Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 25
  1. #1
    House of Wax's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Roscoe, IL
    Posts
    3,521
    Post Thanks / Like

    School me on European/Japanese sedans

    Here`s the skinny....the wife and I are in the middle of some vehicle shuffling. We recently picked up an Expedition for a "family hauler". Now I`m going to be working on getting a second vehicle for myself. It`s primary use will be just a second vehicle getting me back and forth to work and taking my daughter to school in the morning. Part of me is considering a early-mid 2000`s Bmw, Audi, Lexus, Infinity, etc....I`d like to get something at least somewhat interesting to drive (Those brands have some nice looking sedans with manual transmissions) and I only put about 10 miles a day on, so higher mileage cars aren`t a big problem so long as they aren`t a maintenance nightmare or have major common problems.

    I can`t come up with any domestic sedans that interest me, but I`ve never had anything other than domestic cars, so I`m not quite sure what I`m getting into.

    Are any of those brands more reliable than the others? Any specific models that are to be completely avoided?

  2. #2
    AspiringProductSpecialist Angus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    SE PA
    Posts
    3,604
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: School me on European/Japanese sedans

    Well if you`re looking for something fun to drive, with a manual trans, and need 4 doors - I`d say check out a E39 BMW M5 from the last year they were produced: 2003. You`ll get probably the last great M5 to be made with lots of power from it`s 4.9L V8 (400hp/ 370lb ft when new) and superb handling.

    If on the other hand you want 4 wheel drive, perhaps a Subaru WRX would be worth taking a look at? Lots of fun to drive but the early 2000 ones don`t have the best design and it maybe hard finding one that hasn`t been modified to within an inch of it`s life.
    Likes Stokdgs, 4u2nvinmtl liked this post

  3. #3
    House of Wax's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Roscoe, IL
    Posts
    3,521
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: School me on European/Japanese sedans

    I do like the wrx`s, but as you said, I`ve had a hard time finding one that isn`t modded to hell or 200k+ miles on it.

    4 doors isn`t a requirement btw, but a legitimate back seat for the kiddos is.

  4. #4
    dansautodetailing.com Stokdgs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    NorCal.. Avatar = Swan Lake, Hallstatt, Austria
    Posts
    5,189
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: School me on European/Japanese sedans

    +1 with Angus --

    Have had 5 Bimmers, 3 were brand new, (1 was an M car) 2 were gently used..
    Been a member of the BMWCCA for 15 years...

    Nothing else drives and handles like them; they are Driver`s cars...
    To achieve that, they do some interesting things to the alignment of the wheels and this can cause rapid wear of the tires - especially the rear ones, so you need to adjust for that if you are intending to look at a high performance model..

    I absolutely Loved the E46 models and the E39 models, and after that the design went a little nutty with Chris Bangle at the helm..

    Have worked with some great German Car Mechanics at the best shop in the East Side of Bellevue, WA., personally detailed some beautiful Audi cars and seen the horrendous modular stacking they do with some of their models in the engine compartment..

    There are some Audi cars out there that have the timing belt between the engine and transmission, so you have to remove Everything in the engine compartment and pull out the engine and transmission to change this...
    In some cases, the cost to do this is more than car is worth...

    It is pretty darn hard to beat the beautiful layout, leather, feel of the switches, etc., in an Audi dashboard and interior... They are incredibly beautiful and functional...

    Bottom line - all German cars will cost a lot more to maintain - it`s just how they work...

    But what they give you in return - its wonderful - you just have to decide if it will be worth it to you to maintain them..

    The Lexus line is very nice too and I had a new IS350 for a year and took it back... It was just too squirrely at high speeds.. I hear they have finally figured that out and made changes to their suspension, etc...
    The Lexus cars will always be more reliable and perhaps less costly to maintain long term..
    Downside to me - its like driving a very nicely appointed, beautiful interior, sound system, etc., Appliance...

    Me, I am going to probably get a really nicely restored used Honda or Acura from my great friends at Home for my daily commuter and park the Grand Cherokee 4x4 Limited for awhile..

    It will need zero $$$ to make it street worthy after I buy it and I can drive it anywhere across the US the day I leave the lot... These guys know everything there is to know about the Honda/Acura lines and do not sell anything that`s junk.. They dont buy from Auctions and prefer to find 1 owner cars from the original owner, so they know what they are getting into..

