I have to get a new car... help me choose

[kemp]

^^ Over break a snow storm caused a massive tree to fall, totaling both my volvo S60 and my step brothers golf GTI. i should be collecting around 6k from insurance and will be shopping for a new car this weekend. My price range is right around 7 or less ( i cant really go much over insurance). So if anyone got a suggestion id love to hear it. Maybe your bored and want to do some Craigslisting, anything helps! i have a little bit of training with manual but not too much, but i am definitely open to them, as id like to learn it regardless. Been most interested in getting a BMW or Subaru , but certainly not limited to those two brands. preferably a sedan,coupe, or hatchback. thanks for the help guys!

kemp

[BFisch06]

Don't pass up the chance to get a manual!

Mini Cooper S? <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=24450&endYear=2014&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&showcaseOwnerId=0&startYear=2000&makeCode1=MINI&transmissionCode=MAN&sellerTypes=b&transmissionCodes=MAN&searchRadius=200&maxPrice=7000&mmt=%5BMINI%5B%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=340328066&listingIndex=2&Log=0">http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... ex=2&Log=0</a><!-- m -->

[kemp]

haha, a Mini is actually what i "learned" stick on. surprisingly fun cars, but not really what i want for my daily driver. thanks for the suggestion tho!

[Jake]

What are your "must haves" versus "wants" on this?

Are you going to be working on it yourself? How handy are you with a set of wrenches? Are you willing to learn?

Typical BMW suggestions would include the E36 328i/is or M3. You could also get an E46 325/328. The E46 will be a nicer place to spend time in (the interiors are far nicer than the older cars, and don't fall apart) but the E36 is more of a "driver's car." Both are reasonably easy to work on yourself. Tons of people here, myself included, can share ownership anecdotes. Hell, go look at my project threads, and Joey's M3 thread, to see what you'd be getting into with either car.

I don't know a thing about Subarus, but I think $7k is perhaps pushing it for a turbo-Subie. Maybe a first-year (2002) WRX?

(And PS: three pedals or none at all)

[Kaan]

+1

[G.Irish]

I don't know a thing about Subarus, but I think $7k is perhaps pushing it for a turbo-Subie. Maybe a first-year (2002) WRX?

Yeah I would say that a WRX that you could get for $7k might be a bit worn out. Maybe look at 2.5RS's.

[JustinG]

[troll]I've Got a Jeep Cherokee I'll sell you![/troll]

[Jake]

The other thing to keep in mind here, because I kinda didn't when I bought the Miata, is that if you "have $7k to spend on a car," you really have about $5k to spend on THE CAR and the rest needs to be kept in the bank. Anything you buy will, guaranteed, need maintenance right away. Between whatever-it-needs and the typical taxes, tags, etc., you can burn through that extra $1500-2k in a week. Ask me how I know.

[JustinG]

Anything you buy will, guaranteed, need maintenance right away.

Not my jeep..... :thumbup:

[D_Eclipse9916]

lol I do have a 98 M3 convertible to sell. Needs some minor rust repair, but I already got a quote of $250 I could take care of it if you are interested.. Other than that I have actually fixed everything else!

That said, coupe,sedan, fun/lame? What?

[ScottyB]

for subarus, any Outback Sport or 2.5RS up to about 2006 or so should fit your price range. 5-speeds are plentiful and they are fairly efficient and safe so they make fun all-weather DD's. pretty much any WRX suspension/chassis part bolts on. they are built well for the most part and shouldn't nickel/dime you too bad.

the turbo cars may tempt you but in that price range they will have seen plenty of use, and they do require more TLC than the more simple non-turbo cars.

if you're buying a high-mileage (100k mile +) non-turbo, and the head gaskets have not yet been replaced, either walk away to one that has, or expect to pay $1000 in short order when they fail, because they will.

[CaptainHenreh]

Honestly, here's what I'd do.

I'd take 3-4 grand and buy the nicest goddam GC (Or GF/GM WHATEVER FIRST GEN) Outback Sport in a 5 speed that I could buy. 4 grand will buy you a SUPER nice one and the 2.2, while a little gutless, is nigh indestructible. (no headgasket problems) As scotty mentions, all the wrx suspension goodies will bolt right on, and I think they look the best.

