Another new car search, changing my mind?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MedigoFlame
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MedigoFlame
Looking it up, taking the highway with some tolls, it'd be four hours to get to the BMW dealership with the grey IS300. But, being out of state, I wouldn't know where to get it checked out... I suppose I could feel somewhat relaxed as it's at an actual dealership, rather than a sketchy wholesale one. At the same time, it would be difficult to get the price down I suppose.

Unfortunately the green one was already sold... :(
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Research, research, research.

With most cars nowadays, there are forums online dedicated to the discussion of these cars. Go on those forums and browse and read up all about the cars. What are the weak spots? What commonly wears out? What are the expensiv fixes? What are the small details that an uncaring owner wouldn't notice? Often times, someone on these forums would have compiled a buyer's guide or something like that. These forums will likely also have recommendations for shops that do good work in whatever area. Take all this information, ask the seller all the relevant questions, ask if title is clean and on hand, ask if they have all service records, ask what maintenance has been done, ask if whatever weak spot has been fixed, ask what issues there are (and the more honest the seller, the better it is), then call the shop that are deemed reputable and see if they will do pre-purchase inspections and what that entails. Get all the VIN numbers and run a history. Ask for plenty of pictures, especially in rust prone areas or for shots that can demonstrate a lot of information. Look at overall cleanliness of car. Request that the owner take the car to a local shop of your choice for a pre-purchase inspection (that's on your dime). If everything checks out, negotiate a deal pending your final in-person inspection and fly out and pick it up.

If you do your research and homework and really learn about the car that you want, and the other key being patient, you will find the right car at the right price. This means being willing to walk away from a deal, or if car has red flags, be able to walk away even if it seems so enticing. Fortunately for you, you still have a functional car, so you can afford to wait and shop for a bit. But research and patience really are the keys to finding the right car.

Dealerships generally don't mean much unless you're purchasing a certified used car from that brand's dealer with a warranty. Everything is Caveat Emptor. You need to make sure to do your research and protect yourself and only buy if it feels right.
 
Been doing some research on the '04 IS300. Even contacted the dealership with the grey one. I suppose the only comforting thing that I can really think of...or hope...is that it's not a wholesale dealership. Working at a large one and having dealt with a wholesale dealership before, there is a large difference in quality. Still doesn't mean I can easily just say yes of course.

Anyways, my main concern with the IS300 is insurance... I have a clean record, but unfortunately, knowing that insurance companies hate 20 year olds...especially with luxury cars. I could only assume that it'd be a pain.

Want one so bad though. :(
 
MedigoFlame
Anyways, my main concern with the IS300 is insurance... I have a clean record, but unfortunately, knowing that insurance companies love 20 year olds...especially with luxury cars. I could only assume that it'd be a pain.

Want one so bad though. :(
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ftfy

I don't think insurance would be terribly expensive considering it only has 220 hp (correct me if I'm wrong?) plus it's a 4-door station wagon. There's a big discount there :sly:
 
ildd
ftfy

I don't think insurance would be terribly expensive considering it only has 220 hp (correct me if I'm wrong?) plus it's a 4-door station wagon. There's a big discount there :sly:
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It was 215HP from the factory when new. Obviously, who knows how much it is now. I remember my friend had his dynoed and it only made around 200HP or less.

My biggest concern now is cash... It's the only one I've found and I only just found out that my friend who offered $6300 for my Mazda doesn't have the money. So I toyed with the idea of asking about how much the trade-in would be for the car, but they haven't gotten back to me yet. I can only assume the lowest would be somewhere like $4k with the rust issue and w/e else they may find. :nervous: On top of that I only have about $3k extra to spend, which basically totals out to only $7k (obviously, I won't know until the actual trade-in offer) Don't know how long it'd take to sell my car on CL or how long the IS300 would be staying at the dealership, but I want it so bad.

I feel like I'm jumping into this too quickly as my brother keeps telling me... But I want to get a new car soon that's much more dependable than my Mazda. I'm just about desperate enough to ask either my parents or another family member for help. And pay them back over time... Of course, I'm leaning towards a family member, more than my parents as they get very stingy about money.
 
Are you really sure that an $8000 car is going to be much more reliable then your Mazda though? I know you spoke about rust but unless the whole underbody is disintegrating that's hardly more then a cosmetic issue. And if you're selling it for $6300 to a friend, its dealership price would be closer to $7000-$8000 I imagine?

