Life Help me shop for a car!

**pr_capone** · 12-24-2010, 01:22 AM

I've narrowed this down to 3 vehicles (though I reserve the right to add more as I find them). All prices are their asking price... not what I would pay.

2002 Ford Focus SVT w/ 72k miles - $5500
2002 VW Jetta Wagon w/ 98k miles - $6300
1993 BMX 740i w/ 50k miles - $4000

The Focus is the only one that is a stick shift but the other two are damn nice, fit the budget, and I would not mind driving any of them.

Jetta Wagon

BMW

Ford (no image attached... stock pic only)

Doing my research but any first hand knowledge on these cars would be a huge help.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 12-24-2010, 01:25 AM

The beamer is going to cost more to repair, but with only 50K miles, you could put 200K more on that bitch by just taking care of it. Good value for the dollar, IMO.

Krauts know how to build 'em.

**007** · 12-24-2010, 01:36 AM

Vote number 2 for the beemer.

Tylerthigpen!1! · 12-24-2010, 01:43 AM

What is the repair history? Has the jetta/bimmer had its timing belt replaced? The jetta probably has but how many miles did it have on it when replaced?

johnny961 · 12-24-2010, 01:44 AM

Beamer. As was already mentioned, repairs will be more costly but with only 50K on it I don't see where there could be a hell of alot wrong with it if the previous owner even did a half assed job of maintaining it. The cheaper price tag on it as opposed to the others will help to offset any unforeseen costs if they crop up. The beamer is also the best looking of the 3 IMHO.

**pr_capone** · 12-24-2010, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tylerthigpen!1!

What is the repair history? Has the jetta/bimmer had its timing belt replaced? The jetta probably has but how many miles did it have on it when replaced?

I'm going to go drive the BMW tomorrow and see what it's like.

This was the ad:

"My car is like new I have 49,804 actual miles on it ,if you are looking for a good car,and a good ride, drive this car .a few things needs to be addressed but nothing major."

Tylerthigpen!1! · 12-24-2010, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr_capone

I'm going to go drive the BMW tomorrow and see what it's like.

This was the ad:

"My car is like new I have 49,804 actual miles on it ,if you are looking for a good car,and a good ride, drive this car .a few things needs to be addressed but nothing major."

I would be cautious about it. Ask him what it was used for. Groceries? Those are going to be tough miles. Also since it wasn't driven much the owner might not have change the oil every three months. The oil does start to break down after three months even if three thousand miles didn't go by. Shoot Sauto a pm. He is more qualified than all of us.

googlegoogle · 12-24-2010, 04:58 AM

-cost of parts.

-insurance.

I say focus if you're on a budget.

**Bugeater** · 12-24-2010, 05:17 AM

The age of that BMW would scare me.

Sfeihc · 12-24-2010, 06:21 AM

A friend of mine has a focus svt and raves about it. Take care of the Ford and it will turn 250k as well. Cheapest to repair if anything were to go wrong.

LaChapelle · 12-24-2010, 06:30 AM

I've never heard anything good about a VW
3,000 miles a year average=stay the **** away
Focus or shop some more

El Jefe · 12-24-2010, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tylerthigpen!1!

I would be cautious about it. Ask him what it was used for. Groceries? Those are going to be tough miles. Also since it wasn't driven much the owner might not have change the oil every three months. The oil does start to break down after three months even if three thousand miles didn't go by. Shoot Sauto a pm. He is more qualified than all of us.

Extra Point · 12-24-2010, 07:27 AM

Pay a mechanic to inspect the BMW. If it checks out right, then, buy it. In the long haul, it would be the best value, if you put in the money for maintenance. I don't think its a four banger, so its timing would be geared.

If you don't mind driving a stick and the car vibrating, it's still a lot of money for a Focus. If it had an auto transmission, you'd want to steer clear of it.

VW brags on a 100K mile transmission; if you buy this car, you'll have to drop the pan, change the filter, and you better have the diagnostic tool just to do that, for checking fluid temp. VW's are rust buckets, but easy to maintain, with the right tools. Requires re-initialization of factory engine settings after timing belt and transmission fluid replacement. The price for that vehicle seems too high.

**Saul Good** · 12-24-2010, 08:32 AM

I would start over on your search. Based on the range of vehicles you described, it doesn't sound like you have a plan. Its not a good idea to make a major purchase without first forming a plan. (Don't confuse researching with planning.)

