Impossible!!!

Javelin wrote: And sorry, but there's no way I'm driving a Toyota. I'd rather walk. At least I won't unintentionally run myself into a wall.

Huh?

Drive and fly.... or bus and fly. Seriously, it's worth every penny, you can get that Subaru you want.... or I'll pick up a Subaru for you and trade it for one of those 8k GTO's you mentioned you've mentioned you have out there. The other part is that you get a great weekend road trip out of it with your SO.

We plan to fly 'n drive to/from California one day, and make a holiday out of it.

Nathan

1988RedT2 wrote: Haha. My wife currently dd's a 2010 Mazda 3s 2.5 6-speed and has a '97 BMW328iC auto 'vert for warm sunny days. She asked for my input on both purchases. She hates both vehicles. Hates them. And I feel like banging my head on the wall.

What is there to hate about the 328? Chicks dig those.

I'd take another look at Mazda3 and Non-boosted Subarus, I often get hung up on the "but it's not an MS3 or WRX" thing too but in reality a Standard 3 is just as good as a Focus (really) and a 2.5 Subaru that's had it's head gaskets done is just as quick as the other 4 bangers out there (out pulled my ACR Neon in a straight line). I've had good luck with both Subarus and Mazdas as my wife has a Mazda5 and I've got a Subaru Legacy Wagon with over 300k on it, the most reliable indestructable car I've ever owned. Only had to do front axles and oil changes for the past two years, though a clutch is in my future soon. And up until we bought the 5 new we had three cars all with over 100K, mileage doesnt't scare me as long as maintenance has been kept up on. And I really like LATCH, way easier for my wife to figure out, the first few times my wife put he car seats in my Subaru with the belts was scary...

Fly and Drive? http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2096463001.html lots of good Subarus around here if you're willing to stretch a smidge on mileage. http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/2114178678.html

Javelin wrote:

STS_ZX2 wrote: Where is the 8000 coming from? Is that money that you have as cash, or will it be a loan?

That's what we have cash that we are willing to spend on a car to not have payments ($4K from selling the P71 and $4K from her). We have a good amount in savings, but that's for savings. I'd rather have payments and a warranty at this point as I've been doing nothing but repairs for the last 6 months (Miata: timing belt, crank pulley & keyway, water pump, tires, radiator leak, v-belts, balancer, CAS, etc. P71: stripped/blown out plugs x2, rear axle, parking brake assembly, rear shocks, etc. GP GT: steering pump, steering rack, lower intake manifold gaskets, front hub assembly, rear toe links, tires, etc.). I already have a solo loan pre-approved at the credit union and can easily make the payments. I don't understand what her hang-up is.

Yeah...get her mind changed. How about you put the $8000 down on something like a new Hyundai Elantra Touring. Its remarkably well-equipped for $16K MSRP (meaning that you can buy one for under $15K)...and the best warranty out there, meaning that as long as you're making payments, you wont have anything major but maintenance to worry about. It is highly rated for safety, has a ton of room both for passangers and cargo, and has a true sport-tuned suspension (compared to the sedan). The payments will be low with that big of a downstroke and you will have safe, reliable and even moderately fun-to-drive transportation. (A Kia Forte 5 door would also be worth a look--'same' car mechanically...but with updated motor series, and a little less cargo space because its shorter). Yes, I have a 2011 ET...I did a lot of looking too back in September. I am very pleased with the overall decision.

Otto Maddox wrote:

1988RedT2 wrote: Haha. My wife currently dd's a 2010 Mazda 3s 2.5 6-speed and has a '97 BMW328iC auto 'vert for warm sunny days. She asked for my input on both purchases. She hates both vehicles. Hates them. And I feel like banging my head on the wall.

What is there to hate about the 328? Chicks dig those.

Yeah, she hates the 3 (noisy, and she's not real smooth with the manual trans) more than she hates the 328 (she really wanted an E46, but didn't want to pay that much). She'd rather be in a new Cadillac CTS or an Infiniti G37, but she doesn't want to rack up miles on a nice car. She commutes about a 100 miles a day.

I will have to remember to hold my tongue the next time she's considering a car purchase.

njansenv wrote:

Javelin wrote: And sorry, but there's no way I'm driving a Toyota. I'd rather walk. At least I won't unintentionally run myself into a wall.