    Easiest car in the world to maintain.. you just need to replace the timing belt at 90k miles...

    Good luck with your research !
    Dan F

  5. #5
    Detailers Workshop The Driver's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Posts
    2,418
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: School me on European/Japanese sedans

    VOLVO S60R OR VOLVO V70R

    They come in 6 speed stick, fun, reliable, safe, good on gas, rare and a blast to drive with 300/300 awd
    Likes 4u2nvinmtl liked this post

  6. #6
    Wax Waster Ronkh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    SwFL
    Posts
    27,090
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: School me on European/Japanese sedans

    LOVED my BMW`s

    Loved my Audi, but it left me on the side of the road 5 times in under a year search $VW$
    Formerly the "Best Detailer", now just Super Wax Waster Man. Not necessarily tactful, but normally right. It`s good to be da King !!!
    Likes Stokdgs, trashmanssd, 4u2nvinmtl liked this post

  7. #7
    Swanicyouth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Posts
    2,861
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: School me on European/Japanese sedans

    If I was you I`d be looking for a MANUAL E46 M3 post 2003.

    Same drivetrain as my E85 M. Requires some maintenance that can be a bit costly, but they are very reliable. Not much can equal the driving experience for the money with the reliability factor.

    Plus there is so much info out there on these cars - most things you can fix yourself. All the maintenance can be DIY.

    I wouldn`t touch a V8 BMW. Not nearly as reliable.

    It could be just me, but I`d never buy an Audi or Mercedes outside of warranty. I`ve driven BMWs for 10+ years and never had a single out of warranty repair I couldn`t do at home. My M has yet to need a single repair (like not even a light bulb) at 7 years old. So, I`m prolly BMW biased.

    Of course Lexus is reliable. But, I don`t think their sedans are anywhere near as fun as BMWs to drive. IMHO Acura just makes ugly cars.
    Likes Stokdgs liked this post

  8. #8
    Wax Waster Ronkh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    SwFL
    Posts
    27,090
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: School me on European/Japanese sedans

    Quote Originally Posted by Swanicyouth View Post
    IMHO Acura just makes ugly cars.
    Formerly the "Best Detailer", now just Super Wax Waster Man. Not necessarily tactful, but normally right. It`s good to be da King !!!
    Likes Stokdgs, trashmanssd liked this post

  9. #9
    dansautodetailing.com Stokdgs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    NorCal.. Avatar = Swan Lake, Hallstatt, Austria
    Posts
    5,189
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: School me on European/Japanese sedans

    + 1 with Swanicyouth and RonK-----------------

    If you decide you want to look at used Bimmers, I can PM you my log in for the Online BMWCCA Roundel Magazine, which has a Classifieds section that sells a lot of nice Bimmers from people who are pretty much dedicated enough to keep paying dues for the Membership for years (like me), and you can check this out..
    You may be able to look at the magazine anyway without being a member..
    Let me know, ok ?
    Dan F

  10. #10
    Wax Waster Ronkh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    SwFL
    Posts
    27,090
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: School me on European/Japanese sedans

    Quote Originally Posted by Stokdgs View Post
    + 1 with Swanicyouth and RonK-----------------

    If you decide you want to look at used Bimmers, I can PM you my log in for the Online BMWCCA Roundel Magazine, which has a Classifieds section that sells a lot of nice Bimmers from people who are pretty much dedicated enough to keep paying dues for the Membership for years (like me), and you can check this out..
    You may be able to look at the magazine anyway without being a member..
    Let me know, ok ?
    Dan F
    and me, but think it may expire now,

    gotta re-up so I get my 1500, when I get another
    Formerly the "Best Detailer", now just Super Wax Waster Man. Not necessarily tactful, but normally right. It`s good to be da King !!!
    Likes Stokdgs liked this post

  11. #11
    dansautodetailing.com Stokdgs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    NorCal.. Avatar = Swan Lake, Hallstatt, Austria
    Posts
    5,189
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: School me on European/Japanese sedans

    Quote Originally Posted by Ronkh View Post
    and me, but think it may expire now,

    gotta re-up so I get my 1500, when I get another
    so I get my 1500, when I get another[/QUOTE]

    And that is yet another reason I`m still a member... but I DO like to know about them and you know, the 2Series with the turbocharged 2.0L motor might just be the new way to go...
    I hear from friends its like the last "True" Bimmer out there now, with the 3Series growing, the 4Series really growing, and on and on...
    Dan F

  12. #12
    House of Wax's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Roscoe, IL
    Posts
    3,521
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: School me on European/Japanese sedans

    Quote Originally Posted by Swanicyouth View Post
    If I was you I`d be looking for a MANUAL E46 M3 post 2003.

