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Help me Decide...

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by d-kauf, Jan 10, 2008.

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  1. d-kauf

    d-kauf Formula Junior

    Oct 11, 2006
    330
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Full Name:
    David
    #1 d-kauf, Jan 10, 2008
    While I'm not entirely ready to make the purchase, I will be within the next six months. I am looking for a car, that for the most part, meets the following criteria (although it doesn't necessarily have to match 100%).


    $25,000 +/- price tag
    Manual transmission
    RWD or AWD
    300+ horsepower
    4-doors
    2004 or newer
    "Lower" mileage (subjective, of course but I don't want a car that is over 100k and is going to start falling apart)
    Import (prefer Germany or Japan)
    NOT a WRX, STI, EVO, etc


    Here is what I have found to be in the range and am now considering:
    Audi S4
    BMW 530 (might be low on power)
    BMW 545
    BMW M5 (previous gen; 2002-2003; price might be a stretch)
    Infinity G35 sedan
    Lexus IS350 (don't think it comes in 6-spd though)
    Volvo S60R


    Any advice, experiences are appreciated.

    Thanks.
     
  2. senna21

    senna21 F1 Rookie

    Jul 2, 2004
    3,334
    Los Angeles, CA
    Full Name:
    Charles W
    #2 senna21, Jan 10, 2008
    Lexus IS350 and don't worry about the mileage. It'll never fall apart. :)
     
  3. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 15, 2006
    28,633
    Phoenix
    Full Name:
    AG
    #3 agup48, Jan 11, 2008
    The Lexus IS250 comes in a manual transmission if you really want that. Also, the 350 would be far more than your 25k budget while the 250 would be around there. Since your around the same area, I did a autotrader search, I know its not that great, but lowest on the 350 is 34k and on the 250 is 27k
     
  4. d-kauf

    d-kauf Formula Junior

    Oct 11, 2006
    330
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Full Name:
    David
    #4 d-kauf, Jan 11, 2008
    Thanks for the info. I have a friend with a 250 and it seems awfully underpowered. I guess I should focus more on the other cars on my list.
     
  5. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

    Dec 20, 2003
    11,158
    NJ
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    Chris
    #5 SefacHotRodder, Jan 11, 2008
    The old bi-turbo S4's are very very expensive to maintain
     
  6. tundraphile

    tundraphile F1 Veteran

    May 16, 2007
    5,083
    Missouri
    #6 tundraphile, Jan 11, 2008
    Could you get a Phaeton for $25k?
     
  7. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 21, 2005
    15,291
    FL / GA
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    Bill Tracy
    #7 BT, Jan 11, 2008
    Maybe a 2004-2005 Q45. 340 hp, usually very well taken care of, and greatly depreciated.
    BT
     
  8. d-kauf

    d-kauf Formula Junior

    Oct 11, 2006
    330
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Full Name:
    David
    #8 d-kauf, Jan 11, 2008
    The S4's I am considering are the V8's
     
  9. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 2, 2004
    72,533
    Cloud-9
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    Jason
    #9 TexasF355F1, Jan 11, 2008
    If the budget allows, the 2002-'03 M5. That's one bad-A machine.
     
  10. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 14, 2003
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    BCHC
    #10 darth550, Jan 11, 2008
    Don't even think about it now. 6 months gets you closer to the '09 my and more options dropping into your desired price range.
     
  11. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 14, 2003
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    #11 darth550, Jan 11, 2008
    ....and I would get the best E39 M5 I can find at that time.
     
  12. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
    12,887
    Cumming, Georgia
    Full Name:
    Franklin E. Parker
    #12 parkerfe, Jan 11, 2008
    Even though you indicate you're not interested, a Mitsubishi EVO IX or Subaru STi is your best bet for performance, economy and reliability...
     
  13. d-kauf

    d-kauf Formula Junior

    Oct 11, 2006
    330
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Full Name:
    David
    #13 d-kauf, Jan 11, 2008
    I don't disagree, but I don't like the "hot import" association that comes along with those cars. Personal choice, I guess.
     
  14. FerrariF50lover

    FerrariF50lover Formula 3

    Aug 12, 2005
    2,383
    Ohio
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    Nate
    #14 FerrariF50lover, Jan 11, 2008
    The Volvo for sure.
     
  15. d-kauf

    d-kauf Formula Junior

    Oct 11, 2006
    330
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Full Name:
    David
    #15 d-kauf, Jan 11, 2008
    Any personal experience with these? Obviously this is the #1 choice on my list (should I find one that fits that budget). Any major issues I should watch out for?
     
  16. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 14, 2003
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    In front of you
    Full Name:
    BCHC
    #16 darth550, Jan 11, 2008
    I haven't owned one myself but I have always liked them. I'm sure there is feedback on them here or a few owners who can chime in. :)
     
  17. d-kauf

    d-kauf Formula Junior

    Oct 11, 2006
    330
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Full Name:
    David
    #17 d-kauf, Jan 11, 2008
    I think the S60R might be the best bang for the buck of the bunch...
     
  18. whart

    whart F1 Veteran
    Honorary Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 5, 2001
    6,569
    Austin, TX
    Full Name:
    William Maxwell Hart
    #18 whart, Jan 11, 2008
    I am having an absolute ball with a MiniCooper S with the JCW tuning kit installed; fit and finish is superb, and car is totally fun to drive (and no slouch, once you get over the characteristic torque steer of a FWD car). Only downside that I have encountered so far is that other drivers tend to treat you like you are not there. As to image, it is sort of reverse-chic from my perspective. You may see it differently. Used, I'd find an older 911 that had been respected, rather than beat on and remained stock.
     
  19. 88MONDIAL

    88MONDIAL Formula 3

    Apr 13, 2005
    1,052
    Racine, Wisconsin
    Full Name:
    Jim Smith
    #19 88MONDIAL, Jan 11, 2008
    Jaguar S-Type 4.0 gets my vote. Great looking car with a lot of style and substance.

    EDIT: Oops, just noticed you wanted a manual tranny.
     
  20. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

    Jan 9, 2004
    7,765
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    Neil
    #20 62 250 GTO, Jan 11, 2008
    Too new, you'll never find one.
     
  21. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

    Jan 9, 2004
    7,765
    Nova Scotia Canada
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    Neil
    #21 62 250 GTO, Jan 11, 2008
    Ding, ding, ding.
     
  22. d-kauf

    d-kauf Formula Junior

    Oct 11, 2006
    330
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Full Name:
    David
    #22 d-kauf, Jan 11, 2008
    I would love a 911, and have strongly considered a 993 or 996. Unfortunately, at this time I need something a little larger and with 4 doors.
     
  23. d-kauf

    d-kauf Formula Junior

    Oct 11, 2006
    330
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Full Name:
    David
    #23 d-kauf, Jan 11, 2008
  24. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

    Jan 9, 2004
    7,765
    Nova Scotia Canada
    Full Name:
    Neil
    #24 62 250 GTO, Jan 11, 2008
  25. d-kauf

    d-kauf Formula Junior

    Oct 11, 2006
    330
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Full Name:
    David
    #25 d-kauf, Jan 11, 2008
    This M5 is reasonable and right down th street from me

    http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=232708880&dealer_id=55670364&car_year=2002&model=M5&num_records=100&systime=&make2=&start_year=2002&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=BMW&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=20000&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=85032&advanced=&end_year=2005&doors=&transmission=&max_price=31000&cardist=11
     
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