Help me with a new (used) car Oppo.... Again

"McChiken116 - Patrick H." (mcchiken116)
09/25/2013 at 09:00 • Filed to: None

So the Audi that I put so much love into just isn't having it anymore. The 3 grand German sedan that could, can't anymore. So, I have a budget of about 10K this time around, and my parents have okayed me getting something with some performance. Suggestions?

DISCUSSION (22)

CKeffer > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
09/25/2013 at 09:09

http://www.ebay.com/sch/6000/i.htm…

Mazdaspeed Miata. Lightweight, RWD, manual, convertible, and within the 10k price limit.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > CKeffer
09/25/2013 at 09:15

I have been looking at Super nice Miatas

Party-vi > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
09/25/2013 at 09:17

With a budget of $10k and leaning towards a performance vehicle you're looking at something about a decade old (give or take). With the vehicle being that old and depending on previous owners you're going to need some money for servicing the vehicle. I bought an '02 330Ci and immediately had the transmission flushed, fuel filter replaced and water pump upgraded the week after I bought it because these were problem areas and there was no prior service history.

That being said, look for a $10k car with excellent service history or a $8k car in decent condition. Always get a PPI (Pre Purchase Inspection) done for any performance vehicle by a reputable shop/mechanic. Ask the seller to drive the vehicle to a shop and the mechanic will look it over for about an hours worth of labor as cost.

Now that I've gotten all that out of the way, you can pretty much find any 3er BMW for under or around $10k. That includes E36 M3s, E46 coupes (older ones as opposed to newer '05 and '06 models with low miles), you might even find a high-mileage E46 M3 for around $10k (but dear god don't buy one of those). You could also get an '03 or '04 350Z for just at $10k, or a last-gen VW GTI (or previous gen for less money). Also Subaru WRXs aren't out of the picture but I don't know what an STi is going for.

In any case, good luck with the search and definitely let us know what you get!

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > Party-vi
09/25/2013 at 09:20

My dad actually just got a 10K E46 and I have driven that a few times. Getting another E46 wouldn't be a bad idea haha. But yes, I learned my lesson with this car about the pre-purchase inspection.

CKeffer > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
09/25/2013 at 09:21

If you're not familiar with the 'spees miata it's a factory turbocharged NB (2nd gen) miata with 178hp stock. VERY fun little car.

ColoradoTaco > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
09/25/2013 at 09:25

What Audi do you have and what's wrong with it?

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > ColoradoTaco
09/25/2013 at 09:46

01 A4 1.8T and the head gasket is going/has gone. Just too much money to fix it

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > CKeffer
09/25/2013 at 09:46

Can you get a hardtop?

Meatcoma > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
09/25/2013 at 09:48

Since I am unsure of your location.

Here you go - Right here.

I'm sorry for that, here's something MUCH more appropriate - TADA! - Nice Price.

CKeffer > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
09/25/2013 at 09:49

Any hard top that will fit a regular NB will also fit this. There was no fixed hard top version though if that's what you're asking.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > CKeffer
09/25/2013 at 09:56

I'm fine with the pop off hard top. I was actually thinking of just having a hard top and taking it off on nice days. Texas heat and all that

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > Meatcoma
09/25/2013 at 09:59

Isn't that the terminator cobra that killed a ton of people?

CKeffer > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
09/25/2013 at 10:02

Very understandable. I live in Houston, so I can understand completely where you're coming from there, and that's not a bad idea at all honestly.

Meatcoma > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
09/25/2013 at 10:06

Crap it's got a salvage title too. Ignore that one.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > CKeffer
09/25/2013 at 10:09

Hard top for winter, topless in the summer

ColoradoTaco > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
09/25/2013 at 10:09

That is really odd. The headgaskets are rarely an issue on those. I had an 01 1.8t for 6 years and I've actually never heard of an A4 with bad headgaskets. Is it overheating? Are you sure it's not just the thermostat? Any smoke?

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > ColoradoTaco
09/25/2013 at 10:15

Burning/losing oil, also the linkage between the transmission and drive is bad.

ColoradoTaco > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
09/25/2013 at 10:18

More likely a bad seal on the turbo than the headgasket. if so, can be fixed for less than a grand. The part about linkage didn't make much sense, is it a tip?

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > ColoradoTaco
09/25/2013 at 10:37

No idea, I just lose the gearbox every now and then. Also, it's not the turbo, they already checked that.

ColoradoTaco > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
09/25/2013 at 10:50

You have no idea if it's a tiptronic? yeah just sell it.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > ColoradoTaco
09/25/2013 at 10:54

It's a 5 speed.

JEM > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
09/25/2013 at 11:21

Don't get a vehicle for $10K

Get two!

Late 90's Jeep Cherokee with 4.0L six and a 5 speed - about $5K

Mid-late 90's 1.8L Miata - also about $5K

No matter the weather, you'll be able to enjoy driving!!