Yet another suggest me a car thread

[The Explanation]

So, right now I'm driving a 2005 Toyota Tacoma with around 80k miles on it. I'm thinking about selling it and getting a car. The only thing is, the truck is my Dad's and he won't let me get anything really high mileage because he doesn't want to have to pay to fix it. Can't say that I blame him. So, what I'm looking at is a $14k or so budget for a car with less than 100k miles. I really want something fun to drive above anything. I don't have to have the fastest car around. I was looking at a used Audi S4, but it's a bit too thirsty. So, Zoklet, what should I get?

[adhesive tape]

1930 Model T.

[ratfrink]

^ obvious troll; they stopped making it in 1927.

1930 Model A is what I would recommend. Much more handsome than a T, IMO.

[The Explanation]

Thanks guys. You're awesome.

[Motherfucking_Toast]

1969 VW Beetle

[Clover]

They're probably trolling because for that kind of money you could get a brand new car. Might not be a brand new mustang but you could get a new car.

[Zok Jr.]

Keep the toyota.

[The Explanation]

Originally Posted by Clover

They're probably trolling because for that kind of money you could get a brand new car. Might not be a brand new mustang but you could get a new car.

But I could get a better car used, no? I feel like my question isn't unreasonable. If the answer is so obvious, please enlighten me. Any new car would be a shitty ass Honda Fit or something in that price range.

[ratfrink]

Fun to drive but still extremely practical and well-built - an old BMW 5 series. I think Car and Driver gave its highest-ever rating to the E39 5-series. Although it seems to be the consensus that spares for European cars are expensive in the US (ask Township Rebellion).

[The Explanation]

Originally Posted by ratfrink

Fun to drive but still extremely practical and well-built - an old BMW 5 series. I think Car and Driver gave its highest-ever rating to the E39 5-series. Although it seems to be the consensus that spares for European cars are expensive in the US (ask Township Rebellion).

I was actually looking at the 3 series, they fall within my price range. A low mileage 5 series runs $17k or so. I suppose I should test drive a 330, everyone claims that they drive amazing. I just don't know that I really like the way they look.

[Motherfucking_Toast]

Could pick up a pretty nice mustang thats a few years old, if thats your kind of thing.

[p6867]

VW TDI.
You'll be happy you own it and it's still decently fun to drive if you chip it. check out the VW vortex forums for more on cool projects on them which you could easily do for the cost of the car and a fraction of the difference of the 14k.

[Township Rebellion]

Originally Posted by The Explanation

I was actually looking at the 3 series, they fall within my price range. A low mileage 5 series runs $17k or so. I suppose I should test drive a 330, everyone claims that they drive amazing. I just don't know that I really like the way they look.

You live in Georgia, eh? Well maybe BMW parts are a little harder to find/more expensive, I'm actually not too sure.

A $14K budget could get you a sweet ass BMW no matter where you are, though. You could probably find a mint, low-mileage E30 318/325is for half your budget, and have enough left over to throw some go fast/look pretty goodies for it. That is, if you're interested in a slightly more sophisticated look, and are more concerned with light weight and responsive handling over big power. The stock 325is is going to be around 170 HP. One can make them shit-fast in my experience however. More to the point, older BMW parts are generally the cheapest and the most common, as many 3, 5, 6, and 7 series shared alot of mechanicals.

The fact you question the way they look concerns me however. BMW's are handsome cars in general, people who think they're ugly or gay or whatever usually have compromised eyesight, or brain damage. To be perfectly frank. But then I'm hugely biased if you couldn't tell

I mean, if you're willing to look and prepared to get your hands dirty, you could get a really nice project.

Or, you could look into something Japanese, you might be able to get an older Subaru WRX for that kind of money. If you wanted to be original, you could find an SVX, which run a flat 6. They look... interesting, though.

Of course its hard to go through all the different possibilities. Just peruse local classifieds and look at anything in your budget, until you find the exact car you want.

[The Explanation]

Originally Posted by p6867

VW TDI.
You'll be happy you own it and it's still decently fun to drive if you chip it. check out the VW vortex forums for more on cool projects on them which you could easily do for the cost of the car and a fraction of the difference of the 14k.

I hadn't thought of that. I'll check it out.

Originally Posted by Township Rebellion

You live in Georgia, eh? Well maybe BMW parts are a little harder to find/more expensive, I'm actually not too sure.

A $14K budget could get you a sweet ass BMW no matter where you are, though. You could probably find a mint, low-mileage E30 318/325is for half your budget, and have enough left over to throw some go fast/look pretty goodies for it. That is, if you're interested in a slightly more sophisticated look, and are more concerned with light weight and responsive handling over big power. The stock 325is is going to be around 170 HP. One can make them shit-fast in my experience however. More to the point, older BMW parts are generally the cheapest and the most common, as many 3, 5, 6, and 7 series shared alot of mechanicals.

The fact you question the way they look concerns me however. BMW's are handsome cars in general, people who think they're ugly or gay or whatever usually have compromised eyesight, or brain damage. To be perfectly frank. But then I'm hugely biased if you couldn't tell

I mean, if you're willing to look and prepared to get your hands dirty, you could get a really nice project.

