Please help - - what car do I buy??

[BurgerFlaggen]

Check your local MB dealership, they'll have lots of E series sedans coming off lease, and with CPO you will be well covered. I'll bet you can find something at a palatable payment with AWD. There were plenty where I live anyway; saw them as I picked up mine. They're aching to make deals.
You could even step back to a C for less out-of-pocket. The newer ones have an edgy style and surprising room inside for entry level.

And, having lived in MA, MN, IL, UT among other inclement weather states, there isn't a color you can apply to any vehicle that stays pretty when driving in snow. Think more about the crap they put in the snow (ie. salt and chemicals) and what your warranty will cover for rust.

 

[SpaCityHustler]

Also do not forget to figure in repairs, German cars are not like Japanese cars they do have things go wrong and all luxury cars are maintenance intense. It costs about $150.00 for a basic oil change ($25.00 filter that can only be sourced from the dealer and 9 Qts. of synthetic oil) on my m-b, and at only 80K miles has required several repairs and you never get out of the shop for less than $1,500.00. As for Lexus and Infiniti a tune up on my Q was about $800.00 and it needed a $3,000 transmission rebuild at 130K miles when I traded it, I have had friends with Lexus ES and both had to drop over $3,000 when the A/C failed. Slow down and think about the TOTAL costs of ownership + how the outside world could see it actually as a negative before getting caught in the trap of, yeah but a 2 yr old one is the same $$ as a new whatever... The worst place to bee in life is car poor....

 

[ahw676]

So there. I can change the oil on my Accord myself with synthetic oil for less than $30. I will admit that I'm good and messy when I'm done, but it's very satisfying.

 

[carnut]

Have you looked at any M3s?

I've just sold the Jeep and am currently looking for an M3 Convertible. It's a 3rd car so weather/ convenience. etc really don't factor in much but for the $$ it's hard to beat- 4 seats, 333hp (01-05), and can be had for around $20k.

 

[exeekias]

I will admit that I'm good and messy when I'm done, but it's very satisfying.

:shock:

 

[Spirit]

...I will admit that I'm good and messy when I'm done, but it's very satisfying.

Show me those skillz babe! I guess it´s pretty much satisfying indeed!

:lol:


Cheers,
Spirit.

 

[SpaCityHustler]

So there. I can change the oil on my Accord myself with synthetic oil for less than $30. I will admit that I'm good and messy when I'm done, but it's very satisfying.

Gee if I could only get my wife to adopt that attitude just think of all the money i could save on oil changes, the benz would only be about $75 and then there is my old truck and her toyota..... :idea:

 

[ahw676]

Show me those skillz babe! I guess it´s pretty much satisfying indeed!

I think you would really like it. And your girl is likely to be all covered in oil when she's done (and some leaves and twigs too).

Gee if I could only get my wife to adopt that attitude just think of all the money i could save on oil changes, the benz would only be about $75 and then there is my old truck and her toyota.....

Seriously, it really is very satisfying to do it by yourself. The hardest part is to get the car jacked up off the ground (tell her to remember to block the wheels before doing that too). Well, that and the fear that you didn't do it right and the car is going to fall and crush your head before you're done. But if it doesn't, it's easy. Plus then you know exactly what oil filter went into it and which oil (as opposed to whatever mystery fluid they put into it at the shop). But yes, about $23 for five quarts synthetic oil and $5.50 for the oil filter. And whatever it costs you to clean the leaves and twigs off her when she's done.

 

[SpaCityHustler]

ahw676,
Never been under the hood of a mercedes have ya, they use a canister filter that is a major pain in the arse to deal with and have a belly pan that has to be dropped to get to the pan plug. Then there is finding a drain pan that holds the 9+ qts of oil that are about to drop out of the engine. I know I tried it ONCE only ONCE....But I guess the challenge is what makes it rewarding... :roll: I really think the feeling of cutting a check to watch it be someone elses deal is verry rewarding..... :lol:

 

[ahw676]

True, I haven't. And it sounds like there are some experiences in life that I don't need to have before I die. That will count as one of them.

 

[Hambone]

Mercedes makes the Smart car which being 6'4", I can tell you there is a surprising amount of room inside and the car is a blast to drive. I am seeing more and more of them on the road, and they are certainly good on fuel.

