Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Ripsnort on May 23, 2001, 11:30:00 AM
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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. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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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 (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif). 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).]
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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).
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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.
(http://www.swoop.com/images/logo_small.jpg)
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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
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Rip, actually the topic should be called:
"American cars vs. German cars"
in order to avoid misunderstandings (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
Mercedes all the way.
Gh0stFT
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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).]
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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.. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
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Been driving Volvos for years, great cars.
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Milo
"Preceive those things which cannot be seen."
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i've never regretted this purchase - (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
(http://www.sprigly.com/wpe4.jpg)
engine tunes itself, just be ready to shell out for little things like hoses and pieces of interior.
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Hard to beat the Accord for value and features.
I greatly respect your decision to hold on to the old truck (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif) Have a butt ugly 74 pickup and an Audi A6 Wagon myself (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Oh... and if you decide to go with a new truck instead... look at the new diesel available in the Chevy 1 ton (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
AKDejaVu
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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
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Originally posted by mrfish:
i've never regretted this purchase - (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
(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...
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heh rip (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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.
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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.!
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Volkswagen!
I see your a Diesel man <S>!
The TDI equipped Beetle/ Jetta are very nice. Passat equipped with TDI yet?
Havent a clue on pricing/availability for Diesels in the US.
Sorry if there not expensive enough for ya (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
Currently Driving a 98 beetle TDI 72,000 Kms and nary a problem.
60mpg (imperial) If I dont drive like an amazinhunk (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
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well i would recommend 1 of 2 things for you ripsnort
for 42k you can get a real nice new 525 bmw. it has 184 horses, which is really more than enough for anything you need to do in a car, plus it is niiice.
if you wanna spend a bit cheaper. id recommend subarus. my dad just bought a subaru impreza WRX with 228 horses and it is FUN to drive (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) plus it has standard all wheel drive... imo the subaru is a better buy than a bmw 3 series or an audi
if you need lots of legroom in the rear seat go with the bimmer since the subaru sint so hot in this department, better than (example) the terrible legroom in the rear of a probe, but not as good as my friend's dodge intrepid.
anyways if you wanna spend 40 grand i think you really have to go with the 5 series (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) you WONT regret it.
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I can see Rip at con now nose pointed straight up to ceiling. No time for us lowly pickup driver any more. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
Taurus love mine. so there. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
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A car?
Heh, I borrowed a motorcycle during a break yesterday.
Screw cars. Screw anything that doesn't go up on one wheel when ya give full throttle.
(http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
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Von Santa
Staffelkapitän 9./JG 54 "Grünherz"
"If you return from a mission with a victory, but without your Rottenflieger, you have lost your battle."
- D. Hrabak, JG 54 "Grünherz"
(http://stsantas.tripod.com/stsanta.jpg)
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Ahh BMW! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
For about $40,000 you should look for the 5 series. At this price you can get the 525i with a 184hp engine, the base MSRP is $35,400 though your total price will most likely be about 40,000 as BMW loves selling you options that really should be standard on cars like this. A slightly more expensive choice would be the 225hp 530i which starts out at $39,400 which would end up about 45,000 if you equip it nicely.
They are expensive and shamefully most people do buy them for show or for their housewives with childseats in the back, uggghhh.., but its a kickass car and you should buy one if you can afford it.
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Want a car that will last forever?
I owned a 1979 280zx (Datsun/Nissan) 2 Seater. I traded even for a 1978 Monte Carlo which had the terrible 305 motor I kept replacing. The 280zx had 185,000 miles on it when I got it. It surved 3 wrecks (2 i was not driving (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) ) and the ONLY thing I ever replaced besides belts and filters was the Clutch plate.
At 315,484 miles, I got rid of her (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
Wingnut
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We have 3 Volvos:
86 240DL - 156 K miles.
86 240DL - 228 K miles.
82 240DL - about 375 K miles (I think it had about 350 when I bought it a few years back, OD is busted).
They hold their value very well, even when they get old because buyers know they don't wear out at 200K miles.
In my opinion, only Mercedes will last as long (or longer).
