Have35-40k, need to buy car TOMORROW!

Shouldn't you think about leasing? Thats a major depreciation hit, if youre going to pay cash for the car and sell in 2 yrs.

 

Mini Cooper S (FWD, sorry) or RX-8 (RWD). You'll have the time of your life in the first one, and change to spare either way.

 

I would say either a G35, 350Z, S2000, or maybe an M3 from a year or 2 ago.

 

G35 is cheap in materials with lots of plastic and not an overall solid feeling. Infiniti tries to make up for it with 290 hp in the coupe and 6MT sedan.

BMW 330i 6MT would be fun, and since the car is on the way out, good deals should be had. The 330i usually has decent lease deals. However, I had the opportunity to test drive a 330ci 2 yrs ago when it was a 5 speed manual, and thought the clutch's friction point was too high...don't know if it's changed.

The 2005 MB C Class sport sedans look great and have excellent handling. I have a C230 sedan 6MT on order, for OTD at $30k. 190hp for the 230, but it's quite a good value for what is standard, and the safety features.

 

I was going to say a used M3, maybe a nice 993 (but a whaletail is a MUST).


BUT, why not an 85 308QV, or even the driver 328 Martin is selling? Oh, you wanted cheap maintenance. But maybe putting it under the biz name and writing it off would be good (heck, I think in currency trading a Ferrari is a good sign of things).

Subaru STi is a good bet too.

 

See Dale's post on Porsche.

You didnt say if you need more than 2 seats or not.


If 2 seats is ok.... buy a 2000 or 2001 Porsche Boxster S. Fast, handles great, 6 speed manual, great brakes, lots of trunk space, fantastic ergonomics, amazing A/C and heat, totally quiet with the top up and very practical with it down and they are gorgeous to look at. They are also very reliable and strong cars. DO have a PPI and ask the dealership to run the VIN and see if its has ever had a rear main seal leak. Its very rare on the S, but I would avoid a car that had the issue. If its got 20K miles on it and its never leaked, odds are it never will.

Best of all.... they have depreciated like rocks and there are TONS of them on the market. You should be able to not only find a good car locally, but have your choice of colors.

You can get a great one with under 30K miles for $30K - $33K. As a daily driver, I have been very happy with mine.



Terry

 

I like the C with the sport package as well, very nice inside and out and almost got one as a DD, road warior early last year, but the C230 is just too darn slow compared to even average cars today not to mention for $30K money. He said sporty, and you are likely to get shown up by a Camry V6 in that thing! lol. Again, no offence, and it was a really nice car, but I felt buying a 4cycl Benz was just strange at best and not to say worse.

Infiniti improved the interior a decent margin on the G35 for 05. Less hard plastic, better gauges and steering wheel, real aluminum trim with the sport package instead of painted plastic, and leather on the door pulls instead of vinyl/rubber and other changes that do add up over all comparing to 04 which was decent. The materials are better now, and their interiors have always looked nice. It will not only out run, but out handle the little Benz as well, even the more expensive 320 V6.

If you have to get new, you can’t beat the G35 for your price range for overall enjoyment with looks, handling, speed, and reliability. The VQ engine in those cars will last forever, and should give you several years of 0 engine problems. Its not the fastest, or the best interior, but ranks top for little bit of everything for your money if you know what I mean.

If you put a strong preimum on performance over looks and lux, the WRX STI is a crazy handling all weather little rocket. I just think its looks a little goofy.

 

Even if I had the cash for an Enzo, I'd still make sure an E36 M3 had a place in my garage.. I might even pick that over the E46 (and I've got quite a bit of seat time in both).

-Chris

 

I would go with the G35 coupe 6M. Infiniti just redesigned the interior. See page 24 in the Jan 05 Automobile Magazine. The Manuals now have 298 HP. It seems to be a great all around/reliable car.

