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First cars

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pmw
Posts: 5760 - Karma: 831
so newschoolers, ive been working my ass off all year, and picked up a second job for the summer, and realized i had nothing to be working towards, and nothing to do with all my money. so recently i've decided to buy my first car. all things go as planned, ill be licensed in september, but i decided to start looking now. and i am in no way car savvy, so please be gentle with the verbal ass kickings, and any help is greatly appreciated.

first option: bmw 323i. guy would let it go for $4500. all the specs are on the (hopefully clicky) link
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;jsessionid=S17WsvENv-kWXJGZODoDSRS?tab=summary&paId=355888024&recnum=&actLog=&listingId=44260750&paId=355888024&listingRecNum=6&criteria=sf1Dir%3dASC%26mkId%3d20005%26stkTyp%3dU%26rd%3d30%26crSrtFlds%3dstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId%26zc%3d01460%26rn%3d0%26PMmt%3d1-0-0%26stkTypId%3d28881%26sf1Nm%3dprice%26alMkId%3d20005%26rpp%3d50%26feedSegId%3d28705&tracktype=usedcc&pageNumber=&numResultsPerPage=&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE&certifiedOnly=false&aff=national

next: i just stumbled upon this, looks great, low mileage, etc. and come one, its pretty sexy.

im really looking at a lot vdubs, they are very moderately priced, seem to be solid cars, and get some nice gas mileage. im now leaning towards the volkswagens because a beemer, although sick, would have outrageous repair fees.

any input/suggestions would be awesome. i cant afford anything over $5,000 and i am looking for a manual.

thanks!
Jul 6 2010 8:13PM
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ski_ENDUB
Posts: 2535 - Karma: 86
vovlos, they run forever
Jul 6 2010 8:17PM
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pmw
Posts: 5760 - Karma: 831
might be worth the extra dollar for a few less miles, eh?

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=45179389&listingRecNum=1&criteria=sf1Dir%3DASC%26alMdId%3D32644%26mkId%3D20089%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D21242%26mdId%3D21796%26rd%3D30%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId%26zc%3D01460%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-2-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26alMkId%3D20089%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national

and ill try to make them clicky now. first car: http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;jsessionid=S17WsvENv-kWXJGZODoDSRS?tab=summary&paId=355888024&recnum=&actLog=&listingId=44260750&paId=355888024&listingRecNum=6&criteria=sf1Dir%3dASC%26mkId%3d20005%26stkTyp%3dU%26rd%3d30%26crSrtFlds%3dstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId%26zc%3d01460%26rn%3d0%26PMmt%3d1-0-0%26stkTypId%3d28881%26sf1Nm%3dprice%26alMkId%3d20005%26rpp%3d50%26feedSegId%3d28705&tracktype=usedcc&pageNumber=&numResultsPerPage=&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE&certifiedOnly=false&aff=national

second: http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchresults.action?mkId=20089&crSrtFlds=stkTypId-feedSegId-mkId&rd=30&zc=01460&PMmt=1-0-0&stkTypId=28881&alMkId=20089&rpp=50&feedSegId=28705&searchSource=SORT&pgId=2102&sf1Nm=price&sf1Dir=ASC
Jul 6 2010 8:17PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51645 - Karma: 162,278
For first cars. get a cheap pos beast of a car. Name it and love it. Tell people how much better your car is than their expensive one. Go on some road trips. Drive around with friends. Run it till it drops, than morn it forever more.

that's how you're supposed to roll. Fuck spending 45 hundo on your first car. Besides you're probably go to crash it like 50 percent of people do when they get their license.
Jul 6 2010 8:21PM
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cbeebzthasteeze
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 85
If you're getting a VW, and want gas mileage, get a 2003 Jetta TDI. 50+ MPH and if you get a good one and don't beat it to shit, you will have a car that will last a while with low repair costs.
Jul 6 2010 8:22PM
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*rkp*
Posts: 8198 - Karma: 257
if you want a cheap first car, MT, low repair costs etc, and aren't very car savvy, I would buy something japanese.