I mean I don't want to rain on your parade but I know the Mazda 6 well and they're good cars. If I was you I'd be patient and wait for something really perfect to show up, or wait 'till you've got a bit more money to spend.
 
I honestly think you're rushing into this way too quickly.

I understand how much you want an IS Sportcross, and the fact that they are pretty rare makes it even more tempting to jump on it as soon as you see one. That, though, is the quickest way to get burned. You may get lucky and end up with a car that needs very little to make perfect, but chances are it'll be more than you expect. Personally, I think it's wise to try and keep a budget of 15%-20% of sale price of the car "in reserve" dedicated to the things that needs immediate attention right after the sale to cover my butt in case anything happens. After a few months, only then do I "release" those reserve funds.

I've got a feeling that your desire is clouding your judgement, and that you know that right now is not truly the right time. I know you're eager to rid of your 6, but hold on to it for now, drive it, and be patient in saving up more money and finding the right IS.



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Also, use SearchTempest to search all Craigslist across the country. And did you post a Wanted Craigslist ad for an IS300 Sportcross?
 
I am rushing it... As for the Mazda, there's more to it than rust. Pre-2006 V6 models are plagued with a catalytic converter issue that hits them near the 100k mark and mine's hit it. I plan on moving out soon enough and want a car that I know will be reliable. I can fix the mechanicals, but I know that it may not last for long.

Also, thanks @Crash for SearchTempest! I was hoping to find something that could search across the country, but never really knew or looked hard enough for something that could do that... Unfortunately the closest one I could find was an '02 IS300 Sportcross in Connecticut...that's been modified...
 
Soda01
What about something like this, then? http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/cto/4428962566.html

Magnums are relatively reliable (at least not any worse then BMWs/Audis), easy and cheap to repair, and good to drive. With your budget you could even find an R/T with the Hemi if you're patient.
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Well...I was kind of considering one of those. I do work at a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealership. :lol:

Did find this R/T AWD model...but it's modified...
00K0K_iRnoedWFgyV_600x450.jpg

http://maine.craigslist.org/ctd/4461860770.html

Edit: Although...I've been looking at photos of the interior and can only be concerned that the...quality is very poor with all the hard plastics. I've worked on an '06 Durango of the same years and the interiors are awful. :yuck:
 
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E36 ALPINA TOURING

image-1.jpeg


E34 Touring

E34-BMW-M5-Touring-1.jpg



BBS wheels or Alpina wheels. That's the best for Bimmers ;) !!!
 
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Caldina GT-FOUR?

2003-Toyota-Caldina-GT-FOUR_1.jpg


AWD, Turbo, Wagon, Reliable, 2000's

These things are actually great fun, a true pleasure to drive and IMO quite exciting to look at; I know I always turn my head for them!
 
Davoxx
E36 ALPINA TOURING
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Any Alpina is rare and commands a significant premium over regular BMWs. Not to mention E36 Tourings were never imported to the US.

Davoxx
E34 Touring
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Doable, and could fit well. Just needs to find one in good condition and has been maintained well, and then be willing to continue maintaining it as well. AWD ones are incredibly rare though.

UrieHusky
Caldina GT-FOUR?

AWD, Turbo, Wagon, Reliable, 2000's

These things are actually great fun, a true pleasure to drive and IMO quite exciting to look at; I know I always turn my head for them!
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Caldinas were never imported to the US either.

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What is the catalytic converter issue? What happens to the car?

My 2003 6 has just passed 100k miles. I should probably find out what this is about...
 
What about a Jaguar X-Type Estate? I mean, reliability wise its obviously not a Lexus but once again I can't imagine it being worse then anything German.

Otherwise they're very nice cars, AWD, 3.0L V6, very nice interior..
I couldn't find one near you but here's one in Chicago as an example: Link
 
@Davoxx, pretty sure the Alpina E36 Touring was never sold here...either that or they're really rare.

@UrieHusky The Caldina was never sold here...

@Crash All pre-2006 model Mazda 6's fitted with the 3.0L Duratec V6 from Ford are all plagued with this issue, they'll hit it sometime or another... Mine managed to hit it before the 100k mark. What happens is a misfire will occur and dump fuel into the pre-cat. Filling it up and eventually clogging it, choking the engine. Likely the reason why I see so many Mazda 6's on craigslist needing engines... Finally...in 2006 and after, they fixed that issue. But as it's not covered or recalled, you have to do it yourself to get aftermarket ones, because it will happen again for OEM pre-cats. Even replacing them is still unproven, so I just don't want to live with the fear of it coming up again after fixing it. You shouldn't be worried if your's is the 2.3L I-4.