 

[SpaCityHustler]

Mercedes makes the Smart car which being 6'4", I can tell you there is a surprising amount of room inside and the car is a blast to drive. I am seeing more and more of them on the road, and they are certainly good on fuel.

Great idea, it carries a great panache with it as it is such a specialized niche vehicle. It says I am modern and with it but yet I am responsible. It says, yes I have discerning taste but I also know not to waste resources on an expensive status symbol that much of society really sees as a right of passage into middle age or later that you have not yet paid the dues yet to have. I think in this new post conspicuous consumption world we are entering where as Dave Ramsey says, the paid off mortgage is replacing the BMW as the status symbol of choice, something like a Smart (15K top end new) or a Mini Cooper (about 20K new) is a much better fit for your age and place in life. The world has fundamentally changed and I think we are entering a new era of responsibility where the status symbols of old are seen becoming the social stigma of today.

 

[watchbuff]

I have owned BMW's for the last 6 years. My grail is an M6 but that 5 series is looking sweet. If you are a sigle guy and want to keep it sporty, the 3 series is also nice. the TT's get a thumbs down. Not practical at all even for a sprt coupe roadster. Very tight and have had (in the past) some handling issues. If you say there will be snow drivingthen the 5 or 3 series for sure.
The 350z and G 35 are nice but are horror shows in the snow and are not that good in fuel economy. The G 35 being my choice but ony if ut has traction control. Reliability is not much of an issue as these are all good rated as per consumers reports but the DOC of the Bimmers and TT will be higher.

Comes down to you, what are you "feeling"? used cars are a crap shoot but if you can get a warranty or the remainder of a factory warranty thats a bonus. Gives peace of mind, and that helsp you 'feel" it.

I always make these choices on my own and NEVER yield to a forum or other wise but collect independant datas from non biased sources, get all info regarding the car or cars you narrowed it down to and in the end I have NEVER been wrong if I do that and avoid an impulse buy.

I almost bought a Lamborghini Diablo VT for $77k because the trade in on my old M3 was good, i was making bank and the car was cheap. It would have been a weekend driver but I just know i would be tearing the hair out of my head on a Sunday morning wondering why the beautiful POS just died, and paying through the ass for luigi to fix it for an insane amout of Lira.

Good Luck

 

[seventhexile]

Thank you all for your comments !!

I went to a few dealers today - did some test driving.

When I test drive, I like to actually test the car....
whats the point of going down a highway at 60 .... its a straight road... and a mediocre speed. - all you get to know is how the suspension system is set.

went to the nissan dealer first
Anyways we took it on the back roads and hit some curvy areas.
did a few 3 point turns and such .. to get a real feel for the car.

The altima was good.... but it was slow to respond.
and reminded me alot of my sentra ... but with a nicer body

Then moved onto the bmw dealership
Tried out a 3 series - 4 door - (didnt have any 2 door available atm)
The guy told me... (as most of you have mentioned)
maintenance.. is not cheap, though luckily a good family friend owns a shop in MA...
but up in NY I'd be stuck..
It was a bigger car then I thought it would be. - Drove very nicely handled great,
the rear wheel drive in the snow at school will be tricky though.

Went to the infiniti dealer -
Looked at the g35 coupe ... fell in love...
the guy said no though.. - would not be good for upstate ny winter even w/ the traction control and snow tires.
- He did point out the g35x - which is a sedan version of the g35 - and also has all wheel drive.
he said this would be a great option since as we all know awd is very good in snow conditions.

so ... basically what we've found out is - back wheel drive coups aren't going to happen.

Must now re-evaluate how I feel about sedans..
haha

 

[watchbuff]

BMW makes an x drive coupe ans sedan!
I have RWD in my 330 and so far so good with the snow. Smart driving makes a difference. lead foot always sinks!

 

[seventhexile]

BMW makes an x drive coupe ans sedan!
I have RWD in my 330 and so far so good with the snow. Smart driving makes a difference. lead foot always sinks!

But only 07 and newer for coupe's right ?

I have only ever driven front wheel or all wheel drive cars.
Other then today.
- and it didn't feel to different

I will go back on thurs and see if they will let me try a rear wheel drive (bmw or infiniti)
in a small parking lot of such to see how it handles in the snow..
idk if they'll let me do that..... but I might be able to convince them to let it slide.


