Time to buy a new car... Need suggestions...

E

ExplorerXLT95

New member
Alright ladies and gents. It's time for me to really start looking. She's just not runnin right anymore, though she's in perfect mechanical condition. I can just feel her slippin away, poor XLT. We had some good times and she held up well. Anyways, I need some good suggestions. Here are my requirements for my new car.



- Quick (0-60 in 7.0 seconds or better; this is non-negotiable)

- Preferably V6 or better

- Manual or Tiptronic transmission

- Smooth ride, good handling

- Rear-wheel drive or AWD (FWD being not acceptable)

- Refined, but sporty

- Nice amenities (navigation screen almost a requirement; leather, sunroof, power everything, perhaps even upgraded stereo)

- Quality automobile that will run with a minimal amount of service

- Good customer service

- Good AFTERMARKET SUPPORT (ie lots of parts for better performance; money being no object)

- less than or equal to $45,000 when it's all said and done (45k is the ceiling; will not pay more than $200 over invoice either)



Alright... I'm not asking too much, am I? ;) Anyways. I've got a few cars that I've been impressed with and meet the requirements as best I can tell, but I want to add more cars to the list. Here's my list as it stands(in order of preference):



1) Audi S4 (newly designed body style; 2003?? any pictures would help me out if anybody can get them)

2) 2003 Ford Mustang Cobra SVT

3) Subaru WRX

4) Lexus IS 300



I would really like any pictures that anyone can supply on the new S4 body style. I believe that I have seen 1 on the road, but I'll be sure if I see a picture of it. I welcome any other suggestions on cars, just as long as they meet most of the requirements I've set forth. Help me out guys, I really want to be happy with my new car. Just know that at the moment, I am leaning HEAVILY towards the S4.



Help me out here ladies/fellas. :D
 
I would suggest the penultimate choice..

a Ford Lightning.. it will do all of what you are asking, or you can add it on for well under the amount you are willing to spend.. put a hard tonneau on the back and it will have more trunk space than any other car out there...

Dana:up
 
ExplorerXLT95 said:




- Quick (0-60 in 7.0 seconds or better; this is non-negotiable)

- Preferably V6 or better

- Manual or Tiptronic transmission

- Smooth ride, good handling

- Rear-wheel drive or AWD (FWD being not acceptable)

- Refined, but sporty

- Nice amenities (navigation screen almost a requirement; leather, sunroof, power everything, perhaps even upgraded stereo)

- Quality automobile that will run with a minimal amount of service

- Good customer service

- Good AFTERMARKET SUPPORT (ie lots of parts for better performance; money being no object)

- less than or equal to $45,000 when it's all said and done (45k is the ceiling; will not pay more than $200 over invoice either)



Alright... I'm not asking too much, am I? ;) Anyways. I've got a few cars that I've been impressed with and meet the requirements as best I can tell, but I want to add more cars to the list. Here's my list as it stands(in order of preference):



1) Audi S4 (newly designed body style; 2003?? any pictures would help me out if anybody can get them)

2) 2003 Ford Mustang Cobra SVT

3) Subaru WRX

4) Lexus IS 300



I would really like any pictures that anyone can supply on the new S4 body style. I believe that I have seen 1 on the road, but I'll be sure if I see a picture of it. I welcome any other suggestions on cars, just as long as they meet most of the requirements I've set forth. Help me out guys, I really want to be happy with my new car. Just know that at the moment, I am leaning HEAVILY towards the S4.



Help me out here ladies/fellas. :D
Click to expand...



without a doubt, the Benz CLK 430....it is one of the most beautiful cars out there right now...the brand new ones are over $45k, but you can get a 2000 or 2001 for around your price...
 
ejant,



Sorry man... Just not a big fan of Jaguars. I've driven an XK8 and just thought it wasn't all that special. It's a quality automobile, just not my "cup o tea". Thanks though.



Also, the Lightning would be a good idea, but I'm more so looking for a 4 door (S4, WRX). I will admite I love that truck though. Muscle Mustang & Fast Fords did a supercharger swap and a pulley swap and made 540 hp at the rear wheels. More than impressive. Also, I'll have to check out the Benz CLK 430. See what it looks like.



Some more suggestions would be sweet ladies and gents. So would some invoice prices, tips, experiences, rants, comments and suggestions.



Keep em comin!! :xyxthumbs
 
Id go with the Audi S4, but Please do not get a Lexus IS300, unless you really have the urge to buy a car that looks liek an expensive Honda Civic.



