M3s are "easy" to afford. They are extremely expensive to maintain. Best have around a spare $2,500 in the bank in case Inspection I or II come up, as well as money for brakes, tires, & oil.If you're considering the price of a brand new GTI, have you thought about an E46 M3? You can get a decent example of one of those in that price range. And the driving dynamics will be amazing.
Honestly, people don't make fun of Volkswagen reliability for no reason. If you've never had problems with your GTI, you're in a small minority.
SRT4 and GTO are both simple, reliable, and heller fun.
What about one of these?
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He's going to go live on his own in Florida so you suggest 15 year old 10-15mpg pickup trucks?
Ask Philly about how much he abuses his to have problems.
When is the Focus ST coming?
Okay budget is down to 20k so its looking like the golf is my number one option, maybe gti if the trade in is good. If I can get a used car, which is doubtful, ill go for a stock evo, b6 s4 or gto but I am not sure how that will fly with the parentals.
CPO Golf Diesel? Pretty sure all of those came with 6 spds.
I may have skipped over it, but do you have any feelings to keep your GTI?
I hear the I5 is rubbish.
But, you will join the GTP I5 club. You'll be the only one sans turbo, though...
I cant afford a new one and they're ugly imo and I need a new car with warranty so the old one is out of the question unfortunately.What do you mean a TSX isn't your style? TSXs are style.
I cant afford a new one and they're ugly imo and I need a new car with warranty so the old one is out of the question unfortunately.
Only bros drive old Toyota pickups.
Question; how old are you and what will be your living situation a year from now? If you're in your late teens/early 20's and will be living on your own or with room mates in a condo/apartment...forget a new a car or any car around $20k.
Buy a Honda/Toyota something for under $10k and plan a trip to Europe or S.America. Bring a camera, credit cards, condoms and have the wildest summer you can possibly afford. You'll need cash to pay off cops and to liquor up whatever whores you come across, but unlike an entry level car, the memories and pictures from your "summer of sin" will last the rest of your life.
When you're 60 and your bits don't work as well as they used to, will you remember the Golf you bought decades ago b/c a forum told you to -or- will you remember the woman you met in Barcelona that made you walk bow-legged for an hour after your 'date'? My guess...it'll be the latter.
Buying a new car is a losing proposition. Having the time of your life and laughing years later how you made it out alive is worth the price of admission. If you're young, no debt, no wife or accidental children...go for it. You regret the decisions you don't make and if you're a young'un, now's the time. Once you get to the point you have to worry about a career, mortgage, college-debt, or worse...a wife...it's game over. Too late to take those kinds of risks.
Something to think about...
Gotta agree with you on that one. Get a early 90's toyota truck, extended cab and a 4 banger. Good gas mileage, reliable, slow, handy, cheap to insure, reliable, and they can be made to look pretty cool. I know, it doesn't really meet your criteria, but it's what i'm in the market for so I can't help but suggest one.
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Well since you own a GTI, you know how VW cars work. I'm there with you, I drive a b6 passat and have done a lot to it. It has been fun and enjoyable. As we both know though these are the biggest mofos to maintain. Id go for the impreza... I'm sick and tired of the rattling in my car but, welcome to owning a VW. That's why my next car is an e60 M5
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Have you thought about going with a recent MY car? Get something a year old and you'll still have more than enough warranty left, but the biggest chunk of depreciation will have already happened. And if you get a VW in that situation, you'll have many years with it with a 100,000 mile warranty. I'm sure many other makes will work with you to get an excellent warranty on a slightly used car.
Looks like its going to be the mk6 I5 Golf. My budget is $20k and its the best car I can afford and I really like it. Plus it comes with a lot of standard features that most cars you have to pay extra for. The only options I want is a sunroof and all weather floor mats. With all that its stays under 20k. Sure its not going to be as fun as my gti but its perfect for what i need and its a nice driving car with all the little nik-naks I want.
Have you thought about going with a recent MY car? Get something a year old and you'll still have more than enough warranty left, but the biggest chunk of depreciation will have already happened. And if you get a VW in that situation, you'll have many years with it with a 100,000 mile warranty. I'm sure many other makes will work with you to get an excellent warranty on a slightly used car.