Like you said smart driving = safe driving = big difference.

 

[Xyphis]

Went to the infiniti dealer -
Looked at the g35 coupe ... fell in love...
the guy said no though.. - would not be good for upstate ny winter even w/ the traction control and snow tires.

Hmmm...

I drive a G35 Coupe with traction control and snow tires (swap them with the summer wheels) in CHICAGO and have no problems. That has included unplowed roads many a time. Most G forums would agree with me on this. In fact, I believe my snow tire choice came from someone from upstate NY.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

 

[seventhexile]

Went to the infiniti dealer -
Looked at the g35 coupe ... fell in love...
the guy said no though.. - would not be good for upstate ny winter even w/ the traction control and snow tires.

Hmmm...

I drive a G35 Coupe with traction control and snow tires (swap them with the summer wheels) in CHICAGO and have no problems. That has included unplowed roads many a time. Most G forums would agree with me on this. In fact, I believe my snow tire choice came from someone from upstate NY.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

I'm going to go back on thurs - and ask if I can test drive it on an area w/ snow.
(I'm a fairly good driver, I can now say that since when I was 16 i thought I was a good driver and crashed into a telephone pole racing some ppl)
My mom sent me to racing classes + defensive driving classes.. (alot of them)
which was really cool of her..
now I know race on the track.. not off
but also have a better scenes of the road and driving then I did.

I'm hoping I can handle the car during now.. cuz.... I'm really liking it.
hah.

also...... I will see a different sales person.

The guy I saw was a dick.
Point is to sell me a car... not over look me because I am young.
Guy just lost a good deal of commission.

-
also at least one coupe bmw 3 series should be in on thurs at the bmw place..
so I would love to try one of those out !

 

[surviber]

My advise is get what you like for in the end your paying for it and have to live it. Everyones taste is different. One mans joy is another mans dread. With that said everyone here has given you sound advise.

But the one thing no one touched on is insurance. The fact that you are under 25 at least that is what I assume... it will be very expensive as you will need full coverage if you finance. It may be more than your car note on a couple of the models you said you were looking at. So get some quotes when you narrow your choice down. It may make a difference financially between one model and another. I can tell you the Z is going to have a high insurance premium at your age but if you are on your parents insurance policy it may not be as bad.

Just my 2 cents

 

[seventhexile]

My advise is get what you like for in the end your paying for it and have to live it. Everyones taste is different. One mans joy is another mans dread. With that said everyone here has given you sound advise.

But the one thing no one touched on is insurance. The fact that you are under 25 at least that is what I assume... it will be very expensive as you will need full coverage if you finance. It may be more than your car note on a couple of the models you said you were looking at. So get some quotes when you narrow your choice down. It may make a difference financially between one model and another. I can tell you the Z is going to have a high insurance premium at your age but if you are on your parents insurance policy it may not be as bad.

Just my 2 cents

also very good advice I'm surprised no one else touched on..
despite my crash at 16 (I was lucky that a sand truck working for Circuit City spilled sand on the part of the road I skidded on.. thus my insurance didn't really go up since they took blame for it.. wasn't their fault though.. shhh)
Since I've taken defensive driving + racing classes up the ass my insurance is relatively low for my age.
Also I currently have 2 cars (my civic and sentra), so they know my track record is good w/ both of em.
No tickets and other then that crash (which again doesnt count) not had an accident.

Turing 21 in a few weeks (April 1st actually)
so called up and insurance - (if I don't get a ticket or into an accident between now and them) will drop of by a very large number.

+ then you get all those dumb perks.. 5% off for good grades, 5% off for good security system 5% off for smiling while driving... you know what I mean.
all in all it works out to no more then what I pay now.
Actually with the Audi options... it worked out to less !!!
with the 350z it worked out to around the same.
The bmw and infiniti - just a little more, but I was surprised at how little more it was.

Now that being said..
If I sold off both cars.. and picked up a newer car like a civic again.
I'm sure insurance would be really cheap and I'd save money in the bank ..

But ... you only live once -
and I've spent the last 3 years working my ass off at school, thus I'd like to treat myself a little.