I do not care how goo dfo a car it is, how fast it is, or the quality put into it. I se an IS300 I think look a Honda civic.
 
WRX



I'm a little biased, but its a very nice car! AWD, not a v6 but 114 BHP per litre, its a peppy 4! Turbo lag is a small problem, but easy to avoid when wanted. Inside is quite, standard indash 6 disc cd changer, nice ride, etc...



I really like it!



Robert
 
I just bought a starmarked CLK430 and love it.



Do some test drives!



4 doors or 2? I prefer 2!



What about the new Nissan Z? That will be a kick *** car.



My opinion From the cars you listed.

1) S4 - is a sweet ride but everyone has an A4 they are all over the place, just to commen of a style for me. I'm assuming the style will be somewhat similiar to the new A4 style.



2) Mustang - havn't seen the new cobra, not a big fan of the stang or Ford in general - unless it is an F series.



3) Subura - Nice car in all just don't think it's worth the money and the style doesn't blow me away.



4) Lexus IS300- I always liked this car, quick, fun to drive and Lexus quality is top notch. Only downside, at times I can mistake it for Civic.
 
HOLY SHIMMY!!! Check this out!!! Just found some 2003 S4 pictures!!!



2003%20Audi%20S4.jpg




2003%20S4%2002.jpg




As if that wasn't enough about it!! Check this out!!



The new S4 will either have a 2.7 twin-turbo rated at 300hp or a 4.2L V8, rated at 371hp. Tranny choices include a 6-speed stick, 6-speed manumatic, and 7-speed SMG type.
Click to expand...



I'm REALLY starting to like the sound of the 2003 S4! I did see one of those on the road the other day and it impressed the hell out of me!



Found this on another site:



NEW S4



Coming in the spring of 2003, probable introduction at 2003 Detroit auto show.



Specs:



Faster than the current E46 BMW M3, 0-62 in under 4.5 seconds.



360 HP 4.2L V8, tuned to be even faster than the current S8.



Full aluminum suspension, aluminum hood, fenders and rear deck lid.



It should weigh in the neighborhood of 3500 lbs.



Some of the weight savings will come from lighter weight glass and magnesium frame seats.



Six-piston Brembo brakes.
Click to expand...



Keep the suggestions coming guys and gals!
 
The BMW 330 Ci is nice: quick, handles well, rides nicely, well built, Rwd, nav available and the M3's SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox) is supposed to find its way into other 3 series cars (will have to wait a little for the SMG, otherwise, a manual or a sport shift 5 speed automatic are currently available). The only area that didn't impress me on my '00 BMW was its paint; it looked only ok, chipped fairly easily and didn't match the quality of the rest of the car (which was beautifully built, especially the interior).
 
Here's something nobody has mentioned that's just as important as finding the right car, Service After The Sale. You can buy the greatest car in the world, but poor service can spoil the whole experience. Check out some of the enthusiast boards, like audiworld.com, bimmerfest.com, etc. and research the customer satisfaction ratings for the dealers in your area. See if the dealership has a loaner car program and if they do, what kind of cars do they supply. Some dealerships contract with Enterprise for a loaner so you might drive an Audi, but get a Chevy Malibu for the loaner. My dealership, BMW of Nashville, spends $20k a month for a fleet of 40 cars so you can see providing loaner cars is a major expense. This is offset by $85-$105 per hour labor charges, but while your car is under warranty, it doesn't matter. Also consider how convenient the dealership is to where you live and work.



My choice of cars for $45k: loaded BMW 330i, nicely equipped 525, loaded Audi A4 3.0 quattro for $37k, loaded A6 3.0 quattro for $45k, loaded VW Passat W8 for $39k. Looks like all my choices are German.:D
 
My first recommendation is that you not listen to car comparisons. Choose the right car for YOU, not what some car magazine says. Car magazines can provide a lot of insight about a car, but it won't tell you about which car is best for YOU.



Out of the four cars you've listed, I'd pick the S4 in a heartbeat. No question.



The M3 is an incredible car (despite the 60+ documented engine failures). You might consider getting one of the previous generation models. They're cheaper than any of your other choices, a blast to drive, and reportedly very reliable.



I drove my friend's WRX. (I drove it quite hard, in fact.) What a blast to drive! I couldn't stop smiling for 20 minutes after I got out of the car. But while it's a lot of fun to drive, it's just not the car for me.



