reliable, sporty sedan for $18K

cantdrv55 · 03-15-2004, 10:14 PM

My sister-in-law is looking for a reliable and sporty used sedan and her budget is $18K. She currently drives a 9 year old Camry so she now wants something more lively but still sensible. What would you be interested in if you were in the market for such a car? What do you think of A8s? Is a VR6 a good car or is it like most VWs, problematic?

RickM · RickM's Garage

I assume you're looking for a pre-owned car...?

I hear nothing but good about the Passat. 3 series and A4s seem to be good as well. However, I mostly know people who have bought them new. A good service contract will go a long way to making any of these worth it.

OK, where does an A8 and $18k fit in here?

84porsche · 84porsche's Garage

It really depends if you want a warranty with the car or if you have a really good mechanic. If you are going European - BMW, Audi, SAAB and or VW - dealer service costs and parts can be expensive - For fast, sporty and reasonable then I would go with VW or BMW and hope nothing breaks.

Eric Coffey · 03-16-2004, 02:57 PM

I agree with Billy: Late 90's 3-series/M3.

cantdrv55 · 03-16-2004, 05:06 PM

Quote:

OK, where does an A8 and $18k fit in here?

She has a friend who owns an A8 w/110K miles that's for sale.

joehahn · joehahn's Garage

that A8 is undoubtedly a 97 or 98 and prone to problems that first year cars have. 18K will get you (her) a nice a6 (even a 2.7t) from 2001 BUT, MUST get a warranty. lurk here for a few days: audiworld.com in the a6 forum.

joe 68 L

(little biased...i drive a a6 wagon in the winter)

Jay Auskin · 03-16-2004, 07:06 PM

My wife loves her Saab 9-3. Plus, they have the most comprehensive Certified Used Program I've ever seen. We got her '99 9-3, 42K miles, Certified, for $12,200. It has sunroof, leather, automatic, and heated seats. It's a blast on the highway too when boost is plentiful.

LeeH · 07:41 PM

I'm half heartedly in the same market. We go back and forth on selling the MP3. If I were to seriously go shopping today around $18K I've narrowed it down to:

Saab 9-5
Nissan Maxima SE
Brand new Mazda 6
Toyota Prius (sporty? probably not, but still a super cool car)

BTW, the Consumer Reports auto issue is on the news stand right now. Lots of good info on used cars.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

my wife has a '98 A8...we just got back from a trip to Yosemite in it. Power everything, and rock solid at triple digit speeds (not that we ever went that fast). It has 53K miles on it, and went off audi assured warranty a few months back. Right before it went off (we bought it used from a dealer) we had the tranny replaced ($15K). We're now just rolling the dice hoping that something doesn't go wrong. Having a 25 year old 911 and an off-warranty luxury car makes for the occasional sleepless night.

What about the new Mazda 3 series? That looks like a very nice car...I really like the wagon. I've seen it on the road and have always done a double take.

BlueSkyJaunte · 03-16-2004, 10:58 PM

Nahh....spring for the WRX wagon. You know you want one...

MFAFF · 03-17-2004, 01:04 AM

SAAB is another GM car.......

I'd go with BM over Audi's for anything after a A4 car. The quality went down quite significantly...

WRX, why not.

cantdrv55 · 03-17-2004, 04:11 PM

I passed all of your suggestions to her and she decided she wants either a Lexus or Acura. I've never owned or driven a Toyota car so I'd like to know what you think about a Lexus. I'd probably talk her into an Acura though since I once owned an Accord and thought the world of it. Acura's are sportier Honda's, no?

Victor · 03-17-2004, 04:41 PM

Subaru WRX. Just don't invite her to join you for a drive in the hills once she gets it.

vash · vash's Garage

my friend has a acura with 300,000 miles on it. granted it is getting very rough at this point, but what a bargain. money well spent for the dude.

350HP930 · 03-17-2004, 05:33 PM

I am at the point in my life where I don't think I will ever spend more than $10K on another car.

This of course does not include replacing the 930 if something awful should happen to it.

greglepore · 03-17-2004, 05:48 PM

Todd, was that 15k for a transmission? As in fifteen thousand gickels? Holy crap, man! I'd be nervous too.

djmcmath · 03-17-2004, 06:31 PM

Sporty and reliable, and under $18K? I'm surprised the SCWDP hasn't chimed in to explain that a '78 SC meets all of her criterion.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

yes, $15K for a tranny. "forklift" upgrade.

Acura RSX-S is a pretty fun car, but over the $18K budget (unless you find a used one).

BlueSkyJaunte · 03-17-2004, 06:42 PM

What about that new turboed Neon?

(/me ducks)

Sarah · Sarah's Garage

This thread has some good info.

I was set on a Passat until I found this web site. www.myvwlemon.com which sacred me a bit. We have several friends with vw's. some love them and some have had a lot of electrical problems. I guess the 2004 is supposed to be better so i'm still considering it. I just didn't want a new car. I wanted a 2002-03 (but with the extras). We've looked at the Audi A4-A6 too but they are a bit more than we want to spend. A Nissan Maxima 3.5 isn't looking to bad. But...i'll check more on the BMW's even though we'd have to consider a few years older to fit our price range.