The main reason why I drive em, however, is safety. A great deal of saftey features found on all cars were invented by Volvo.
They also weigh over 4 thousand pounds, most comparable size cars weigh less than 3K. Lots of thick steel to help keep you alive in a crash.
eskimo
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You know, for $40k, you should be able to purchase something a lot more interesting - like an Abbot SPG. :}
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qts
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Originally posted by INDN:
I can see Rip at con now nose pointed straight up to ceiling. No time for us lowly pickup driver any more. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
Taurus love mine. so there. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
You know me better than that! I still throw an elk leg bone out in my front yard for the big-assed black dog to chew on, just to get a reaction from my neighbors, who all seem to be pilots, lawyers, oral surgeons or Real Estate people. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
I'll always own a truck! Just need something with alittle more economy, that'll last me 10+ years.
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Originally posted by Ripsnort:
You know me better than that! I still throw an elk leg bone out in my front yard for the big-assed black dog to chew on, just to get a reaction from my neighbors, who all seem to be pilots, lawyers, oral surgeons or Real Estate people. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
I'll always own a truck! Just need something with alittle more economy, that'll last me 10+ years.
if you ever get too snotty, visit your family. i went to oklahoma to see my folks not long ago - all that city wears off the second your old granny hands you a sack of fresh picked green beans and tells you to "get to snappin". (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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Trust me, the BMW 5-series is the best buy, it's roomy, comfortable, yet drives like a sportscar many hundreds of kilos lighter. Nothing in its class has come close to its level of perfection.
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Here's the first runner up:
(http://build.bmwusa.com/yourbmw/3series/325cic/side/0430_d.jpg)
2001 BMW 3-series 325Ci
Invoice=35,000
MSRP=38,760
[This message has been edited by Ripsnort (edited 05-25-2001).]
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If the Honda quality appeals to you but you want a bit more prestige, get an Acura. They're both made by the same company.
I've got 2 Acuras, with 100k miles on one and 150k miles on the other, and have never had one single unexpected maintenance problem. That's right, after 8 years with one and 5 with the other, I've never paid a mechanic a dime to fix something that wasn't scheduled in the owner's manual.
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No american cars eh? Well heres opposite then.
(http://www.teli.stadia.fi/~plaine/kuvat/warre1.jpg)
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No American car? Well then buy something made in Germany, preferably a Mercedes. German cars aren't half bad, although they're a bit pricey.
Don't buy anything made in Japan or Korea, they're all overpriced crap. Buying a Japanese car is like slapping a "I'm a moron" label on your back. They might last a long time, but they have a massive list of bad things about them:
No V-8 available on 90% of them, front wheel drive (front drive sucks ass), no trunkspace, crappy fake spare tire, no headroom, no legroom, rear seat is a joke, plus the tiny Japanese cars crumple badly in accidents. If that wasn't bad enough, they're badly overpriced for what you get, and replacement parts are also disgustingly expensive.
If you want to buy a Japanese or Korean car, just buy a lawnmower and save yourself some money.
Or, be a smart shopper and buy a good solid Crown Victoria. If they're good enough for the police, then you can be damn sure they're good enough for your needs. You'll get twice the car for the same price as a well-equipped Camry or Accord. My girlfriend just bought a new Grand Marquis (same thing as Crown Vic) for well under 19,000. Crown Vic/Grand Marquis is unquestionably the best car value on the planet.
Or buy a Cadillac and be happy forever. Caddys kick the snot out of anything anyone else makes (outside a Bently or Rolls-Royce or something), plus they're bigger.
J_A_B
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LOL... yeah right.
Which country makes BMWs now (3 series)? Could it be... Vietnam??? Some of the US motor companies rebadge/remanufacture Japanese/Korea stuff... look at Isuzu - sold in the US as Chevy/Honda, and Australia/NZ as Holden!
90% of jap cars V8s, and neither are 90% of other cars (duh!).
All of your complaints are present in cars right around the world. Look at the small mercedes/bmw/volvo models, all the same issues as the jap hatches, just twice the price.