Another car that you may want to consider is VW R32. It comes with a wonderful engine, all wheel drive, cool seats and sounds great. When you shift from 2nd to 3rd the car sounds incredible. Only 5000 are coming to the States so it is a rare car too which is always a good thing in my book. I believe dealers are selling them for less than MSRP so you could probably get a new one in the $26K-29K range. They come pretty much loaded but Xenons and GPS are not available. The only option is leather. If you want to try a DSG equipped car you could go with a TT DSG 3.2. You might be able to find a new one in the high 30's/low 40's. Same engine as the R32(a little more horse power) and a blast to drive with the DSG transmission. Audi takes care of all of the maintenance so that is a plus too.

 

If you just want fun, what about an evo8 or sti???? Both about 33-35 thousand, awd, and about 300 horses. They dont have the styling of the g35 or BMW, but they are FUN to drive. I also like the RX8 and the auto (although 40 horses slower than the manual) has a paddel shifing much like the ferrari. I havent driven this one, however it might be worth looking into.

This is the best kind of problem to have, which car do i want!

 

I have a mint nsx for sale on this site! $39,900. Fills all your requirements!

 

I agree, NSX is tough to beat. You might be able to find a comptech sc'ed car for that.

--Dan

 

You might want to try Costco.com and set up an appointment with an affiliated dealer.

Many cars through Costco are straight dealer price. My Subaru was, my friend saved $6k on his Ford truck.


That said, if I was single there's no way I'd take an Infiniti over an NSX (although I like the G35C).

 

As far as pricing, I see the '04 car has a base MSRP of $32,700 at an invoice of $30,076. I don't know what options the car has, but I'd offer 2k below invoice, so maybe 32k and work from there. You shouldn't have to go more than 1k - 1500 up from that. Good luck

 

The C230 is obviously not as powerful as many others that are cheaper, however it's light-years safer. Add to that lower insurance costs b/c I'm 21, and that thieves don't steal its parts to sell gray market - something Toyota is notorious for. I also contemplated the Acura TSX, and that also has a 4 banger (with VTEC), but the Benz is much smoother - even with a supercharger. By no means is it too slow with 0-60 just over 7 sec (I can still have fun with that), but I'll be looking for more power next time, but without compromising safety. I still don't understand how Audi sells the A4 1.8T - that car is big $ for crap.

 

used E46 M3!

 

315hp is extremely easy to make from the car. The aftermarket for the Japanese Skyline is enormous.

 

You can get that car for less. Wish you were not in such a hurry so you could get the 05 with all its upgrades for not much more. The 05 6spd manuals won't be common for about a month still. This car will last you, I promise, unless its that one out of a million type of lemon

The engine in these things are solid. I put 43K miles on a G35 Sedan with the sport package in under 2 years, and she didn't skip a beat with only oil and filter changes. The only thing this car does chew up fast is the brakes. If you get a 6spd with the brembos, these are supposed to be a little better. Good choice, and good luck. Tell them you are aware of the 05 improvements and that you will take it for invoice

 

Second that on my neighbors dodge ram. Picked it up the following day.

Nick

 

used m3 or an older nsx... if you want a convertible, then a s2000..also the boxster s used is a good idea, as is a 99 or 2000 996 coupe, which can be had for around 40k..the g35 is a good practical car, but the infinities do depreciate quickly.....

 

Congrats on your decision John! The G35 coupe is a beautiful design. You'll have to fire up a Ramon Allones or Bolivar for her maiden voyage.

I would offer less than 34 and I would talk to a few dealers for comparison. They need to move these things.

 

I wish I saw this thread yesterday!! I have a 2004 BMW 330i w/ only 6k miles on it that I have to sell. It's my fiance's car, but we just got her a Touareg V8 so the bimmer is on the way out. The car's gorgeous, metallic black w/ black lthr, premium, cold, sport packages, xenons, auto, harmon kardon, etc.. I'm looking for around $37,500 or you could have leased it through my friends dealership for around $500/month.