Huh?

+1 "Huh?"

Anyway, what about a Suzuki SX4? Don't know if they have LATCH, but it seems like a fairly fun utilitarian and economical choice amongst the late-model offerings.

amiller34 wrote: I'd take another look at Mazda3 and Non-boosted Subarus, I often get hung up on the "but it's not an MS3 or WRX" thing too but in reality a Standard 3 is just as good as a Focus (really) and a 2.5 Subaru that's had it's head gaskets done is just as quick as the other 4 bangers out there (out pulled my ACR Neon in a straight line).

This is very true as its really an apples to oranges comparison unless you find a boosted Focus somehow. The upside of buying a "base" model is that you can often get cheep castoff suspension parts from the performance versions as the higher powered cars get upgraded.

You can buy a new SVTF suspension (dampers/springs/RSB) for several hundred dollars. Transforms any 'regular' Focus into a very VERY nice handling car.

Matt B wrote:

njansenv wrote:

Javelin wrote: And sorry, but there's no way I'm driving a Toyota. I'd rather walk. At least I won't unintentionally run myself into a wall.

Huh?

+1 "Huh?"

It was a joke about their massive stinking recall, insistence that it's no their fault, and now a recalled/fixed one has blown into a wall at top speed killing people. I don't want to risk it, so I'm not going to drive one, period.

I know the markets are different, but I sold my 2005 Mazda 3 (5 speed hatch, 65k miles) earlier this year for about $9500. I was debating selling it in 2009, and I should have, because once it became 5 years old, the private party value took a big hit.

Wait until 2011 rolls around and see if the values on a 2006 models plummet.

In reply to 1988RedT2:

Maybe she could sell the 328 to Javel... no wait, scratch that, maybe she could sell it to me when I'm good and ready? That's one of the last good looking cars BMW will ever made (mark my words, you heard it here first).

Javelin, I'm back from lunch and forget the C4, what you need is an Isuzu Stylus with a 1.6 turbo swap and some nice wheels, perhaps Panasports?

What I need is an AMC Eagle wagon. In Red. Preferably on 31" mudders with rust and leather.

Get one without rust. Trust me.

In reply to Javelin:

Don't you already have a truck like thing in driveway?

RWD Buick Regal with LS 5.3 swap and a trip through the Hotchkis catalog.

^

I approve of this . . .

pres589 wrote: In reply to Javelin: Don't you already have a truck like thing in driveway?

I do?

I realize I changed cars a lot this year. The driveway currently consists of:

• 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3.8/Auto 4-door (her car)
• 1993 Mazda Miata 1.6/5-Speed w/hardtop (our autocross car, what I have been driving for the last 4 months)
• 1973 AMC Javelin SST 360/Auto (hasn't run in 27 years)
• 199x Invader Go-Kart 5HP Tecumseh/Slipper clutch
• 2 electric scooters and a Porsche Boxster pedal car

.

(PS - The LSx Regal sounds freaking awesome.)

Then the obvious answer is Subaru BRAT.

I'd trade my 2002 WRX wagon with 51,000k for a 6.0 GTO... 6MT, no red or black.

Osterkraut wrote: I'd trade my 2002 WRX wagon with 51,000k for a 6.0 GTO... 6MT, no red or black.

I'll counter-offer a 2003 Protege5 w/ 71k...

2.5 Subaru that's had it's head gaskets done is just as quick as the other 4 bangers out there (out pulled my ACR Neon in a straight line

You're doing it wrong.

To the OP.. use less money and buy 2 cars.

The mileage thing is crazy to me. All i look for in a used car (ive owned 40+ so far) is the condition of the things i CANT easily fix, like bodywork and interior.

Im more likely by far to by a car with a broken motor than a car with all broken windows or a severely bashed quarter panel, for example.

My DD has 294000 miles on it. Ive owned it since 282. Its on its second set of spark plugs, and i dont think the timing belt has ever been changed, which i guess means it has a chain at this point. I really dont care. If it breaks ill fix it.

Although, i did sell a car with 315k on it to triple my money, and i did sell a car with 358k on it because i was too lazy to change the headgasket.