Life Help me shop for a car! - Page 2

**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.

bobbything · 12-24-2010, 08:56 AM

My $0.02...

I had an 04 Jetta. It was fine until it hit 85,000 miles. At that point, I had all sorts of problems; much of it being electrical. Also some stupid stuff like the water pump going bad, and the such. Over the course of a year I probably spent $1500 on fixing it. It culminated with the tranny going out.

My dad had an 86 Audi 5000 when we were growing up. He had similar electrical problems.

I do not recommend German, unless you're buying new.

Really, if I were you, I'd be looking at Japanese vehicles. Especially since you're looking at vehicles near 90k miles.

Fairplay · 12-24-2010, 09:26 AM

Keep shopping around. There are more cars out there.

**Bwana** · 12-24-2010, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairplay

Keep shopping around. There are more cars out there.

I have to agree with this. The three you picked, all have a very stong potential to be money pits.

**TimeForWasp** · 12-24-2010, 09:31 AM

**RockChalk** · 12-24-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

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

Read this. Read it again. And once more for good measure.

Had a buddy buy a used 325 (mid 90's) about 2 years ago. Got it for a good price and the thing ran well. The kicker, those every 3-4 month visits where he spent $1-2K just for routine maintenance. His great buy cost him about $7-8K more than he expected, all on routine maintenance.

Zebedee DuBois · 12-24-2010, 09:35 AM

I've had a 2001 Jetta in the family fleet, and it nickled and dimed me. I kept wanting to like it, but there was a slow drip, drip, drip out of my wallet. I replaced it with a much newer Focus and haven't had a problem with it yet.

Fairplay · 12-24-2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

I have to agree with this. The three you picked, all have a very stong potential to be money pits.

His car choices are all over the place. I mean all three cars are so different.

The good news is that he isn't super picky and should be able to find something just not the cars shown.

**Bugeater** · 12-24-2010, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcchiefsfanGoJC

lol...I once asked a guy at the quickie lube place about a Firebird that I only drove maybe 1500 miles a year, he said I should change it every 3 months no matter I many miles I drive. So that meant I should change the oil when I parked it for the winter in November, and then change it again in March with 0 miles on it...uhhhh, no.

R8RFAN · 12-24-2010, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr_capone

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.

Which one can you buy cash?

MIAdragon · 12-24-2010, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

I have to agree with this. The three you picked, all have a very stong potential to be money pits.

That Focus will run forever, stay away from that BMW its not worth it even if it were free.

El Jefe · 12-24-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

lol...I once asked a guy at the quickie lube place about a Firebird that I only drove maybe 1500 miles a year, he said I should change it every 3 months no matter I many miles I drive. So that meant I should change the oil when I parked it for the winter in November, and then change it again in March with 0 miles on it...uhhhh, no.

Crooks man. I agree with changing it once a year no matter what, but every 3 months no matter what? Screw that non-sense.

threebag · 12-24-2010, 10:06 AM

"if you don't come see me today I can't save you any MONEY"

Absolutly Incredible

"Drive away with 3000 Christmas CA$H"

Rusty Eck Ford you can't do better than that.

*I want to smash something everytime I hear this ad.

EWOK · 12-24-2010, 10:19 AM

have a mechanic look over any car you chose but maintaince records are a key to longevity of any car. The oil should be change depending on type of driving anywhere from 3,000 to 7,500 miles.

**SAUTO** · 12-24-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

That Focus will run forever, stay away from that BMW its not worth it even if it were free.

THIS for sure THIS. **** that bmw. trust me on this....

**pr_capone** · 12-24-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saul Good

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.

dude... I've done nothing but look at cars over the past few weeks.

all 3 fit my needs and all 3 I can buy in cash.

TBH, these are my criteria

1. reliable
2. not boring

everything else is up for grabs. what I mean by not boring is that I will not buy a ford taurus or a 1991 Chevy Celebrity no matter how well it's been taken care of how detailed their record keeping was.

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, 08:56 AM	#16
bobbything Distributor of Pain Join Date: Nov 2004 Casino cash: $8944900	My $0.02... I had an 04 Jetta. It was fine until it hit 85,000 miles. At that point, I had all sorts of problems; much of it being electrical. Also some stupid stuff like the water pump going bad, and the such. Over the course of a year I probably spent $1500 on fixing it. It culminated with the tranny going out. My dad had an 86 Audi 5000 when we were growing up. He had similar electrical problems. I do not recommend German, unless you're buying new. Really, if I were you, I'd be looking at Japanese vehicles. Especially since you're looking at vehicles near 90k miles. __________________ "It is not enough that I succeed; everyone else must fail."
Posts: 3,427

12-24-2010, 09:26 AM	#17
Fairplay A certain set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: texas Casino cash: $10026683 VARSITY	Keep shopping around. There are more cars out there.
Posts: 25,265

12-24-2010, 09:31 AM	#19
TimeForWasp Sprinkle in some Mahomes Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Butte Montana Casino cash: $7678507	Buy this one.
Posts: 8,270

12-24-2010, 09:35 AM	#21
Zebedee DuBois Veteran Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: floating in a tin can Casino cash: $1915199	I've had a 2001 Jetta in the family fleet, and it nickled and dimed me. I kept wanting to like it, but there was a slow drip, drip, drip out of my wallet. I replaced it with a much newer Focus and haven't had a problem with it yet. __________________ What am I even doing here?
Posts: 3,747

12-24-2010, 10:06 AM	#27
threebag Snacks Are Under My Apron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Edge Casino cash: $3041660	"if you don't come see me today I can't save you any MONEY" Absolutly Incredible "Drive away with 3000 Christmas CA$H" Rusty Eck Ford you can't do better than that. *I want to smash something everytime I hear this ad. __________________ Free DeBerg HayWire Greatest Mod Ever In big nasty kcnut we trust
Posts: 23,861

12-24-2010, 10:19 AM	#28
EWOK Starter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: phoenix Casino cash: $4751365	have a mechanic look over any car you chose but maintaince records are a key to longevity of any car. The oil should be change depending on type of driving anywhere from 3,000 to 7,500 miles.
Posts: 73