What car should I buy?

[Alpha One Seven]

Well, here's what Edmunds says:



So... that sounds pretty good.

Not sure what it has to do with an SLK though.

 

[Craig234]

The Fiat 124 Lusso looks good, but it only came out a year ago so even used it's still $25K -$30K - but maybe worth it.

 

[Craig234]

Not sure what it has to do with an SLK though.

Nothing, that's the Lexus LS 430, though I probably prefer the SC 430 which each review says is comfortable but not enjoyable to drive.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I've been watching prices on used GS450H from Lexus and M35H / Q50H from Infinity.
They aren't convertibles, but they should be extremely comfortable, decently quick, decent fuel economy, and very dependable.

That said, I've also been looking at VW GTIs or considering a WRX or even saving for a few years more and going with a V60 Polestar, or at least a T6.

My 08 forester is slow, and I want to buy something faster with better mpg and quieter road noise... but I just had the head gasket job done this spring, so I'm gonna try to squeeze a few more years out of it....

It will be interesting to see what Mazda does over the next couple of years. Kia Stinger may be one to look out for too ... though it will probably be 5 or 6 years before they are under 20K on the used market.

 

[Craig234]

I went and looked at several cars, and found that a lot are smaller driver areas than I expected - I'd like a roomy area. Cars like Ford Fusion, Camaro, of course Miata, and others - too small.

And cars weren't all that comfortable - not one jumped out as 'this is very comfortable'. Some that were at least roomy enough and not too bad on comfort were Chrysler 300, Acura TS/TSC/RSX, and similar. Cadillac CTX wasn't too bad but was a bit less comfortable for some reason. A Buick was actually relatively comfortable.

So I still haven't found a convertible for the list yet; it seems to be narrowing to a 'comfortable' car - with various price choices or if I can find that 'comfortable convertible'.

One thing is that it's harder to see older models, dealers tend not to have any, for example no old Crown Victorias to check out at Ford, or 430's at Lexus.

 

[Craig234]

Any thoughts on this Bentley? $20K for a 47k miles 1996 very luxurious car that cost six figures.

http://preowned.bentleymotors.com/u...iceto=40000&pageSize=10&page=0#VehicleDetails

 

[Yuriman]

Get ready to spend 6 figures the first time it needs windshield wipers and an oil change.

 

[snoopy7548]

Get ready to spend 6 figures the first time it needs windshield wipers and an oil change.

Not to mention replacement keys...

OP, for the love of god, either get a second set of keys or a car with cheap replacements.

 

[shortylickens]

Get ready to spend 6 figures the first time it needs windshield wipers and an oil change.

I think I am the only person I know who figures fuel and maintenance into vehicle cost BEFORE buying a car.
Learned my lesson with the Chevy S-10 which is surprisingly expensive thanks to lousy construction and that inefficient 4.3 liter V6. Stupid thing was railroading me into bankruptcy. Investigated the Murano ahead of time and found it needed minimal repairs and got decent mileage for the size and weight. Made the switch and now I'm saving thousands each year.

The only downside/expense is those friggen keys cost about 350 bucks, which is ridiculous. I got a Viper alarm with remote start (for the Chevy) and the whole system only cost about 325.

 

[Craig234]

Get ready to spend 6 figures the first time it needs windshield wipers and an oil change.

Well, I'd have it checked mechanically before buying - I just talked to them and they said it's in good shape. I drive like 2,000 miles a year so don't put a lot of wear on a car.

 

[bradly1101]

Well, I'd have it checked mechanically before buying - I just talked to them and they said it's in good shape. I drive like 2,000 miles a year so don't put a lot of wear on a car.

47,000 on a 21 year old car? Although that's more miles than I drive, I'd still be concerned about odometer shenanigans. And there's the issue of Bentley reliability:

https://www.osv.ltd.uk/are-bentley-reliable/

 

[Craig234]

47,000 on a 21 year old car? Although that's more miles than I drive, I'd still be concerned about odometer shenanigans. And there's the issue of Bentley reliability:

https://www.osv.ltd.uk/are-bentley-reliable/

The dealer said it's a well-known customer who drove the car around town - they didn't seem like the shenanigans type but who knows.

 

[Craig234]

That's not a positive article about Bentley reliability, but I still suspect light driving might not be a problem.

 

[bradly1101]

That's not a positive article about Bentley reliability, but I still suspect light driving might not be a problem.