Or, you could look into something Japanese, you might be able to get an older Subaru WRX for that kind of money. If you wanted to be original, you could find an SVX, which run a flat 6. They look... interesting, though.

Of course its hard to go through all the different possibilities. Just peruse local classifieds and look at anything in your budget, until you find the exact car you want.

I guess I'm kind of turned off by the sedan, but after examining the coupe, I rather like them. I'll probably end up getting a 330, I've found some 06 models for like 13.5.

[Township Rebellion]

Ah good call. I can also vouch for the TDI volkswagens as well, though apparently diesel is alot more expensive than gas down there.

3 series are great cars though.

[p6867]

My boy gets 49 miles to the gallon in his. If you are not worried about fuel economy, that same friend also has an R32 that is super fun and within your price range.

[CitizenUzi]

Man count yourself lucky. If I had 14k I would be so happy. It'd be shopping time! No telling what I'd get since I go:
price/value> performance> reliability> comfort/luxury > economy

But man 14k... grrr. I heard through a repo guy vipers are going under 10k at auction. Not in the best of shape, maybe high miles but still. Less than vettes!
I can't say what I'd get, and the 330 is a nice choice - my friend's girl had a 330xi (she wouldn't let me have a go... bitch) But a C5 if I could float it, maybe a C4 with the money left over to do it up. Or I could go big diesel or something different, Or a cheap jap-muscle car with plenty of money for work. Preferably a gt-four/all-trac. If I could buy an s13/14 for a couple grand and sink the rest in!? Hell yeah. RX-7, FB, FC or FD... same engine (except FB) and early ones are lighter but the FD is sexier 20b swap anyone? Turbo supra, natch. 300zx bi-turbo. That's the ideas probably. S2K is awesome, but I dunno about getting high numbers out of it.

Or I could go wherever, for whatever deal I could find and get some random, obscure, cool car. Us muscle, euro something, japan import.... ARGGHH OP I' MAD AT YOU

[The Explanation]

Originally Posted by CitizenUzi

Man count yourself lucky. If I had 14k I would be so happy. It'd be shopping time! No telling what I'd get since I go:
price/value> performance> reliability> comfort/luxury > economy

But man 14k... grrr. I heard through a repo guy vipers are going under 10k at auction. Not in the best of shape, maybe high miles but still. Less than vettes!
I can't say what I'd get, and the 330 is a nice choice - my friend's girl had a 330xi (she wouldn't let me have a go... bitch) But a C5 if I could float it, maybe a C4 with the money left over to do it up. Or I could go big diesel or something different, Or a cheap jap-muscle car with plenty of money for work. Preferably a gt-four/all-trac. If I could buy an s13/14 for a couple grand and sink the rest in!? Hell yeah. RX-7, FB, FC or FD... same engine (except FB) and early ones are lighter but the FD is sexier 20b swap anyone? Turbo supra, natch. 300zx bi-turbo. That's the ideas probably. S2K is awesome, but I dunno about getting high numbers out of it.

Or I could go wherever, for whatever deal I could find and get some random, obscure, cool car. Us muscle, euro something, japan import.... ARGGHH OP I' MAD AT YOU

I've gotta say, I've loved my Tacoma. I've just had it for 5 years and it's time for a change. I looked up the Kelly Blue Book for private seller, it says $15.5. That's pretty amazing considering I bought it for $17.5. I think I can probably sell it for closer to $16,250 because I have custom audio in it.

[CitizenUzi]

Still jealous, make sure you run it by us before committing. We'll tell you what's hot and what's crap. You have a good chance to buy a long lasting, fast, cool, reliable and just bad ass car or truck here man- don't waste it like I did.

[DJ Meaty Cheeks]

Everyone will want to ride your wiener.

[iswim]

Get a late 90s Nissan 240SX and put a GTR engine in it. It will push 500+hp, and it will cost nowhere near 14k, maybe half of that. It's small, fast, fun, looks beast, everything you want in a car. Crashing in it would suck tho

[CitizenUzi]

^ this is a cool idea of course, bt high stress small engines wear and tear llike a bitch, Some more than others. It ain't no DSM but... Unless you're talking about their inline-6? Which would be a tough fit and require other mods, not cheap.

[p6867]

Originally Posted by iswim

Get a late 90s Nissan 240SX and put a GTR engine in it. It will push 500+hp, and it will cost nowhere near 14k, maybe half of that. It's small, fast, fun, looks beast, everything you want in a car. Crashing in it would suck tho

Posi rear wheel drive for the win.

[Jo0]

$14k

Used
GTI Mk5.5 (MK5 with the TSI engine) or if possible a used GTI MK6
RSX Type S 06+ (or was it 05+, i forgot when they put the better K20A in there)
Civic SI 06+
Hyundai Genesis
WRX

Those are all newer. If youre looking for older.
95-96 Miata
S13/S14
FC RX7 (I've seen TT 10th aniv FCs go for like $4k in my area)
89-91 Civic hatch
CRX


Those are what I have on top of my head

[The Cheshire Cat]

You've got some wiggle room on prices and being from the south, the body and frame should all be in good shape.

