used car for weekend toy

[dirk diggler]

thinking about buying a car just for the weekend, not as a daily driver. Only willing to spend $4,000 max (hey, kids are in private school). I have a 2004 Yukon, but looking at getting an Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Saab, or Lexus (unless there is another suggestion). I want automatic and something that is not that expensive to maintain. I have seen a lot of cars available on ebay and craigslist for the price range, but most are about 2000 or earlier with at least 125k on the clock.

I am still debating.

What are the most reliable and what are the suggestions?

 

[TylerDurden]

Go with an BMW E30 3 series. Find one with a Manual trans.

 

[Spiral Stairs]

Those brands in that price range will be nothing but trouble and will be expensive to maintain (except perhaps for Lexus). If you don't need the space or seats, I'd get a Miata. They last forever and are about as fun to drive as a car can get.

(However, if you're wedded to an automatic transmission, don't get a Miata, as automatic Miatas are sacrilegious.)

 

[bawlin]

"Weekend toy" + automatic transmission + luxury marque + $4,000... DOES. NOT. COMPUTE.

Weekend P.O.S., maybe...

 

[BrianVarick]

I think you should wait on the weekend toy for a few years. Or buy one of these.

There is a track near my house, and a lot of them go over 80mph.

 

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by bawlin

"Weekend toy" + automatic transmission + luxury marque + $4,000... DOES. NOT. COMPUTE.

Weekend P.O.S., maybe...

we each have a different definition of toy. Mine is something I won't have the car seats in.

 

[dirk diggler]

um, ok

Originally Posted by BrianVarick

I think you should wait on the weekend toy for a few years. Or buy one of these.

There is a track near my house, and a lot of them go over 80mph.

 

[BrianVarick]

I was actually being serious, you aren't going to find a bigger thrill for less than $200,000.

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

we each have a different definition of toy. Mine is something I won't have the car seats in.

XJS V12 Jag convertible, 1990ish or so should be about 3-4K, put $50-100 aside every week for the eventual repairs but if you are only using it on the weekend, even the jag can last you a few years.

 

[crazyquik]

Military surplus M35. All-wheel drive, with low range. Multi-fuel engines run on diesel . . . or bio-diesel . . .kerosine . . . or transmission fluid . . . or burnt motor oil . . . or even gasoline if you mix some oil with it. $1000-$3000

 

[Mark from Plano]

Originally Posted by Spiral Stairs

If you don't need the space or seats, I'd get a Miata. They last forever and are about as fun to drive as a car can get.

(However, if you're wedded to an automatic transmission, don't get a Miata, as automatic Miatas are sacrilegious.)

This

Originally Posted by edmorel

XJS V12 Jag convertible, 1990ish or so should be about 3-4K, put $50-100 aside every week for the eventual repairs but if you are only using it on the weekend, even the jag can last you a few years.

Or this.

Or perhaps since it's a weekend only car, get a '60's to 80's muscle car ('60's Mustang, '70's Camaro/Firebird, '70's Challenger, etc.). You obviously won't get a show quality specimen for this price, but it could be a fun car nonetheless.

 

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by crazyquik

Military surplus M35. All-wheel drive, with low range. Multi-fuel engines run on diesel . . . or bio-diesel . . .kerosine . . . or transmission fluid . . . or burnt motor oil . . . or even gasoline if you mix some oil with it.

$1000-$3000

won't fit in the garage, but thanks.

 

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by edmorel

XJS V12 Jag convertible, 1990ish or so should be about 3-4K, put $50-100 aside every week for the eventual repairs but if you are only using it on the weekend, even the jag can last you a few years.

looking for smaller than a v12. already have a v8. but thanks.

 

[bawlin]

Originally Posted by Mark from Plano

Or perhaps since it's a weekend only car, get a '60's to 80's muscle car ('60's Mustang, '70's Camaro/Firebird, '70's Challenger, etc.). You obviously won't get a show quality specimen for this price, but it could be a fun car nonetheless.

You couldn't even get a rusted, rotted, rolling chassis of any of those cars for $4,000.

Some of you guys are delusional.

 

[Rye GB]

Originally Posted by bawlin

You couldn't even get a rusted, rotted, rolling chassis of any of those cars for $4,000. Some of you guys are delusional.
Craigslist and Ebay for the So Cal region have plenty of those cars mentioned at that price (Challenger excluded), not anywhere close to pristine but not inoperable either. A few friends and myself always discuss what cars we would like and could afford to purchase as weekend toys. I would say you need at least $12k that will get you something that won't be a maintenance nightmare or blow up after a week, and even at 12k you'll still need a reasonable maintenance budget for unforseen breakdowns. I'd use the 4k as a down payment and try to finance another 8-10k to get something half decent you'll enjoy. You'll obviously get differing opinions from the rich kids around here but this is my advice given the limited budget. Our choices. Vintage: 64 Chevy El Camino 64 Ford Falcon Boy Racer: 97-99 E36 M3 with 80-90k 99-01 330 80-80k