I drive a Korean wagon, its got legroom headroom better than any Ford. Its tough, its big, its got a proper spare tyre. No problems either, and lots of features.
Dude... you might wanna check whats being exported these days before you open your mouth first. Just because you don't have a "I'm a moron" sticker on your back doesn't mean you aren't one.
Originally posted by J_A_B:
No American car? Well then buy something made in Germany, preferably a Mercedes. German cars aren't half bad, although they're a bit pricey.
Don't buy anything made in Japan or Korea, they're all overpriced crap. Buying a Japanese car is like slapping a "I'm a moron" label on your back. They might last a long time, but they have a massive list of bad things about them:
No V-8 available on 90% of them, front wheel drive (front drive sucks ass), no trunkspace, crappy fake spare tire, no headroom, no legroom, rear seat is a joke, plus the tiny Japanese cars crumple badly in accidents. If that wasn't bad enough, they're badly overpriced for what you get, and replacement parts are also disgustingly expensive.
If you want to buy a Japanese or Korean car, just buy a lawnmower and save yourself some money.
Or, be a smart shopper and buy a good solid Crown Victoria. If they're good enough for the police, then you can be damn sure they're good enough for your needs. You'll get twice the car for the same price as a well-equipped Camry or Accord. My girlfriend just bought a new Grand Marquis (same thing as Crown Vic) for well under 19,000. Crown Vic/Grand Marquis is unquestionably the best car value on the planet.
Or buy a Cadillac and be happy forever. Caddys kick the snot out of anything anyone else makes (outside a Bently or Rolls-Royce or something), plus they're bigger.
J_A_B
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J_A_B
I can see that you are american, djeez how simple you think.
Later,
JG5FaBi.
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I got a Renault clio 1.6 litre 16V.
I paid 35.000 Dutch bucks for it.
It may be a bit expensive but it has a lot of things.
Airco, 4 airbags (2 for me and pass.) good seats (sport)
It easily does 215 Km/H.
I love it when people see me standing next to them at the trafficlight thinking they can outrun me at the green light. LOL wrong!
It is a small car, something like a VW golf, but is faster than a Golf in its same class.
Also faster than a lot of VW corrado's. yeah!
Renault is my brand at this moment. And talking about front or rear wheel drive. What the hell, it has to do with different factors what is better.
Greetings,
JG5FaBi.
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Vulcan--
You're absolutely right--most American cars are also small, non V-8 and overpriced. This means that most American cars are also crap, just like their Japanese and Korean counterparts. But at least the American and German companies offer something that ISN'T crap, unlike the Japanese companies.
And unlike a Mercedes, most people can actually afford a decent American-made car.
Which model do you have? I have yet to see any Korean vehicle that's bigger than a Crown Victoria; most Korean models aren't even as big as a crappy small Ford Taurus (god how do thay call those "midsize"?). Perhaps you've never been inside an actual large car?
FaBi--
Yep I'm American. But even if I wasn't, I'd know what is and isn't a good value, and in the USA the imported Japanese and Korean makes are NOT good values. If, say, a Honda Accord ran about $6,000 less than it does, maybe I'd think it over.
You drive a Renault? I've never seen one; can you post a pic of it?
J_A_B
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ok here's what i drove the last years.
I bought it 93/94 for approx 42000.- German Marks (new)
And sold it not long ago for 12000.-German Marks (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
what a lost. Last time i bought an Opel new.
The Calibra was a nice car, i only had to change the
brake disks(sp?) once. But that was a result of my allways
late-braking-on-the-limit. Ah and Tires yes i needed to
much new tires. The Topspeed was about 220km/h.
It is a nice Toy but you losing to much money when you
buy an Opel new.
Now planing to get an more practical Mercedes kombi or
BMW kombi (not new!).
(http://home.t-online.de/home/aircombat/pics/calibra.jpg)
Opel Calibra 2.0i / 115hp
One night I killed a Deer with my Calibra, the damage was
situated with 5000.- German Marks. A lot new plastic and a
new front hood where replaced.
greets
Gh0stFT
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I drive an Isuzu Bighorn. That count as BIG?
