looking to purchase a car.

[PoorManQ45]

You say "that big" like it's a Deville or Mark or something. It's a 5th gen Maxima. It's really not very big at all.

No, I said "that big" because a Maxima is considered a "full sized" sedan.
There are many smaller competent sedans available in the market.

I prefer the longer wheelbase of the Maxima over something like the Sentra.

[HashiriyaS14]

My son was just born on Wednesday, and I still have an S14.

Hell, I'm looking at MG-TC's, lol.


Wife has a normalmobile though, that's where the kid goes. My vehicles are for consenting adults only, and even then I should probably make people sign a release.

[Jesda]

Happy birthday!!!

Get the wifey an Enclave.

[elwesso]

Have you considered maybe an E34 or E38 BMW?? The 535 is a great car, and that engine is good and parts are cheap.. Many times you can find well cared for examples because they are "BMWs"...

[Bubba1]

[quote="HashiriyaS14"]Hell, I'm looking at MG-TC's, lol.


MG-TC's FTW

[MinisterofDOOM]

Have you considered maybe an E34 or E38 BMW?? The 535 is a great car, and that engine is good and parts are cheap.. Many times you can find well cared for examples because they are "BMWs"...

YES. E38 and E39 are my two favorite bimmers, and the E34 is a third-place finisher.

[PoorManQ45]

Have you considered maybe an E34 or E38 BMW?? The 535 is a great car, and that engine is good and parts are cheap.. Many times you can find well cared for examples because they are "BMWs"...

I'm open to all options. what is the actual model that you suggested, not the code?

I've been looking at Audi a4s and a6s, thoughts on those?

[Kompresshun]

I've been looking at Audi a4s and a6s, thoughts on those?

I looked at them before I bought my car, most of them are junk IMHO. I would stay away from anything Audi or VW in that price range, but that's just me...

Take a look at Volvo S70's and S60's, those are pretty decent cars in your price range. Personally though, the best bang for your buck will probably be a Maxima/I30/35 or a BMW like Wes mentioned.

[elwesso]

I am thinking anything BMW with the 3.5L I6.. The V8's are such that you might as well buy a 97-01 Q and save the money, and have potentially less maintenance and repair costs, plus you would already have a great place for info here..

Hell a 97-01 Q isnt a bad choice at all, those can be had (esp 97-98) for 5k pretty easy and theres really no advantage mechanically for going for the newer models, most anything different is cosmetic.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Have you considered maybe an E34 or E38 BMW?? The 535 is a great car, and that engine is good and parts are cheap.. Many times you can find well cared for examples because they are "BMWs"...

I'm open to all options. what is the actual model that you suggested, not the code?

I've been looking at Audi a4s and a6s, thoughts on those?

E34 is the early-90s 5 series.
E39 is the late-90s 5 series.
E38 is the late-90s 7-series.

[Dattebayo]

My son was just born on Wednesday

Hey THANKS for letting me know....

Anyway, congratulations!

[PoorManQ45]

My son was just born on Wednesday

Hey THANKS for letting me know....

Anyway, congratulations!

It's alright, no one loves you.

[Rex]

PMQ - Maxima's are plenty nice for what you want. Look for an 02-03 stick shift or find a high mile 04 with the 5AT.

My son was just born on Wednesday ...

Congrats

[PoorManQ45]

thank you guys very much for the information.

I'm looking into the BMW's that you suggested Wes.

do you guys think it would be worth a little more to get something like an 03 g35?

[Kompresshun]

do you guys think it would be worth a little more to get something like an 03 g35?

If you don't mind dropping the extra cash then I would. I would go for one of those over the 5-5.5 Gen Max's if I had the cash.

I'd suggest finding a few of these cars in your area that you're most interested in, then go and test drive them. Even if you can't find any in your price range, just go and drive something that fits the description to get an idea what you like. Then once you decide which one that you like best, start hunting for the right deal. I spent 3 days searching for a new car after I sold my truck and actually wasn't planning on buying an I30 at all originally, I was looking for Max's, Jettas, and Audi A4's(yes I didn't know much about them at the time, i'm glad I didn't buy one now...). I wish I would've had more time to look around though, but I was without a vehicle so I needed to find something quick.

[MinisterofDOOM]

thank you guys very much for the information.

I'm looking into the BMW's that you suggested Wes.

do you guys think it would be worth a little more to get something like an 03 g35?

Worth looking at. From someone who has ridden in the back of both a G and a Max, though...the G's rear seat is miniscule. If you plan to transport adults in the back seat, I'd avoid the G. Even the Altima has more room back there. 2nd gen Gs are much improved as far as rear seat space.

If you're looking at ~'03 models and entry-lux rear-drivers, don't forget about the LS. First-gens are dirt-cheap, especially V6s, which are super-reliable and can be had with manuals but are seriously lacking in power.

[hbpignosePA]

Have you considered maybe an E34 or E38 BMW?? The 535 is a great car, and that engine is good and parts are cheap.. Many times you can find well cared for examples because they are "BMWs"...

I'm open to all options. what is the actual model that you suggested, not the code?

I've been looking at Audi a4s and a6s, thoughts on those?

stay away from audi's and vw's

repair costs will rape you

[Ace2cool]

Repair costs are high, but so is the reliability. PMQ, if you're looking at A4's, look at an S4. 4 door, 6 speed, TT, powerful, great handling, reliable, and classy. They look identical to the A4, but are just plain more fun. S4 FTW.

[DamonDread]

Accord Wagon.

+1+1+1

I freegin love my swagger wagon!

[Dittoz7]

E38 and E39 FTW.

[Jesda]

E38s are generally dependable but maintenance costs are HIGH. You have to stay on top of the transmission. Your best bet for reliability, believe it or not, is to get the V12 750 since its two BMW I6 engines fused together in a V configuration.

E39s are a bit more reasonable but silly things like sensors and other electronics can fail and add up quickly. Cooling systems are a weak point at 100k. Its a gamble whether the last owner overhauled it or not.

All 90s BMWs require diligent maintenance of cooling systems. Too many absent minded owners neglect to maintain water pumps, thermostats, radiators, and hoses and allow them to overheat to the point of warpage and destruction.

[elwesso]

Hell I would even say an E28 might not be a bad deal either.. They're smaller, dead simple, and cheap to maintain. If you don't mind taking the time to sort them, they last forever and can keep going forever cheaply.. They have all the old school mechanical reliability of a BMW without the electronic gizmos that the Germans clearly do not know how to make to last a long time

I had an E28 and I **LOVED** it.. I would probably get another one if I could find one as clean as the one i had.

[Jesda]

Here's a really, really thorough E28 restoration thread:
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/co ... lowed.html