A car for LA

[Violinist]

There's a strong possibility I'll be going to USC for two years and will need a car. Let me preface this by saying that I know very little about the car market outside of what I've experienced first hand with two specific german makers. Neither of them would be sensible, nor necessary at this point.

There's a small possibility that I can get one of my parent's cars, but since they both just got brand new ones, and change every 3 years or so, I don't think I'll get anything from them for this summer when I move. Also, if I got anything it would be the M3 and I simply can't justify that being 6'4 and far too big to drive comfortable in that little skate board. I'd like to have something a bit more modest.

I do have money to have a wide array of options, but I'd much prefer to support my watch and instrument buying habit, so buying a low midlevel luxury car isn't what I'm looking for. In fact, I'm looking for something respectable which I will not have to repair constantly and has alright gas mileage. I really, really don't care about cars at this point in my life as much as I care about other expensive things so basically I want to get a very good value.

Even though I've decided to be more than sensible and for once not indulge my epicurean ways, I still don't want to have to drive something totally embarrasing. Are there any specific types of used cars which will allow me to get something with a longer wheelbase and a reliable construction? I like leg room when I'm driving. I remember a friend having a Nissan Maxima with a leather interior. It was surprisingly comfortable and I remember almost prefering it to my dad's 5 series. Is this a good car to look into on the used market?

What price range do you think makes sense for a student who is only getting a car because he has to, but also doesn't want to look and feel like a total scrub while driving it?

 

[LabelKing]

I suppose being 6'4" precludes you from a vintage Alfa Romeo. Given that you are in LA, the idea of a "car" is something that is akin to a status symbol, and vintage (Italian) cars transcend status--unless it's something from the '80s.

A Citroen DS? Maserati Merak? Lancia Flaminia? Mercedes Benz 280SE coupe? Out of reliability, the Mercedes is probably the most reliable.

 

[ratboycom]

Go Japanese, If you want reliability stay away from Nissan as they really arent that great for reliability. I say check out a Scion xB if you can stand the looks of it. Plenty of leg room front and back, sure its no luxury car but it has ample space, its small enough that it is sensible around town, gets decent gas mileage, power isnt too bad (lots of aftermarket if you want to go turbo or something), very reliable. If you are looking for something a bit more luxurious look at like a Lexus IS series or GS series both (with I6 in the older models or V6 in the new ones) have good power, ample room, decent mileage, good reliability.

 

[Millerp]

Have you limited yourself to sedans or coupes?

For ample head and leg room, why not a SUV?

I agree that you might want to go Japanese for reliability.

Acura MDX for luxury, leather, etc. Toyota has several SUVs in a variety of sizes and degrees of luxury.
The Subaru Outback is smaller but has good head and leg room.

If you are going used, consider getting a Certified Pre-Owned from a dealer.

Check out kbb.com for used and new car prices specs and reviews.

 

[Pink22m]

Forget the SUV...why not a wagon?

 

[A Y]

I'll sound like an old fogey, but you're a student. Don't worry about the kind of car you have as long as you can afford it and its maintenance (that means insurance as well which will be really high since you're young). There's plenty of time later on in your life for nice cars.

I went to school in Pasadena for 4 years, and only had a bicycle for the last two years, and it was fine. I'm not sure I'd want to bike around the USC area, though.

--Andre

 

[itsstillmatt]

I wouldn't go to USC, but if I was forced to go there, I would only feel safe in a Humvee. Preferably one of the up-armored ones.

 

[drizzt3117]

Honestly I'd buy a Camry from 2002-2003 or something of the sort. It's a comfortable, very reliable car that is more or less the same as the Lexus ES300 and if you get it with leather interior it's essentially the same car. With the 6 cyl, it has essentially the same performance as well, but with the price of gas and amount of commuting you're likely to be facing that may not be the best solution, its up to you. Accords are also good choices. My "beater" car is a 99 Accord 4 cyl. I drive alot, about 80k highway miles a year, and there's no way I'm putting those miles on my SL65. The Accord does a good job, is quiet, comfortable, and averages about 33 mpg on the highway. As fuel costs for me were close to 10k this past year (albeit tax deductible) that's kind of a big deal, and the reason why I traded my GS400 daily driver in for an accord. I'm not sure where you're going to be living but if you're going to USC it's likely not in SC LA, so expect to drive more than you ever have

Welcome to SoCal heh

 

[matadorpoeta]

women in l.a. judge you by the car you drive. if you want to get laid often, take the m3.

if you insist on something practical (though i don't know what's more practical than a chick magnet) buy japanese. a honda accord coupe might fit the bill. i will always insist that a single man has no business buying a sedan, wagon, or suv unless he really needs the space for his business activities.

i like labelking's suggestions, but around here, you can only use those as a second car. this city demands something that won't break down once a month, as my old mercedes and fiats used to do.

 

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by ratboycom

Go Japanese, If you want reliability stay away from Nissan as they really arent that great for reliability.
Huh? Says who? My family has had 3 Nissan Pathfinders and they've we've never had any huge issues.

 

[gamelan]

based on your criteria, i'd go with a Lexus, maybe something like the newly redesigned IS.

-Jeff

 

[Violinist]

The Camry sounds like a good idea. I realize that LA has a special brand of materialism that is quite embarrasing but in this case unless I get the M3 I'll have to rely on the slightly more observant gold digging whore to notice what kinds of watches I wear to decide whether or not to sleep with me.

Ultimately having a shittier car like a Camry, in that regard, probably serves to weed out the bad ones anyways. As for an SUV, the X5 is an option for me to take but the gas would be hell. I am all for the "baller" lifestyle but here in Montreal I've gotten used to being able to walk to most places, and frankly spending money on a car when I could be getting bottle service every weekend or whatever useless luxury seems like one hell of a drag. And like the old fogey said, it's definately not necessary now. I think Drizzt's solution makes a whole lot of sense.

 

[Violinist]

Ok what if I lived and went to school at a place right across from Disney Hall? Could I get to most of the important places and have a social life by walking and cabbing, or do I still need a car?

 

[Matt]

you still need a car. Its LA. The place is too big and USC is in too ****** a part of town to rely on walking. Your taxi bill will cost more than your Camry. If you want that Montreal like walk around town kinda feel, move to San Francisco instead.

Personally if I was going to live there again, Id be looking at mid 80s American muscle cars - Corvettes and Trans Ams - from the era that isnt yet considered collectible, and for which parts are cheap and plentiful should anything go awry.

 

[LabelKing]

Clearly, the only choice is a Citroen-Maserati SM.