Car buying dilemma...

AmazingGracePlayer · #1 07-31-2008, 10:05 PM

Alright, so I plan to buy a new used car (yeah, a new used) before summer starts next year, and I've got my mind set on a few... Trouble is, I know nearly nothing about cars other than what brand has what logos and what models they make (and how much less they should cost).

Help me choose one and let me know why...

Audi A4/6/8: The only Volkswagen product I love (also Porsche, but that's too expensive). Love the interior design of Audi's, and trust German companies more than my doctor sometimes. But it's a bit pricey compared to my other choices. And I don't have an unlimited budget.

Volvo S40/60/80: These are more reasonably priced compared to the Audi's equivalent models, but I feel Volvos are for either soccer moms who need a van but don't want to get one (so they got wagons) or for moms in general. (I am a young guy). Also I don't know if I can trust cars from companies that make engines that stop working after getting to 100k miles.

Saab 9-3/9-5: I don't like the "hunchback" design of these things, but I love the interior design, and I love how I can just hope that one day when I go over the "fastest possible speed," the speedometer will point to "0" and then keep accelerating. The end of classy cars and beginning of sporty cars starts here.

Mitsubishi Eclipse/Eclipse Spyder: I think the inside looks pretty bad. Don't know too much about it other than it handles pretty well.

Ford Mustang: Boat on wheels? A friend of mine has a Mustang and hates to drive when it rains/snows/hails/fogs/sandstorm/tornado. I heard the car handles poorly, that's all I know. And it's a Ford.

Hyundai Tiburon: They call it the Mustang-killer. Tiburon is the most affordable sporty vehicle on the U.S. market, and it performs quite well too. Lots of room for aftermarket upgrades (but I don't plan on upgrading anything except maybe interior design/ and head/tail lights). Also, I get excited by the fact that I could pull of the Hyundai emblem and stick on a Lexus emblem and it would look like a Lexus racecar.

I thought Infiniti would be on the same price level as Volvo, but it is apparent that used Infiniti is more expensive than Audi. And cars like Jaguar, BMW, MB, and all those high(est) end stuff are over my budget. And I'm not a big fan of Honda/Toyota/Nissan, but love their high end stuff, I'm just not lucky enough to run into any 1992 or later Acura (or Infiniti... or Lexus) under 100k miles being sold for less than $10k, just my luck...

Anyone have any personal experiences with these cars? Please let me know.
Any other recommendations?

Chunk-O-Funk · #2 07-31-2008, 10:58 PM

You really got yourself a real taste for shat when it comes to cars.

Kidding of course.

Your first three. If the only thing you can afford is an older model with high miles I would stay away from all of those. The cost of maintaining any of those will be higher than any Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, etc. Never been a real fan of any of the three listed so really don't have any practical experience with them so take what I say with a grain of salt. When hanging around the shop and talking cars I really haven't ever heard anyone say "hey, how about that new Saab!" Don't get me wrong, they make a fine car, but I wouldn't recommend it as a first car if money could be an issue.

Mitsubishi. They're hit or miss when it comes to reliability. I was behind a 3000GT the other day and it was blowing more smoke than a hookah shop.

The boat on wheels? Actually (depending on the year) they handle great. They just have a real tight rear suspension with a bit of horse power so if you don't drive it right the rear end will kick out on you. Get it on a dry smooth road an it will stick to it. But yeah, they suck in the snow.

Hyundai. Again, not a fan and have no practical experience. Hyundai has come along way, but I'll put it in the "you get what you pay for" category. Please don't put the Lexus emblems on it.

cheesemonkey · #3 07-31-2008, 11:01 PM

just so you know i just randomly picked one with my eyes closed and pressed enter

FingeringAm · #4 07-31-2008, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheesemonkey

just so you know i just randomly picked one with my eyes closed and pressed enter

lol i voted for hyundai usuing the same method

AmazingGracePlayer · #5 08-01-2008, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

You really got yourself a real taste for shat when it comes to cars.

Kidding of course.

Your first three. If the only thing you can afford is an older model with high miles I would stay away from all of those. The cost of maintaining any of those will be higher than any Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, etc. Never been a real fan of any of the three listed so really don't have any practical experience with them so take what I say with a grain of salt. When hanging around the shop and talking cars I really haven't ever heard anyone say "hey, how about that new Saab!" Don't get me wrong, they make a fine car, but I wouldn't recommend it as a first car if money could be an issue.

Mitsubishi. They're hit or miss when it comes to reliability. I was behind a 3000GT the other day and it was blowing more smoke than a hookah shop.

The boat on wheels? Actually (depending on the year) they handle great. They just have a real tight rear suspension with a bit of horse power so if you don't drive it right the rear end will kick out on you. Get it on a dry smooth road an it will stick to it. But yeah, they suck in the snow.

Hyundai. Again, not a fan and have no practical experience. Hyundai has come along way, but I'll put it in the "you get what you pay for" category. Please don't put the Lexus emblems on it.

How old of a model is old and how high of a mileage is high? And I don't get the Saab joke, how can it be an issue?

No Mitsubishi, never liked their electronics either.

I know there are lots of models of the Mustang, which one are you talking about?

Mark Reccord · #6 08-01-2008, 07:52 AM

Kind of a weird assortment of vehicles there.

Out of those, the A4 would be my choice. Well actually the A3 because I like hatchbacks. Then the Saabs, though there seems to be some reliability issues with them.

The Tiburon, Mustang and Eclipse aren't in nearly the same league or price range as the others.

I've driven multiple Mustangs and a 2007 Tiburon and I can tell you for a fact that any of the Audis and probably the Saabs and Volvos you mentioned will run circles around them on a piece of twisty road or in bad weather. The Audi Quattro system is a nice touch if you're going to be doing a lot of winter driving. But they're waaaay more expensive than a Tiburon.

blizzard · #7 08-01-2008, 08:09 AM

I went for the Audi. One of my friends has an older A3 and as far as I know its been going great (except for his brother crashing it). Another one of my friends owns an 07 A3, been in it a few times and its a very nice car.

Fontaine · #8 08-01-2008, 08:49 AM

i was between the mitsu and the audi, either one would be a good choice.

AmazingGracePlayer · #9 08-01-2008, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Reccord

Kind of a weird assortment of vehicles there.

Out of those, the A4 would be my choice. Well actually the A3 because I like hatchbacks. Then the Saabs, though there seems to be some reliability issues with them.

The Tiburon, Mustang and Eclipse aren't in nearly the same league or price range as the others.

I've driven multiple Mustangs and a 2007 Tiburon and I can tell you for a fact that any of the Audis and probably the Saabs and Volvos you mentioned will run circles around them on a piece of twisty road or in bad weather. The Audi Quattro system is a nice touch if you're going to be doing a lot of winter driving. But they're waaaay more expensive than a Tiburon.

Hahaha I know I have a odd selection. The biggest dilemma is between classy cars or Fast and the Furious prop cars. Anything you can recommend that's not on my list of potential vehicles? Chrysler Sebring converti's are also on my list, but I'm not a big fan of the exterior design (or the brand).