Mini Cooper in Route Across the Pond

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Joey D

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Alright, this is nothing definitive, but I got my stock market statement today and I have more money then I thought I did in it. I'm thinking about a new car, either before winter or in the spring (probably more along the lines of spring time). However, I would like to start getting some ideas so I can do some research and get some test drives in.

With the money from the market and the value of my truck I'm looking at about $20,000 for a car. Yes I want a car, no trucks or SUV's. A hatchback or an estate is ok though, I'd have no problem driving either one. I don't really want a coupe but I'd be fine with one. So ideally a saloon car.

I don't require something blisteringly fast. I do require, however a car that is comfortable.

I'm not opposed to used cars but only ones 3 or 4 years old and that I can get with less the 35,000 miles on it. I would love a new car but all the new cars I can find are crap in that price range.

So far these are the cars I've looked at:
- 2006 Nissan Altima, 4 cylinder, 34,000 miles, $16,000
- 2005 Subaru Legacy GT, 4 cylinder turbo, 35,000 miles, $19,500
- 2003 BMW 325i, 6 cylinder, 30,000 miles, $19,500

Like I said this might not come to pass for a little while yet, but I would like to start thinking about it. Any help would be appreciated.
 
From what I can see...
Altima...I'd look for a V6 model. Haven't heard much about the four.
Legacy...Hey, 4WD, a Turbo? I imagine it'd be like a grown-up WRX
BMW...That might be the one i'd spring for. Then again, I'm not you.

What about a Pre-'79 car? Something the value might appreciate on?
 
I have to drive it everyday and through a Michigan winter. A car that is from before the 80's would rust like tomorrow with the amount of salt that gets put on our roads. Plus I can't garage my car since my mom uses it for her business.
 
A Rabbit GTi or some other Mk. IV/V Golf-based VW product? Maybe a Mk. IV GTi? Hell, what about a Jetta VR6 4motion? Maybe an Audi A4 of some sort? I like this one, but it is 6 years old.
 
Between those three listed and nothing else I'd choose the Subby Legacy GT. If I had a choice of something else I'd spring for either an Audi A6 or an Infiniti G35 Sedan. Both are available with AWD and are super nice and great cars to own. And most importantly can be had for less than $20k within your 3-4 year time period limit.
 
A Rabbit GTi or some other Mk. IV/V Golf-based VW product? Maybe a Mk. IV GTi? Hell, what about a Jetta VR6 4motion?

OMG.....YSSMAN has Hijacked Toronado's account!
 
The GTi is an awesome car but brand new they are so bloody expensive for whatever reason.

Any thoughts on Volvos?
 
The problem with Volvos is that the S40 sucked until it was recently redesigned, and S60's would probably be too expensive.
Maybe a Chrysler 300M?
 
I refuse to ever own a Chrysler product...I just have something against them.

I see what you mean about the Volvo's though while looking on Autotrader, anything affordable has way to many miles.
 
Like I said this might not come to pass for a little while yet, but I would like to start thinking about it. Any help would be appreciated.

If you own your Blazer, keep it and drive it into the ground. Own appreciating assets - your stocks will serve you far better in the long run than a car.

I'd recommend a 2002 Audi S4.

Toronado
Maybe an Audi A4 of some sort?

Three months, one minor (cheap) problem. Go Audi!
 
I own it, I ended up paying cash for it when I bought it. But the money I'm using on a new car won't be all my stock money. I'm saving a larger portion of it for grad school.
 
OMG.....YSSMAN has Hijacked Toronado's account!

Nuh Uh!

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2004.volkswagen.passat.26050-E.jpg

(Get a set of three-piece BBS wheels on there and you're set...)

My recommendation: The 2001-2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 4MOTION. Not only is the car outrageously good looking and quite a satisfactory drive, they were actually built pretty well for Volkswagens of that era. You can find them, wagon or sedan, in pretty good shape for well-under $20K these days (I think the last one I looked at was $17K). Best news of all is that it can be had with a six-speed manual. SWEET!

I have no idea what the long-term costs would be, but they were excellent, excellent vehicles. Its kinda sad that these cars were worth well over $40K new, and just a few years later have their prices cut by more than half. Even the Phaeton, another exceptionally good car, has faired much the same fate.

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2004.pontiac.gto.28169-E.jpg

(I like them best in Purple or Blue with the matching interior...)

Otherwise, if you're willing to attempt a RWD car in the Michigan winter (it isn't like Detroit is as bad as Grand Rapids...), I'd HIGHLY suggest the 2004 Pontiac GTO. Yes, I realize it has "only" the 350 BHP LS1, but its still a wonderful car. I was looking at one recently, and I was again quite surprised by the price. There was one for sale near my house for $17K with only 30K on the clock, and it had a T56 (bonus!).

The major advantage to the GTO is that they seem to be pretty cheap to own and operate (insurance rates were right about $200 a month for me), and the gas mileage isn't too bad either. They're built exceptionally well for a GM car, and furthermore, drive just as well as any German coupe out there for the same price... Plus, it has a V8, and thats always a bonus for me. And if you're worried about the winter, get a good set of Blizzacks, and you should be good with the TCS offered in the car.