Of course I'm a little biased about the new car I just bought - a Mercedes C32 AMG. I'm really happy I bought it. You might might consider checking one out.
 
I don't think the WRX or SVT falls in line with the refined aspect you wanted in your car. I found the inside of boath to be a bit cheap in comparison to the S4 and the likes. Btw, why not a BMW, I'm not a fan, but they are good cars.



how are the svt's on quality. If they are like other fords, they aren't too good from my experience. it also depends on how long you plan on keeping the car.
 
Why not a Corvette?



350 hp, 6-speed, :D



under 45K



Soundsa like you want imports.... soo

1.G35(Infiniti)

2.330i/Xi/Ci(BMW)

3.s2000(HONDA)

4.530i(BMW)

5.Maxima-SE(Nissan)/I35(Infiniti)

6.350Z(Nissan)

7.S4(Audi)

8.A6 2.7T(Audi)

9.WRX(Suburu)



American

1.CTS (Cadillac)-Wait for Vette engine in CTS-i;)

2.Corvette(Chevrolet)

3.Cobra(Ford-SVT)

4.SVT F150(Ford-SVT)





These arent in any orfer, just a list
 
All those cars sounds pretty nice but I'll tell ya one thing - - you ain't gonna get no S4 or SVT Cobra for $200 over. You might get a WRX for something close ($500-1000 over) if you're lucky. Same with an IS300 if you buy The One Nobody Wants, i.e. cloth interior, no roof, no stereo upgrade, 5 speed, yucky color.



If you want tuner parts then stick to the Kraut cars like VW, Audi, and BMW.



If it were me I'd just lease a cheapo Passat or A4 and buy a toy to trick out. Or even better, buy someone else's tricked out tuner car for pennies on the dollar.
 
Before you buy a car, I would recommend a book called LEMON-AID CAR GUIDE by Phil Edmonston. He founded and runs a group called the Automobile Protection Association here in Quebec. The book comes in a U.S. version.



There's all kinds of good info about the advantages and disadvantages of various cars including frequent repairs and secret warranty info. He even includes a sample letter for sending to dealers so you can get them bidding against each other.



Also check out the website Lemonaid cars
 
Get a Porsche Boxster S for about 60 grand, make some tune up by TechArt for about 20K, ... you'l be happy :D
 
The S4 would be my choice, but I don't see you getting out the door under $45k. My guess is around $50k, plus whatever price gouging the dealers will get into. Expect a long wait list for this 2004 model. It will not be out for a while anyway. If you like the body style, look into the A4 3.0 Quattro. It's around 40k loaded before you pay taxes, which would bring you to your $45k price ceiling.



The A4 is not as sporty as a BMW 330i which is around the same price. The A4 is more luxury oriented, but it still holds its own. You can't go wrong with the Infiniti G35 either (cheaper too).



Going with what Serg said, a Boxster would be awsome. This is pushing the price though. A std. version w/o any options is a shade over $40k. Maybe buy used? I LOVE them. People try to say they are not real Porsches, but they forget that not all of Porsche's cars were rear-engined. 550 spider anyone? No wonder the upcoming 500hp Carrera GT is mid-engined.



The Mustang Cobra will be a beast, but does not fit the refinement or luxury features you specified. The WRX is probably the most fun car you can drive short of a Honda S2000, but again lacks the features you specified. It will save you $20k though.



Above all, take everyone's comments with a grain of salt. Go test drive prospective cars and go with your gut feeling. That's the best way to decide after your internet research is done. Magazine tests are worthless at some point.
 
I have to agree with most everyone about the WRX . . . it's an insanely fun car for a great price, but it sounds to me like you're leaning toward a touch of luxury as well. The WRX doesn't fit that bill, IMO; the interior is quite functional, but certainly not plush. However, when raging hard into a corner, I rarely notice that the carpet is thin, and the plastic a bit cheap looking. I'm too busy listening to the boxer growl and enjoying the G's. :D



Of the cars you listed, the Audi sounds like it might be the blend of luxury and performance you want . . . I am, however, a turbo-AWD freak, so I'm biased.



Good luck with your choice,

Tort
 
I would say an Infiniti G35, it seems to have it all. I'm not sure an IS300 will do a sub 7.0 0-60. It's nimble and fun but its not that fast. I would mention Maximas, Tls, and Cls but they are all front wheel drive.



It would be between an G35 or 330 for me.
 
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