I had a look at the crown victoria...LOL. Thats ugliest piece of crap I've seen. Dude... go check out www.holden.co.nz, (http://www.holden.co.nz,) check out the HSVs. The Holden Monterey is the NZ version of the Bighorn.
I don't think you guys have Holden in the wonderful USA do you?
Dunno what a Renault is eh? Well you must be an expert then (Ex -> something that was, Spurt -> something ejected).
Co-worked over mine has a Toyota Soarer, beautiful big V8. I used to drive a Camry V6 wagon, big arse thing too. Oh before you spout of about what you know about Camrys, some Camrys sold in the USA are what we call Coronas, a small version.
Man I love some of you US guys, there is a world outside of the states you know.
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Oh, I know what a Renault is, I've just never seen one here in the USA--Renaults aren't sold in the USA.
I'm also perfectly aware that there's a world outside the US. The world outside the US has different standards than the US does; this is what I think yuo fail to grasp. In your country, a Camry Wagon is apparently considered large. In the USA, a Camry Wagon is somewhat below average. So if I call one small and you don't, it doesn't mean one of us is wrong, it just means we have a different perspecive.
You think a Crown Vic is ugly...well it's certainly a homely car, quite conservative....but I happen to think it's quite attractive. Take one on a test drive and you'll fall in love. It's big and solid and rides smooth as glass. Do they even sell them in your country? But the main benefit is the price--for the amount of money one costs you get an incredible value, much better value than a Toyota or Honda.
J_A_B
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Only one way to spell BMW: M3
Or one of several ways to spell Mercedes: AMG E55 (2000)
There's some seriously sexy cars (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
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J_A_B
Thanks for your response.
I may have reacted a bit too enthusiastic on this subject. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
I dont have a picture of it. I can't find it anywhere on the net. The only clio i can find is the normal model, without the specials.
Thanks,
JG5FaBi.
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J_A_B american cars are good as long as you get your fuel in the 1$ a Gallon price range (yea i know it got a bit more expensive in the states too .. but you guys still have like WAaaaaayyyyy cheaper petrol prices) .. not like here where it's 1$ a quart...
no wonders you'd like to drive a V8 ..
here it's Diesel all the way .. trying to get fuel consumption down as much as possible
DW6
Ford Escort
Diesel 60HP
42 MpG
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J_A_B is right about one thing.
What car has the highest retail value in the US?
Caddy.
Otherwise, I'm looking hard at a Subaru Impreza for my next vehicle. I can use the AWD here in Nova Scotia. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/redface.gif)
Lephturn
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US makes good pickup trucks. The Corvette is a nice piece of engineering. The rest of 'em are crap in my experience. Poorly made, poorly designed, unreliable, ugly, ill-handling, turds.
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JAB...
Crown Vic length, 212 inches
my old Camry length, 208 inches
my Bighorn, 200 inches (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
Hmmmm... yeah it was a small car. 4 inches difference. Now the Camry fits in the same size range as our Falcons and Commodores. Some of the Falcons are a bit longer.
Like I said before, our Camrys are different to some of the US models (which we call Coronas). But as usual, you were only listening to the words coming out of YOUR mouth. It also looks like Honda don't sell the Legend (V8) in the States.
We do have bigger stuff, but these were easy to find specs on the net.
Numbers talk boy.
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i was using Rover616 at my work and it has about 200000km (not miles). there was no probs with this car at all, so maybe you'll find it interesting (i'm sure that they have some versions with driving wheel on NORMAL side (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif) ) here it's about 30000$ for that one
(http://www.auto-breczko.com.pl/r75_3.jpg)
(http://www.auto-breczko.com.pl/rov75.jpg)
btw. in Poland you can buy all brand new BMW's 3 (including Z3) or some 5's (like 520i or 520d) for less then 40000$. shipping schouldn't be too expencieve, dunno about your taxes...
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My next car will be a subaru impreza, the rally edition. 4wd with turbo!!! yeah!
That realy is a recordbeater, especially in the rain.
JG5FaBi.