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2006.chevrolet.impala.20022707-E.jpg

2005.pontiac.grandprix.20023707-E.jpg

(I like the Chevy better, but that depends on where your priorities are...)

Lastly, I have yet one more GM vehicle to recommend: The late-model GMPD W-Bodies, those being the Impala SS and Pontiac Grand Prix GXP. I've seen a pretty fair share of them going for less than $20K with fewer than 10K on the clock, many times less than a year old. You'd still have the GM warranty, you'd get the rock-solid reliability of the W-Body, and furthermore you get a 303 BHP small-block to play with. Only problem is, they power the wrong wheels, but it gets the job done. Furthermore, the fuel mileage isn't bad, and you can run it on regular fuel. I personally like the looks and the attitude of the Impala SS better, but if you want performance, the Grand Prix GXP has it just a bit better.
 
If you own your Blazer, keep it and drive it into the ground. Own appreciating assets - your stocks will serve you far better in the long run than a car.

I'd recommend a 2002 Audi S4.



Three months, one minor (cheap) problem. Go Audi!

He doesn't need an S4, an S4 would raise his insurance so high it would be like making a car payment.

I own it, I ended up paying cash for it when I bought it. But the money I'm using on a new car won't be all my stock money. I'm saving a larger portion of it for grad school.

Oh, if you own the Blazer then why not just drive it for practically free (insurance should be cheap) and save up your money for something you REALLY REALLY want. Or save up for a house. *shrug*
 
He doesn't need an S4, an S4 would raise his insurance so high it would be like making a car payment.

He speaks the truth!

10,000 points to you and your family. Points are redeemable at your local Grayhound Bus Station, limited to trips shorter than 350 miles, and expire on the 31st of October 2007.

...Personally I always consider insurance rates first. I personally know I can't afford much more than $150 a month, so I base my new car decisions around that. Fuel mileage factors in too, but I'm willing to sacrifice a bit for a kick-ass car...
 
And you'd be a smart man for doing this. Insurance companies are legalized extortionists. I priced out a normal A6 with the V6 non-quattro and it rated a 16 on the symbol scale while the S4 was 20 I think. I'll have to find my notes from last year.
 
A 16 pretty much maxes out my scale for what I can afford these days. I clearly remember that a Jetta GLX VR6 that I was looking at about the same time I was checking out my Wolfsburg was a 16 (Or was it a 19? Either way, I found it quite surprising, particularly when my Jetta was a 14), and pretty far out of my range at the time (I was 18, insurance would have been $190 a month).

I usually find that European cars are the worst for insurance rates despite the fact that they are often more safe. Blame it on the parts I suppose, but its just that easy. My Jetta has gotten really cheap, and the MKIV models I keep looking at really aren't that much more expensive. The W8 Passat I mentioned there, if I recall correctly, wasn't rated too bad for me... But it being a mid-size luxury vehicle, it isn't like its that cheap either.

I usually pick a few cars, get a rough estimate as to what they would cost per month on insurance (check Allstate's ball-park estimate. I usually cut $40 off for State Farm), and then check what my price range is for a car. Usually insurance rates cut that significantly... Which sucks.

...Must be nice to be like Doug with money in the family...

(kidding!)
 
I own it, I ended up paying cash for it when I bought it. But the money I'm using on a new car won't be all my stock money. I'm saving a larger portion of it for grad school.

Consider leasing a more expensive vehicle rather than purchasing and shouldering the depreciation. As you know, the Blazer you're presently in lost significant value - you're already thinking of replacing it meaning you didn't keep it very long; perhaps you should've considered leasing to begin with. Again - own appreciating assets. Consider renting depreciating ones. That money could better serve you elsewhere - presuming you make good decisions you can probably get off cheaper if you lease (or even finance rather than purchase with cash).

JCE3000GT
He doesn't need an S4, an S4 would raise his insurance so high it would be like making a car payment.

My A4 2.8, which is the most powerful non-S4 model of this bodystyle, was fifteen percent cheaper to insure than the Ford Escape I was set to inherit. And I think we both know which car I'm going to go crazier in. SUVs tend to be much more expensive than cars, particularly for younger drivers - I bet a 2002 S4 (which has curtain side airbags and the same horsepower rating as the current six-cylinder Toyota Camry) would be only a bit more expensive to insure than his current vehicle.
 
Passat is a maybe, I still need to drive one. I've always liked the way they looked and it's a VW so I'm going to like it somewhat.

The GTO is a no, they are decent cars but I'm not looking for a sports car.

The Impalas are nice but I'd rather have the Grand Prix, I still need to test drive one and see how they are.

The Mazda 3 is a nice car, I really need to give one a better drive then I have in the past.

And Doug, by the time I sell the Blazer I will have had it for 5 years which is a decent amount of time. In the time I've owned it my parents have owned 2 cars a piece. I have no plans to lease, but I think I'd rather buy something I'll be happy with for a while. I'm just not happy with driving the Blazer right now, it's got a really rough ride (I know my fault), there are no power windows or locks, and a lot of problems are starting to arise. I don't want to keep putting money in the damn thing.

