I need advice on my next car

"MM54" (mm54mk2) 06/20/2015 at 14:41 • Filed to: None

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And you guys seem pretty good at giving advice, so let’s see what Oppo thinks.

My current car is an ‘02 Crown Vic Police Interceptor - it is, and has been, falling apart. I’m actually surprised it’s still functional at this point, the sounds it makes and the way it shifts, etc. should have killed it a while ago. Not only that, but I’m getting bored with it - it’s a cool car, and I do like the platform, but it weighs as much as a truck, has an easily-confused automatic transmission, and for the fuel economy it gets it should be faster. To top it all off, the rust is getting pretty bad. The more I patch, the more pops up elsewhere. 13 years of being driven year-round in the rust belt is catching up to it.

This is where you come in - it’s time to replace the ‘vic and move on.

I’m in an interesting spot, financially. Having just graduated & gotten a job in engineering, I’m making a very reasonable amount of money. That said, my cost of living, between rent, utilities, and student loan payments, is a bit higher than I’d like. On top of that, I’m trying to save so that in a year or so, I’m able to buy a house and get out of the rent-trap (and have a usable garage - the one here barely fits a car, and I’m not allowed to work on one outside). Oh and sometime I do this thing where I eat food, too.

So here’s where I’m at - I see two options.

1) Get another ‘short term’ car for a few grand from craigslist which I’ll have for a couple years, hope it doesn’t break much, and replace it when I can. This has been my past couple cars and I’m getting tired of it. Also, for the first time, I can’t (read: am not permitted to) work on my own cars in my own driveway, so breakdowns get way more expensive. If I could, I’d be all over some $2000 944 or something.

2) Get a ‘long term’ car, a year or two used, off a dealer lot and finance it. Something with a bit of warranty left (at least a year’s worth so I can hopefully move) and have it for the minimum-5-years it would take to pay off and likely much longer than that. Having payments also means I need full coverage insurance, which I can’t imagine not being stupidly expensive for a 22-year old.

What do you guys think is best?

Requirements:
* All- or Rear-Wheel drive (I’ve driven FWD in the snow and I hate hate hate hate hate it)
* Manual Transmission
* Interesting (which is sort of fulfilled by the above two)
* Not a truck or SUV or camper or bicycle or kayak or hovercraft or combine harvester

Thanks for the help, Oppo!

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > MM54 06/20/2015 at 14:48

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Infiniti G35S 6MT Coupe.

-Rays Wheels

-Manual

-Cheap

-Fun

-Reliable

It occupies the middle ground between a hooptie and a 2-year-old WRX.

MLGCarGuy > MM54 06/20/2015 at 14:51

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2006-2013 IS250.

It’s fast but not so fast that you can’t enjoy it at the speed limit, it’s RWD, manual, looks sporty, and cops will ignore you because it’s a Lexus. And gas mileage is decent.

Jedidiah > MM54 06/20/2015 at 14:55

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An old police Caprice? Those aren’t manual but cheap and easy. If you’re gonna get a sedan, you might as well get a big one.

Trucks, SUVs, campers, hovercrafts, and combine harvesters could be fun you know.

A 350z or G35 are potential candidates and you can get them at decent prices used. Be sure to get one that was owned by somebody who doesn’t wear hats backwards.

Used Mustang or Firebird is also another canidate.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > MM54 06/20/2015 at 14:58

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MkII Supra, SC 400, Audi Allroad, Celica AllTrac

1111111111111111111111 > MM54 06/20/2015 at 15:04

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The answer is obvious.

Roadster Man > MM54 06/20/2015 at 15:05

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I think you should go for the middle ground and take out a small loan to buy a not-too crappy older car. A bugeye WRX, G35, 350Z in the 8-10K range maybe?’

Or just spend $3000 and buy a Miata and be happy.

sellphones2493 > MM54 06/20/2015 at 15:08

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Interesting and Rare Choice:

Very Engineer-ish Car that’s a good value w/ 300+hp, AWD, and Manual + Reliability:

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > MM54 06/20/2015 at 15:11

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If you seriously consider option 2, make sure that new cars are not a better deal. You’ll often get a lot off and insanely-sweet financing deals. New cars don’t seem to depreciate much early-on anymore (unless you’re trying to trade one in to a dealer).

