Car totaled - time for replacement

[Dowding]

Mazda RX8 unreliable? Are you sure? If there's one thing you can say about a Mazda, its the reliability.

[Ripsnort]

This is where I'd be heading:

(Image removed from quote.)

Higher maintenance costs but my mate works for BMW Australia and he works on them all day.... He's convinced that they're a solid car. Once I've got a little more out of my Ford I'll be buying something exactly like that.

The resale value on them is surprisingly similar to the Ford XR6/XR8 (Sports version of the standard Australian Ford sedan) and should fall within your budget.

Off the top of my head that BMW meets your safety standards too.

You'll never drive another car for under $45k that drives like a BMW, especially cornering.  I loved mine and still regret parting with it to this day, but alas, my family got bigger, and so did my hobbies.

Here is a picture on the day I bought it brand new in 2001:



And a picture on the day I sold it, 6 years later:

[moot]

Rip, if you knew, you could comment on whether the 4WD BMW models were worth it in Chairboy's case

[indy007]

The kids can ride on the roof.

[Ripsnort]

Rip, if you knew, you could comment on whether the 4WD BMW models were worth it in Chairboy's case

I'm not sure if there was sarcasm in that post or not, however, the 4WD 3-series is alittle heavier and doesn't corner as well I am told.  One can expect 300k miles out of a good M54 BMW engine.

[Chairboy]

Well, had semi-productive weekend looking at cars. 

1. Sat in an RX-8, loves it.  I held off on test driving until I have the cash in hand, plus fam was waiting in the car.  Wife wasn't super enthusiastic about it, but didn't see how much room there is in back.  Kinda spendy, but still on the list.
2. Found an inexpensive Lacrosse.  It's comfortable, and I could see driving one.  It's not super exciting, but it's still a contender.  There's another one at a dealership that was closed yesterday (who closes a dealership on Sunday?  Isn't that when people buy cars?) that I'll check out.
3. Looked at another Five Hundred.  I'm still seeing it, it could work.
4. I've been scouring the papers and webs for a Jetta TDI, and they're very hard to find.  I talked with a couple dealerships, and got a consistent message that "everyone wants them" and they're snapped up real quick plus people aren't selling them.  The ones I have found have had very high mileage yet still seem to fetch a premium.
5. Not a lot in the BMW arena, most of the ones I've found have been, er, "ridden hard and put away wet".  Still looking.
6. Limited selection on the Benz too, and the ones that are available just don't seem to have any "zazz".

A big part of the decision is really picking between a newer mid to low range car versus an older higher end car.  If I can get a 2006 Ford for the same price as a 2002 Mercedes Benz w/ similar features, which way to go?  Cost of maintenance is an issue.  I may have been spoiled with the Buick Regal, the only high cost repair was a busted plastic intake manifold that leaked coolant into the engine (ask GM why they used plastic, I can't figure it out) and that was maybe $700 3 years ago.

Decisions, decisions...  I'll be driving up to Portland,OR today to empty out my car and get the mileage.  In my mind, I'm convinced that the car only has 80k miles on it, but the oil sticker on the window sez 100k.  I didn't leave the keys, so there was no way to check the odo.  That 20k miles should help in the total value if I'm not crazy.  Insurance company said my rental car expires on Wednesday (apparently, when they total the car instead of repairing, the 'you can rent $500 worth' turns into 'you can rent until you get a check') so I'd better make tracks on the decision.

[indy007]

If you pick one of those without at least test driving the Subaru WRX, I'm flying to OR and smacking you up! 

[Chairboy]

Oh, I loves the WRX.  Just can't find one. 

[moot]

I'm not sure if there was sarcasm in that post or not, however, the 4WD 3-series is alittle heavier and doesn't corner as well I am told.  One can expect 300k miles out of a good M54 BMW engine.

No sarcasm.. I thought you'd be one of those that knew most about the 4WD BMWs and could give Chairboy some advice about them.

[Charon]

The thing that impressed me was that I could actually open the door and get out. From the bonnet or what was left of it back the car was perfect! The Viet guy was OK too, he gave the cops some fake ID and vanished. The ambos' took one look at the car and the van and told me if I'd been in any other vehicle I'd be dead

I had virtually the same experience SD when I totaled my 75 Volvo (under very similar circumstances).

I'll give the non sexy response.

Get a new Hyundai Sonata. 20 mpg city 30 mpg hwy with a 235 HP V6. One nut got a rental over 150 mph. 0-60 in the 8 range I believe. Loaded with standard features, airbags, ECS and anti lock, mp3 cd player, etc. Can even get heated leather, I bet for under $20k out the door. I'm happy with mine. Very reliable, great warranty.

I drove a Mazda MX3 from 1993 to 2006. If I had to actually drive more during that time (I telecommuted a lot) I would have traded it. A lot of small issues, most nagging being ignition problems. Not a high reliability car but maybe I had a lemon. Otherwise a neat little run about that was fairly unique for a number of years.

I also had a 84 Rabbit GTI that had a strong engine, but virtually all of the plastic parts and trim and fittings stuff choked at one point or another. Drove an Old Jetta TDI in the fall that was neat, but nothing special either way. It also had some fit and finsih issues.

Charon

[mora]

On occasion it would drop into neutral, then back into drive.  That was rare though.  Usually the car had to be stopped and shifted into park, then back into drive to get moving again.  Try that on a Dallas freeway (635) sometime, during rush hour.

I used to work at a Volvo dealership, and this was a common complaint. The repair was to download a software which disconnects the "neural control" feature, which didn't work very well in many cases. So your transmission replacement was totally unnecessary. I don't even recall a transmission ever being replaced, the "valve unit" was sometimes replaced because of rough shifting.

The substandard dealerships are one point against getting an euro car in the US I think.

[Skuzzy]

They did multiple software upgrades and the problem never went away.  Of course, we had to pay for all those upgrades and parts.  Volvo refused to 'warranty' any of the replacement parts.  And they do not offer any warranty on software.  3 different dealers all singing the same tune.  I spent over $10,000, on the transmission work alone, over the 7 years of ownership.

I had to get a legal form and have it signed by the wrecking yard which was the basic, "this car will be crushed,..blah, blah blah", in order to protect myself from litigation in the case someone tried to drive it or sell it.  Never had to do that before.  7 year old car with 125,000 miles on it.  Our 10 year old Infiniti I30 had 200,000 miles on it and costs us $635 in repairs.  The starter cable had to be replaced and I had the starter replaced at the same time.

I kick my self in the butt for buying that Volvo.  I would have been better off keeping the Inifiniti.

[Chairboy]

Went to check out a Lacrosse today, but an employee at the dealership had taken off with it, so I'll see it tomorrow at lunch if I can.  My trip to Portland to get my stuff today was canceled by a conflicting Junior League appt wifey had.  No worries, I got to talk cars at a dealership with someone who suggested another option similar to the Five Hundred.  The Chrysler 300 (gangstalicious) is pretty comfortable, and the sticker mileage is similar to what the Regal had.  I'll be reading up on it today, anyone have any experience with it?

[Ack-Ack]

how about this car?  Comes in three different styles.








ack-ack

[DmonSlyr]

i would not get a RX8 because. my father has 1 and A. you have to use premium gas. with gas prices these days 3.68 is a little high. also its a radial engine, my father went to leave one day and forgot something in the house. he turned the car off. then when he tried to start it it flooded (radial engines=bad) took him all day to finally get it all out.

I would recomend any 2005-07 v6 mustang. i have one and im 17. the insurence is affordable! and it drives great and the gas is about 20m/p city. Plus it looks nice!!!