@Soda01 I wouldn't mind an X-Type Estate, but those are even rarer than IS300 Sportcross's here. Only around a thousand were actually sold in the United States.
 
Overall I think your best bet would be a Subaru of some kind. They've got the reliability you're looking for, they're great in the winter, moderately interesting to drive. Obviously they've got a certain image attached to them up here in the north (its the same thing here, probably even worse:lol:) but at the same time you've got to think there's a reason they're so popular.

Personally I'd try finding a Legacy Wagon/Outback. The Imprezas are nice as well but unless you can find a WRX (very unlikely in your price range unless there's something wrong with it) the sacrifice in comfort isn't worth it.

Edit: Here's a very nice Outback I've found, fully loaded with only 70k miles: http://maine.craigslist.org/ctd/4456291650.html
 
I suppose it would be reasonable to look at one. But I just hate my trust issues that I came from purchasing from a wholesale/used dealership. Especially working at a dealership, I know just how bad some of the cars that those used car dealerships get. And there's always something hiding that I don't want, but then again, that can be said for any used car.

Subaru's can still be rather ridiculously taxed due to the desirability in Maine. I'm sure it goes for much of the north. And I would say the image attached to Subaru's is far from likeable, but then again, I really shouldn't be that concerned with "image."

I would personally prefer the regular Legacy wagon over the Outback, but haven't had much luck on craigslist. On the other hand, Autotrader seems to have a few. At wholesale dealerships... Just knowing how poor of a quality those dealerships give you is worrisome in itself.


Not sure if I really did mention this, but I've always played the stupid idea of hoping something good would come in at work. As working at a dealership, an employee can buy whatever comes in for a trade-in. For the same exact price as the dealership paid the customer who traded the car in, but with tax and fees. If only Chrysler customers had something as interesting and as rare as the IS300 Sportcross... I suppose I could ask the employee who deals with auctions and wholesales to keep a look out...but that will take some more time I suppose.


Edit: Saw an X-Type wagon today in dark green... Thing was beautiful! :drool: (Well...maybe not quite the IS300 for me). How would those be on reliability and...insurance?
 
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MedigoFlame
Edit: Saw an X-Type wagon today in dark green... Thing was beautiful! :drool: (Well...maybe not quite the IS300 for me). How would those be on reliability and...insurance?
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In terms of insurance I imagine it would be somewhere between a BMW/Audi and a Toyota/Honda. Obviously Jags aren't often modified and generally driven by older folk, but at the same time its still a luxury brand.

As far as reliability goes, its obviously no Lexus but it won't be worse then anything German. Its based on the same platform as the Ford Mondeo but only about 20% of its parts are (European) Ford. Its got Jaguar's AJ30 engine, which is based on Ford's 3.0L Duratec but many parts are different and as far as I know it doesn't have any of the problems you've had with your Mazda. The gearbox IIRC is a 100% Jaguar unit as well.

Overall they're beautiful cars so if you can find one definitely consider it.:)

Edit: I've found an X-Type Estate in Maine. Its got a bit of mileage on it and its at a (Ford) dealership, but its a fully loaded version with the 3.0L V6 and AWD: Here's the Link
 
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@Soda01 I would love to, but I just wouldn't be sure about owning a Jaguar I suppose... I came across that same Jaguar on Autotrader and looked at the dealer's website. It's not listed so I can only suspect that it's gone. The only other one I saw was in Mass.

Can't help but hate my stupid dilemma... I wouldn't mind a 9-2X or Legacy, but it'd have to be a stick. And the IS300 is far and rather expensive...considering insurance and gas for those as well. (Talked a little more with a friend who had some personal experience with a 2001 sedan) I'm just being ridiculous. :ouch:
 
It's okay to be ridiculous, just be patient and the right one will pop up. You have a fairly reliable car so theres no reason to settle on something you dont really want.
 
Another car you could consider is a Saab 9-5 Wagon. We've had one at work today, very nice car both inside and out, can also be had with a stick.

Here's 2 near Portland:
Link
Link
 
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Get a V8 Magnum and force yourself to not care about interior materials quality.

If that's not possible, all my other suggestions are older than you want and not AWD.
 

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