FTR, help me choose a car

[mcatdog]

Hi FTR Community Forum,

In the next few months I'm probably going to buy a car. I've never owned my own car before and I'm not really sure how to go about the process of choosing one. Here are my criteria.

1. My price range is 8-12K, maybe up to 15K depending on how much money I make playing poker in the near future. I'll probably get a used car because that way I can get a nicer car and I've always thought used cars were better value than new ones.

2. I don't want to buy a 2-seater because I want to be able to go on road trips with my friends.

3. I'd like it to be a model with a good track record of not breaking down. What are some good resources to find out this type of information?

4. Given all of the above criteria, I'd like FTR Community forum to help me decide what car would be the most baller.

I haven't done much research, but one car that I really like is the Volvo C70 convertible. You can get used ones from 1999 or 2000 for about 13-15K.



Another car that I think is baller is the Jaguar XK8. I can get one from 1997 or 1998 for about 15K. One problem with this one is the backseat is really cramped so it'd be rough on a long road trip. I'm also a little concerned I'd end up spending a lot of money on repairs. I love the way it looks though.



Also I could get a Lexus or an Infiniti from a few years back, those are always stylish.

Infiniti I30


Lexus SC300


Hopefully these give an idea of what I'm going for, so other suggestions are welcome as well.

[Warpe]

Toyota & Honda are best if you're buying used. But scan here:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/index.htm

[mcatdog]

Thanks for the link. I guess I can sign up for a one month membership for $5, and then print out all the reviews on any cars I might be interested in. As I feared that Jaguar is listed as one of their "worst buys" as far as staying in one piece is concerned.

[Warpe]

If you get something coming off lease at a dealer you can usually get a very well-maintained vehicle with some warranty left on it. I bought my Honda Accord that way with 100,000km on it and have never regretted it.

[mrhappy333]

The Volvo gets my vot, there all about safety. And it looks expensive!

[Pay4myCad!!]

Good tip warpe!

I've always had an eye for the Lexus line- They'd give you the most room as well. That's my vote for hauling a full group at 80 miles per with excellent handling and smooth ride. Plus all the features available in upper-end cars being sold today.
Not as sleek-looking as the pics u've posted, but it'll get the job done.

[thenonsequitur]

[boost]

the c70 you posted is the hardtop model I think? And you are certainly not getting that in your price range, but maybe Im wrong.

You can get a e39 (the previous generation) 5 series in your price range, but its not gonna be the 540i, but that doesnt matter if you arent super interested in performance. Repairs on a bmw can be costly though.

SC300/400 are nice, but not much of a backseat, and if you want to be able to hop in with a buncha freinds 2 doors always suck. Also they are very hard to find with low miles, theyre just one of those cars that people put shit-tons of miles on.

Honestly most cars that I have my eye on are at the next two price brackets. 15-20 and 20-25 prices have some really nice cars for the price.

[mcatdog]

Hey boost, I was hoping you'd post in this thread because I know you're in the same situation as me, thinking about buying a car with your poker money.

If you do a CraigsList search for C70, you'll find that there are some available for under 15K, but I'm concerned about the cost of repairs, like you said.

So I guess I'm leaning toward the I30 or the SC300/400, probably the I30 if the backseat in the Lexus is really that small. Infiniti doesn't scream "baller" the way some other cars do, but I'd rather get a nice, stylish car than some crappy American car that's trying to look baller but it actually looks garish.

What cars are you looking at boost? If you wanna chat about it at some point on IRC, I'd appreciate it.

[boost]

yah if youre worried about repairs and stuff, a convertible probably isnt a good pick. Theres a whole nother system that can get fucked up, yanoe?

As for what Im looking at.. there are only 2 cars that interest me currently.

e39 540i





s60r (awd turbo luxury, yumm..)

[kevster]

Toyota & Honda are best if you're buying used.

What he said.

These things - specifically the engines but most of the mechanics - just run and run. The only problem you sometimes get is with the electrical side.

My Toyota Celica (15+ years old) is a bag of shit to look at but I wouldn't swap it for the world. It's done a helluva lot of miles (was possibly clocked at some point too) but it just went straight through it's last MOT without a single fault. I got it serviced just after and my local mechanic virtually beamed at me when he said "I'd be very surprised if anything on that car lets you down".

[dsmrolla06]

Subaru STI
AWD, 4 door, turbo charged, plenty of room for passengers, and pretty quick. Also great in the snow.

[mcatdog]

Dsmrolla,

I like, but

1. My price range is 8-12K, maybe up to 15K

[dsmrolla06]

I didnt see any STI's for under 15k, but there were lots of 2003 and 2002 Subaru WRX's for 15k or less with 45k-75k miles on them.

[flomo]

Toyota & Honda are best if you're buying used.

What he said.

These things - specifically the engines but most of the mechanics - just run and run. The only problem you sometimes get is with the electrical side.

My Toyota Celica (15+ years old) is a bag of shit to look at but I wouldn't swap it for the world. It's done a helluva lot of miles (was possibly clocked at some point too) but it just went straight through it's last MOT without a single fault. I got it serviced just after and my local mechanic virtually beamed at me when he said "I'd be very surprised if anything on that car lets you down".

i think toyota has a convertible

[bigred]

[flomo]

bigred you are awsome

where is that ftr member of the year thread

[Pay4myCad!!]

Damn,
After much thought I had decided to offer 24hr on-call chauffer service for only $3500/mo + fuel.
Plus, for an extra $500 I'd even call you 'Sir'.

BUT, if you've got a line on the Bat-mobile... GO FOR IT!