Looking for a new car come fall (m)

[TheGeak]

No, not to replace the M5! I'm looking to replace my '89 MkII Golf with about 180-190k miles with something 'new'. Not new as in, was rolled into the dealership 2 weeks ago, but new like, i'm comming off of a lease new.


Guys have any suggestions? Obviously i'd like to stay away from American cars. I live around Philadelphia so not too many weather related concerns.

Well, lets hear it. What would YOUR choice be?

Oh, and i'm trying to keep it under $15k.

[mholbrook]

Not that far from where you are now:

Golf or Jetta TDI - Great potential and mileage
GTI or Jetta GLI (w/200hp VR6) Great fun out of the box

[TheGeak]

yeah, i was thinking about the Golfs. Definately high on my list. GTI turns out to be a bit pricey but the Golf GLS and Golf TDI are definately taking the poll right now.

[DrewZ]

Funny -- there was a Jetta TDI @ Lime Rock last friday. A little stinky, but it went pretty good.

http://teamdfl.com/events/lrp_4_23_04/lrp_4_23_04-Images/77.jpg


yeah, i was thinking about the Golfs. Definately high on my list. GTI turns out to be a bit pricey but the Golf GLS and Golf TDI are definately taking the poll right now.

[G Feller]

There must be off-lease WRXs in your price range (my cousin bought a new plain-Jane WRX sedan for $20k even). You would obviously want to find the right non-abused car, but this is true for anything fast in that price range.



I'm looking to replace my '89 MkII Golf with something new as in, "I'm comming off a lease" new.

[Jason]

of course this would have some mileage on it, but if you could find a well maintained one you might be ok. The E36 M3 is really alot more of a daily driver than any ///M car that came before it as far as maintainence goes. Thats my choice

[PatrickPGH]

yeah, i was thinking about the Golfs. Definately high on my list. GTI turns out to be a bit pricey but the Golf GLS and Golf TDI are definately taking the poll right now.

Go with the GTI with the 1.8T, you can get them in your price range. Lots of fun parts for that engine.

[Kamil]

I'm assuming you want a nice, relaible daily driver and not another project car.
You can't beat a Honda for daily driving, cost and reliability.
Take your choice of the thousands of Accords EX's out there.
Choose a 4-cyl version, as the V6s have tranny issues.

Also, a nice Acura TL can be within your price range.
Stay away from Acura Integras, they are magnets for thieves (sp?).

I used to own a WRX; it gets much worse gas mileage then the window sticker says, plus insurance is pricey. It has also had a few minor problems.
Recent VW's have had reliablity problems, AFAIK.

[Mr Project]

I wouldn't touch a VW made in the last 10 years with a 10 foot pole, and I only say that because I own one. Seriously. Stay away. Well, maybe a TDI with crank windows and cloth interior. :)

What about a base-model Mini Cooper?
Or a used Miata?
Or a nice 328i/is?

[G Feller]

Used 328 - there's a good suggestion.


I wouldn't touch a VW made in the last 10 years with a 10 foot pole, and I only say that because I own one. Seriously. Stay away. Well, maybe a TDI with crank windows and cloth interior. :)

What about a base-model Mini Cooper?
Or a used Miata?
Or a nice 328i/is?

[TheGeak]

My only issue with another bimmer is insurance.

I'm not too keen on getting a honda, i want something with a bit of fun to drive.

WRX would be nice, even a 2.5RS wouldn't be that bad.

Mini Coopers are up in the air right now. Hard to find one at a decent price around here (still all arond 19k, even the base non-S model)

was actually looking at a '99 Audi A4. Can get them for right around 14k here. Thoughts?


Thanks for the suggestions guys, keep em comming!!

[Mr Project]

The A4's are usually slightly less crappy then the VWs, but it's still not a real reliable car, IMO. Plus, if you don't need AWD, you end up with FWD... not fun in my book, but YMMV. Coilpacks on the 1.8Ts should be recalled by now, I think.

[ccrawford]

If you are looking for a great daily driver (I am in Philly too and the expressway gets old quick without an auto) in the 15+ range how about a 1996-1997 Benz C36? They are in that range and very fun. Or, you can even find a high-miles C43 from 1998. Well built, auto, and lots of fun...

Chad
1990 535i 5 speed

[TheGeak]

what about a 318Ti?

Did a quick look, could probably pick up one of them for around 10k for a '98 with 60k miles.

[TheGeak]

not going to get an auto. Just no fun in it for me. I dont' do the expressway much, so its not a big deal to hold the clutch down. Well, it was the few times i did it in the M5...but that was about it ;)

[ccrawford]

Great car, reliable, fast, fun to drive, easy to modify, one of the best handling cars ever...... a clean 50-90k mile Porsche 944 Turbo...

[mholbrook]

Wagons are in. What about a new Mazda 3. Comes with warranty. In your price range. Reliable.

[TheGeak]

are the mazda 3's that cheap? for some reason i was thinking they were around 18k

[G Feller]

Not a bad-looking car, and how nice would it be to have almost nothing to pay for for as long as the warranty lasts?

My other thought for you (OK, vicarious for me) was something like this:
One of many available in your price range (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=160661505&dealer_id=&car_year=1994&make=NISSAN&distance=any&max_price=&model=300ZXTURBO&advcd_on=n&end_year=1996&min_price=10000&first_record=76&certified=n&address=30322&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1990&=&color=&cardist=661)

Quite different than a Mazda 3.

Regardless, I envy your choice.



are the mazda 3's that cheap? for some reason i was thinking they were around 18k

[G Feller]

MSRP on the wagon is $16,895 (invoice $15,793)
for the one with the less potent engine, $13,680/$12,795
for the "S" sedan (160hp, 150ft-lbs), $16,405/$15,335

I think several of us can review this car for you soon, after they flail it around the track at the Mazda speed trials. Who's signed up for that?

[TheGeak]

oh wow, 13,6 isn't bad. Even 16k for the S isn't too harsh (assuming i can talk the stealer out of 700-1000)

Either way its time to start saving.
Definately want something with a warranty, oh how nice it'll be to have a worry-free car!