What car to buy?

[DVad3r]

I am buying my first car. I am going to finance or lease it (not sure yet). It will be used. 20,000-35,000 canadian. What are some good options? Right now Im looking at a used BMW 540i 2003 M package and a 2003 VW Passat W8 4motion. Gah decisions decisions.

 

[LS20]

ontario? buy a utility car like a used civic hatchback or volvo/subaru wagon and a toy like a miata with money to spare... or mod... or an old lexus and a bike. wuteverz.

 

[DVad3r]

Ya Toronto. I was looking at some suburu's, pretty good but a bit rigid for my tastes. I want something smooth and relaxing and comfy.

 

[Hyperlite]

Originally posted by: DVad3r
I am buying my first car. I am going to finance or lease it (not sure yet). It will be used. 20,000-35,000 canadian. What are some good options? Right now Im looking at a used BMW 540i 2003 M package and a 2003 VW Passat W8 4motion. Gah decisions decisions.

my dad had that exact 540i for a little over a year. Fabulous vehicle. i would DEFINITELY go for that. or if you are looking into something new, mabye an STI? or 350z, but it looks like you want a sedan

 

[LS20]

the new legacys are comfy if thats what you like. i was thinking about a 10k/10k or 15k/5k split between 2 cars. i was in your position and bought 1... a fairly unpractical one, which i still dont regret... but sometimes i think itd be very useful if i had gone the other way

 

[spacejamz]

nevermind...just reread the OP...

 

[fbrdphreak]

Subaru Legacy GT; nice, comfy, leather, heated seats, sunroof, 250HP (0-60 5.3s w/5MT). Spec. B option is even nicer, 07 Spec.B's have a 6-speed. Not rigid in the least...

 

[overst33r]

definitely get the 540i with the 6 speed...very little cars perform on the same level and provide awesome dynamics, comfort, and overall feel.

 

[DVad3r]

Another thing I am thinking of is, should I get a nice ride or just a semi-beater type and be stress free of making mad payments? Im 22. What are some of your experiences on this matter?

 

[fbrdphreak]

Remember BMW's are generally expensive as hell to maintain...can't say I'd ever buy a used one

 

[fstime]

540i + 6 speed = greatest

Stay away from POS volkswagen, they break down and fall apart. And yes, my family has owned two brand new 2003 and 2004 volkswagens.

Not to mention the passat is FWD, ick.

 

[LS20]

you definately dont want to be making mad payments... but mad payments to one is change to another. if you value comfort, a USED luxury car like a 5 year old lexus is a great bet -- stress free maintenance wise

 

[postmortemIA]

I would get the new car

As Ford said, best car is new car.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Another thing I am thinking of is, should I get a nice ride or just a semi-beater type and be stress free of making mad payments? Im 22. What are some of your experiences on this matter?

its all up to you...I enjoy having no payments and my car is not as fun as i want it to be, but i have no payments and it is great! Besides, its zippy enough for me now and is comfortable enough for my commute. If you buy cash you can always sell for a little or no loss in a few months if you dont like the car. A 540 is quite a lot to handle for a first car as well. Although if you are patient and responsible i am sure you will enjoy it!

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Another thing I am thinking of is, should I get a nice ride or just a semi-beater type and be stress free of making mad payments? Im 22. What are some of your experiences on this matter?

if you are 22...I'd just get a semi beater. A civic that is a few years old or something should be perfect. Yeah you can have a pimp right now, but whats the point if you are, as you put it "making mad payments"? Seems pointless to me.
Just get a semi beater for now and put that money elsewhere...so 4-5 years down the road when you are 26-27 and are a lot more financially secure (you may or may not be right now) than you are currently you can make a purchase more easily.

I think its the classic "consumer vs capital" good argument...yeah if you get consumer good right now you get your short term benefits from it, but if you wait longer and invest in capital your ability to get more consumer goods expands; the balance if finding a point where you still invest in capital but enjoy yourself without making it feel like you are denying yourself

So I say semi beater (I'm 21 and got lucky my parents gave me my mom's "old" 02 Civic....plan on running this sucker for MAAANY years to come ) ftw because it makes more sense from an investment standpoint

 

[torpid]

Between the two, the BMW. I wouldn't buy either used, though. The regular maintenance costs are too high, nevermind the unexpected problems due to have unreliable vehicles.

