Oppo -Help me buy a new to me car

"OffroadE30" (offroade30) 12/12/2014 at 17:36 • Filed to: None

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Im being pressured by my parents and girlfriend to buy a car that is more presentable/reliable/fuel efficient/ etc.. etc... Im 24 and drive 800-1000 miles per month mostly city driving. I do travel for work once or twice a month

My current vehicles are a 76 f150 4x4 (for sale) and my daily driver 89 bmw e30 w/ 27" all terrains, lift and skid plates. In the past ive had an E34, W124 wagon, 95 Range Rover Classic.

Im really trying not to put a camry in the garage. I am very mechanically inclined so although reliability is a plus, cost of maintenance isnt a huge factor. My budget is 7k to 14k with mileage and warranty being the cost factor. I would prefer European and a standard transmission if possible which i know limits my options. Also would like it have 4 doors. So far I have considered a Jetta Sportwagen TDI or Jetta TDI but am concerned about the fuel pump issue on the 09+ TDI's. Or maybe 06 era C230 sport with a 5 speed.

What cars am i overlooking? Any car i choose will have some goodies installed within a few months (springs, wheels, maybe some performance upgrades) so it doesnt have to be super cool out of the box.

Thanks for the tips!

Brian Silvestro > OffroadE30 12/12/2014 at 17:38

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09+ E90?

HammerheadFistpunch > OffroadE30 12/12/2014 at 17:41

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I don't think you can get a post 09 tdi with your budget, but I could be wrong.

Round headlight enthusiast > OffroadE30 12/12/2014 at 17:41

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Step one: sell BMW

Step two: but Jag XJ6

Step three: install lift kit and skid pate on Jag

Achievement unlocked : presentable car

pip bip - choose Corrour > OffroadE30 12/12/2014 at 17:44

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pontiac G8?

E92M3 > OffroadE30 12/12/2014 at 17:44

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older S4 wagon?

OffroadE30 > HammerheadFistpunch 12/12/2014 at 17:45

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http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/473621… Sportwagen $13,200

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/477384… Jetta $13800

I have found a few with even less miles, some even have some warranty left. I would love the 40 mpg's but that fuel thing ehhh.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > HammerheadFistpunch 12/12/2014 at 17:46

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Aren't they slightly less reliable that the pre-2009 TDI though?

HammerheadFistpunch > OffroadE30 12/12/2014 at 17:49

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I know that feel

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/vw-the-third-p…

HammerheadFistpunch > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 12/12/2014 at 17:50

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that's what I've heard

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/vw-the-third-p…

Textured Soy Protein > OffroadE30 12/12/2014 at 17:54

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daily driver 89 bmw e30 w/ 27" all terrains, lift and skid plates

Wait, huh?

OffroadE30 > HammerheadFistpunch 12/12/2014 at 17:55

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is there still no permanent fix? reading your post pretty much settles it not buying a tdi

HammerheadFistpunch > OffroadE30 12/12/2014 at 17:56

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The permanent fix is to replace the HPFP with the new unit which hasn't been shown to explode (yet). It's cheaper than replacing the entire fuel system out of warranty I can tell you that!

OffroadE30 > Textured Soy Protein 12/12/2014 at 17:58

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OffroadE30 > Brian Silvestro 12/12/2014 at 18:11

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have not looked at those yet... commencing craigslist search

bob and john > OffroadE30 12/12/2014 at 18:19

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i'll say this:

if your driving mainly city, then you wont notice your cumsumption drop as much as if you were doing mainly highway.

I'll cast my vote to the diesel (we have a 2010 A3 TDI that ahs been an absolute peach since 2009, has about 76k miles on it last time I saw it)

how about a lexus IS? if you go back to a first gen you can pick it up with a manual anda NA 2JZ (and I dont need to tell you about the reliability of those)
you MIGHT be able to find the 2nd gen is250 with a manual. but those were hard to find and that motor is a bit of a dog with that much weigh behind it

since your doing mainly city, try to find a hybrid. first cones that come to might are actually first gen insit and that new CR-Z thing. (with a manual)

OR. wild card: just get a normal, automatic hybrid for 3-grand under budget, and pick up a cheapo motorcycle like a ninja 250. you still get fun kicks on motorcycle (everyone can say all they want about miata are the most fun to drive, its not even CLOSE to as fun to drive as a bike) and they also get great gas-mileage, and you take the hybrid when its raining or you have to take someone to work


when I'm in toronto, my choice of vehicles is an A3 TDI, a IS 250 and 2 bikes. I always take the audi and the bikes. I dont actually recall the last time i saw consumption under 55MPG.

Arben72 > OffroadE30 12/12/2014 at 18:34

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06-12 are all e90. See if you can swing a 335d, but those are probably pushing your budget. 325-328-330 are all reliable, 335i shouldn't scare you either if it's recalls have been done. Just expect a water pump at 80kish miles.

Funktheduck > OffroadE30 12/12/2014 at 18:43

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That looks so cool/fun

OffroadE30 > pip bip - choose Corrour 12/12/2014 at 22:32

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I like but with gas mileage worse than my bmw i think i would end up driving that more

BJ > OffroadE30 12/12/2014 at 22:46

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Do you need a new car? Is somethimg specifically wrong with your BMW, as in it's costing money to keep running, or it breaks down often enough to be an inconvenience to you and others?

Or are others just embarrassed to be in it because it's not "cool" or "modern", or because it's not enough of a status symbol?

Unless there is a need to change, tell your gf and family that you like your car and that you will keep your car. If they insist, pick something really nice, show them the market value of the BMW, and ask them to pay the difference since it's so goddamn important to them.

pip bip - choose Corrour > OffroadE30 12/12/2014 at 23:04

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v6 version?

TDogg > OffroadE30 12/13/2014 at 08:13

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You're my hero.

OffroadE30 > BJ 12/13/2014 at 10:37

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Ive been making your argument for awhile because if i get a new car i need to get rid of one either the bmw or the truck and ive decided that if i do get a new car the truck goes because i really dont drive it much. There is nothing wrong with the bmw, if i drive it nice i can get about 25 mpg. However i would like to take it to the next level and do some major upgrades that may make it less streetable.