(I could elaborate lots, and really I'll end up facepalming to no end with the posts that kids will inevitably reply with. it would be good to visit some car forums and search there)
Jul 6 2010 8:24PM
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*rkp*
Posts: 8198 - Karma: 257
and for under 5k, DON'T buy a mkiv model vw under any circumstances. repairs will eat you alive.
Jul 6 2010 8:25PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51645 - Karma: 162,278
Get an 80s sabb. Good winter car and those things run forever
Jul 6 2010 8:28PM
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pmw
Posts: 5760 - Karma: 831
huh. huh?!?!

http://www.superautosalesus.com/cars_2005-Subaru-Impreza-WRX-Sedan_9923275.htm
Jul 6 2010 8:35PM
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Inb4_P.Dog
Posts: 361 - Karma: 14
If you're getting an WRX. Make it an STI. Otherwise don't get it.
Jul 6 2010 8:44PM
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pmw
Posts: 5760 - Karma: 831
i have no control over what is repossessed.

and uhhhhhhh!

http://www.superautosalesus.com/cars_2002-Audi-TT-1.8T-Coupe-quattro_9459279.htm
Jul 6 2010 9:02PM
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cbeebzthasteeze
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 85
Such a sick car, too bad it only gets 25 MPG and is a bitch to repair.
Jul 6 2010 9:46PM
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Motherfucka
Posts: 1179 - Karma: 26

low repair costs? are you kidding. My whole family are mechanics including me an to change a belt on a vw you have to take off the whole fucking front clip.

Get educated

Jul 6 2010 10:57PM
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jester8589
Posts: 346 - Karma: 15
this and ryans posts as well. if you have the money to buy a nice car right off the bat put it in savings for when you crash your first car.
Jul 6 2010 11:01PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
MY first car was a jeep, I know some people have horror stories with jeeps, while others have no problems.....mine lasted 208k, and it was driven in fields and what not, so it lasted pretty good I'd say
Jul 6 2010 11:08PM
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GuiBallMaster
Posts: 10 - Karma: 20

I was fortunate enough to drive a 1983 BMW 320i as my first car. It's been in my family since 83' and I've driven it from 2003-2010 and love the heck out of it. It has had its share of problems; however, I wouldn't trade my seven years with the 'loser cruiser' for anything.

The thing I've enjoyed the most is telling people smuggly that I drive a BMW. Go with BMW. . .

Jul 7 2010 12:12AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
early 60's karmann ghia, 5000 will buy you a NICE one, when people ask about your "porsche" you can tell them about your 40 or so mpg

Click for larger image
Jul 7 2010 12:28AM
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Inb4_P.Dog
Posts: 361 - Karma: 14
You think 25mpg is bad wtffffff? It's not that big of a bitch, they don;t break down alot and you just have to know what your doing bro.
Jul 7 2010 12:33AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
or get old air cooled VW because thats where the tech is, all the water cooled volkswagen is garbage, you want easy maintenance? my dad and i can swap a VW engine in like 2 hours, air cooled all day.

36-60 hp sounds like not alot but you can go down the highway at 70+ mph all day long
Jul 7 2010 12:40AM
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sammiedee
Posts: 974 - Karma: 175
let's be realistic here (because I wasn't when I got my first car)
What you should look for as a first car is this:

-good gas milage (gas is not cheap and will only get more expensive)

-reliability (do a background check on each vehicle you're considering to make sure they don't have a history of breaking easily or built with bad parts)

-ability to be driven in winter (especially important as a skier. If your mountain is anything like mine you won't get there in a stock E30 very often)