What about a used Acura TL Type S?

Edit, whoops, that's not in the same league as the W8 or BMW.

 

[WildHorse]

In Toronto, need some car that's good in snow.

Saab is a good snow country car. Honda is more car for the money.

Choose your new wheels, DVad3r

 

[MercenaryForHire]

22 and getting your first car? You should be looking at $20K tops unless you want to dig yourself a nig big hole to start out with.

- M4H

 

[fbrdphreak]

Oops

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Another thing I am thinking of is, should I get a nice ride or just a semi-beater type and be stress free of making mad payments? Im 22. What are some of your experiences on this matter?

Its your first car, your bound to make a mistake or two, why spend mad money on something you may wreck or damage. Get a beater, learn to drive, if you put a dent in it you wont care, no payments, spend the money on other fun toys till you get a few years driving under your belt.

I think you will be very upset with yourself if your total a $25K car that you will still have to make payments on, that if you dont will ruin your credit over.

My first car cost me $50. I beat the piss out of it and learned how to drive and learned what a car is capable of doing (breaking, taking off, jumping ). I put it in the ditch many time and dented the piss out of it, didnt matter for it was a $50 car.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Originally posted by: BouZouki
540i + 6 speed = greatest

Stay away from POS volkswagen, they break down and fall apart. And yes, my family has owned two brand new 2003 and 2004 volkswagens.

Not to mention the passat is FWD, ick.

Depends on where the VW was made. Passats are german made. And to rebutt your last statement, the passat is a 4motion.

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Another thing I am thinking of is, should I get a nice ride or just a semi-beater type and be stress free of making mad payments? Im 22. What are some of your experiences on this matter?

Its your first car, your bound to make a mistake or two, why spend mad money on something you may wreck or damage. Get a beater, learn to drive, if you put a dent in it you wont care, no payments, spend the money on other fun toys till you get a few years driving under your belt.

I think you will be very upset with yourself if your total a $25K car that you will still have to make payments on, that if you dont will ruin your credit over.

My first car cost me $50. I beat the piss out of it and learned how to drive and learned what a car is capable of doing (breaking, taking off, jumping ). I put it in the ditch many time and dented the piss out of it, didnt matter for it was a $50 car.

I already know how to drive. I have been driving since I was 16, I have a full AZ license in ontario. I can drive a bus/18 wheeler truck. My dad is a driving instructer for a college, he taught me well. But ya I am kind of now reconsidering buying such an expensive car. Maybe it's better to drop 10-15 k into a used lexus or something and be done with it? Those cars are problem free like toyota right?

 

[iversonyin]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
22 and getting your first car? You should be looking at $20K tops unless you want to dig yourself a nig big hole to start out with.

- M4H

Guys, I'm sure the amount is in Canadian dollar....which is worthless (like their army).

I kid I kid....

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: DVad3r

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Another thing I am thinking of is, should I get a nice ride or just a semi-beater type and be stress free of making mad payments? Im 22. What are some of your experiences on this matter?

Its your first car, your bound to make a mistake or two, why spend mad money on something you may wreck or damage. Get a beater, learn to drive, if you put a dent in it you wont care, no payments, spend the money on other fun toys till you get a few years driving under your belt.

I think you will be very upset with yourself if your total a $25K car that you will still have to make payments on, that if you dont will ruin your credit over.

My first car cost me $50. I beat the piss out of it and learned how to drive and learned what a car is capable of doing (breaking, taking off, jumping ). I put it in the ditch many time and dented the piss out of it, didnt matter for it was a $50 car.

I already know how to drive. I have been driving since I was 16, I have a full AZ license in ontario. I can drive a bus/18 wheeler truck. My dad is a driving instructer for a college, he taught me well. But ya I am kind of now reconsidering buying such an expensive car. Maybe it's better to drop 10-15 k into a used lexus or something and be done with it? Those cars are problem free like toyota right?

They are made by Toyota so, yeah. And sorry didnt know about the schooling and already have been driving. Saw first car in the title so I assumed never drove before. $15K to me still seems like a ton, but thats me. Hell I drive a $2000 car

 

[trOver]

dodge charger all the way