I’d go #1, but I’d get something rock-solid reliable. Bump it up to $3k or so and you’ll probably find some excellent cars that will need little more than routine maintenance. There are a handful of gems under that price that can be found. It’s a solid choice for your finances at this point.

Thunderface > MM54 06/20/2015 at 15:13

2

How about this Case IH AFX 801... Oh. Never mind.

Pif > MM54 06/20/2015 at 15:14

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I had the same dilemma, coming from a big sedan that was automatic. I had the same requirements, stick and awd/rwd.

I ended up picking up a 2009 SX4 awd 5spd. Got a good price, and got it financed. With not good credit.

Really, I could not be happier. It’s SO easy to park in the city, the short wheelbase makes it very zippy, and stick shift lets me unleash all 143 ponies to push just 2700lb. It feels like a little rocket. The AWD in the snow is incredible. I got through this winter (terrible here, tons and tons of snow) with all seasons. Nothing could stop this little car.

Boxer_4 > MM54 06/20/2015 at 15:26

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A G35 Sedan 6MT would be good middle ground between option 1 and 2. Good examples can be had for between $7,000 and $13,000 depending on the mileage. It may be a bit harder to find than the coupe with a manual, but the insurance is probably cheaper.

MM54 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/20/2015 at 15:51

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I cannot describe how much I want a MKII (or even III) supra, but around here the two options are $10k fully restored/preserved ones, and

The SC400 may be a reasonable consideration, but I really don’t know much about it. I’ll look into them a little more - thanks!

MM54 > Roadster Man 06/20/2015 at 15:56

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My friend has a bugeye WRX and I like it. I’d try to but it off him (he’s upgrading soon) but I know the problems it has and know better than to buy a car with intermittent metal-oil. It’s pretty tough to find one in anywhere near running order, it seems. All of them are beat to hell and/or rusty, but I’ll keep my eyes open for them. I’ve never really been able to get into Infinitii, they’re just far too... unpleasing (?) looking for me. If I had a Z it’d be a 240

A Miata is a good option too, but I just question how well it would do in the winters, even on snow tires.

MM54 > 1111111111111111111111 06/20/2015 at 15:57

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I just wonder how well a Miata could do in the winter, even with snow tires the very-light-weight makes me think it may have trouble. I think my crown vics have been so good in snow because they weigh as much as a house and, with good tires, can get traction in anything.

Also, there are very few NAs around here, which makes me sad.

E92M3 > MM54 06/20/2015 at 15:58

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I say get something under $5k. Get your house, and THEN get a nice car. OR lease something cheap. $250 or less a month.

Owning a house is so much better than renting. The only caution I would give is to make sure you want to stay in that area for at least 5 years. I know too many people who bought a house, only to end up moving in a year or 2. Myself included.

MM54 > Jedidiah 06/20/2015 at 16:00

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I need something smaller (so it fits in the garage for winter), not particularly tied to the idea of having a sedan anymore - college is over and all my friends I used to haul around are many miles away with their own cars!

To be fair I have considered small trucks or SUVs, but I have the need to turn quickly, etc. I’d very strongly consider a 1st gen 4runner, but around here they all resemble

MM54 > Boxer_4 06/20/2015 at 16:03

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Something about Infinitii have always slightly put me off in terms of looks, but it does have the sleeper-appeal. A lot of people seem to be suggesting them here - I’m going to have to do more research.

MM54 > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 06/20/2015 at 16:06

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If I wait a month or two (which I plan on anyways) I could do like 5 grand, whether it that be money down or flat-out buying something. I had been set on #2 but the more I think about it, the more I realize that between payments and insurance, I’m not going to be able to save the amount I want to save every month. I would definitely compare with new if I went for that route.

1111111111111111111111 > MM54 06/20/2015 at 16:08

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I made it through daily driving last winter in Oregon. It’s wet, but no snow. I was really hoping to try it. I do have it garaged, and left the top down to dry out most of the winter. A couple leaks, but not bad.

MM54 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/20/2015 at 16:09

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Like I mentioned to another commenter a moment ago - I’ve never really put much towards Infiniti, but with as many of you suggesting this, I’m going to have to do some more research. They must be pretty good...

Or Tavarish just ran an article on them that I haven’t seen yet

MM54 > MLGCarGuy 06/20/2015 at 16:10

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I like the sound of this - I’ll have to look into them in some more details, thanks!