With your budget you can get a new car or a used car with a warranty. As-is used cars can be a nightmare, but of course aren't always.

Edit: My last car was bought used and although generally reliable turned out to be a flood recovery car, and had been in a major accident. Neither of those things were on the useless CarFax report (which isn't free), nor were they mentioned by the seller. People selling cars too often try to hide stuff like that, and it's easy to get away with.

 

[Craig234]

With your budget you can get a new car or a used car with a warranty. As-is used cars can be a nightmare, but of course aren't always.

Edit: My last car was bought used and although generally reliable turned out to be a flood recovery car, and had been in a major accident. Neither of those things were on the useless CarFax report (which isn't free), nor were they mentioned by the seller. People selling cars too often try to hide stuff like that, and it's easy to get away with.

How did you find out? I'd have it looked at by a mechanic.

 

[Craig234]

Oh my... Jaguar convertible... above the budget but tempting for $39K, only 7K miles:

https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/SAJWA6E78E8K08766/2014-jaguar-f-type/

 

[bradly1101]

How did you find out? I'd have it looked at by a mechanic.

It was, and was given a clean bill of health. The first discovery was rust all around the windshield, but only internally visible when part of the trim came loose. Second was when I went to replace the stock speakers, their paper cones had obvious water damage, and two were high up on the interior wall. It also had been rear-ended, which I discovered when I pulled the interior panel off of the tailgate to install sound deadening. Later the Bondo in that area sunk.

 

[Alpha One Seven]

Oh my... Jaguar convertible... above the budget but tempting for $39K, only 7K miles:

https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/SAJWA6E78E8K08766/2014-jaguar-f-type/

lol Talk about a small drivers area. Those are Fords since they were bought out. If I were to get a Ford, It would be a newer Taurus. You can get a 2016 Limited for around 34,000.00.

 

[Craig234]

lol Talk about a small drivers area. Those are Fords since they were bought out. If I were to get a Ford, It would be a newer Taurus. You can get a 2016 Limited for around 34,000.00.

Oh - it was on the 'top ten legroom convertible' list so I hoped it was bigger (but so was the tiny Miata).

Taurus's seem kind of simple and basic - and car and driver gave it 2/5 stars and called the driver area 'cramped'.

 

[Craig234]

Hmm old BMW Z3 40's k miles $11K

https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/WBSCK9334XLC88644/1999-bmw-z3/

 

[Yuriman]

How about a Toyota Corolla, which will sip gas, never break down, and over its lifetime save thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. Plus, it will hold its resale value well.

Or a Camry if you want better seats.

EDIT: I'm thinking about a thread by an unnamed user on here who bought a relatively new Mini recently, and ended up stranded on the side of the road several times within the first few weeks, with BMW repair costs.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I went and looked at several cars, and found that a lot are smaller driver areas than I expected - I'd like a roomy area. Cars like Ford Fusion, Camaro, of course Miata, and others - too small.

And cars weren't all that comfortable - not one jumped out as 'this is very comfortable'. Some that were at least roomy enough and not too bad on comfort were Chrysler 300, Acura TS/TSC/RSX, and similar. Cadillac CTX wasn't too bad but was a bit less comfortable for some reason. A Buick was actually relatively comfortable.

So I still haven't found a convertible for the list yet; it seems to be narrowing to a 'comfortable' car - with various price choices or if I can find that 'comfortable convertible'.

One thing is that it's harder to see older models, dealers tend not to have any, for example no old Crown Victorias to check out at Ford, or 430's at Lexus.

Craig, this 1975 Cadillac Eldorado is just under 16K, leaves you some extra cash for tow trucks and repairs
https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1975/cadillac/eldorado/100890637
It'll be slow as a dog, but who cares, pretty much the ultimate cruising machine.

Or a 67 DeVille ... I think a nicer car, and likely will be much less slow due to not having as crippled of an engine.
https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1967/cadillac/de_ville/100887665

 

[dave_the_nerd]

You thought a Fusion was cramped? Weird. I could see maybe a Focus being a tad on the cramped side... but these cars are designed and built for, shall we say, the "American lifestyle." (Big dudes.)

 

[BurnItDwn]

You thought a Fusion was cramped? Weird.

I think he wants bench seats with no center console or "hump" between the seats ....

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I think he wants bench seats with no center console or "hump" between the seats ....

Oh. That's old-fashioned. Last car I saw like that was a '92 F-150.