Recommendations

[drz]

Here are a few decent (some even fun) FWD vehicles in your price range: Mazda6, MazdaSpeed3, Mazda3, Civic Si (190hp), Nissan Altima (I would wait and take a look at the 2008 Altima coupe), VW Jetta, VW Rabbit. ALso, pretty mcuh anything Subaru makes. It also wouldn't hurt to try some Mitusibhis (I jsut sol a 1993 mirage that was still running strong an gave me less trouble in 4 years than my BMW didi in 2), although I don't know how they are currently priced.

I am a big fan of the 245 hp Hyundai Elantra, but nobody in any BMW board ever takes em seriously. A test drive and or a visit to the Hyundai boards (where everyone would post their rants, although I haven't found anything concrete) cn change somebody's mind. Since you are coming from a BMW, you may not want to got to a Hyundai, I understand. But I still leave that in. Let the flaming begin.

If you can live with the roadster configuration, you should consider the Mazda MX-5. It is RWD, and tons of fun to drive. My friend has one, and they are great fun cars.

All in all, if I were you, I would go out and test drive these cars. Many of the newer FWDs are very sporty and fun to drive, with torque steer reduced to an almost negligble level.

Good luck with it all

[drz]

I also second teh suggestion of an Acura RSX, and -- if you're willing to go without too many options -- a 350Z (I had forgotten about your trade-in $$$).

[doughboyea]

Drz, my trade-in isn't really worth shit. The dealer where the services are done said they'd offer me ~$6,000 for it (even though retail is ~$12k+ and less than 3 yrs ago, paid $18,600+tax).

I seem to have mood swings. Now, I'm inclined to research out Trucks. Particularly the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier. Both look quite promising for everyday driving giving up 20mpg while both having 4.0L V6's (230hp and 260hp respectively). Pricing ranges of course, but seems like they can be well loaded up for $27k. A manual version is available for the toyota (6spd).

I know it may seem like I am bouncing all over the place, but, for me, I just can't seem to find the right CAR to purchase, being real finiky since I have this POS Bimmer parked outside.

Comments... Ideas.... Discuss.

Dough

[jybute]

Originally Posted by doughboyea

Every vehicle that I've owned has had rwd. When I've driven my mother's ford tarus and my dad's escape they tended to create alot of oversteer and spin the front wheels easily from a stop. But that has been with Ford vehicles, so are all fwd cars the same?

Dough

If you are like me and like or prefer RWD, the Infiniti G35 is rear drive, and as far as Im concerned is a damn nice car. Not too sure about performance or price though.

But man, if you are getting brand new, just get another bimmer. You will have waranty, and maint. for 3-4 years, sell it and get another after that.

[xsperf]

if you dont drive too much i would go for a lease, lease a BMW, or really whatever, sometimes there are some amazing deals and it will give you a little bit of time to reconsider and give bmw a second chance

[doughboyea]

Can't lease, the mileage I do in one years time would eventually eat my wallet. Getting another BMW would be nice, except prices are so extreme for them that it just wouldn't' be feasible. In regards to the warranty for it, doing 20,000+ mi/year would make that warranty expire prematurely. And then what... I'm stuck in the same position I am in now, with a POS bimmer that is now costing me an arm and a leg.... soon, my first born.

I'm comming down to a point where I will only buy one BMW. An E30 M3, and that's it. I would only have it as a weekend car, for a daily driver, I need something alot more stable.

Dough

[xsperf]

Originally Posted by doughboyea

Can't lease, the mileage I do in one years time would eventually eat my wallet. Getting another BMW would be nice, except prices are so extreme for them that it just wouldn't' be feasible. In regards to the warranty for it, doing 20,000+ mi/year would make that warranty expire prematurely. And then what... I'm stuck in the same position I am in now, with a POS bimmer that is now costing me an arm and a leg.... soon, my first born.

I'm comming down to a point where I will only buy one BMW. An E30 M3, and that's it. I would only have it as a weekend car, for a daily driver, I need something alot more stable.

Dough

in that case, get a weekend car and a honda, serious, as long as you have ur pride and joy who cares about the other one

[drz]

Among the two trucks, I would get the Tacoma with the 6sp. Its funny, because I have gone through the same process as you in the past few months. I researched teh same two trucks even. I grew up with stick shift trucks and they are fun.

Best of luck.

[doughboyea]

Thursday night, I went to Muller Toyota in Clinton, NJ.

The salesman was really nice, much more helpful than the mofo from Hudson Toyota.

He gave me a price that is the best so far.

Retail: $30,114.00
Price: ~$28,800.00

Trade-in: $6,000

Add taxes and what not, comes to ~$25k

For a (minus the hood scoop):


2007 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4x4
Color = 1st image
236Hp 255lbft V6 4.0L
5sp Automatic
TRD Off Road Package
Includes:
Off road tunned Bilstein shocks
16" alloy wheels
Locking rear diff
Engine skid plate
Power port in bed
fog lamps
blablabla....
Towing package (6,500lbs max tow)
Includes:
Tranny cooler
130A Alternator
HD Battery
6 Disk CD Player (no audio upgrade, ie. the hard to find JBL speaker upgrade )

Opinions? Price seems decent enough? Knowing my Bimmer's history, trade-in seems fair. I'm thinking financing through eloan.com.

Dough

[94bmw325i]

toyota trucks ftw like I was saying in the other thread. Can't go wrong with them. Gas mileage isnt that bad either, my dad gets just over 20 mpg with his 6 cylinder 4 runner with that same motor. A bit less torque than the v8, but has better accel we were told.

[Reddots89]

honda s2000

[doughboyea]

I appreciate the input, but I'm more curious to know how good/bad of a deal I am getting from the dealer. Please refer to post#39.

BTW, E-loan came back to me with an interest rate of 7.37%. That really blows considering my credit history and score. Their advertised rate is 6.25%. Another thing, this dealer that post#39 refers to didn't mention anything about 0% financing, yet, their site claims that it is available.

Dough

[CAPiTUL]

Ditto BMW Lots advice. I'd look into the Audi.

[doughboyea]

I'll pass on the Audi, can't afford it. Over priced and high maintenance. And again, for the second time, thank you for the input, but I am looking for input on whether or not I'm getting a good deal when referencing post#39.

E-Loan just called me back, I got approved for 6.25%, guess i'm good on that front for the time being.

Dough

[CAPiTUL]

my bad boss. somehow I missed that.