Another new car search, changing my mind?

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I'd say that either a Subaru Legacy (Outback?) or a Volvo XC70 is your best bet for a four wheel drive estate, but if you're prepared to go with something rear wheel drive I'd really recommend a Volvo 240. They're incredibly rust proof (they need to be in Sweden), and the only reliability issue that ever comes up with them under anything other than extraordinary circumstances is that the gearboxes on the automatic models tend to give up after about 25 years and aren't easy to replace, so manual transmission is advised.
 
Yes. When buying an estate, one's first thought is always "I want the one with the most power and torque that is easiest to modify."

How could that never have occurred to me?
 
I don't specifically want a cruddy interior, I just don't consider interior quality as important as performance.

If you're searching for a comfortable and reliable daily driver, performance really isn't on the top of the list of things to consider. As long as the car has enough power to merge on the interstate without any problems, that is plenty.
 
You're forgetting the two main rules of being a car enthusiast. First, there's never any such thing as "enough horsepower", let alone "too much horsepower". Second, it's about want, not need. There are a ridiculous number of cars that fit his needs, but who really wants a FWD car remarkable only for its interior quality?
 
You know there are cars that have decent interiors and are fast right? You don't have to choose.
 
You're forgetting the two main rules of being a car enthusiast. First, there's never any such thing as "enough horsepower", let alone "too much horsepower". Second, it's about want, not need. There are a ridiculous number of cars that fit his needs, but who really wants a FWD car remarkable only for its interior quality?
I'm starting to see why a lot of people make fun of you.
 
Well yeah, like the Cadillac CTS wagons. But I doubt he can afford one of those given the other cars he's looking at.

Those aren't fast unless you get a V, the normal 3.6L one isn't. And Cadillac interiors are pretty meh compared to their German rivals.

But there are plenty of nice cars from Subaru, Volvo, and Saab that make good wagons with respectable performance and comfortable interiors.
 
You're forgetting the two main rules of being a car enthusiast. First, there's never any such thing as "enough horsepower", let alone "too much horsepower". Second, it's about want, not need. There are a ridiculous number of cars that fit his needs, but who really wants a FWD car remarkable only for its interior quality?


Do you ever read what you post?

Or do you just smash your face against the keyboard and let autocorrect do its thing?
 
You're forgetting the two main rules of being a car enthusiast. First, there's never any such thing as "enough horsepower", let alone "too much horsepower". Second, it's about want, not need. There are a ridiculous number of cars that fit his needs, but who really wants a FWD car remarkable only for its interior quality?

There are rules of being a car enthusiast? :lol:
 
Yes. When buying an estate, one's first thought is always "I want the one with the most power and torque that is easiest to modify."

How could that never have occurred to me?
Wait, that's exactly what I've been looking for, is there something wrong with that? :dunce: Yes there's something wrong with me.
 
I really am thinking of going for the 2004 IS300 Sportcross in NY... Talked with the dealer showing my interest and also got my parents slightly interested in helping out. From the pictures, I did notice that the "I" was missing from the badge, but I suppose I could act surprised and try to run the price lower. If that helps... The asking price is basically for one in excellent condition. The dealership got back to me and said they'd take the Mazda for $5k.

I really am going against my original requirements. Is that bad? :lol:
 
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That's literally a $1.50 piece of plastic missing, but get all the leverage you can :lol:
 
You're forgetting the two main rules of being a car enthusiast. First, there's never any such thing as "enough horsepower", let alone "too much horsepower". Second, it's about want, not need. There are a ridiculous number of cars that fit his needs, but who really wants a FWD car remarkable only for its interior quality?

You can be a car enthusiast and still have a boring, unremarkable FWD car with a comfortable interior. Generally most people make a little bit of a compromise if they can't have two vehicles but in a daily driver I'd rather have a comfortable interior over horsepower or speed. Of course my daily driver is an almost 23 year old, dually diesel truck with a bench seat so most new cars have great interiors to me. :lol: Wait, I drive a diesel truck, does that mean I'm not a car enthusiast?

I'm am curious about something though, did you choose to purchase your Sunbird or was it given to you?
 
A combination of both, sort of. It was a hand-me-down, which at one point I wanted because "it's like the FWD compact most people have for their first car, but it has two more cylinders so it's better". I also got 6 grand to spend on car-related stuff only, and as you see from the other thread I'm now considering spending some of that on a replacement.
 