Jedidiah > MM54 06/20/2015 at 16:12

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My Wagoneer could turn sharper than some compacts. Anything with a good open knuckle front axle will turn quickly; unfortunately, Toyotas have closed knuckles on their solid front axles. Of course, it will still handle like a truck but some at least have parking lot manners.

Miata has probably already been suggested, but I think a 4th Gen F-Body or SN95 are good part time cars.

MM54 > 1111111111111111111111 06/20/2015 at 16:12

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Last winter I used my bumper as a snow plow more than once, albeit briefly. We got plenty of snow at the university, and I don’t suspect it’s much different where I’ve moved to!

911e46z06 > MM54 06/20/2015 at 16:28

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How about the best of both worlds? You can pick up a really, really good e39 540 with a manual for about 5 or 6 grand. The fact you can get a car that good for a price that low is pretty insane. You can even get a wagon, if you’re so inclined.

1111111111111111111111 > MM54 06/20/2015 at 16:31

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Then again:

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > 911e46z06 06/20/2015 at 16:32

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Oh my god yes! I love these! I got to drive my friend’s a while back. The sounds it made and the steering feel. All while being luxuriously comfortable. MMMMMMMMM!!!

(Although the pic you posted is an e39 M5)

911e46z06 > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 06/20/2015 at 16:36

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Yeah, I know. The picture was too pretty. Couldn’t resist. I can say with all due modesty that I own some pretty kickass cars, but by far my favorite I’ve ever owned was my ‘97 528. I cried like a little girl the day I sold it.

MLGCarGuy > MM54 06/20/2015 at 16:41

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You’re definitely welcome. Good luck on finding your car!

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > 911e46z06 06/20/2015 at 16:46

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Holy balls! Is that a pic of it? I never liked the color Bluewater but that picture has changed my mind. holy crap that’s so damn beautiful. Even the wheels (they look like RG-Rs or M-Parallels?). I think I’m in love. I literally want to touch the wet car. I want to dry it off with a nice waffle-weave microfiber and then wax it in the garage with some smooth jazz in the background.

I think I’ve decided on getting an e39 in the future as a daily driver.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > MM54 06/20/2015 at 17:24

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It’s a more useable 350Z. Fun fact: the G35s are actually V35 Skylines, but badged as an Infiniti.

911e46z06 > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 06/20/2015 at 17:35

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Haha. Good choice. Yeah that’s her. Saw this lonesome little 1-lane road running off the freeway and up into the hills in Oregon, and had to check it out. Pretty spectacular stuff.

MM54 > 911e46z06 06/20/2015 at 19:22

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I’ve considered it - my friend has an e39 M5 (same blue as pictured, tan (caramel?) interior. It’s very, very nice.). I’ve thought about the 540 but I’ve never seen one with a manual (not to mention a wagon!) for sale anywhere nearby. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for one, though.

911e46z06 > MM54 06/20/2015 at 19:54

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They’re definitely around, at least in SoCal. I was keeping up with Craig’s pretty good for a couple months because a friend of mine was looking for a Bimmer, and 2 or 3 nice manual 540s would come up every week. There were 2 or 3 wagons on there that made me pretty sad that I’m out of room for cars. If you’re not in the Southwest, it may be worth it to buy one out here and drive it home. Pretty tough to find one with no rust underneath anywhere else.

I’m jelly of your buddy’s M5. I looked like crazy for one, but in my searching I came across an e46 M3 that was too good to pass up.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > MM54 06/21/2015 at 00:14

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“* Not a truck or SUV or camper or bicycle or kayak or hovercraft or combine harvester”

How about a quadracycle? My kids found it interesting when I rented one once... and it’s RWD too!!!

LOL

I’m gonna have some more wine...

SALfan > MM54 06/21/2015 at 00:38

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Two or three weeks ago saw an article about a lease deal VW was offering. Sorry, don’t remember which car. Am fuzzy on the details, but believe it was a 3-year lease, $2500 down payment (whatever it was, dvided by the lease term it was $70/month). Monthly payment was $89, for a total monthly cost of $159. As I said, I may be a little off on the numbers, but not by much. That is a steal - if you buy an older car and have to pay for repairs, you could spend more than the lease cost on repairs every month. Check it out.