Then hoon the shit out of it any time conditions are less than ideal.

[CaptainHenreh]

Honestly, here's what I'd do.

I'd take 3-4 grand and buy the nicest goddam GC (Or GF/GM WHATEVER FIRST GEN) Outback Sport in a 5 speed that I could buy. 4 grand will buy you a SUPER nice one and the 2.2, while a little gutless, is nigh indestructible. (no headgasket problems) As scotty mentions, all the wrx suspension goodies will bolt right on, and I think they look the best.

Then hoon the shit out of it any time conditions are less than ideal.

"Rex," you mew. "That idea seems dumb and boring and I think you are dumb and boring for suggesting it."

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.dirtyimpreza.com">http://www.dirtyimpreza.com</a><!-- m -->, is all he said in reply.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Honestly, here's what I'd do.

I'd take 3-4 grand and buy the nicest goddam GC (Or GF/GM WHATEVER FIRST GEN) Outback Sport in a 5 speed that I could buy. 4 grand will buy you a SUPER nice one and the 2.2, while a little gutless, is nigh indestructible. (no headgasket problems) As scotty mentions, all the wrx suspension goodies will bolt right on, and I think they look the best.

Then hoon the shit out of it any time conditions are less than ideal.

THIS. I have been toying on the ever constant "What DD should I buy" debate for the last 6 months.(Let's face it the XJ ain't so DD queen) A GF8 (wagon impreza) has been high on the list. I <3 wagons so damn much. Just hard to find a clean manual.

For me.. It's always be DAT ASS.


(I've lusted over this STI swapped GF8 for about as long as I can remember)

[JustinG]

why dont you buy that Forester XT you linked me on FB?

[V1GiLaNtE]

why dont you buy that Forester XT you linked me on FB?

1. $7000 I don't want to spend
2. Turbo seals need replacing $$$
3. Insurance $$$
4. I'm not all that tickled over Fozzy's

[D_Eclipse9916]

[JustinG]

4. I'm not all that tickled over Fozzy's

You shut your whore mouth!

[SlimKlim]

I know you already said you aren't interested, but I still feel obligated to say not to buy a Mini. I am just about the most tolerant person of German bullshit in MM. I'm a hopeless BMW/Porsche/VW/Merc fanboi, and my life is a disaster because of it, but if this is wrong (it is) I don't want to be right.

Now with that disclaimer in place, even I wouldn't touch a supercharged Mini with a 10 foot pole with a condom on the end of it. In order to replace the intake boot you need to remove the front clip, because the intercooler is stacked directly on top of the intake manifold. Alternatively, I can replace a BMW intake boot drunk with my eyes closed in 3 minutes. I've also heard that a clutch job is over a day's labor in "the book."

I won't bother trying to sell you on a BMW, but if you are interested feel free to ask me anything. You have a great budget for a super, super clean E36 non-M, or a pretty clean E46 non-M. An E36 would run you $4k tops, an E46 would be about $6k, leaving headroom for maintenance (and maybe a couple mods on the E36)

You could also pick up an E36 M3 for $6-7k, but it'll be a little more demanding (and fun). I bought an E36 M3 for $7k when I was in college and it was the best/worst decision I ever made in my life. These days $7k will get you a MUCH nicer car than when i got mine, but you'd still want to be prepared for maintenance.

[Mike]

Mini Cooper S? <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=24450&endYear=2014&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&showcaseOwnerId=0&startYear=2000&makeCode1=MINI&transmissionCode=MAN&sellerTypes=b&transmissionCodes=MAN&searchRadius=200&maxPrice=7000&mmt=%5BMINI%5B%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=340328066&listingIndex=2&Log=0">http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... ex=2&Log=0</a><!-- m -->

please never recommend a mini cooper s unless you've owned one long term. if you have, i apologize and must wonder how many other vehicles you've spent time in.

rattley, always needs some sort of maintenance (which WILL be a complete PITA), rides worse than a civic on 750# springs pieces of shit. good driving dynamics, sure, but terrible in every other way.