A combination of both, sort of. It was a hand-me-down, which at one point I wanted because "it's like the FWD compact most people have for their first car, but it has two more cylinders so it's better". I also got 6 grand to spend on car-related stuff only, and as you see from the other thread I'm now considering spending some of that on a replacement.

I have a Chevrolet Sonic sedan with an automatic transmission. Does that not make me a car enthusiast?
 
I have a Ford Escape SUV with an automatic gearbox and a "dreary" 4 cylinder turbo engine.:lol:
I guess for people like him I'm not even someone worth approaching.
 
That's literally a $1.50 piece of plastic missing, but get all the leverage you can :lol:

It can help, because there can be people who are picky about it. Working at a dealership myself, I know how picky people can be even for a used car... I mean, it's a BMW dealership, you should expect quality from them. :p Then again, it's still a used car.
 
I'm the worst of all to him, the European socialist in the Prius... :rolleyes:

The only thing that defines a car enthusiast is an enthusiasm for cars. Even the Morris Marina owner's club count.
 
Hate to double post... But I was thinking...how rare is the IS300 Sportcross in Electric Green Mica. Because...:drool:

Quite rare - seems most of the IS SportCrosses I've seen were in the standard palette of gray, silver, white, black.

By the way, the hatch area is not terribly big. The Mazda 6 wagon is far larger, in comparison.

Also, the tires have a teensy bit of staggered fitment: 215/45R16 front, 225/45R16 in the rear. You can fit 225s on any of the four corners, if you want to rotate the tires (and therefore, preserve tire life).
 
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Starting to have some doubts now as my parents gave me their final verdict and refused to help out. (Well, my mom freaked out with it being in New York and I can only assume my dad would as well) I suppose I could try a little more and see if my father would listen... Any other possibilities? I've got two grand and the five grand for the Mazda... I'm almost thinking of asking another family member, but I feel rather doubtful about that.

Edit: How would financing work? And would the price still be negotiable when doing financing? I've practically got $7k, but obviously not entirely enough to to buy the car outright even if I can negotiate a lower price... Never done it before, but I'm considering it if this car turns out good (in person, planning on heading down the 17th but not entirely sure about buying it on that day).


@Pupik
I'll be honest, I wasn't looking that much for rear cargo space. Like I said before, I suppose I really am just being ridiculous about only wanting a wagon despite some more common alternatives. Especially with the IS300 Sportcross only selling 3,078 models from 2002 to 2005. And there's only 384 of the 2004 year model. I'd love the green, but being a used car, I can't be too picky with it and how hard it is to find.
 
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Hate to double post...but I thought I'd ask this. Is it possible to ask the dealership I work at to...purchase/trade with the dealership in New York for that IS300? I know it's possible to ask for a new car or one in auction, but what about a used car that's on the front line of another dealership? I can only assume that it may be costly...

Was thinking of driving to NY to look at the car, but now I want to ask my dealership if they could possibly get it for me...
 
Better ask and make nice-nice with the sales manager or whoever's in charge of that call.

I don't think a trade is going to occur between New York and Maine, unless there is a lot of profit involved.
 
I would assume that they probably wouldn't want to go through all the effort of getting me one car. Ugh, the pains of being a picky person who wants a specific car. :indiff:
 
I would assume that they probably wouldn't want to go through all the effort of getting me one car. Ugh, the pains of being a picky person who wants a specific car. :indiff:

I know the feeling but the best advice I can give you is to just be patient. I was prepared to travel nearly all the way across the country to purchase my truck and drive it back (after years of searching) but I found exactly what I was looking for not 30 minutes from me. If you obsess over one specific car you'll just drive yourself insane.
 
New York isn't quite that far, but I suppose I could wait. Also asked the employee who manages the auction cars at my workplace to keep a lookout for any. Considering that it may take some time, I could also wait for my friend who's coming back to Maine in June and would offer more for the Mazda than the BMW dealership.

Edit: On the other hand, are there any opinions on the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer wagon?
 
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Yes, avoid a ten-year-old Mitsubishi the same way one might avoid having their identity stolen.

A more recent Ralliart Sportback might be something interesting, and less of a maintenance headache, but they started at $28K back in 2010. Doubtful they'll drop to your original price point.
 
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