Post Saturn

[JohnC]

The Saturn will not be in the stable much longer. Seeing as how the pimp mobile is a complete POS, it is now time for something nice. Something that won't cause me to smell like gasoline. A car that I can drive in without fear of suffocation or mechanical impalement, and free from the ridicule of children and the elderly.

Purpose:

My daily driver. 4 x 12 mile round trip per week, 1 x 200 mile round trip per week (mileage is reimbursed on the longer trip). Any long-distance driving without the dogs will likely happen in this car, but we will still have the Subaru for the dogs, hauling, bad weather, etc...

Budget:

$21k all in. I'm not committed to spending the full amount, but thats the maximum I can afford, including tax, tags, title, etc...

Must-haves:

Heated seats. 200+ hp. 25+ combined mpg. 4 doors. Automatic climate control.

Toss-ups:

Automatic/manual? I prefer a manual, but it wouldn't be the end of the world to have an automatic. I won't pay a premium for the auto though.

FWD/RWD/AWD? I don't care. None of the driving I'm going to do will exceed the limits of any of those systems, and the weather here in Central VA isn't so extreme as to mandate AWD. Besides, we've got the Subaru if things get really nasty.

Discussion:

Obviously at that price, I'm not getting anything new. So, reliability and maintainability are important too.

Tomorrow, I'm going to drive an E46 325i and a TSX. What else should I be looking at? What do you guys like?

[drivesideways46]

Have you considered an IS300?

They are very reliable, available in a 5-spd, and you should probably be able to find a very nice example with your requirements for under 20k.

EDIT: Does this mean there's a buyer for the Saturn? My brother may still be interested if you are considering selling it for dirt cheap.

Hell, I may be interested if you are selling it for dirt cheap! :lol:

[Evan]

E46 330
S4 (Im not a big fan of the car, but I guess it has less douchebag factor than the bmw)
2005 Legacy GT

[JohnC]

Have you considered an IS300?

They are very reliable, available in a 5-spd, and you should probably be able to find a very nice example with your requirements for under 20k.

Good call. I hadn't considered those recently. I *have* driven one before (back in 2003) and liked the power/handling.

EDIT: Does this mean there's a buyer for the Saturn? My brother may still be interested if you are considering selling it for dirt cheap.

Hell, I may be interested if you are selling it for dirt cheap! :lol:

It will be for sale (again) very shortly. And cheap.

[CaptainHenreh]

John, we talked about the XRunner when Dave moved, and it *technically* has 4 doors.

Also, G35 sedan.

[drivesideways46]

Also, G35 sedan.

I'd forgotten they made those in sedans. Definitely worth checking into!

Your sig gives me another idea, can you get into a slightly used MS3 for 21 grand?

[JohnC]

Also, G35 sedan.

I really want to like the G35 sedan, but its just so damn ugly. And I'm also not sure that I'm capable of trusting a Nissan again ::twitch twitch::

[ScottyB]

i've heard the IS300 doesn't get the best milage. something like 25 mpg tops on the highway. can anyone confirm (Lee)? i think that's kinda low for the power.

i really wouldn't recommend a turbo audi, unless you want a repeat of the Z. the 6 cylinder cars aren't bad depending on what year you want.

TSX is a great choice, maybe Mazda6?

[Evan]

good call scotty, i forgot about the 6. great car. They can be had for $14k

[JohnC]

i've heard the IS300 doesn't get the best milage. something like 25 mpg tops on the highway. can anyone confirm (Lee)? i think that's kinda low for the power.

i really wouldn't recommend a turbo audi, unless you want a repeat of the Z. the 6 cylinder cars aren't bad depending on what year you want.

TSX is a great choice, maybe Mazda6?

I haven't even looked at Audis, because I'd be very uncomfortable owning one without warranty coverage. Thats not only due to your experience Scotty, but anecdotal evidence from a couple of friends locally. I just don't have a warm fuzzy about those cars. Or VWs (thanks Adam).