[The Explanation]

Originally Posted by The Cheshire Cat

You've got some wiggle room on prices and being from the south, the body and frame should all be in good shape.

I actually kind of wanted a WRX at first, but I looked and there's a surprisingly small selection here. Basically, the ones I can find are either practically new and out of my price range, or a pre-2000 model that's beyond my mileage limitation.

[cronic5]

I'd keep the Tacoma. Only reason being that in my experience they are reliable (read: Toyota), and my focus has shifted in recent years from having performance oriented, to enjoying the pleasure of having a truck that I can take on pretty much all terrain.

[Mullen]

Originally Posted by p6867

VW TDI.
You'll be happy you own it and it's still decently fun to drive if you chip it. check out the VW vortex forums for more on cool projects on them which you could easily do for the cost of the car and a fraction of the difference of the 14k.

http://www.xtremediesel.com/volkswagen19ltdi.aspx

Straight-pipe that bitch.

[The Explanation]

Originally Posted by cronic5

I'd keep the Tacoma. Only reason being that in my experience they are reliable (read: Toyota), and my focus has shifted in recent years from having performance oriented, to enjoying the pleasure of having a truck that I can take on pretty much all terrain.

I really like it, and I still might end up doing that. The main reason I'm looking at getting something different is I've had it 5 years and I'm just in the mood for a change. That, and I'm at college now and there's no real point to having a truck except to help people move things.

Right now I've found a 2007 328i with 69,000 mi, most options except navigation, automatic, for $15,900. I'm also looking at a 2006 325i with all the options, manual trans, and 67,000 miles for $16,500. The only reason I kind of want the 328 is the more powerful engine, but it's not manual...

[The Explanation]

Ok, Townsip you probably can answer this question best. If I plan on doing most of the maintenance myself, how much more will the BMW be compared to the Toyota? Is it very difficult to work on?

[Township Rebellion]

There's no better way to say it; Toyotas in general are easier to work on than BMWs. Granted beemers aren't impossible but parts for newer models are probably going to be pricier as well.

Of course, earlier models are cheaper to maintain, and only mildly challenging to work on. Though it really depends if you've got a good source for parts.

[The Explanation]

So would an E46 be significantly easier/cheaper to work on than an E90? I ask because I've found an extremely low mileage 03 330i but I was leaning towards the newer models purely because of options.

[MediumD]

^^Slightly. The E46 isn't even close to being old enough to be cheap yet..

[The Explanation]

Well, I finally got a new car. It took me forever to find the right one because I've been so busy with school lately. It's a black 2006 325i with 80k on it. Manual trans, of course. Got it for $13.5k. I'll post pics later

[Township Rebellion]

Originally Posted by The Explanation

Well, I finally got a new car. It took me forever to find the right one because I've been so busy with school lately. It's a black 2006 325i with 80k on it. Manual trans, of course. Got it for $13.5k. I'll post pics later

Welcome to the club good sir! LOL @ anyone who thinks getting a brand new economy car is better than getting a slightly used 3 series. Bonus points for getting a manual.

I'll be revealing my (much older) BMW in the coming weeks, It's close to drivable now.

[typedthiswithmytits]

Dump an sc Buick 3.8 6 banger in the hilux and wrap it around a tree

[MediumD]

Originally Posted by The Explanation

Well, I finally got a new car. It took me forever to find the right one because I've been so busy with school lately. It's a black 2006 325i with 80k on it. Manual trans, of course. Got it for $13.5k. I'll post pics later

325i, le sigh. Not that any 3 series in the past 3 decades is a bad car, but I am disappoint. You could have done better for 13.5k USD, someone on here should have read the thread and given a few good/better alternatives, but I guess I wasn't on the ball. The manual does help, because although autos have their place in straight line performance as well as in daily drivers, any BMW 3 series should have a manual.

Anyway, what's done is done, and you do have a good car that is indeed respectable by most knowledgeable enthusiasts, so I say you could have done better by a bit, but you could have done worse by a mile. Or 1.6ish kilometers, if you prefer.

[The Explanation]

Originally Posted by MediumD

325i, le sigh. Not that any 3 series in the past 3 decades is a bad car, but I am disappoint. You could have done better for 13.5k USD, someone on here should have read the thread and given a few good/better alternatives, but I guess I wasn't on the ball. The manual does help, because although autos have their place in straight line performance as well as in daily drivers, any BMW 3 series should have a manual.

Anyway, what's done is done, and you do have a good car that is indeed respectable by most knowledgeable enthusiasts, so I say you could have done better by a bit, but you could have done worse by a mile. Or 1.6ish kilometers, if you prefer.

I know I probably could have gotten an older m3 or something like that, but my dad (the one footing the bill) was dead set against getting with anything more than 100k miles on it. Based on the market in my area, $13.5 was a steal for that car. Trust me, I would have loved to get like an 01 m3 or something like that. I did see a nice S4 that was low mileage but I decided I'd rather get the good gad mileage of the 325.

[MediumD]

Fair enough, I hope it serves you well.