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YACT: Best car for around 30k?

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Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Originally posted by: Danman
I'm getting a promotion soon and I'll probably be buying a newer used car end of this coming summer. I want to get something that's less than 3 years old and I kind of had these cars in mind:

2002+ BMW 325ci
2002+ MB C240 Compressor

I was also looking at the Infiniti G35 Coupe, but I do not know ANYTHING about them. I'm trying to keep this under 32k. I'm looking for something that is sporty, yet a nice luxury ride. Don't need a V8 or anything that's crazy like that. Plus, I will be doing a lot of driving like 100 miles a day for work. So, something that's reliable too.

Suggestions please? Thanks! 🙂
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What wastes of money. If oyu are going to blow $30K, jsut get a Volve XC70. BMW 325s are for wannabes. You look like a moron to most people. if oyu really want a BMW, it better be 5 series or better.
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maybe you should take a look at the 5 series

it looks like crap

give me a 330i / Ci anyday

325i is not bad either but a 330i is much better


7 series is not automatically better than 5 series which is not automatically better than a 3 series

is a 525 i any better it has the same 2.5 L engine that is in the 3 series and just slower and uglier

if you think that you must own a 5 series or better than you are more of a badge whore than any 325 owner

 
Originally posted by: conjur
Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Lexus GS300. Ask Doodoo, he's got one and I've ridden it. Talk about smoooooth! He starts it up and when it's idling you can't even tell the car is running it's so smooth and quiet. When he steps on it, the inline 6 takes off too. Nice ride. I think his is a 2001.
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Could probably get a GS400 for $30k, too. SWEET engine in that one.
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:thumbsup:
 
Get a G35. I would stretch and get a new one since they don't depreciate that much.
A piece of trivia: C230 Kompressor engine is not 2.3L, but 1.8L 🙂
 
Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Recent BMWs and Mercedes aren't nearly as reliable as they once were, and are usually accompanied by a host of recalls. If you're going 100 miles a day and need a solid daily driver, these probably aren't the best choices.
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2nd.
 
Originally posted by: rh71
I wouldn't get the G35 if you can't get the coupe... the whole sporty image is different.
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That's true. I said sedan because I didn't read the entire post. But I just read it now and I'd say get a 2005 G35 coupe with a spoiler. It *needs* the spoiler.
 
Originally posted by: Danman
Originally posted by: KPSHAH316
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
On a serious note, consider a 3 year old jaguar (high end) that sells for $60K new. You can get them used for under $30K.
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You are fcking crazy. The XJ8 and Vanden Plas can both be had for 30k, but you would have to be stupid to buy one of those cars! Like they said:

"You need two Jaguars. One for the road, and one for the mechanic."

Danman- get a used diesel Benz. My parents have a 99 that just clocked 105k miles. Awesome car, nice turbo, 30mpg+, diesel reliability. However, if something does happen- something happened to our tranny, expect to pay for it-this is a Benz after all.
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Haha...my parents have a diesel MB. It's a pretty sweet car. 🙂
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Very nice! So why wouldn't you consider one of those- you're in the diesel scene, so you know how this stuff works, and if you have a problem, who to contact. There is a new diesel that you could buy called the CDI. Its at 50 k though, so you would have lease payments of about $650 a month. The car doesn't have the usual diesel grumble, and is faster than a gas powered E320. It has 221hp and 330lb/ft of torque. However the previous gen E-Class has a trubo diesel from 97-99 that shoudl run about 25-30k. I'm kinda a diesel/MB whore though, so you have my opinion.
 
Originally posted by: SuperTool
Get a G35. I would stretch and get a new one since they don't depreciate that much.
A piece of trivia: C230 Kompressor engine is not 2.3L, but 1.8L 🙂
Click to expand...

Yup, they changed this in 03 or 04.
 
Originally posted by: KPSHAH316
Originally posted by: Danman
Originally posted by: KPSHAH316
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
On a serious note, consider a 3 year old jaguar (high end) that sells for $60K new. You can get them used for under $30K.
Click to expand...

You are fcking crazy. The XJ8 and Vanden Plas can both be had for 30k, but you would have to be stupid to buy one of those cars! Like they said:

"You need two Jaguars. One for the road, and one for the mechanic."

Danman- get a used diesel Benz. My parents have a 99 that just clocked 105k miles. Awesome car, nice turbo, 30mpg+, diesel reliability. However, if something does happen- something happened to our tranny, expect to pay for it-this is a Benz after all.
Click to expand...

Haha...my parents have a diesel MB. It's a pretty sweet car. 🙂
Click to expand...

Very nice! So why wouldn't you consider one of those- you're in the diesel scene, so you know how this stuff works, and if you have a problem, who to contact. There is a new diesel that you could buy called the CDI. Its at 50 k though, so you would have lease payments of about $650 a month. The car doesn't have the usual diesel grumble, and is faster than a gas powered E320. It has 221hp and 330lb/ft of torque. However the previous gen E-Class has a trubo diesel from 97-99 that shoudl run about 25-30k. I'm kinda a diesel/MB whore though, so you have my opinion.
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Yea, that would be cool to get...but I don't want a car that costs 50k. I'm still going to college and I'm looking for a used newer car for right now.