Mazda 6? Meh. Drove one for a week out in San Diego - it was competent but nothing special. I'm definitely tending towards the "luxury" segment, what with being a crotchety old man and all...

NINJA EDIT: Saw Evan's comment - maybe I should revisit the 6?

[ScottyB]

edit: durr, misunderstood

[ScottyB]

I haven't even looked at Audis, because I'd be very uncomfortable owning one without warranty coverage. Thats not only due to your experience Scotty, but anecdotal evidence from a couple of friends locally. I just don't have a warm fuzzy about those cars. Or VWs (thanks Adam).

i can totally understand that. they are a very nice mix of comfort and sport if you can find a car that meets your condition standards. might want to drive one for kicks.

[JohnC]

my only reservation is that the pre-'02 cars are only 190 horses and they only make power up high. might not be your thing John.

If you read between the lines of those requirements, it basically comes down to "something equal to or better than the WRX". And, hopefully, newer. So, preferably model year 2004 or newer.

[HAULN-SS]

I'll probably be selling my legacy sometime this year for around 20, maybe less, depending on the miles when I sell it

[JohnC]

I'll probably be selling my legacy sometime this year for around 20, maybe less, depending on the miles when I sell it

If everything falls into place with the house, then the new car purchase will likely take place before the end of the month.

That being said, it looks like '06 Legacy GTs are in my price range. Jess' ears perked up when I mention that - I can't say I'd complain about having another Subaru...

[HAULN-SS]

ah. I'm on more like a "spring schedule" because I can't seem to find a truck I like in my price range, that's not halfway across the country

[Feersty]

A sexy looking 330i for what seems like a reasonable price. They have a great resale value as well.

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[Jake]

An E46 328i or 330i would be at the least a must-drive... The 328s don't fit your power requirement (but they're pretty close, the newest 328s made, IIRC, 193 hp) but the 330 does. Highway mileage on those seems to be between 27 and 30 if you don't drive like you stole it.

This may be a bit too big for you, but what about an Infiniti I35? I only bring it up because it'll definitely fit your price range (think roughly $15 to $18 ) and gets pretty decent mileage for its size and all. My dad owns a 2002, and when I drive it, I can get somewhere around 30 mpg all-highway. City is about 22, give or take. Dad's has heated front and rear seats, a 225 HP V6 (the Nissan "VQ" that's won all sorts of awards) and an auto :-( The auto takes some fun away sometimes (as does the FWD) but if you're looking for a good highway cruiser that happens to be decently fast and fun, it may be worth a look.

As far as reliability, it's been rock solid - we've owned it since new. Sometimes it has random cold-start problems where it'll take three-ish tries to start, but aside from that (and it always starts anyway) it's been great to own.

[John]

I agree, the Mazda6 is boring - especially if you've ever driven the 3. G35 is a great choice, as is the Legacy GT.

[D_Eclipse9916]

I haven't even looked at Audis, because I'd be very uncomfortable owning one without warranty coverage. Thats not only due to your experience Scotty, but anecdotal evidence from a couple of friends locally. I just don't have a warm fuzzy about those cars. Or VWs (thanks Adam).

i can totally understand that. they are a very nice mix of comfort and sport if you can find a car that meets your condition standards. might want to drive one for kicks.

Lol I personally dont trust audis, I blew up my friends 04 clutch (pulled the clutch material completely off hock: ) ...it had 300 miles since he owned it and 32,000 miles on the odometer. Found out this is very common along with a lot of other problems for these cars. I think the IS300, Legacy GT, and 330i should top your list. I personally liked the drive of the is300 (we are talking dailies here people) but didnt like the interior at all. The Legacy GT I loved all around, albeit does feel a bit porky. The 330i felt more sporting in the drive, but at a cost its HARSH on bad roads at least for what I want to pay 30k for a luxury car. The steering wheel feel was heavy (too much in my opinion for around town) and the engine sounded like a fat man wheezing. BUT nice interior, good exterior and will hold resale value better than the other two. Plus you have the douchebag factory good or bad.