Can you help my dad and I buy a car?

Beeblebrox237

Beeblebrox237

Two heads, no brains...
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Betelgeuse
Beeblebrox_237
Well, it's done. He bought a new 2014 Civic Si. Not my pick but I think I'll enjoy it. Pics to come in a month.
 
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Well I'm obviously biased but what about a Jaguar X-Type? AWD, very nice 3.0L V6 good for 240hp, 5-speed Auto. Very nicely equipped and interesting to drive. They also depreciate more then Germans/Japanese so you can find a very good one with your budget.

Here's one I've found near you, a bit out of your price range but they could probably be talked down to around $10k.
 
Soda01
Well I'm obviously biased but what about a Jaguar X-Type? AWD, very nice 3.0L V6 good for 240hp, 5-speed Auto. Very nicely equipped and interesting to drive. They also depreciate more then Germans/Japanese so you can find a very good one with your budget.

Here's one I've found near you, a bit out of your price range but they could probably be talked down to around $10k.
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Unfortunately we really want a manual, so automatics are out.
GranTurismo916
I found a cheaper 325:
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/4439749161.html
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Thanks! 170k miles is quite a lot, but they do seem like solid cars.
 
In that case what about a Saab 9-3? Easier to find than the 9-2X, similar power output (210hp), can easily be found with a 6-speed Manual.

Here's one that actually looks very good, its in Ohio but still pretty close to you I think.
 
I considered the 9-3, it's definitely a good car, but most examples have over 120,000 miles on them and I'm wary of that on a GM car. I'll add that one to the list, though! Just one caveat, my dad is a lot more likely to go for something costing $5k than $10k, since he just bought a $25k sports car.
 
Good suggestion, but to be honest I don't see why we should go for that instead of a BMW 325xi. The BMW is quicker, more luxurious, better to drive, and isn't really inferior in any department other than price.
 
Beeblebrox237
Good suggestion, but to be honest I don't see why we should go for that instead of a BMW 325xi. The BMW is quicker, more luxurious, better to drive, and isn't really inferior in any department other than price.
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I would bet the Impreza handles better.
 
Well there's price, mileage, reliability, cost of repairs. I do agree though the BMW is a much nicer car.:)
I guess it depends on what you really want from this car, do you want for example a reliable but somewhat interesting winter beater, or something that is genuinely luxurious and great to drive, but may break down a lot more often?
 
@haitch40 Keep in mind that it's a 2.5 RS, not a WRX. And the Impreza is more of a point-to-point car, whereas the E46 is better for long sweeping corners.

@Soda01 I know that I really want something interesting and fun. The BMW might be less reliable but I doubt it will break down often.
 
Wow, you can buy Saab's here for next to nothing, 9-3's especially.

But on your list, I'd say the 9-2x is going to be the best in terms of fun and winter readability. It's essential a Subaru dressed in a moose suit with a Viking helmet. The one that you found however, I'd avoid. It's going to be super loud given the mods on it and since it has a Cobb tune I'm going to guess it didn't live a very easy life. I also didn't see any mention of the head gaskets being replaced, which seems like a bit of a red flag when it comes to Impreza's based what the rally guys tell me.

Looking on AutoTrader though, there is a MazdaSpeed6 which seems like it's cheaper than normal for whatever reason:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ListingId=367384728&listingId=369266222&Log=0
 
Thanks for the feedback on the Saab. If my dad hasn't bought a car by the time I get home (June 23rd) I'll probably go have a look just to see how it is, I'll test drive it and ask about the head gaskets. I never considered the MazdaSpeed6 since I figured it'd be too expensive, great find!
 
haitch40
I would bet the Impreza handles better.
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I'd be very shocked if this was the case. The reputation of the 3 series isn't just fabricated, and even the WRX is a bit rough around the edges when it comes to handling, let alone the 2.5RS.

But they'd both be awful slow in my opinion.
 
I'm not sure where Plum is in relation to Pittsburgh, but this 325Xi has more reasonable miles (120k), has a clean title (the one you listed in the OP is a salvage title, beware) and appears to be in pretty good shape cosmetically. The owner claims to have all the service records, too.
 
Soda01
Some more suggestions (last time I'm bothering you, I promise:sly:)

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT, V6, Manual, low mileage: https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/4446082784.html
2000 Audi A6. Its beige but otherwise meets all your criteria: https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/4455746045.html
An actual, unmolested Acura RSX:dunce:
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You're not bothering me! :) Somehow I've never liked the Eclipse, but that's probably just personal taste. I actually have the Audi A6 listed in the OP ;). That RSX is absolutely gorgeous, however it says (in very fine print) that it's been sold. Nice bit of false advertising by that dealer.
Doog
I'm not sure where Plum is in relation to Pittsburgh, but this 325Xi has more reasonable miles (120k), has a clean title (the one you listed in the OP is a salvage title, beware) and appears to be in pretty good shape cosmetically. The owner claims to have all the service records, too.
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👍 I'll add it, thanks!
Harry6784
TT VR4? :lol: https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/4464490354.html
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:lol: Well, I'm not saying no...
Clark
@Beeblebrox237 I get confused are you in the US or the Uk?
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Easy to get confused. I'm in the UK now. My dad, who is buying the car, is in the US. Apparently I'm returning to Pittsburgh for the summer, so this will be my car over the summer.

