Help Me Pick a New Car...

So i think the parents have finally realized my current car ('97 Chrysler Sebring) is on its way out and asked what cars i'd be interested in. Nothing immediate but in the near future. You get the idea.

Here's what i'd LIKE. I understand all of these may not be on any 1 car. Suggestions are appreciated. Must be newish and "safe" (Dads characteristic, not mine, lol)

Preferably Manual
Preferably Coupe
Powerful (but nothing crazy)
"Cool" (You know what i mean)
A good daily driver
Preferably RWD
Decent stereo (or upgradable stereo)


I've been looking at cars like ex-police Crown Vics (V8, VERY cool, RWD, powerful), Volvo 850 T-5R's (rare, cool, quite powerful), GMC Syclones D) and i'm intersted in hearing other peoples opinions. Car will be driven to and from college (~60 miles) fairly regularly.

I don't want a Honda before anyone says that. Thats my choice, i don't care how good they are.

What are the Mazda 3's like?




Thanks




Chris

 

Does seat number count?

 

how about leasing a 2007 BMW 328i?

 

Umm. Not really. I'd like some seats in the back if possible but its not that important. Of course, if there are no seats in the back then i won't be giving rides to everyone in college so thats a plus

Don't start. Please. I tried sooo hard to convince my parents and i know the lease deals are sooo sweet right now but i don't think it'll fly "You're in college. You can't afford/don't need a BMW" bah

Same for the A4 3.0

 

want me to come by with a baseball bat to convince them?

 

how much are they willing to spend?

 

I'm guessing 10k give or take


I'm gonna try and swing the Bimmer again. I could make the payments easily, its just convincing them that i can "handle it" that'll be hard. Doesn't help that i've been pulled over 3 times in the past few months

 

how bout an E36 M3?

 

Maserati?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Maserati-Cabriolet-Zagato-1986-NR_W0QQitemZ330107318944QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item330107318944

 

Or E30!

 

they are hard to find

 

I saw a few listed last month, a couple on the East coast.

 

Infiniti G35 sounds like it would fit your bill just fine.

 

But for the $10k price range!

I personally like the mid-90's Benzes (pre Chrysler buyout), you can get a cruiser car for ~$10.

 

my car is based off the mazda 6 and I test drove one of those they're great. The mazda 3 is also awesome car, all mazdas really, they live up to the theme-zoom zoom. cheap, reliable, decent mpg and great handling! Especially the speed editions. My cousin loves hers. Bought brand new for 13k

 

WINNER!

http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/1995_volvo_850_t5r

making something like 500whp. not bad

that, or an E36 M3.

 

+1. G35 coupe with a 6-speed. about 300HP... RWD... Brembo brakes...

 

Insurance = Killer. Insurance for a 19 year old with 2 tickets and 4 points = Ungodly

Maintanance is too high and its so hard to find a good one in my price range

See first line of post #7. If i could get the Infiniti, i'd get the BMW

 

Subaru Impreza 2.5RS - They look cool enough when you put some wheels and suspension on them, insurance is low, maint is low, very reliable, decent mileage, AWD, enough power to keep you happy but not get you killed and it's in your price range.

 

well, the 10k takes care of my original idea, a 350z. however, my friend just got a manual, coupe subaru wrx, 2004, less than 25k miles on it, recent services, yada yada yada, for under 15, so if you're willing to move up in price a little bit, that's more than likely what i would recomend.

 

He got a deal then, i can't find any in that price range with those kind of miles




Just out of curiosity, does anyone have any pics of the new BMW 3 coupe in either Montego blue/Saddle or black/saddle?

 

Chris check out 98-02 CLK coupes. or look at E320 coupes or E300 coupes from the late 80's-early 90's. They will be in or close to your budget are relieable. The inline 6 engines are some of the most reliable engines every to come out of MB and the quality is there. When clean they are not bad looking either.
Erik

 

Maybe a 1999 E36 BMW 328i. Manual, Coupe, Powerful, Great Daily Driver, RWD. Beautiful straight six, great steering & handling. Cheap to run, and parts not so bad. E34 525i even better quality but you said coupe.

Why not a Mazda MX5 (1st series) or Alfa Spider S4?