    Same drivetrain as my E85 M. Requires some maintenance that can be a bit costly, but they are very reliable. Not much can equal the driving experience for the money with the reliability factor.

    Plus there is so much info out there on these cars - most things you can fix yourself. All the maintenance can be DIY.

    I wouldn`t touch a V8 BMW. Not nearly as reliable.

    It could be just me, but I`d never buy an Audi or Mercedes outside of warranty. I`ve driven BMWs for 10+ years and never had a single out of warranty repair I couldn`t do at home. My M has yet to need a single repair (like not even a light bulb) at 7 years old. So, I`m prolly BMW biased.

    Of course Lexus is reliable. But, I don`t think their sedans are anywhere near as fun as BMWs to drive. IMHO Acura just makes ugly cars.
    That`s kinda what I`m trying to pinpoint. I somewhat enjoy wrenching on cars and have always done my own maintenance and repairs. I just don`t want to get something that I`m working/spending money on more than I`m driving it or end up with a car that has major problems that more or less NEED to be fixed by a dealer.

    The vast majority of Mercedes do nothing for me and Acura`s look decent, but don`t catch my eye. From the brief browsing that I`ve done it seems like the Audi`s are more notorious for nightmare repairs and generally I like the look of BMW`s better. I do like some of Lexus` cars.

  13. #13
    House of Wax's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Roscoe, IL
    Posts
    3,521
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: School me on European/Japanese sedans

    Quote Originally Posted by Stokdgs View Post
    + 1 with Swanicyouth and RonK-----------------

    If you decide you want to look at used Bimmers, I can PM you my log in for the Online BMWCCA Roundel Magazine, which has a Classifieds section that sells a lot of nice Bimmers from people who are pretty much dedicated enough to keep paying dues for the Membership for years (like me), and you can check this out..
    You may be able to look at the magazine anyway without being a member..
    Let me know, ok ?
    Dan F
    looks like i can view the classifieds without a login. Unfortunately nothing anywhere near me. Thanks for the help!
    www.facebook.com/houseofwaxdetailing
    Likes Stokdgs liked this post

  14. #14
    mnehls86's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Southern Ca.
    Posts
    1,543
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: School me on European/Japanese sedans

    Quote Originally Posted by The Driver View Post
    VOLVO S60R OR VOLVO V70R

    They come in 6 speed stick, fun, reliable, safe, good on gas, rare and a blast to drive with 300/300 awd
    I shouldn`t have read this haha. I have been thinking about a new car to drive back and forth to work but this is a little more than I was looking to spend. But it looks so awesome! The only downside is when I hear rare I think $$$$$$$$$$$ for parts.

  15. #15
    RMD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Orange County, CA
    Posts
    302
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: School me on European/Japanese sedans

    +2 on the e46 BMW. I bought one new in 2002 and put 200,000 miles on it. Then I gave it to my dad and he is still driving it. There were repairs along the way, and it`s not inexpensive to maintain by any means, but it`s certainly not outrageous. It was absolutely solid, and I miss that car. I love my newer 5 series, but there was something so pure and balanced about that e46.
    A well maintained one with a manual trans will be reasonably priced and should last a while.
    Likes Stokdgs, 4u2nvinmtl liked this post
    Thanks Stokdgs thanked for this post

 

 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Old School vs. New School SALE
    By RaysWay in forum Autopia-carcare.com
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 04-25-2015, 12:43 PM
  2. Machine Polishing: Old School vs. New School...
    By imported_Luster in forum Machine Polishing & Sanding
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 06-19-2009, 07:38 PM
  3. Nissan Recalling 97,000 Altima, Sentra Sedans
    By TigerMike in forum Car & Driver
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 08-28-2007, 08:55 AM
  4. Japanese Car Day
    By Mikeyc in forum Northeast USA
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 09-30-2005, 07:33 PM
  5. Sports Sedans
    By in forum Car & Driver
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 01-01-1970, 12:00 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •