Mark from Plano
Stylish Dinosaur
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2007
- Messages
- 11,061
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I'm considering giving in to my mid-life crisis impulses and upping the sex-appeal of my ride. I think it may be time to retire the Republo-Prius and I'm thinking of getting something different after the first of the year. I'd like to keep some perspective on this thing and keep the cost in the range of $30k or less (might stretch to $35k, but that's it). I haven't done much looking yet, but here's what I'm thinking:
Given my recent lifestyle change (no ****...read: divorce), practicality may not be my first consideration. While my commute is about 50 miles a day (20,000 per year all-in) and will be for the foreseeable future I'm pretty much over the practicality of the Prius/econocar and want something nicer. My kids are older and I don't necessarily need to haul their crap everywhere.
I'm willing to consider a nicer, low mileage (say <30K) used car to get the cost down (see below for some basic research in this area). I do need something that can be a daily driver, so vintage car is probably out.
I'm new to this and so I don't even know what my options for a newer car would be in this price range. If you suggest something, chances are I haven't considered it yet, so fire away.
As far as used goes I've found some CPO Mercedes SLK convertibles (2006 or later) with less than 30,000 miles and at least one BMW Z4 convertible (2006 with 16,000 miles). I don't know much about either of these models so I'd need some education on them. I'd consider either a sedan (5-series? E class?) or a coupe. Convertible is nice, but not necessary.
What should I be looking at new in this price range? Any other nice used models I should be looking at?
Given my recent lifestyle change (no ****...read: divorce), practicality may not be my first consideration. While my commute is about 50 miles a day (20,000 per year all-in) and will be for the foreseeable future I'm pretty much over the practicality of the Prius/econocar and want something nicer. My kids are older and I don't necessarily need to haul their crap everywhere.
I'm willing to consider a nicer, low mileage (say <30K) used car to get the cost down (see below for some basic research in this area). I do need something that can be a daily driver, so vintage car is probably out.
I'm new to this and so I don't even know what my options for a newer car would be in this price range. If you suggest something, chances are I haven't considered it yet, so fire away.
As far as used goes I've found some CPO Mercedes SLK convertibles (2006 or later) with less than 30,000 miles and at least one BMW Z4 convertible (2006 with 16,000 miles). I don't know much about either of these models so I'd need some education on them. I'd consider either a sedan (5-series? E class?) or a coupe. Convertible is nice, but not necessary.
What should I be looking at new in this price range? Any other nice used models I should be looking at?