And I not going to be using all my money on this car from the market, I will still have a nice chunk invested.
 
Insurance, Picklesam, Insurance...that, and the old "Don't Lift" dictum could get confusing. besides, he already said he doesn't want a sports car.
 
And Doug, by the time I sell the Blazer I will have had it for 5 years which is a decent amount of time. In the time I've owned it my parents have owned 2 cars a piece. I have no plans to lease, but I think I'd rather buy something I'll be happy with for a while. I'm just not happy with driving the Blazer right now, it's got a really rough ride (I know my fault), there are no power windows or locks, and a lot of problems are starting to arise. I don't want to keep putting money in the damn thing.

I understand. From a financial standpoint I would still strongly recommend looking at other options or at least discussing it with me or someone before you jump into a purchase and take all the depreciation that involves, but if you're dead-set on owning a vehicle just for that 'peace of mind' then go for it - as long as you understand the opportunity cost of owning a vehicle and having all that money tied up in the vehicle rather than earning interest or working for you in the stock market while you pay on it monthly.
 
I am not familiar with the 2005 Legacy, but I can honestly say I love everything about my Subie. If I can answer anything specific about the Legacy, I'd be more than happy to share my thoughts. From what I understand, the stylings of the '05 are the same as the '08 with minor changes. What I will say is that the Subaru won't give you as good of gas mileage as you might think. Around town I'm getting 16.5-17 mpg and 25-26 mpg on the Hwy. It's still braking in, but the turbo likes gas for some reason. There also seems to be a lot of mods available for the Legacy as well. Seems like a solid built car.
 
I'm with Pako on this. The Legacy/Outback is nice. And a whole lot of fun in the snow.

My suggestions would be along the lines of a Lexus IS (any of them), Celica GT-S, an Accord (they are a decent drive and pretty nice all around), a Subaru WRX (the 06 I drove around for a while was just nice with all the comfy options) You may also want to consider the G35 or TL (I just love the look of the TL). BMW is also a nice option... but the Audi's I won't touch... anything related to VW is bleh. And Audi's just look soul less to me, and seem it too with the AWD and what.
 
I looked at a WRX wagon today and it was nice. They didn't have a Legacy on the lot in the way I wanted it.
 
A 16 pretty much maxes out my scale for what I can afford these days. I clearly remember that a Jetta GLX VR6 that I was looking at about the same time I was checking out my Wolfsburg was a 16 (Or was it a 19? Either way, I found it quite surprising, particularly when my Jetta was a 14), and pretty far out of my range at the time (I was 18, insurance would have been $190 a month).

I usually find that European cars are the worst for insurance rates despite the fact that they are often more safe. Blame it on the parts I suppose, but its just that easy. My Jetta has gotten really cheap, and the MKIV models I keep looking at really aren't that much more expensive. The W8 Passat I mentioned there, if I recall correctly, wasn't rated too bad for me... But it being a mid-size luxury vehicle, it isn't like its that cheap either.

I usually pick a few cars, get a rough estimate as to what they would cost per month on insurance (check Allstate's ball-park estimate. I usually cut $40 off for State Farm), and then check what my price range is for a car. Usually insurance rates cut that significantly... Which sucks.

...Must be nice to be like Doug with money in the family...

(kidding!)

A Passat was a 16 I think, unless you get the fabulously awsome W8 model. I never priced out a Jetta because I wouldn't want to own anything but a GLI or Bora...which would be very high insurance me thinks.

My A4 2.8, which is the most powerful non-S4 model of this bodystyle, was fifteen percent cheaper to insure than the Ford Escape I was set to inherit.

That's because SUVs and pickup trucks are rated differently than passenger cars. They're more on a percentage than a symbol number. And it isn't always about which is faster, alot more factors come with a symbol rating. And also keep in mind each state is slightly different in insurance premiums...with Texas being probably in the top 5 worst. For contrast a Mustang Cobra is rated a 25, a WRX is rated a 26, and a C5 Corvette is rated a 19. Think about that.

How ’bout a nice Mazda 3? 💡

My brother just bought one, a white saloon model. They are brilliant to drive, especially the 2.3L Duratec model. Plus it looks pretty good. My only complaint is the interior--while it LOOKS pretty cool the plastic feels...well...like a late 90's GM car.

mid 90s 911? Or put the $20k back into the stock market

$20k for that 911? For one he probably couldn't get insurance on it to begin with--unless he likes spending $400/mo on just car insurance. And secondly, he doesn't want a sports car.

I looked at a WRX wagon today and it was nice. They didn't have a Legacy on the lot in the way I wanted it.

Forget the WRX in any trim. They are rated a 26 on the symbol scale and you wouldn't even want to see the insurance premium on that trust me.
 
I'll probably insure the car under my parents name and just keep myself on my dad's work van.
 
What about an Astra? They should be due out soon here in the states I would think and I get the GM discount.
 
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