30k to spend on a car...

[Art Vandelay]

OP neglected to take cost of ownership into considereation. I'd consider CPO Lexus, pretty much trouble free, low maintenance.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

OP neglected to take cost of ownership into considereation. I'd consider CPO Lexus, pretty much trouble free, low maintenance.
I'm always surprised on car sites when recent owners of used cars complain about how much maintenance costs are. The costs are high, but it's not difficult to find this out before the purchase. Maintenance costs should always be considered.

 

[akatsuki]

Definitely consider maintenance, also consider if you have money to repair minor things. Nobody is a baller in a dented BMW, it just means they stretched to get there and then couldn't afford to maintain it.

Skip the 911, 986/996 porsches are ticking time bombs.

 

[epb]

Originally Posted by Urijah1086

I really just want something that will be fun to drive lol i know thats pretty vague but thats what im looking for. What do yall think of Lotus Elise's?

You have no concerns about passenger room, cargo capacity, mileage, insurance costs, weather capabilities, road trip comfort? You're saying that it literally doesn't matter if the vehicle is a Cayenne Turbo or an Ariel Atom?

 

[yjeezle]

Originally Posted by username79

Why would anyone buy an underpowered used 328i for 25K when a brand new 135 (+warranty/free maintenance) is available in the low 30s? Have you seen BMW lease rates lately?
because i think the 1 series looks like crap? don't know much about leases but i'm assuming it's like a long-term rental. 2 years for 30k lease? kinda a waste don'tcha think?

Originally Posted by Urijah1086

I really just want something that will be fun to drive lol i know thats pretty vague but thats what im looking for. What do yall think of Lotus Elise's?
interior looks like crap; not that fast and unless you have twisty roads, it's not that fun to drive.

 

[Cool The Kid]

Originally Posted by impolyt_one

Do 996 3.8's have the same oiling problems as the 3.6? Wasn't it established that the general design of all the non-turbo water cooled blocks (Boxster, 996 and 997 C2/4's) was prone to failure? You can get a ton of car for $30K though, indeed. I think I would choose the M3 over the 996, only for the fear of premature block failure/maintenance costs on the 996.
They fixed that with the refresh in 01 I believe. 03 would be safe. OP's list is about what I think is worth considering. Most 30K Japanese cars in the same class haven't really begun to depreciate. A 30K G35 is a waste. 20K G35 is a good deal. If the OP is handy at all w/a wrench I would also consider a 993 Carrera 2. From what I understand those cars are bulletproof (last incarnation of the air cooled motors = least glitches. Also IIRC the same block that serves the reliable 996-997 GT3s).

 

[Urijah1086]

Originally Posted by Cool The Kid

They fixed that with the refresh in 01 I believe. 03 would be safe. OP's list is about what I think is worth considering. Most 30K Japanese cars in the same class haven't really begun to depreciate. A 30K G35 is a waste. 20K G35 is a good deal. If the OP is handy at all w/a wrench I would also consider a 993 Carrera 2. From what I understand those cars are bulletproof (last incarnation of the air cooled motors = least glitches. Also IIRC the same block that serves the reliable 996-997 GT3s).
Im decently handy with a wrench. When I was 17 I had a 99civic si. I (my brother and myself) installed a turbo on it successfully in our garage. It was a fairly quick car. Kinda miss it. But yeah I basically have it down to the 135i, e46m3, my brother suggested a cayman but iunno much about them...Saw one with a techart kit on it and it looked amazing.. Still weighing my options as i wont be able to drive a stick for about a month because im having surgery on both calf muscles next week, I tore both of them hah, but that gives me a good month to weigh my options... I do appreciate the help btw...

 

[BrianVarick]

I say start driving some cars and see what jumps out at you.

 

[scientific]

just get a decent toyota. in between that and lambo levels you're just wasting money

 

[Butter]

Get an Accord.

3-5 years down the road, you'd be glad about all the money you've saved.

 

[yjeezle]

but you wont get the wimminz in an accord....

 

[SladeDT]

Get a Tandem bike. You can take wimminz back to your deathstar in romantic style.

 

[grundletaint]

Originally Posted by yjeezle

but you wont get the wimminz in an accord....

you will if you drop it and pop some neon

 

[impolyt_one]

Originally Posted by Cool The Kid

They fixed that with the refresh in 01 I believe. 03 would be safe.

OP's list is about what I think is worth considering. Most 30K Japanese cars in the same class haven't really begun to depreciate. A 30K G35 is a waste. 20K G35 is a good deal.

If the OP is handy at all w/a wrench I would also consider a 993 Carrera 2. From what I understand those cars are bulletproof (last incarnation of the air cooled motors = least glitches. Also IIRC the same block that serves the reliable 996-997 GT3s).

Do you know the source of the problem on these motors, or are you just making **** up again, CtK?

at "considering a 993" if one is 'handy with a wrench'

I don't think the guy is gonna take his experience from putting a turbo kit on a Civic Si and make it applicable to fixing a 993.

Another quality post from you.

 

[patrick_b]

If you're in New England you could buy my immaculately maintained 2 yr old Infiniti FX35. AWD & a set of snow tires ready for winter! I just got stuck with a company car so it doesn't make sense to keep it. Perhaps 'stuck' with a company car isn't the right word...but it's a 2011 Ford Taurus...so maybe 'stuck' isn't that far off.

In all seriousness, I've been a German car fan since buying my first GTI in college ca. 1990 (it was an 83 GTI). When looking at vehicles in 08, I was really impressed with the Infiniti lineup. I didn't think I'd buy one until I started driving the G series sedans. The FX gave me a decent ride with a bit of room for 2 kids and a their accompanying items.