Any of those cars might work out fine, but you need to figure out your needs first.

**Bwana** · 12-24-2010, 08:36 AM

The BMW's are built like a brick shithouse, but they cost a ton of money to maintain. Something to keep in mind.

12-24-2010, 01:22 AM
pr_capone ** SOC & ** YOU Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chiefs Hell Casino cash: $10018214	Help me shop for a car! I've narrowed this down to 3 vehicles (though I reserve the right to add more as I find them). All prices are their asking price... not what I would pay. 2002 Ford Focus SVT w/ 72k miles - $5500 2002 VW Jetta Wagon w/ 98k miles - $6300 1993 BMX 740i w/ 50k miles - $4000 The Focus is the only one that is a stick shift but the other two are damn nice, fit the budget, and I would not mind driving any of them. Jetta Wagon BMW Ford (no image attached... stock pic only) Doing my research but any first hand knowledge on these cars would be a huge help.
Posts: 19,884

12-24-2010, 01:25 AM	#2
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4931115	The beamer is going to cost more to repair, but with only 50K miles, you could put 200K more on that bitch by just taking care of it. Good value for the dollar, IMO. Krauts know how to build 'em.
Posts: 60,166

12-24-2010, 01:36 AM	#3
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $14060126 VARSITY	Vote number 2 for the beemer. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,554

12-24-2010, 01:43 AM	#4
Tylerthigpen!1! Starter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arkansas Casino cash: $8055815	What is the repair history? Has the jetta/bimmer had its timing belt replaced? The jetta probably has but how many miles did it have on it when replaced?
Posts: 828

12-24-2010, 01:44 AM	#5
johnny961 Starter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: in a cave Casino cash: $9956152	Beamer. As was already mentioned, repairs will be more costly but with only 50K on it I don't see where there could be a hell of alot wrong with it if the previous owner even did a half assed job of maintaining it. The cheaper price tag on it as opposed to the others will help to offset any unforeseen costs if they crop up. The beamer is also the best looking of the 3 IMHO.
Posts: 924

12-24-2010, 04:58 AM	#8
googlegoogle Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	-cost of parts. -insurance. I say focus if you're on a budget.
Posts: 4,700

12-24-2010, 05:17 AM	#9
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6252680	The age of that BMW would scare me.
Posts: 70,443

12-24-2010, 06:21 AM	#10
Sfeihc It's All Good Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $10010133	A friend of mine has a focus svt and raves about it. Take care of the Ford and it will turn 250k as well. Cheapest to repair if anything were to go wrong. Last edited by Sfeihc; 12-24-2010 at 06:56 AM..
Posts: 3,441

12-24-2010, 06:30 AM	#11
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	I've never heard anything good about a VW 3,000 miles a year average=stay the **** away Focus or shop some more
Posts: 8,588

12-24-2010, 07:27 AM	#13
Extra Point MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Prairie Village, KS Casino cash: $10004900	Pay a mechanic to inspect the BMW. If it checks out right, then, buy it. In the long haul, it would be the best value, if you put in the money for maintenance. I don't think its a four banger, so its timing would be geared. If you don't mind driving a stick and the car vibrating, it's still a lot of money for a Focus. If it had an auto transmission, you'd want to steer clear of it. VW brags on a 100K mile transmission; if you buy this car, you'll have to drop the pan, change the filter, and you better have the diagnostic tool just to do that, for checking fluid temp. VW's are rust buckets, but easy to maintain, with the right tools. Requires re-initialization of factory engine settings after timing belt and transmission fluid replacement. The price for that vehicle seems too high. __________________ "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." --Satchel Paige
Posts: 7,845

12-24-2010, 08:32 AM	#14
Saul Good Quit your bullshit Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bored of winning Casino cash: $10052799	I would start over on your search. Based on the range of vehicles you described, it doesn't sound like you have a plan. Its not a good idea to make a major purchase without first forming a plan. (Don't confuse researching with planning.) Any of those cars might work out fine, but you need to figure out your needs first. __________________ Today is not a good day to be a pussy.
Posts: 41,870

12-24-2010, 08:36 AM	#15
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139593647	The BMW's are built like a brick shithouse, but they cost a ton of money to maintain. Something to keep in mind. __________________ Adventure is dangerous....but monotony can kill you.
Posts: 69,730