BTW, before anyone asks...no, mommy and daddy aren't paying for any of this. This is all my doing, I just have a really good job and a good future right now. Plus, I have nothing else to buy since I'm single and want a hot car. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Lexus GS300. Ask Doodoo, he's got one and I've ridden it. Talk about smoooooth! He starts it up and when it's idling you can't even tell the car is running it's so smooth and quiet. When he steps on it, the inline 6 takes off too. Nice ride. I think his is a 2001.
Click to expand...

my friend got the 1995 GS300 its really smooth and has leather seats and a lot of other stuff. it doesnt feel like a 1995 model. very good car even great
 
Originally posted by: Geekish Thoughts
2002-2005 Honda Accord DX, cloth.

Save the rest.

My 0.02.
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You must mean 03-05 since 02 was the previous generation, which isn't as good.

That's funny you mention the DX, some people buy DXs and do most of the equipment conversion to LX while still saving the 3K difference in price. Just remember to get the optional A/C, the rest of the differences can be easily added in. The differences are no power locks, no rear speakers, no rear sway bar, narrower wheels/tires. All of which can be easily fixed for a couple hundred by yourself. DX has power windows already these days and powertrain is all the same. Invoice for an auto DX accord is 15K, adding in all that stuff including A/C will be around ~1K, total 16K for a new accord. I already have a 7th gen accord, but the next time I get one, I'm keeping this in mind.

Anyways, I've driven the G35 and most of the C class variants. Considering where it's competing, the C class is kind of a poor car. It costs a lot, most of the engines are weak, tiny inside, driving experience as a whole is soft and mushy. The G35 is a better value in that you get a big ass engine, but it's also still a smaller car atleast for the sedan. In terms of build quality though, mainstream cars like the accord/camry have gotten so good that there's really no difference between those and entry level luxury cars. The difference is the drivetrain and features like leather, but you're not really getting better quality. Also the entry luxury cars are generally smaller. The difference in power/RWD layout, is very hard to tell in daily driving without driving very dangerously on public streets, and don't even mention traffic. That just leaves the bling factor, to which each person decides if it's worth the price premium.
 
Originally posted by: Danman
I'm getting a promotion soon and I'll probably be buying a newer used car end of this coming summer. I want to get something that's less than 3 years old and I kind of had these cars in mind:

2002+ BMW 325ci
2002+ MB C240 Compressor

I was also looking at the Infiniti G35 Coupe, but I do not know ANYTHING about them. I'm trying to keep this under 32k. I'm looking for something that is sporty, yet a nice luxury ride. Don't need a V8 or anything that's crazy like that. Plus, I will be doing a lot of driving like 100 miles a day for work. So, something that's reliable too.

Suggestions please? Thanks! 🙂
Click to expand...

Audi S4
 
Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever
Originally posted by: SithSolo1
Originally posted by: Wag
Subaru Impreza WRX STi Sedan
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good choice but he's gonna need to spend some extra dough for a sound system.
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Yeah, plus the Evo is better.
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Probably get the dealer to come down quite a bit. The non STi model is nice too, and $25k.

I like Subarus. Nice cars, last forever, and you get the AWD.

2005 Legacy GT is sweet.
 
You live in Florida so splurge and get something RWD and sporty!

Pontiac GTO, reliable, holy hell its reliable and gets 28mpg on the freeway!

Why not get a convertible?
Mini Cooper S Convert - made by BMW

Can you get a 300C Hemi for $32K - This car adds personality to a person plus has a big 7yr warranty

And for sheer fun to drive you can not go wrong with the 330Ci







 
Originally posted by: gluck
German cars are good for the first few years. They don't have the reliability like Japnese
Click to expand...

And they are expensive to repair once the warranty runs out.

Most used BMWs seem to have high miles on them also.
 
Originally posted by: mchammer187
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Originally posted by: Danman
I'm getting a promotion soon and I'll probably be buying a newer used car end of this coming summer. I want to get something that's less than 3 years old and I kind of had these cars in mind:

2002+ BMW 325ci
2002+ MB C240 Compressor

I was also looking at the Infiniti G35 Coupe, but I do not know ANYTHING about them. I'm trying to keep this under 32k. I'm looking for something that is sporty, yet a nice luxury ride. Don't need a V8 or anything that's crazy like that. Plus, I will be doing a lot of driving like 100 miles a day for work. So, something that's reliable too.

Suggestions please? Thanks! 🙂
Click to expand...

What wastes of money. If oyu are going to blow $30K, jsut get a Volve XC70. BMW 325s are for wannabes. You look like a moron to most people. if oyu really want a BMW, it better be 5 series or better.
Click to expand...


maybe you should take a look at the 5 series

it looks like crap

give me a 330i / Ci anyday

325i is not bad either but a 330i is much better


7 series is not automatically better than 5 series which is not automatically better than a 3 series

is a 525 i any better it has the same 2.5 L engine that is in the 3 series and just slower and uglier

if you think that you must own a 5 series or better than you are more of a badge whore than any 325 owner
Click to expand...

the E39 barely weighed more than the E46. it wasn't really much slower. if you said you could tell a difference without a stopwatch i'd call you a liar.
 
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