What's the best vehicle for my needs?

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

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#936 of 1145 Sporty look, luxury inside, used, entry level, car seat by dash5 Jul 01, 2009 (6:10 am)
I think that covers it. I would like a used sporty luxury sedan that can fit a car seat in it. I'm riding around in a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta and it's time to treat myself. The car I want needs to be at least as roomy inside as my Jetta, but I'd also like it to be sporty, safe and have luxury features. Also, front wheel or all wheel drive, good in snow. Looking to spend around 15-18k, again this is used obviously. Nothing older than 2002, nothing over say 60k miles. To that end I've been thinking: BMW 3 series (325xi, 330xi) Mercedes C class Volvo S60/S70 Acura TL Audi A4/A6 Any advice? It doesnt have to have amazing performance in terms of sports car, I value a powerful but clean, quiet, smooth ride with a nice interior and cockpit. Also needs to be able to handle a car seat for my son and comfortable for adults in rear too would be nice! Replies to this message: qbrozen (Jul 01, 2009 7:18 am) dash5 (Jul 01, 2009 7:33 am) sebring95 (Jul 01, 2009 8:03 am) qbrozen (Jul 01, 2009 9:00 am) zdogs (Jul 01, 2009 9:21 am) sebring95 (Jul 01, 2009 9:45 am) exb0 (Jul 01, 2009 10:26 am) dash5 (Jul 03, 2009 7:17 pm)
#937 of 1145 Re: All over the place on what I'm looking for [suydam] by plekto Jul 01, 2009 (6:42 am)
Replying to: suydam (Jul 01, 2009 5:18 am) >I'd say the Honda Element, the Rav-4, and the XTerra. He did say 0-60 in under 8 seconds. With a manual, he will easily accelerate as fast as the traffic around him. Also, due to the fact that they get those ratings by dropping the clutch at redline and hammer it to death to get those ratings.(read 50 such launches before the transmission pretty much eats itself). What really matters is transitional speeds and getting in and out of traffic. Any V6 will be competant enough. Replies to this message: qbrozen (Jul 01, 2009 7:18 am)
#938 of 1145 Re: Sporty look, luxury inside, used, entry level, car seat [dash5] by qbrozen Jul 01, 2009 (7:18 am)
Replying to: dash5 (Jul 01, 2009 6:10 am) All decent cars in your list. Although, if you want to keep long-term costs down, I might toss the Benz and Audi. IMHO, the S60 is the best semi-luxo used-car bargain, if you want FWD. BUT, the back seat is kinda tight for your purposes. For AWD, also consider the G35X. It is a tad roomier than the S60, but you will suffer quite the fuel penalty. Replies to this message: dash5 (Jul 01, 2009 7:33 am) sebring95 (Jul 01, 2009 8:03 am) qbrozen (Jul 01, 2009 9:00 am)
#939 of 1145 Re: All over the place on what I'm looking for [plekto] by qbrozen Jul 01, 2009 (7:18 am)
Replying to: plekto (Jul 01, 2009 6:42 am) With a manual, he will easily accelerate as fast as the traffic around him Poster said he wants auto, though.
#940 of 1145 Re: Upgrade [shake15] by qbrozen Jul 01, 2009 (7:29 am)
Replying to: shake15 (Jun 30, 2009 8:48 pm) Hmmm... I don't think any of those are cars someone should consider who is "on a budget," if it is going to be your daily driver. The corvette is probably the most durable and least expensive to fix. I'm not familiar with the long-term reliability of the Cobra, however. I would definitely knock the VR4 off the list. I've heard too many stories about the overcomplexity of them and all the things that can/will go wrong. Stylish is in the eye of the beholder. In any case, I think there are other options that might serve you better. How about a WRX? Doesn't take all that much to bump those up to amazing performance levels. Or a 300ZX turbo. Would be FAR cheaper to purchase, giving you LOTS of leftover money for upgrades and maintenance.
#941 of 1145 Re: Sporty look, luxury inside, used, entry level, car seat [qbrozen] by dash5 Jul 01, 2009 (7:33 am)
Replying to: qbrozen (Jul 01, 2009 7:18 am) Thanks for the reply. Yes I keep hearing about the Audi and long term costs. Good point there. Do you have any input on the BMW 3 series AWD's? I'm curious if the ride is smooth and quiet and how big it is compared to say my Jetta. Or is it more of a sports car, rough and louder revving. Thanks again, will definitely check out the S60's. Replies to this message: sebring95 (Jul 01, 2009 8:03 am) qbrozen (Jul 01, 2009 9:00 am)
#942 of 1145 Re: Sporty look, luxury inside, used, entry level, car seat [dash5] by sebring95 Jul 01, 2009 (8:03 am)
Replying to: dash5 (Jul 01, 2009 7:33 am) I'm personally quite fond of the 3-series and a nice certified unit is hard to beat. The 330xi and X3 are both terrific vehicles IMHO. I've shopped this class and if I decide to buy a car it will be one of those. Find one with 20k miles with lots of original warranty plus the certified.....worst part of the depreciation is gone. I forget your budget, but this post applies to the other guy looking at them as well. The models with sport packages might ride rougher than you want, but it's basically an even better Jetta in every way.
#943 of 1145 Re: Sporty look, luxury inside, used, entry level, car seat [dash5] by qbrozen Jul 01, 2009 (9:00 am)
Replying to: dash5 (Jul 01, 2009 7:33 am) The 3-series is great, but a bit more expensive. Plus, you want to take a good hard look at the rear seat room. Bring the car seat with you, install it, then sit in the seat in front of it. Its not that you can't get away with it. I would. But most people with carseats seem to want more room.
#944 of 1145 Re: Sporty look, luxury inside, used, entry level, car seat [dash5] by zdogs Jul 01, 2009 (9:21 am)
Replying to: dash5 (Jul 01, 2009 6:10 am) If you're driving a Jetta (and like it) why not look at the Passat? The 2.0 Turbo is pretty sporty and you can get a much newer one (06 - 08) for your budget than you can with the other models you listed. Plus they are very roomy in the backseat. Took a quick look on Autotrader and found an '08 2.0T with 21K miles for $19k. A few 2006 models at Carmax for $15k-$16k. Replies to this message: sebring95 (Jul 01, 2009 9:45 am)
#945 of 1145 Re: Sporty look, luxury inside, used, entry level, car seat [zdogs] by sebring95 Jul 01, 2009 (9:45 am)
Replying to: zdogs (Jul 01, 2009 9:21 am) The newer Jetta's are also bigger than the 2002 so even that might be a good option and the turbo has pretty good performance. It's not a bmw...but closer than most others.

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