My FINAL first car thread

[CJ]

My parents decided that a brand new car doesn't make financial sense right now, so they're going to wait a little while and buy me a car.  I was given a budget of $5,000 and have found quite a few vehicles that I like within that budget.  My budget was dropped to $5,000 because of my moron brother.  Why?  I don't know. 

1998 Buick Park Avenue Ultra 102,000 miles $4,900
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/635336689.html


1998 Lincoln Continental 64,000 miles $5,000
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/635265101.html


1998 Volvo S70 102,400 miles $4,500
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/640197860.html


1986 BMW 635CSi 104,000 miles $4,995    <------  WANT
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/642295344.html



1995 Mercedes C-Class 95,400 miles $4,750
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/639005970.html



2003 Ford Focus Wagon 136,000 miles $4,100
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/632871812.html



1999 Buick Regal LS 101,000 miles $4,250
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/614501232.html



I like every car on the list and would consider all but the BMW.  I think the first Buick and the first Lincoln would be the best for me from an insurance/gas mileage/comfort/reliability aspect. 


Please feel free to peruse the Dallas Craigslist and give me some suggestions.  Buying very very soon. 

[Cookie Monster]

635 is nice but probably not the best DD. Focus p0sting doesn't work, others are all boring.

[CALL_911]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/642759867.html
Holy scam, Batman!

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/642502027.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/641996406.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/641695664.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/641767935.html
It's exactly like ours was. Right up your alley

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/640930556.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/639990513.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/639284106.html
This gets my vote, I guess?

[Cookie Monster]

E36:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/642292143.html

Prelude:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/642428751.html

E34:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/641319601.html

Passat:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/638382823.html

Accord:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/641046607.html

Jetta GLS:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/620683672.html

Another Passat:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/642616172.html

[CALL_911]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/629462040.html

Ooof, I'd love one of those.

[Cookie Monster]

HOLY CRAP:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/635105750.html

1980 5 speed 5 series, 68k miles.

[CALL_911]

HOLY CRAP:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/635105750.html

1980 5 speed 5 series, 68k miles.

E12!

[CJ]

I think I like this one...

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/638280174.html


It's over budget, though.

[Cookie Monster]

CJ, if I were you I'd look at either the Jetta, 2 Passats or the Accord I posted...

[Cookie Monster]

I think I like this one...

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/638280174.html


It's over budget, though.

Not by much and you can probably haggle it down to $5k.

[The Pirate]

Buick Regal.  And tint them windows.

[Cookie Monster]

Buick Regal.  And tint them windows.

It's not even a GS!

[The Pirate]

It's not even a GS!

Even better, the N/A 3800 is more reliable.  The superchargers have a tendency to fail around 120K to 140K miles.  And that LS has the Gran Touring package, which is the better GS suspension.

[CALL_911]

I think I like this one...

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/638280174.html


It's over budget, though.

I think you should go for it.

[CJ]

Buick Regal.  And tint them windows.

That's what I'm thinking.

[Cookie Monster]

That's what I'm thinking.

Subaru Outback.

[The Pirate]

I think I like this one...

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/638280174.html


It's over budget, though.

Be sure you get some serious seat time in it.  I find Subaru seats (that generation of Outback in particular) to be dismal.  After about an hour, I get a sore back and find them very uncomfortable.  I'm a pretty average guy too, I don't have such strong reactions to that many seats.

[sandertheshark]

Go for the Lincoln Continental.

[The Pirate]

That's what I'm thinking.

My brother has an '01, very similar spec to the one you posted.  The wheels on his are a bit different and it's silver with a sunroof.  That's it.  I love driving that car.  And yes, his has tinted windows. 

[CJ]

Go for the Lincoln Continental.

I really, REALLY, like that Continental and that Regal.  I'll talk to my parents.

[The Pirate]

Go for the Lincoln Continental.

That was high on my list, as well.

[Cookie Monster]

My brother has an '01, very similar spec to the one you posted.  The wheels on his are a bit different and it's silver with a sunroof.  That's it.  I love driving that car.  And yes, his has tinted windows. 

They seem like boring cars, what's so fun about them?

[CALL_911]

If I were in your situation, I would consider them in this order:
1. Outback
2. Passat
3. 740iL

[The Pirate]

They seem like boring cars, what's so fun about them?

You don't get shot at when you drive through the ghetto...

[CALL_911]

I really, REALLY, like that Continental and that Regal.  I'll talk to my parents.

Oh yeah, I forgot. You told me yesterday that you weren't considering manuals.

I wish my parents would make a deal like this with me.

[CJ]

You don't get shot at when you drive through the ghetto...

That and they're just comfortable vehicles.  I'm going to be racking up some miles and would like to do it in comfort. 

[CALL_911]

You know what I don't understand? How you and 2o6 keep thinking that you're going to be reeling in the miles like no tomorrow. You're in high school! How far would you guys possibly need to go? I know for a fact that I'm hardly going to be putting on any miles when I start driving (at least in HS).

[The Pirate]

That and they're just comfortable vehicles.  I'm going to be racking up some miles and would like to do it in comfort. 

I was joking about that (kind of ).  You're right though, it's one hell of a highway cruiser. 

[Cookie Monster]

You know what I don't understand? How you and 2o6 keep thinking that you're going to be reeling in the miles like no tomorrow. You're in high school! How far would you guys possibly need to go? I know for a fact that I'm hardly going to be putting on any miles when I start driving (at least in HS).

I agree.

[CJ]

You know what I don't understand? How you and 2o6 keep thinking that you're going to be reeling in the miles like no tomorrow. You're in high school! How far would you guys possibly need to go? I know for a fact that I'm hardly going to be putting on any miles when I start driving (at least in HS).

I'm going to be putting on the miles, I can tell you that now.  Part of the deal is doing errands and picking up relatives for family events.