I'm currently really wanting a Legacy GT, probably the red one (link in the OP). Thoughts? It'd be useful to have a bigger saloon so that when we drive to Indianapolis (~380 miles) we don't have to take the Honda and listen to it scream at 3500 rpm for nearly 7 hours. It'd be a fun car to drive all summer, and would still be excellent in the snow.
 
The red one looks pretty good, though there's only 1 picture. If you can talk the price down to $6.5k-$7k it would be a great deal.

The black one is overpriced though, regardless of all the maintenance the owner supposedly did. With 140k miles its not worth more than $7k.
 
Soda01
The red one looks pretty good, though there's only 1 picture. If you can talk the price down to $6.5k-$7k it would be a great deal.

The black one is overpriced though, regardless of all the maintenance the owner supposedly did. With 140k miles its not worth more than $7k.
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:cheers: Thanks, I'll tell my dad if I can convince him to go look at them. The black one has been fairly extensively modified, as far as I can tell, even if they're not power or appearance upgrades. But still, 10 grand is a lot.
 
You probably don't want a highly modified anything, that's a can of worms there...

A 2.5GT would be excellent. I love those. Quick, fairly spacious and comfortable. Unassuming. Reliable in general. Biggest downside is it's only got a 5 speed manual.

I wouldn't mind owning one myself..

Ask @Pako how he felt about his 2.5GT.

Dooooo ittttt.
 
Needs to deal with winter and hold up to salt, you say?

Audi A4 or it's big little brother the B5 Passat. I'll scream it now so you don't scream about reliability issues later, GET SERVICE RECORDS. Find one that hasn't been a pain in the ass (no repairs that should've been unnecessary) and has been properly maintained (and make sure the timing belt is done unless you're into removing your car's face on your own).

Basically, I've got a FWD/1.8T/5-speed manual '01 Passat... It's floated between Colorado and Michigan all its life, the only rust to be found is the usual surface rust on exhaust and some suspension components plus anywhere a rock found a way through the paint. And with winter tires, it was Teflon in the snow.
 
Lister_Storm
A MINI, either a Cooper or a Cooper S. :) FF is good in snow, fun to drive, great gas mileage, in budget, what's not to like? Seats 4, you'll find a manual nearby.

This is just an example, 95 mi. from your location, and under 10 grand.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Cooper...8af5e5439&item=380899316793&pt=US_Cars_Trucks
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I really like the MINI, but to be honest I think the Legacy is more suitable in pretty much every way, for 2 grand less.
Soda01
Here's another idea, if you're willing to think outside the box.:P
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/4445848023.html
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I love it! Unfortuantely, it's not really an ideal winter car. Especially since it's supposed to be an alternative to a RWD sports car.
Rotary Junkie
Needs to deal with winter and hold up to salt, you say?

Audi A4 or it's big little brother the B5 Passat. I'll scream it now so you don't scream about reliability issues later, GET SERVICE RECORDS. Find one that hasn't been a pain in the ass (no repairs that should've been unnecessary) and has been properly maintained (and make sure the timing belt is done unless you're into removing your car's face on your own).

Basically, I've got a FWD/1.8T/5-speed manual '01 Passat... It's floated between Colorado and Michigan all its life, the only rust to be found is the usual surface rust on exhaust and some suspension components plus anywhere a rock found a way through the paint. And with winter tires, it was Teflon in the snow.
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👍 I've got a couple on the list. Unfortunately finding an ideal example isn't easy, but they're definitely on my radar.
 
Crash
You probably don't want a highly modified anything, that's a can of worms there...

A 2.5GT would be excellent. I love those. Quick, fairly spacious and comfortable. Unassuming. Reliable in general. Biggest downside is it's only got a 5 speed manual.

I wouldn't mind owning one myself..

Ask @Pako how he felt about his 2.5GT.

Dooooo ittttt.
Click to expand...

I LOVED MINE!!!!
DxAwLj8.jpg
 
E46 330i, you don't need the xi unless you think you'll actually have so much snow that you'll get stuck and need AWD to pull you out. Mine does just fine in colorado winters as RWD with snow tires. There are no cars on your list that compare well:


Saab 9 - It's fine, but comeon.
Audi A6 2.7-Unreliable
Audi A4 2.0-Unreliable
BMW 325Xi- Get the 330
BMW 330Xi-Unnecessary X will cost gas mileage and a little extra maintenance
BMW 325i-Get the 330
BMW 330i-This one
Honda CRX-Oh jeez.
Honda Civic Si-RSX would be a better choice
VW Jetta TDI-Unreliable
VW Passat-Unreliable
Ford Focus Estate-I don't like the fords. I don't think I've driven the latest focus, but I have driven the latest fusion (which I believe is much more reliable) and no.
Acura Legend coupe-Interesting, but it's not the 330
Subaru Legacy GT-Ugly
MazdaSpeed6-I can't see a good reason to choose this over the 330
Mitsubishi 3000GT-I've always hated these cars
 
I don't think I'd call a TDI Jetta unreliable. Around here it is uncommon to see them with less than 200K miles and from all the research I've done on them the only real problems on them are the automatic transmissions. If you get one with a manual and you maintain it they will last a long, long time.
 

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