Suggest a new car for me ($20k - $26k)

[MisterServer]

26k is the absolute max so i've been focusing on the audi 1.8t w/o quattro. I'm mainly concerned with luxurious ride quality, attractive exterior, and decent speed. so far, the audi is the only car that fits these requirements within my price range. anyone got any suggestions?

 

[Noirish]

well, audi's sister brand vw is good.
you can get leather/v6 in both jetta and passat.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Suburu WRX?

 

[rominl]

honda accord v6 ex fully loaded, my friend got it for $25548

 

[blueghost75]

i would say a nissan maxima, except the new ones don't look that great. As far as reliability goes, consider the nissan maxima, toyota camry, or the honda accord. Those are all nice cars, and reliable too.

if you are going for looks, I would personally get a used BMW, but I don't know if you want anything used..... Audi's are nice too

 

[Gunbuster]

A loaded Mazda Protege should come in under 20k, it's not a screamer like some of the type R cars but it's a blast to drive with top notch build quality for it's class. /ends gunbusters mazda promotion

 

[Freejack2]

If your just looking for a decent midsize sedan look at the Honda Accord V6 or the Saturn L300. The Accord is $25,540 MSRP so it's in the higher end of what you want to spend though.
Saturn's L300 midsize sedan, similarly equipped, is $22,933. They've given me an L300 before when I needed a loaner car. Boy does that car accelerate.

Check em out at www.edmunds.com

 

[RGN]

Wait till september and look real hard at the new Nissan Altima. It's a complete re-design right in your price range. It's bigger and more powerful.

 

[RGN]

Oh, a bud of mine has a 97 A4 and he HATES the low end torque. It really feels like a 4-cyl EVEN with the turbo. But after you get going, its better.

 

[MisterServer]

vw: don't like the looks (too boxy for my tastes)
wrx: dont get me started on the bug eye headlights
accord: nice powertrain but no manual and i prefer rowing my own gears
maxima: ugly tailights but i love the engine
protoge: nice looking car but a bit too sluggish
saturn: american styling doesnt appeal to me (too plain)

 

[goldboyd]

Take a look at the new RSX type S. I haven't seen one in person yet, but from all i've read, and pictures i've seen, it looks pretty nice. 200HP, 0-60 in 6.1, leather, moonroof... all for 23-24.

 

[777joee]

I have a 1999 Passat 4cyl 5 speed with 128,000 miles on it. I work as a buyer of scrapmetal ant travel approx 60K per year. The only thing other than oil changes and tires was my fault I pushed the Timing belt cahnge beyond the limit and it cost me. I just gave it to my wife and bought a 2000 Passat 6cyl 5 speed (note the trend I like 5 speeds) that I found on a dealers lot and got $4,500 off sticker price. When this one gets some miles on it I will buy another. I have owned lots of cars and this is the quitest nicest car that my money can buy!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't waste your money on the Audi. Build another computer or upgrade with the savings.

P.S. My other car is a ground up restored RED 67 Beetle.

 

[MisterServer]

goldboyd: actually i did a little car shopping this week and i spotted the new rsx-s at my local acura dealer. love the back end but the front lights remind me too much of the new civics even though i have utmost respect for what lies underneath the hood. the local dealers here are marking up the rsx $2k cuz it's so high in demand right now???(damn punk car dealers) the main reason i like the audi is the attractive styling ( love the back end!!) but i'm wondering if it'll be too slow in everyday driving.. i went for a test drive in a 1.8t and it felt peppy and sufficiently speedy (i just drooled over the exquisite ride quality)

 

[Amused]

V6 Passat.

And it's FAR from boxy. In fact, there isn't a straight edge or 90 degree corner on the whole car. You'll get the same feel as an Audi A4 1.8T, in a bigger car with a bigger engine and more options for the same price.

 

[EvanFerguson]

buy my 77 camaro with power windows for only $5k

 

[Opusone]

The '97 A4 1.8 IS a 4 banger... that's why it feels like one off boost. I would go for a '98.5-2000 A4 2.8. Well worth the money.

 

[Linh]

i'd get a passat

 

[minus1972]

another vote for the RSX....have you heard that thing run?!?

/me slobbers on keyboard....

 

[Viper22]

I purchased my 2001 VW Passat GLX about 9 months ago and love it. For anyone that does not know the Passat is Based off of the Audi A4 and its almost the same xcept it has a larger back seat and a few other differences. Personally I love my car. If you want really good info on the Passats and Audi's head on over to VW Vortex or Club B5 and head into their Forums sections. Great info.

Viper22

 

[goldboyd]

DAMN 2g's over sticker on a RSX??? That's pushing it into CL territory, which is a much nicer car. Also on the subject of CL, the sticker will be over your 26k limit, but you might be able to get the car for around 26, maybe even a tad lower if you bargin right.

 

[LAUST]

LeCar! any model ownes the road.

 

[EvanFerguson]

<---------- buy my camaro damnit

 

[Opusone]

Viper -

The passat is a bigger car and there really isn't too much to compare to an A4. They have some similarities but the differences are worth the extra coin for the A4. Try www.audiworld.com for a great forum!

 

[777joee]

Viper22

The reason the Passat has a bigger back seat is it is based on the same platform as the A-6. The Jetta is the same platform as the A-4.

I own 2 Passats a 4cyl 1999 and a V-6 2000 both are 5 speeds. I like the raw horsepower of the V6 but the 4cyl is more fun to drive!

IMHO

 

[MisterServer]

i know this sounds REALLY bad.. but i think i'd rather buy an audi than it's sister vw simply for the name. i know i know i'm a shallow bastard but the number of looks i get from other drivers on the road matters to me and the audi name exudes a luxurious aura that a vw just doesn't have.