Also, if you're like me and enjoy having friends around; get a car with enough seats.
Your first car doesn't have to be fancy and if it isn't you'll probably have more fun with it (take it to outdoor parties, cover it in stickers, drive it through a field etc.)
This is just my 2cents but i'm speaking from experience
Jul 7 2010 1:02AM
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sammiedee
Posts: 974 - Karma: 175
whoops i thought you said you option 1 was an e30 bimmer. disregard my previous comment
Jul 7 2010 1:04AM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
coming from someone who's driven e30, e36, and e46's get an e30 3 series, just as fast as the new ones, handle better, wayyyy more fun, better looking, and extremely tough and reliable. you can find a very good one for under 5 grand. get a 325is if you can. there's a reason basically every bmw enthusiast says the e30's are the best 3 series and some of the best bmw's ever made.
Jul 7 2010 2:03AM
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Hermondo
Posts: 1244 - Karma: 52
e30's are the shit. first car was 1988 535i. ran great. awesome mileage. engine was excellent and never had problems for the 3 years i had it. they look sexy as hell too. girls also love bmw's so that's an added bonus.
Jul 7 2010 2:10AM
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the_moderaper
Posts: 2465 - Karma: 218
my parents have owned a saturn SL2 since like 94? i think? its had its shair of small problems but it still runs great with over 200k and its my car now. Its plastic body is great for easy repairs and its held up great after 3 crashes and hitting a deer at like 45
Jul 7 2010 2:20AM
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Spen
Posts: 335 - Karma: 59
your a jerk for having a chance to buy that bmw for 45 hundred. i would love that car
Jul 7 2010 2:30AM
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RJD2
Posts: 3532 - Karma: 921
Don't ask for car advice on here. Ask your parents.
Jul 7 2010 2:51AM
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pmw
Posts: 5760 - Karma: 831
im either a jerk or a 16 year old kid working his ass off
Jul 7 2010 1:38PM
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pmw
Posts: 5760 - Karma: 831
i was cruising the whip thread for a while and it seemed a lot of kids knew what they were doing. so i tried my luck, and so far it has been a success
Jul 7 2010 1:39PM
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ski-swagga
Posts: 5276 - Karma: 219
that bmw is sexy. id cop that if i had the cash and didnt have a car already.
Jul 7 2010 1:42PM
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JStrathern
Posts: 8747 - Karma: 1,536
nissan xterra! i have one and theyre so nasty for skiing. you can put a ski rack on top and still have tons of room inside, not to mention being able to roll through snowbanks with ease.

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Jul 7 2010 1:54PM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
Like the coathanger said, buy a POS your just gonna hit something with it anyway. Front wheel drive will be fine for winter. I started with an 88 accord, hondas are reliable and dirt cheap to fix. Buy a civic, it'll be easy for you and your buddies to push out of a ditch when the time comes.
Jul 7 2010 1:55PM
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cbeebzthasteeze
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 85
I can get 50+ in a TDI Golf/Jetta. 25 is pretty bad when my dad's Excursion (largest SUV on the planet) gets 21...
Jul 7 2010 1:55PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
No way his excursion gets that, my jeep, with a v6, gets around 18.......
Jul 7 2010 2:08PM
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amo
Posts: 6709 - Karma: 1,248
I inherited a 2000 328i and I fucking love it. MT, premium package, Harmon Kardon, 120k. Although it's not the most practical car, it gets the job done. If you are looking to get a BMW I would highly suggest looking into xi models because the 4wd will help you tons in the winter.

Now if I were to suggest a first car for you, from what you want, I'd say a Dodge Ram 1500 with a MT, check em out

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchresults.action?sf1Dir=DESC&mkId=20012&mdId=21858&crSrtFlds=stkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-prcId-transTypeId&rd=100000&zc=01460&prcId=28646&PMmt=1-1-0&stkTypId=28881&sf2Dir=ASC&sf1Nm=price&sf2Nm=miles&rpp=50&feedSegId=28705&transTypeId=28112&searchSource=GN_REFINEMENT&pgId=2102
Jul 7 2010 2:09PM
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JStrathern
Posts: 8747 - Karma: 1,536
yeah my v6 xterra gets like 18-19..
Jul 7 2010 2:10PM
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Jamestown
Posts: 4002 - Karma: 51
Get an old Toyota truck, those things are badass.

The old Volvo is also a good idea. Those things are tanks, they run forever, and for some reason, all Volvo owners I know become super attached and fall in love with them.
Jul 7 2010 2:14PM
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cbeebzthasteeze
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 85
Diesel FTW.
Jul 7 2010 2:21PM
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Inb4_P.Dog
Posts: 361 - Karma: 14
Well considering how the new TDI's are Clean Deisel i believe you but you can't compare that to gas. And You're Excursion does not get better mpg than my Tacoma no wayy.
Jul 7 2010 2:22PM
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cbeebzthasteeze
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 85
Read the post right above yours.
Jul 7 2010 2:24PM
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Inb4_P.Dog
Posts: 361 - Karma: 14
Durp.
Jul 7 2010 2:25PM
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ImYoung
Posts: 120 - Karma: 47
possibly the biggest idiot on newschoolers, a title you should be proud of.
Jul 7 2010 2:57PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
There ya go, now it makes sense haha
Jul 7 2010 3:27PM
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cbeebzthasteeze
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 85
Yeah haha.
Jul 7 2010 3:28PM
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Motherfucka
Posts: 1179 - Karma: 26

