- 3,204
- 2.2L Camry
- NissanSkylineN1
- Xbox??? Who is this Xbox??
Looks like the Camry and the Lexus have pretty cheap insurance, $2.6K and $2.8K respectively.
2004 G35 Coupe- Rim Color?
- Thread starter NissanSkylineN1
- 112 comments
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- 863
- oops_sorryy
NissanSkylineN1
And for 5k you could find one in good mint. The 4th gens V6 had sludge issues when the oil wasnt changed regularly. Other than that they are really nice. The Camry, Solara, ES300, and to some extent, the Avalon, are all the same car. The 4th gens also have a sc floating around out there......
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
When I had my '95 Camry for a short while, I was paying well under $100 a month. Typically, when cars like that are owned by people who generally don't have accidents, rates are generally lower across the board. The Lexii (what is the plural for Lexus?) I've looked into before were dirt-cheap. A GS300 Sport was less than my Celica GT, and that really caught me off-guard.
I'd go for a well-kept Lexus ES300. They seem to be fairly common (or, perhaps I'm noticing them more often?), they're definitely reliable, and certainly comfortable. There is a white/tan model for sale nearby, it is taking a good bit of effort to not justify a purchase.
- 36
- DimSumRestaurnt
- Moobsarebad
Hey OP, you could tell your brother to register the car in another person's name (your parents) so your brother wouldn't have the car factored into the student loans. OT: how about a first gen impreza WRX or a Evo 1/2? Those things are beast for winter weather
- 6,977
- old-guy64
I own a 1999 Camry. It is true that they had a recall for sludge issues related to engine oil.
Mine currently has 195,000 miles on it.
I would say it's a damn good car. However, Change the oil RELIGIOUSLY every 5,000 miles. Be careful of the door handles. The damn things are made of plastic, and if they freeze, or you pull them hard when the doors are locked, the handle may break off.
The price to repair the door handle, let's just say it's not cheap.
Mine has broken TWICE.
Otherwise, keep the oil fresh, rotate the tires on schedule, and you can probably drive the thing forever.
It isn't an exciting car. But it is a reliable appliance.
Mine currently has 195,000 miles on it.
I would say it's a damn good car. However, Change the oil RELIGIOUSLY every 5,000 miles. Be careful of the door handles. The damn things are made of plastic, and if they freeze, or you pull them hard when the doors are locked, the handle may break off.
The price to repair the door handle, let's just say it's not cheap.
Mine has broken TWICE.
Otherwise, keep the oil fresh, rotate the tires on schedule, and you can probably drive the thing forever.
It isn't an exciting car. But it is a reliable appliance.
- 249
- Novascotia
- The-Reality-ca
Volvo all the way!
- 3,204
- 2.2L Camry
- NissanSkylineN1
- Xbox??? Who is this Xbox??
- 6,977
- old-guy64
Mine is a 2.2Liter 4cyl.
It's a certified dog performance wise.
But it holds 4 comfortably, and gets near 30 MPG.
- 3,204
- 2.2L Camry
- NissanSkylineN1
- Xbox??? Who is this Xbox??
Well, my brother has been looking into something a bit more... cooler.
Imprezas, Outbacks, Legacies, Mazda3s are on his list. Are there any Japanese sportscars/ sporty and practical cars that should be looked into?
Imprezas, Outbacks, Legacies, Mazda3s are on his list. Are there any Japanese sportscars/ sporty and practical cars that should be looked into?
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
The Subarus are halfway decent, although I've heard that the reliability of some of the 2.5L units are less-than-stellar. You might be hard-pressed to find a Mazda3 for $5000 or less, but I suppose that it could happen. You could end up with a later Mazda Protege5, which in my opinion, was a very fun little car.
I mean, you could totally get a Toyota Camry SE. Sport Edition. SPORT.
I mean, you could totally get a Toyota Camry SE. Sport Edition. SPORT.
- 863
- oops_sorryy
The 1MZ (the engine in the 4th gen camrys) has a supercharger out there for it. Put this together with a 5 speed and you will leave many friends at the lights. The same supercharger has been fitted to the 3VZ (3rd gen camrys) with good results as well. There is one Camry in Canada that has been twin turbo'ed (and at one time twin charged) and is producing 725ish hp. The builders goal for 2012 is to break 200MPH. Camrys can be fun you just have to put in a bit more work.
There is the Toyota Cressida, which is really just a Supra with 4 doors (old Supra, think 5/7M for engine). The Lexus GS300, which is again, a Supra with 4 doors, but this time with an NA 2JZ. And finally the Lexus LS400, with it's RWD and a nice V8 up front what's not to like. Some enterprising fellows even figured out how to swap a 5 speed from a Supra into one.
There is the Toyota Cressida, which is really just a Supra with 4 doors (old Supra, think 5/7M for engine). The Lexus GS300, which is again, a Supra with 4 doors, but this time with an NA 2JZ. And finally the Lexus LS400, with it's RWD and a nice V8 up front what's not to like. Some enterprising fellows even figured out how to swap a 5 speed from a Supra into one.
- 3,204
- 2.2L Camry
- NissanSkylineN1
- Xbox??? Who is this Xbox??
Well, my bad for forgetting to tell you. My bro wants to buy the car to my dad's name and make himself the primary driver, and not affecting OSAP in any way. The new budget is $7K
- 3,204
- 2.2L Camry
- NissanSkylineN1
- Xbox??? Who is this Xbox??
UPDATE! So it looks like he's set on a '03/'04 BMW 3 Series Automatic. Now, the search goes on. He has about 2 months to look for the car.
