Another New Car Thread

[Hoovedawg]

Im looking to get a new car next summer. My parents are paying for half of it (up to 25k) as a early graduation present. I want a good looking, good handling, somewhat fast, reliable car. Im not overly concerned with mpg or green/eco friendlyness. My parents said they would rather me get a new car because they said they dont want to spend money on a car thats about break down. So right now Im looking at a Charger, Camaro, Mustang, Saturn Sky and a Lancer. Any suggestions? Thanks

[mdvaldosta]

If you want a good car that's gonna last, I'd steer clear of most of those (namely the Charger, Mustang and Sky). I'm a big German car fan, and although I'd rather buy American... frankly most American cars suck (save for maybe Lincoln). I'd say go with a new BMW 335I if you want speed - twin turbo and over 300 horsepower for around 40k. I also like the new Mercedes C-Class, something like a C350 would be close to 300 horsepower I think for around 40k also. Both really nice cars with much better resale than the cars you're considering now.

[sean_miller]

If you want a good car that's gonna last, I'd steer clear of most of those (namely the Charger, Mustang and Sky). I'm a big German car fan, and although I'd rather buy American... frankly most American cars suck (save for maybe Lincoln). I'd say go with a new BMW 335I if you want speed - twin turbo and over 300 horsepower for around 40k. I also like the new Mercedes C-Class, something like a C350 would be close to 300 horsepower I think for around 40k also. Both really nice cars with much better resale than the cars you're considering now.

I agree with the fact his original idea of a "reliable" car is a tad flawed, but what kind of pompous douchebag needs a beamer or a benz as his first car?

You want fast, reliable, and value - Japanese or Ford (they're actually trying really hard these days). BMW are reliable, Mercedes and VW not so much. I'm not sure what a Sky is, but conventional wisdom is to steer clear of anything from the UK - very very over priced and not reliable.

[mdvaldosta]

I'm with you on VW, great cars (just not fast). I've got a Porsche Cayenne and it's the best driving SUV on the planet IMHO. Along the same lines as VW.

[alf174]

Be prepared for high insurance costs with those first 4 picks, the Lancer I'm not sure.

As far as Japanese, I would avoid Mitsubishi; they've been pulling out of the states, many of their engines require costly replacement parts periodically (timing belts), and parts are expensive. I know, I've got one though I do have close to 200K miles on it.

I had a Mercedes but you pay a premium for the name (I still like them though).

As previously mentioned, I would look closely at Honda and Ford.

[Fraser]

I don't understand the need to have a new car. If you get something a couple of years old it'll still be as reliable as a new one (might even still have factory warranty), feel and drive like a new car. Let someone else take the big depreciation hit.

You could invest the difference in cost between the new and the used car, saving is a good thing to learn at a young age.

but what kind of pompous douchebag needs a beamer or a benz as his first car?

Why does having a premium brand car as your first mean you are a pompous douchebag. I fail to see the link?

BMW are reliable, Mercedes and VW not so much.

My experiences are quite the opposite! I've had a couple of VWs and Mercedes myself, both have been exceptionally reliable (although yes, some of the 2000-2002 Mercedes aren't so great, since 2005/2006 they've been rock solid) whereas my father junked his M6 when it was 9 months old because of reliability issues. My wife's uncle had a 7 series and was sick of all the electrical problems with it.

I'd say if you want something reliable, with a bit of style, sportiness and reliability an Audi A4 would be great.

[wolverine_man]

Get a Mitsu Lancer Evo X and don't look back. I drive a modded Mazda3 sedan and I would totally rock an Evo if had the coin to spend. You will have all wheel drive, a turbo and the practicality of 4 doors.

[sean_miller]

I don't understand the need to have a new car. If you get something a couple of years old it'll still be as reliable as a new one (might even still have factory warranty), feel and drive like a new car. Let someone else take the big depreciation hit.

My comments were not directed at the OP. I will probably never own a German car - if I want an overpriced European car, I'll go for a Volvo.

Audi is a cash cow for VW - enough said.

[A_Duke]

Bad idea on the Sky, I can tell you firsthand. I drive a Solstice (same car different brand)and it is really annoying having to have your clubs ride shotgun all the time, looking to get an Audi A4 in 18 months or so.

[becksfan2185]

Get a hybrid. Enough with the gas guzzlers.

[ks8829]

used BMW 545i

330 HP V8 power with 17 MPG city - 25 MPG freeway
good handling, comfortable

[edingc]

Lucky you.

My first car was (and still is) a 1999 Cavalier. My parents paid $900 for it, and I won it off of them in a bet on my ACT score. I've stuck about $1000 in tires/brakes but nothing else major in five years. Still runs like a champ and if I hadn't ran a stop sign and gotten t-boned, there would be no rust or any body damage.

Sorry for sliding a bit off topic. In all seriousness though, I'd go with a VW or perhaps a Mazda 6.

[pshizz]

Get a Mitsu Lancer Evo X and don't look back. I drive a modded Mazda3 sedan and I would totally rock an Evo if had the coin to spend. You will have all wheel drive, a turbo and the practicality of 4 doors.

Yep Evo's are grea cars, same with the subaru impreza wrx or impreza sti. Both are great and fast, however the interior is not he greatest. If you want the complete package look at the bmw 335. They come in a coup, sedan, with awd and diesel engine if you please. Anything german will last you a while, good luck.

[Bug Bunny]

I hope you realize the blessing of this gesture. Nothign wrong with wanted something nice as long as it's in your grasp. The new camaro is HOT!!!!!!

[GaijinGolfer]

IMO, a Ford Mustang would be your best bet. Even bone stock they are pretty fast, handle pretty well, are reliable and are fairly inexpensive.
Id stay away from any European cars. That quality and reliability sucks and they are expensive to maintain. Not to mention they arent very comfortable. One of my girlfriend's friends has a 5-Series BMW and while its fast and handles well, it rides like a lumber wagon and the seats arent comfortable.
If it were me personally, Id look at a Toyota Celica, Scion tC, Acura Integra, Acura RSX or a Honda Civic Si.
You cant go wrong with a Mustang if you want performance though. They are really good in stock form and there is an almost limitless number of options for aftermarket go-fast parts.

[Fraser]

My comments were not directed at the OP. I will probably never own a German car - if I want an overpriced European car, I'll go for a Volvo.

They're only overpriced if nobody is buying them.

IMO, a Ford Mustang would be your best bet. Even bone stock they are pretty fast, handle pretty well, are reliable and are fairly inexpensive.

That's the tradeoff you make when buying a European driver's car as opposed to an American driver's car.

Fords maybe the more reliable of the US brands but to say all European cars have crappy reliability, are poorly built and are expensive to maintain is utter garbage.

[jamo]

I have a Jetta, great cars minus the electrical problems. IMO Audis ARE VW's so dont go Audi if you want the german car.

+1 on the Lancer EVO

[KC10Chief]

I hope that this is a COLLEGE graduation present. Anyways, have you considered a Nissan Maxima? They have a 3.5L engine with tons of horsepower. Around 300 or so. It's definitely fast. The handling is awesome and so is the responsiveness from the engine. They look sharp too. Having a 2 door car is a PITA! The Maxima is perfect. They're real reliable too. You can keep it forever. The 4 doors and all of the trunk space is great for when you're hauling friends. Someday down the road if you have kids, it's a great, sporty baby car too! And it will still be around then thanks to the reliability!