Got $15000 to spend on a car in REAL LIFE, what should I get?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ewgf
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Originally posted by M5Power
Now that you've heard all that, here's the answer:
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1994-1996 BMW 5-series V8: V8 originally on 540 only, but later expanded to 530i
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Do NOT, I mean absolutely do NOT purchase a '94 or 95 V8 powered 5 series unless you have documented proof the Nikasil short-block has been replaced with one containing Alusil sleeves. If you don't, you're taking a crap shoot at replacing the block yourself at sometime. ($$$)

Shame on you, Doug. As a BMW man, you should have known better!


///M-Spec
 
i was wondering if anyone knows a good used car site?my brother is looking to buy his 1st car and has $1500 maximum to spend.it would help if the site was close to ontario canada.
 
Originally posted by ///M-Spec

Shame on you, Doug. As a BMW man, you should have known better!


///M-Spec
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:(

Thanks for the update, though - I'm officially removing said years from my 'top 55 used cars' list based on reliability.
 
Originally posted by Dark Skyline
get an used rx7
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That is truly horrible advice.

First, he said he needed a 4-door car.
Second, he said he needed a reliable car.

RX-7's are not reliable cars. The interior trim, wiring and even the paint on RX-7's dies faster than most cars, and they've had recalls on the cooling system, fuel lines and brakes. On top of that, most Mazda dealers don't know how to fix them, so you're very limited on where you can get them worked on. Even RX-7 fansites will tell you that. As a matter of fact, let me quote one:



Many people ask me about purchasing a 93-95 (3rd Gen) RX-7 as an only, daily driven car. These cars are not known for their reliability and they are absolutely scary in any amount of snow. Many, many people have had to replace their engines well before 100,000 miles. And an engine overhaul is expensive ($5000 or more with labor) because the engine must be completely removed from the car. The turbo control system is complex and prone to problems. Repair and upkeep can be expensive because the cars are rare and most Mazda dealers are not familiar with them. I've heard hundreds of horror stories from people that had minor problems that were diagnosed by their dealer as something much more expensive such as "need new turbos" when only a vacuum hose was loose, or "need a new pre-catalytic converter" when the problem had nothing to do with the exhaust.

I can't really recommend a 3rd gen for someone that doesn't have the ability or desire to learn how to maintain it themselves unless you are lucky enough (and rich enough) to be near one of the rotary specialty shops (PFS, Pettit, Mostly Mazda, Rotary performance, KD Rotary, etc.)

Rob Robinette
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Originally posted by ewgf
I actually like the 1999 Accord EX V6 2-door better. Maybe my parents won't be too unhappy if I get the Coupe instead since "it's a Honda" :). I'm still thinking about this.

Another thing I'm concerned about is where to find these cars. Someone suggested ebayautos.com. I have visited that page quite frequently but I never had actual ONLINE CAR TRADING experience. I wonder how safe that is. I sold and bought things up to $1000 value on eBay but cars might be a different story.

So my first option right now is the local private parties but that could mean longer wait and less selection. Any suggestions on this? Thanks. :)
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Where do you live? You should be able to find some certified used dealers, which is the first thing to check. For example, if you're looking at a 1999 Accord, you'd be crazy not to get a certified one, because they get a new warranty that lasts 7 years / 100,000 miles from the original purchase, so on a 1999 you'd have another 3 years of factory service left.

Honda even has a vehicle locator on their site:
http://www.hondacars.com/certified/landing.asp

It's really nice... For example, for my zip code, I just had it search for Accords under $15,000 and it came back with a ton of results, like:

Code: 
Year Model                            Color  Price   Mileage
---- -------------------------------- ------ ------- -------
1999 Accord Coupe EX V-6 with Leather Green  $14,950  54,122
1999 Accord Coupe EX V-6 with Leather Plum   $14,495  66,000
1998 Accord Coupe EX V-6 with Leather Red    $14,995  77,799

2000 Accord Sedan EX V-6 with Leather Black  $14,440  53,547
1999 Accord Sedan EX V-6 with Leather Black  $14,995  76,940
1999 Accord Sedan EX V-6 with Leather White  $14,588  65,829
1999 Accord Sedan EX V-6 with Leather Silver $14,980  67,691
1998 Accord Sedan EX V-6 with Leather White  $12,400  66,364
1998 Accord Sedan EX V-6 with Leather Silver $12,995  72,687

It'll even give you the VIN number if you click on the car.

Acura also has a certified used vehicle locator:
http://www.acura.com/eacura/eacura_frameset.asp?page=pre_search&module=prea

So does Lexus:
http://www.lexus.com/cpo/index.html

Lexus has a really nice search engine, but they don't have anything before 1998, and the 1998 ES 300's still go for about $18,000.

Non-certified cars are a little cheaper, but you really have to check the certified ones first.

You really couldn't get screwed buying a car on eBay any worse than buying a car from anyone. It's not like anybody's going to just mail $15,000 in cash and expect the car to be delivered, so you'll have a chance to drive it and look at it before you buy it.

There's certainly nothing wrong with getting something that isn't certified, but if you're going to spend $15,000, you should expect something in very good condition and a documented service history.
 
Originally posted by BadBatsuMaru

So does Lexus:
http://www.lexus.com/cpo/index.html

Lexus has a really nice search engine, but they don't have anything before 1998, and the 1998 ES 300's still go for about $18,000.
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The body was given a very classy makeover in 1997, so the prices should tail off before then, if you're going to check out the ES. Its first year was 1992, though the idea debuted in 1990 with a model known as the ES250, which is slightly under your price range (though very cool, and very rare).
 
If you want a good used car site:

www.autotrader.com is alright. Just type in your zip code, how much you are willing to spend and how far you are willing to travel and it will come up with everything that fits your info. Its like a newspaper add on the net, and it is pretty safe, as they put their phone # so you can call them etc...
 
Originally posted by M5Power
The body was given a very classy makeover in 1997, so the prices should tail off before then, if you're going to check out the ES. Its first year was 1992, though the idea debuted in 1990 with a model known as the ES250, which is slightly under your price range (though very cool, and very rare).
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My mom has a 1999 ES 300. There's something strange about that car. It really doesn't look like that big a car from the outside, but when you're in it, it just seems huge. Maybe it's just how big the console is, and all the buttons and controls are really big and spaced really far apart.
 

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