What's his limit on the odometer? He'll be hard pressed to find a 3 series from '03/'04 with less than 200,000km in and around Toronto, I can tell you that...
Have a look.
- 3,204
- 2.2L Camry
- NissanSkylineN1
- Xbox??? Who is this Xbox??
That's his limit. Around 200K. Anythung under would be better. The 3 series '02 and below have had troubles with their automatic transmissions.
- 4,213
- Puerto Rico
- motortrend
Gil
Pshhh thats nothing, the 2001 corolla in my house has had door handles remplaces about 4 times, they all have broken and a couple if the interior ones have too. Yeah for such a small item they are relatively expensive at about 50-75 bucks a pop on the outside ones with labor included
- 863
- oops_sorryy
You paid for labor? Its not a hatd fix, the trick is not breaking the plastic on the inside.
- 3,204
- 2.2L Camry
- NissanSkylineN1
- Xbox??? Who is this Xbox??
So, my brother has found a good BMW, and will be going to see it as soon as he gets his student loan from the bank. The only problem is that its a 4WD. Its this:
Comes with winter tyres and rims.
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...-AWD-Premium-Package-Sedan-W0QQAdIdZ390494704
Comes with winter tyres and rims.
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...-AWD-Premium-Package-Sedan-W0QQAdIdZ390494704
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- 1,939
- Atlanta
- ZohsixGT5
- pipesta
Unless your brother is a decent mechanic I would avoid used 3 series. Otherwise you can plan to spend about $5k in maintenance over the next few years. My dad has owned an E36, E46, and now an E90. Both the E36 & 46 were plagued with electrical problems after about 70k miles. It was not a problem for him as most parts were cheap and he fixed it himself, but if you had to take it to a dealer you will spend thousands every few years because labor is insane these days.
I owned a M Roadster for 2 years, and had no problems at all other than routine maintenance. So it's not BMW that's the issue, mainly just the 3s.
True but there's no way you could find one with under 5k. Plus you'd have to learn how to drive it right.
I owned a M Roadster for 2 years, and had no problems at all other than routine maintenance. So it's not BMW that's the issue, mainly just the 3s.
*ibo* S3 Racer
True but there's no way you could find one with under 5k. Plus you'd have to learn how to drive it right.
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- 11,916
- Marin County
The Q45 is the choice for me. Very solid engine, and a good looking car to boot.
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
That's way too much BMW for someone young. The moment something major goes wrong, he's going to have to take out another $5000 loan just to get it fixed. Don't get me wrong, they are great cars, but just like any other German auto... If you can afford the repair bills and the insurance, don't bother.
I'd still recommend going for a higher-trimmed Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. Even an Acura or a Lexus would be more affordable than the BMW. Everyone wants to be a baller (myself included), but if you can't afford to be one, it makes you look like more of an ass when your car is stuck in the driveway while you take the bus to work/school.
I'd still recommend going for a higher-trimmed Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. Even an Acura or a Lexus would be more affordable than the BMW. Everyone wants to be a baller (myself included), but if you can't afford to be one, it makes you look like more of an ass when your car is stuck in the driveway while you take the bus to work/school.
- 3,204
- 2.2L Camry
- NissanSkylineN1
- Xbox??? Who is this Xbox??
How about an old Passat or Golf?
And what part of BMWs are expensive? He's not going to get it repaired by a dealer. Our family gets our cars repaired at a place where the labour of an oil change costs $5, and the labour for a tire mount and balance costs $20. He's this really nice and honest Chinese guy who has been taking care of our cars for the past 5 years. He changed our old Sienna's driver side window motor for only $120 including labour. No tax or paperwork. And no, he's not some sketchy mechanic, he's got all his certifications, and a specialization in transmissions.
And what part of BMWs are expensive? He's not going to get it repaired by a dealer. Our family gets our cars repaired at a place where the labour of an oil change costs $5, and the labour for a tire mount and balance costs $20. He's this really nice and honest Chinese guy who has been taking care of our cars for the past 5 years. He changed our old Sienna's driver side window motor for only $120 including labour. No tax or paperwork. And no, he's not some sketchy mechanic, he's got all his certifications, and a specialization in transmissions.
- 3,915
- California
- gdwest1
I've heard the sheer cost of the parts is insane. In addition, I have been told BMW's are somewhat more labour-intensive to work on. Even a regular repair shop must still charge by the hour...
That BMW looks good, but for a student? I'd get something a bit more... crap. That way I could be hard on it and feel less bad.
My Mum has a Camry 2.2. Im sure the SE with the V6 can be had for not a ton of money, and it's probably just as comfortable.
- 1,939
- Atlanta
- ZohsixGT5
- pipesta
I just don't think he should spring for a BMW right now. If he is going to med school he will have plenty of money for a real BMW later on in life. For now just get something reliable and easy to maintain that won't make you cry if it gets scratched.
I have been down this road. The first car I bought myself was an Audi A4 when I was 18. I spent $900.00 on parts alone in the first year.
I have been down this road. The first car I bought myself was an Audi A4 when I was 18. I spent $900.00 on parts alone in the first year.
- 3,204
- 2.2L Camry
- NissanSkylineN1
- Xbox??? Who is this Xbox??
Ok... so how about a Lexus IS? Like a 2002 model.
- 3,204
- 2.2L Camry
- NissanSkylineN1
- Xbox??? Who is this Xbox??
- 863
- oops_sorryy
Agreed. The IS can pull it off because they are OEM, not aftermarket attempts to look cool. I've never seen an IS with out its factory tail lights.
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