View Full Version : What to buy? (car advise)
MPfiveengineer
08-30-2007, 22:16
Hi guys, I definitely miss Colorado but I have to admit Seattle is VERY COOL. Anyway something about Seattle that is very uncool is the traffic. I have had my 1998 Jeep Wrangler Sahara since January 4th 1998 and it has been a great vehicle but the manual transmission is not working out with the traffic I sometimes get in here. I am looking at getting a used car as I don’t want to take the hit on a new one and I have not had a car payment for 7 years.
So here is what I am looking at, a BMW (325,328,330i), a Volvo S60, a Saab 93, a Audi A4, and a Volkswagen Passat. All of these would be circa 2002-2004. I know quite a few of you are car guys and probably know a whole lot more about them than I do and would definitely appreciate you advise. It obviously does not snow here like it does in Colorado so I am not that concerned about all wheel drive. I have test driven all of these and the BMW and the Volvo are my current favorites but I think I need to give the Audi another chance because the one I drove seemed like it had a very hard previous life.
Anyway I would love to hear/read what you guys have to say.
Take care you guys,
Ken
i would stay away from audi and sabb. Everyone that i know that has an audi or sabb has had nothing but headaches. Electronic problems, turbo going out on the sabb, computer glitches on the audi, etc. get the BMW. Hope you have a garage to park it in.
MPfiveengineer
08-31-2007, 00:43
I have test driven a 325i and a 328i, I guess I need to check out a 330i. I should have prefaced by saying that I am not looking for a racer and am not interested in a M3,S4,S60R or anything like that.
the 330i has the bigger motor and is the nicest of the 3 you listed.
I personaly would like an M3, but my second choice is the 330xi or 330i (I like the 2004 330xi, the manual tranny version has a 6 speed!!) :)
don't get the 4 wheel version (x) unless it's the 330xi, they don't have the motor for it IMHO.
JohnTRourke
08-31-2007, 06:21
having owned 2 BMW's, I must say they are OUTSTANDING cars.
however, (and this is true of all those makes you mention), they are going to BREAK YOU at the dealership. There's a reason 3 to 5 year old Europeon cars are cheap. All that little cool stuff breaks down, all the time and it just nickels and dimes you to death.
don't do it.
if you want a europeon car, buy (or better lease) a new one with warranty.
and stay way the hell away from VW, major reliability problems since the late 90's.
Asha'man
08-31-2007, 12:24
Every one of those listed will be in the shop a substantial amount of time per year. My good buddy works on VW's all day long and they are complete piles, and expensive to fix. Same with Audi - same family. Another buddy used to work on Volvos at the dealership in the Springs and it was the same story. Unreliable and expensive to fix. BMW seems to be a bit of a crapshoot; the older cars are tougher and more reliable than the newer ones, is my take on things. Saabs - I would stay the hell away.
Get a Lexus IS300 or IS350.
HunterCO
08-31-2007, 12:46
I vote for none of the above. Any of those will put you in the poor house when they break.
Toyota or Honda always gets my vote except the Honda passport it's made by Isuzu and they are pure crap.
micah360
08-31-2007, 15:21
I have a 1999 VW Passat turbo wagon and a 2000 Audi A4 turbo (both with aftermarker APR chips). I've had them both for two years now with NOT ONE issue (knock on wood) with either. This is my first Audi and 4th VW and I love the dubs and never have issues with them.
I've owned Jeep, Dodge, Cadillac, Nissan, Honda too... VWs and Audis are my favorite... but to each his own.
Commuter car? Honda Civic wins pants down.
I bought mine in 01 for commuting in SoCal, 90K miles and it has never had an issue. Just runs and runs and gets 38 mpg. Best car I ever bought new.
MPfiveengineer
08-31-2007, 19:01
I dont want a Japanese vehicle.
Asha'man
09-01-2007, 01:23
I dont want a Japanese vehicle.
Why?
Cadillac CTS for the win :)
Go for either caddy, mercedes or BMW. The european ones are better if you can afford em, but the new cadillacs are really ahead of the game in comparison to many cars out there. Mercedes would be my #1 choice if i had the money.
Steer clear of audi and VW.
I hate asian cars.... sure they may be reliable but you get way more bang for your buck out of an american car.
....
Toyota or Honda always gets my vote except the Honda passport it's made by Isuzu and they are pure crap.
ouch[Slap]
[Neene3]
Asha'man
09-01-2007, 09:55
I hate asian cars.... sure they may be reliable but you get way more bang for your buck out of an american car.
[LOL]
now adays american cars come with 7 year 100k mile warrentys as well... I wouldnt plan on keeping em for more than 5 years anyways so who cares.
Richard K
09-01-2007, 14:00
Even though you don't like Japanese cars, if I were you, I'd consider a used Lexus. I've got 90K on an '03 RX300 and have never had a single problem with it. Lexus is always rated at or near the top for reliablility by Consumer Reports.
MPfiveengineer
09-02-2007, 17:29
Why?
Because I have already had an Acura Legend and a Mitsubishi Eclipse. They were both good cars but I really want the feel and engineering of a Sweedish or German car. The main reason I dont like the new VW Passat is because driving it feel like driving a Jap car.
Ya i know what you mean. BMW is great, my dad has a mercedes and that car is just really really nice.
Jap cars are reliable and have possibly some of the best mechanical designes they just feel cheap when you drive them, also rarley big enough for us big guys out there.
If you can afford a BMW maybee you can afford one of the comparable Mercedes as well make sure to try one ;)
HunterCO
09-02-2007, 21:00
ouch[Slap]
[Neene3]
Just be glad you don't have the same engine the passports do or you would be hating life. [Rant1]
Because I have already had an Acura Legend and a Mitsubishi Eclipse. They were both good cars but I really want the feel and engineering of a Sweedish or German car. The main reason I dont like the new VW Passat is because driving it feel like driving a Jap car.
Sounds like your mind is made up buy any of them and some vasoline to go with it for when it breaks down.;)
Ok.
If you are choosing those cars, I can't help with the Saab or VW.
However, over the last 2-3 years I have had the opportunity to drive some decent cars on autobahns. I have had c and E class merecedes, audi A3 and A4, and a BMW3 series.
I like the way audis drive over the mercedes. They are more stable and handle better. They are not as comfortable though. This last trip, I just had a BMW 320d. Although a 2L diesel, it had a top speed of 225kmh. I saw a little over 220kmh on the speedo. I drove for long periods of time between 180 and 200kmh. The BMW was the only car I have driven that was both confidence inspiring at speed and relaxing (comfortable) to drive at speed.
Go for the BMW.
-Dana
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