'd like something that can seat 4 people.

If you don't want a SUV then please narrow the field down by stating more of what you are looking for

I actually dont like SUV's too much. Its primarily the handling of the jeep that I dont like the most.. but I can live with it. I dont drive too hard during daily driving (working on gettin a track car - rx7/240sx)
Also dont like the sparse interior... I'm going to miss my 7 *sigh* but I think it'll be worth it when I'm able to pick up my newer 7

If you're looking at track cars, consider an 89-90 turbo Caravan.
I kid you not.

I am seriously thinking about that if I ever find one for sale. My daily driver will be my Supra and the minivan will be the track car, I love it.

 

[Parrotheader]

Originally posted by: flood

That jeep sounds like a pretty good vehicle then, if you're not overally concerned with gas mileage. A Toyota pickup would be good too if you needed cargo space instead of passenger space.

Cargo and passenger space is a big plus, but not a requirement. I dont like trucks because the cargo space isnt covered and I'd like something that can seat 4 people.

What about a compact crew cab pickup then like a 4-door Tacoma? It seats four and toneau covers for the bed can be had for very reasonable prices (and help gas mileage even further.) They started making the Tacomas in '01, but they hold onto their value VERY well which was frustrating from a buyer's perspective. We ended up getting a 2000 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab (the body style before the current body style, which looks very similar to the current Tacomas) since we could save about $4,000-$5,000 that way.

 

[flood]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate


If you're looking at track cars, consider an 89-90 turbo Caravan.
I kid you not.

I am seriously thinking about that if I ever find one for sale. My daily driver will be my Supra and the minivan will be the track car, I love it.

I doubt that could handle like a rx7/240sx
I'd also like it for autox, so the power/weight ratio of a rx7 would be tough to beat. And then theres always the sr20det swap into the 240sx

 

[oliver2k]

go with the toyota...4runner or something if you need passenger room. toyotas are reliable and CHEAP insurance. just don't get in a wreck with one.....they arent the strongest of cars.