My neighbor has one of these, its a cool car ha

Jul 7 2010 3:31PM
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T.Rex
Posts: 1272 - Karma: 125

I AM GOING TO TYPE IN CAPS TO GET MY POINT ACROSS,

IN NO WAY WILL YOU BE GETTING THE CAR YOU SAY YOU WILL, I SAW OVER 20 CARS THAT WERE PERFECT ONLINE TO ME, I TEST DROVE THEM AND EVERY SINGLE ONE NEEDED REPAIRS TO EITHER THE ALIGNMENT, BRAKES, TIRES, WHEELS, OR/AND TIMING BELTS, THIS SHIT COSTS ALOT TO GET REPAIRED, PLUS DO NOT EVEN TEST DRIVE THE CAR UNLESS YOU KNOW FOR SURE IT HAS BEEN IN NO DAMAGE OR ACCIDENT THAT WERE MAJOR, NOT EVEN IF IT WAS REPAIRED BY THE BEST DAM GUY ON YOUR COAST, STRUCTUAL DAMAGE LAST FOREVER IN A CAR AND IS NEVER THE SAME, I ENDED UP GETTING A TOYOTA AVALON XLS, I WASNT EVEN LOOKING FOR AVALON, BUT I SAW IT DECIDED TO TEST DRIVE IT AND ITS A BEAST, V6 3.0 L ENGINE, ALL LEATHER INTERRIOR AND BOSE SOUND SYSTEM, IM GOING TO TINT THE WINDOWS GOLD AND THROW ON SOME GOLD WHEELS AND A SPOILER AND THAT SHIT WILL LOOK BALLIN,

sorry for caps but i need the op to read it, he doing he exact same thing i did and its just a waste of time, car dealerships dont even post whats wrong with the car online so you come to test drive it and they have a chance to talk you into buying it, i highly suggest buying from a private seller too, best way to go

Jul 7 2010 3:40PM
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cbeebzthasteeze
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 85
One word: Carfax.
Jul 7 2010 3:43PM
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Static
Posts: 8553 - Karma: 4,089
meh, so many paces don't even report to carfax.

Take it to a mechanic to see if there are any problems with how it runs, then take it to a bodyshop and they'll tell you if work's been done.
Jul 7 2010 3:54PM
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amo
Posts: 6709 - Karma: 1,248
you sounds like a fucking fool
Jul 7 2010 4:13PM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
This......a good body mechanic will be able to tell you if it's been in an accident without a carfax report. I'd get carfax anyway though, it's 30 bucks, and I like it just to make sure the car was never registered in louisiana or something.
Jul 7 2010 4:17PM
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T.Rex
Posts: 1272 - Karma: 125

how so? i mean if you want to buy a car just on its brand name and looks on the internet be my guest, but im just trying to get my point across to kids who think that an 05 wrx with less then 100,000 miles for 6 grand is actually a good deal are the fools, i test drove an acura 3.2 tl for 5 grand around 140,000 miles, still needed a front end alignment brakes tires and wheel, test drove a vw passat for about 6 grand and 100,000 miles the one with turbo engine in it, i pulled out of the parkig lot and the brakes squeled and failed to stop the car so i threw it in neutral and pulled the e-brake, i was about to place the winning bid on a 02 subaru impreza 2.5 rs but decided to go look at it first everything thing was good except the whole interrior and sterring wheel where chewed to hell by a dog which the seller failed to mention in his ebay sale,

im just saying you cant go by buying a car on the inernet, theres too many scams and false advertising, you have to actually go out and go test drive them then make you decsions on what car runs good, and as far as the body of the car goes, if you dont like the style of it its easy to change, body kits are easy to put in and throw some new wheels on it or a spoiler and youve made it your own for a little around 1,000

Jul 7 2010 4:26PM
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*rkp*
Posts: 8198 - Karma: 257
I was agreeing with everything you had posted up until this point.

DOING IT WRONG
Jul 7 2010 4:38PM
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