Author Topic: American cars vs. Euro cars (Read 1297 times)

Ripsnort · « **on:** May 23, 2001, 11:30:00 AM »

Okay, now I'm actually thinking of keep my old truck, and rather than replace it with a F350 Turbo-diesel 4WD at about 16-20 MPG, with a car instead. Now, I want a car that will easily get 200,000- 250,000 miles on it. I recently drove a friends BMW, which had 150,000 miles on it, very fine automobile, I thought it drove like it was brand new. I used to think folks drove them as a status symbol, I'm convinced now that its craftsmanship.

Any recommendations out there for a $35-40,000 car? No American models please.

hogfarmr · « **Reply #1 on:** May 23, 2001, 11:52:00 AM »

BMW 5 series sedan or wagon. *very* nice car. a fried has the sedan in 5 speed, very fun to drive. i'm not sure if the wagon is in US or not but if its not it will be very soon. its also very pratical for everyday use.
5 vs 3 series, 5 is a little more refined, slightly larger. dont get a 518 though, go ahead and get the 528, 2.8 liter

. I'm pretty sure these are in the 30-40 grand range.

As for me, my toyota tacoma has 30,000 miles and i plan to get atleast another 200,000 out of her.

-AKHog

[This message has been edited by hogfarmr (edited 05-23-2001).]

Fatty · « **Reply #2 on:** May 23, 2001, 12:10:00 PM »

Rip, I'm on my second honda accord now since my first lasted 15 years and 200k+ miles (and was still running fine, but compressor went out, and this is Texas after all).

No problems with the first, ever (barring compressor going out finally), and none with the second so far (only 31k miles into it).

Swoop · « **Reply #3 on:** May 23, 2001, 12:19:00 PM »

Nah mate, you want a Mercedes.

In Holland every Taxi cab you see is a Merc 300 C. They buy them cos they go 250,000 miles without a service.

Soda · « **Reply #4 on:** May 23, 2001, 12:30:00 PM »

Fatty,
I agree on the Honda Accord. Know a tonne of people who have them, including one in my family... it goes and goes and goes. Still feels tight as the day it was bought, no squeeks/rattles/shimmys. It's an easy car to get going to fast and not even notice...

-Soda

Gh0stFT · « **Reply #5 on:** May 23, 2001, 12:41:00 PM »

Rip, actually the topic should be called:
"American cars vs. German cars"
in order to avoid misunderstandings

Mercedes all the way.

Gh0stFT

funked · « **Reply #6 on:** May 23, 2001, 12:49:00 PM »

Agree on the Hondas. Benz and BMW are nice but you don't get much for the money. Get an Accord and pocket the $15,000.

[This message has been edited by funked (edited 05-23-2001).]

Ripsnort · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2001, 12:55:00 PM »

Thks for replies, come to think of it, I just had a friend sell his Honda, 1982 model, with 200,000 miles on it...

Mercedes? Wow, they are pricey on the West coast. Not sure how the townfolk of Ennis, MT would treat me if I went back there for a week of fishing..

ygsmilo · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2001, 01:00:00 PM »

Been driving Volvos for years, great cars.

------------------
Milo
"Preceive those things which cannot be seen."

mrfish · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2001, 01:11:00 PM »

i've never regretted this purchase -

engine tunes itself, just be ready to shell out for little things like hoses and pieces of interior.

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2001, 01:14:00 PM »

Hard to beat the Accord for value and features.

I greatly respect your decision to hold on to the old truck

Have a butt ugly 74 pickup and an Audi A6 Wagon myself

Oh... and if you decide to go with a new truck instead... look at the new diesel available in the Chevy 1 ton

AKDejaVu

buhdman · « **Reply #11 on:** May 23, 2001, 01:35:00 PM »

Subaru's not a bad car. I own 4 of them, but of course I live where it snows a lot and I need the 4-wheel all-the-time drive. They have excellent longevity. And reasonably priced, too.

Buhdman, out

Ripsnort · « **Reply #12 on:** May 23, 2001, 01:37:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by mrfish:
i've never regretted this purchase -
(Image removed due to pure jealousy)
engine tunes itself, just be ready to shell out for little things like hoses and pieces of interior.

What model, and how much? That's simply beautiful...

mrfish · « **Reply #13 on:** May 23, 2001, 02:00:00 PM »

heh rip

i got mine used - the new ones are too expensive imo, though even there they are only mid 30's - was about 20k after financing - but i paid it off all at once earlier this year so didn't have to pay that much after all. it is a 325i.s. 1992. i bought it a few years ago from a dr's wife from el cahon so obviously the milage was low - the lucky bit*&'s biggest decision was whether to drive the bmw,mercedes, some suv or the porsche to her hair appointment each day. needless to say it was pampered. they drove it for a few years and decided it was too passe for them! heheh...enter the fishster.

they are pretty cheap though - i know people that have paid lots more for a new ford aspire! definitely under 20k, this one was a little higher because it friggn still smelled new - my only advice on bmw's is get the 3 series or the 7 series - there's just something funny about driving the in between model(the 5 series), but that is just my opinion.

if you do bite down and get a new one it'll last you forever - mine has run awesome so i would say find a good 2 or 3 yr old used model. its a better value.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #14 on:** May 23, 2001, 02:15:00 PM »

Thks Fish, still have 6 months of shopping around but I like to do alot of research and price negotiation before any major purchases.

Looks nice.!