Hey guys, I am buying a new car. Need some serious advice about what is hot right now.

I am not a real automobile inclined person, but I am looking at the 25-30K price range. What is hot and the best deal right now?

* Of course all considerations will be weighed carefully. I am not some idiot wanting to jump on the first thing to come my way.

8/17/2006 12:46:25 PM

What kind of car do you want?

Good mileage?

Sporty?

Luxury?

Excellent reliability?

Try and combine these in a full paragraph. Lucky for you, there are a LOT of good cars in that price range (well, lucky if you don't mind buying imports)

8/17/2006 1:07:18 PM

I want the best of everything, lol

I want brandname, I want mileage


If it came down to size or gas mileage, I would go with the gas mileage. I am thinking that I'd ideally like a five series BMW. Good luck with that right?

I am more open to anything. I am going to the dealership to check things out, and I am not trying to chronicle like a blog. I am just inquiring for serious considerations because I know that I don't know very much about it.

1-4 in importance

1 Sporty
2 Good mileage
3 Reliability
4 Luxury

I mean - are the new Mustangs a good deal? or does the gas mileage suck?


If anyone recently went through an experience buying a car in this price range, I'd appreciate testimonial.

8/17/2006 1:10:41 PM

mustangs are overpriced. it's about 23k for a new v6, the v8's are 30k something.

[Edited on August 17, 2006 at 1:12 PM. Reason : .]

8/17/2006 1:12:13 PM

e46 bmw 330i

8/17/2006 1:20:44 PM

i'm selling a 2003 vw gti... if you're interested...

sporty? 2.8l vr6 engine.. around 200whp/200wtq. it's fun to drive, but fwd (if that matters to you)
mileage? 22-24 city, 28-31 hwy
reliability? havent had any problems except the slave cylinder/tob leaked all over the clutch. slave cyl/tob/pp/clutch were replaced a few hundred miles ago.
luxury? it's got a nice interior and a good solid feel. leather, climate control, moonroof, etc.

lmk.



[Edited on August 17, 2006 at 1:23 PM. Reason : http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/191584376.html]

8/17/2006 1:20:51 PM

just buy something used, take the money you would have spent, put it in investments

retire early

8/17/2006 1:23:37 PM

since when do vr6 have 200whp/wtq?

8/17/2006 1:28:52 PM

or you could buy duke's honda 2000

8/17/2006 1:28:55 PM

Quote :

"If it came down to size or gas mileage, I would go with the gas mileage. I am thinking that I'd ideally like a five series BMW. Good luck with that right?"

You could get a nice 5 series for your price range, but it doesn't agree with your mileage over size thing

8/17/2006 1:35:05 PM

Quote :

"since when do vr6 have 200whp/wtq?"

i said around.. my last dyno was in the 190s (on a mustang, dynojets read higher)

24v vr6 (2002.5+) - rated at 200bhp/200btq
+ catback exhaust
+ giac chip

edit: the last dyno was also right after i got chipped, and the software had little time to adapt.

[Edited on August 17, 2006 at 1:40 PM. Reason : .]

8/17/2006 1:39:31 PM

^^^ yep, $23k. should make about 360hp at the crank (although probably not in this million degree Florida heat).

definitely satisfies the

"1-4 in importance

1 Sporty
2 Good mileage
3 Reliability
4 Luxury"

8/17/2006 1:47:02 PM

Quote :

"I want brandname,"

stupid, some good 'names' have some shitty models... (compared with others or others at that pricepoint)

8/17/2006 1:54:47 PM

Buy an Evo

8/17/2006 1:56:09 PM

Quote :

"stupid, some good 'names' have some shitty model"

That's why I am inquiring. Anything to stay away from?

8/17/2006 2:00:06 PM

The a V8 mustang starts at 25k, MSRP. If you pay MSRP for a Ford you're doing something wrong.

V6 models start at 19k.


On topic, are you against buying used? I only ask because you can find something a little nicer without having to take the initial depreciation hit of buying new. I would take a look at a post 04 Acura TL or G35 coupe.

8/17/2006 3:18:25 PM

RIGHT

I find it hard to believe you gained that much on a NA chip and catback. So infact it is in the 190s, NOT 200. I like how you precede your numbers with excuses, I find it hard to believe your car makes 200 wheel tq. Please post your dyno up.

Quote :

"i said around.. my last dyno was in the 190s (on a mustang, dynojets read higher) 24v vr6 (2002.5+) - rated at 200bhp/200btq + catback exhaust + giac chip edit: the last dyno was also right after i got chipped, and the software had little time to adapt. "

8/17/2006 3:57:00 PM

first of all, i said "around". try learning some reading comprehension.

second, i dyno'd in the 190s for both hp and tq

third, i dont need to justify myself to you, fucking troll.

before the chip:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/531000-531999/531582_31_full.jpg


[Edited on August 17, 2006 at 4:10 PM. Reason : ctrl-c, ctrl-v]

8/17/2006 4:00:59 PM

Quote :

" mustangs are overpriced. it's about 23k for a new v6, the v8's are 30k something"

incorrect, V6's start at under 20, but who wants a v6? v8s start at ~24k. Really though I wouldnt even wast my time with a V6, they are slower and gas mileage is only about 2 or 3 mpg better than the V8.

8/18/2006 1:21:54 AM

Thanks for the input guys. Closed today on something I really enjoy. Ran them way down under Blue Book and N.A.D.A.
Got the extended warranty and all maintenance for free essentially.
2005 BMW 325i 4dr

Thanks again, and maybe I'll post here occasionally.

[Edited on August 18, 2006 at 7:01 PM. Reason : in case you're curious http://www.brentroad.com/photos/00463803.jpg]

8/18/2006 6:58:14 PM