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What's the best vehicle for my needs?

1145 messages,  Last post on Sep 17, 2009 at 12:59 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying


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#1086 of 1145
Re: Something Old-School? [plekto] by sebring95
Jul 26, 2009 (6:40 pm)
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Replying to: plekto (Jul 26, 2009 6:02 pm)

I was thinking GTO before I even got to your list. I like the 3-series idea as well although you have to go a little older and higher mileage, but they seem to be well built. I was looking at an AWD 3-series for a commuter and actually like the pre 2006 models better.
#1087 of 1145
Re: Something Old-School? [british_rover] by plekto
Jul 26, 2009 (9:51 pm)
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Replying to: british_rover (Jul 26, 2009 6:10 pm)

I know the Mercedes are a pita when it comes to their optical wiring and such, which is why by base I mean manual windows, no sunroof, cloth seats, no audio system at all(or just remove it)... A total stripper to get rid of most of that idiocy. Put in a good Kenwood setup and an amp in the trunk. But even stripped down, it still gets good MPG and is better than a Corolla
 
The GTO is a nice "sleeper" option since it's really a Holden V8 from Australia. RWD and it gets identical mileage(29 highway!) to the Lacrosse/LeSabre with the venerable 3.8(or 3.9 IIRC now). And the LS1 engine is far more reliable than the newer one from the looks of it. Plus, 350hp is a stupidly huge amount for daily driving as it is. 400HP is a bit mental... I just hate the colors is all - but I could live with the yellow I guess. But that's a cop-magnet color now.
 
I just don't like the 3 series since the late 90s. They are to plastic, too heavy, and too round. Shame, really, since they age poorly and buying a 10-12 year old 3 series is just going to be paying the mechanic every other month for something. The 5 series I might look into though. Much more attractive.
 
I thought about the G35 but it's still too expensive. The CTS is as well since you must get the 3.6. The 2.8 base engine gets no better mpg and is underpowered.
 
I really want a RWD "hot hatch" - but nobody's making them.
#1088 of 1145
Re: Something Old-School? [plekto] by british_rover
Jul 27, 2009 (5:59 am)
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Replying to: plekto (Jul 26, 2009 9:51 pm)

That fiber optic audio system is fully integrated into the car. You aren't going to be able to just remove it without breaking other things.
 
As for manual windows no sunroof and cloth seats. IIRC the only cloth seat C240s were the two door coupe model Kompresors and they weren't avaliable with manual windows.
 
They had manual seats though but all of them have a panoramic power sunroof. At least all the ones I have seen do and I have sold a couple of them too.
 
Base 525i or 530i with a manual are your best bet. Those really are very good cars and they will get great mileage.
#1089 of 1145
Re: Something Old-School? [plekto] by qbrozen
Jul 27, 2009 (9:10 am)
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Replying to: plekto (Jul 26, 2009 9:51 pm)

I'm on board with BR. A 3-series wagon is exactly what you are looking for.
#1090 of 1145
Re: Something Old-School? [qbrozen] by plekto
Jul 27, 2009 (8:43 pm)
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Replying to: qbrozen (Jul 27, 2009 9:10 am)

I did say no 3 series. I've driven the new ones and they are horrendously heavy and ugly. Yes, they drive very nicely, but they are awful in city traffic. The new CTS is the same as well - it does what it does by engineering and massive components rather than being light and agile. I mentioned that I wouldn't consider a 3 series already.
 
What I'm looking for are other choices that I might have overlooked, like maybe something from Infiniti or Mitsubishi or Volvo(if they made the 940 turbo still, it would be a done deal) or another smaller maker that is RWD and can be had with a manual.
 
I love hatchbacks/fastbacks. Perfect solution to the problem. But I don't see any new or used...(except for FWD ones that is...)
 
So far the list is
Trucks.
Toyota Tacoma 4cyl, manual, 4x4.
Rav4(previous gen) 4cyl, manual, 4x4.
 
Cars:
Pontiac GTO with LS1 engine
Lexus IS300
Lexus GS300
BMW 530i
Mercedes C230K (undecided on coupe vs sedan) Too bad they don't import manual E class taxis from Europe... Yes, I'd consider a manual gray market E class, but so far I see about one a year for sale in California.
 
???
 
All of the above choices other than the IS300 are honestly already almost pushing the "too big and heavy" button, but I just don't see any smaller choices with RWD other than a few convertibles and roadsters. Yes, I'd go out and buy a S2000 in a heartbeat, but it's worthless for daily life with a kid. It's got to be able to do things like take his bike to the shop or get his stuff around or move some boxes from storage or whatever.
#1091 of 1145
Re: Something Old-School? [plekto] by sebring95
Jul 28, 2009 (4:25 am)
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Replying to: plekto (Jul 27, 2009 8:43 pm)

I did say no 3 series. I've driven the new ones and they are horrendously heavy and ugly. Yes, they drive very nicely, but they are awful in city traffic. The new CTS is the same as well - it does what it does by engineering and massive components rather than being light and agile..........
 
So far the list is
Trucks.
Toyota Tacoma 4cyl, manual, 4x4.
Rav4(previous gen) 4cyl, manual, 4x4.
 
Well at least I had a great laugh at breakfast. News flash....BMW topped by ancient Tacoma in agility test.
#1092 of 1145
Re: Something Old-School? [plekto] by jeffyscott
Jul 28, 2009 (5:51 am)
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Replying to: plekto (Jul 27, 2009 8:43 pm)

I thought that was pretty funny, you say no 3 series and just about every reply suggests a 3 series
 
Have you tried going to the new cars section of edmunds? You can, for example, click on "sedans", then "all sedans", then you can check off RWD on the left side.
 
What about full time AWD such as in Subarus, would that work for you? Excuse the question, if you have already addressed that, I did not go back and reread all your comments.
#1093 of 1145
Re: Something Old-School? [plekto] by colin_l
Jul 28, 2009 (6:11 am)
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Replying to: plekto (Jul 27, 2009 8:43 pm)

I'll be more polite and simply say that this is an interesting list. When you have such a wide variety of proposed vehicles, I think you need to spend a little more time and figure out what you really value. I can't imagine how any truck could fulfill the same needs/wants as a C230K, for example.
 
BTW, the IS300 has always been heavier than a 3 series when comparing similar trim levels. Just FYI.
#1094 of 1145
Re: Something Old-School? [plekto] by british_rover
Jul 28, 2009 (6:20 am)
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Replying to: plekto (Jul 27, 2009 8:43 pm)

I am not talking about a new 3 series I am talking about the good ones from around 2002. Those are fun relatively light cars.
 
First of all you will never find a IS300 with a manual. I have seen two in my entire life. They made almost none of them and the few they did make have been bought up by kids and modded to hell and back.
 
A 325i weighs 40 lbs less then a IS300 with a manual
 
The 325 also gets significantly better mileage then the IS300.
 
The 530i weighs 250 lbs more then a 325i. So tell me again how a 3 series drives heavier.
 
325i vs 330i vs IS300 manual vs 530i
#1095 of 1145
press request by kirstie_h HOST
Jul 28, 2009 (6:22 am)
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A national newspaper is looking to speak to consumers who are avoiding Chryslers because of the way the dealership closures were handled and/or concerns about the product liability that could happen because of the bankruptcy process. Please send your daytime phone number and the vehicle you own to ctalatiedmunds.com by Wednesday, July 29, 2009.
 
Thanks,
Chintan
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com

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