College student looking for the right car

[APZak]

Hey everyone,
I'm 19 and currently drive a 1998 Nissan 240sx with 70,000 miles. I've had this car for two years but it left me stranded twice and the previous owner crashed it but when I purchased it he told me it's never been in an accident. (I found out recently from a friend in body work my fender isn't original and have some rust developing on the frame). I've put more than 30,000 miles on this car and loved every bit of it. It's a very fun car to drive and for those of you that don't know much about it, here are some specifications. The engine is a 2.4L inline 4 producing 155hp and 160 torque. The car weights 2800 lbs and factory handling is .88g's. I can get 30mpg on long highway trips, or 23mpg with constant heavy throttle. The best part: there are only 5000 of these cars in america which means I turn heads whenever I take it out. The car however is loaded with plastic and the it doesnt feel as rock solid as some of the german cars I've been in. I'm planning on selling this car this winter and getting something german but what I'm looking for in a car goes like this:
safety>reliability>puts you in your seat
I've been in the back seat of a friends 2002 BMW 325i automatic and theres something about those BMW I6 engines that I love, some special feeling in the powerband when it pulls you. I've driven a 1986 bmw 325e and though it's slow and not powerful the inline 6 still had that special feeling, though not as obvious as the 325i. I'm kind of set on BMW because I love their I6 engines. I'm unsure if the 540i has that same special feeling because the engine is not an inline design. I love the looks of E30s, but they aren't safe. My 240sx is more safe and getting an E30 would be a step back. I want to get the most safe car out there for my budget of $10,000 but it has to be very reliable aswell. Maybe my Nissan is a lemon because for a japanese car that is kind of new it's totally unacceptable. I want to stay away from SUV because I really don't like them. If I go with a Porsche I could probably increase my budget to $15000. I was also thinking a Boxster because they are extremely safe cars. I'm unsure if the 968 has the first generation of dangerious airbags that hit you full power, but the 6 speed and reliability is a plus. I've been using http://www.crashtest.com/bmw/ie.htm to help judge if a car is safe and they showed the E30 and E36 BMW to have done poorly. This leaves me with 99+ 3 series or 97+5 series. The 1995-1997 audi A6 is also looking good but have heard horror stories about Audi reliability. Mercedes are safe aswell but reliability is poor. It just seems like if I want something reliable I have to go with a japanese car, but give up safety. If I want a safe car I have to go with something german and give up reliability. Is there are car out there with both? Does anyone know a better source to research used car safety?

[bigbrotherjohn]

have you considered the new Mazda 3. I have one and love it. Has two engine options and could be had at the upper end of your price range. Don't know if you want a new car or not though

[APZak]

The mazda 3 is a very nice car, and built in Japan (unlike other mazdas) but it only got 3 stars in the side impact test. I'm looking for something with a little more safety.

[LeeH]

I second the Mazda 3 vote. If you could find a slightly used "S" 5 speed it should be right at $15K. Mazda really targeted the 3 series when they engineered this car and they hit the nail on the head.

We had an Audi A4 1.8T Quattro 5 speed that my wife loved - we got cold feet on the reliability and sold it. My wife and I both are amazed at how much the Mazda 3 feels like a German car at a fraction of the price.

I noticed that the Mazda 3 tested on crashtest.com did not have the otional side airbags. I'm sure that would have helped its score.

Check this out:
http://www.nynewsday.com/business/autocorner/ny-sstom0903,0,7060831.story?coll=nyc-header-extraheadlines

[APZak]

I wonder if the 3 star side impact is with or without the optional side airbags? I really wish there was more information.

EDIT: Never mind I found it. I'm sure the side airbags would have helped. I'm definetly going to look into this car.

[LeeH]

Originally posted by APZak
I wonder if the 3 star side impact is with or without the optional side airbags? I really wish there was more information.

The test car did not have side/side curtain airbags.

[Tishabet]

Do you go to college in NJ? Just trying to factor in driving conditions. Also, how does a 19 year old end up with 15k to spend on a car? Damn!

[84porsche]

I highly recommend not buying new. I would recommend getting a certified pre-owned vehicle, either a BMW, Audi or a VW. You want someone else to service it without stressing you out. The BMW 5-series 97+ are good vehicles but can be pricey to fix. My brother has a 528i and he had a few problems over the past few years with it but he got the certified warranty which covered almost everything up to 100k. The 3-series are incredible cars if you don't have to worry about carrying extra luggage or driving your friends everywhere. They are comfortable for 2. Read the reviews on www.edmunds.com. They will give you some ratings and then go and get invoice/msrp pricing from www.kbb.com.

[vash]

if i was in your shoes, i would do some serious thinking on what car would troll the most babes. 15k, could get a nice jeep wrangler that during the summer you can pop the top and get that pretty girl with the nice smile and the sundress... opps.

civics are nice!

[Tim Hancock]

Life is not safe, just about anything fun includes some risk. Get whatever you think would be FUN to drive + reliable! Sorry, I just get all goofy when people start bringing up safety issues (too many OSHA visits at work!)

[cowtown]

Sure it's important to get a safe car, but I think maintenance and your driving style influence safety 100 times more than this or that airbag style or crash ratings.

If I were a college student with $10K (wow - I rode a bike until I was 22 ) I'd be looking at a Miata or MR2 or Jetta, or maybe a 3-series BMW. Like '84porsche, there's no way I'd be looking at new cars in that range.

[chuckw951]

Take a look at 1995 Mercedes E320. Last of the model line, quick, built like a tank. Or the E400 with the V8. Should be able to find one for about $10K.

[APZak]

well the car I drive now is worth about $10,000, $9500 for a quick sell. Then I've got a 69 porsche project i got when I was 15 with money i've been saving since the 2nd grade from birthdays, communion, etc.. I'm selling the porsche and it's worth about 2500-3500 though i've spent $5700 on it. I've also got a couple thousand saved up in the bank. I'm probably going to limit my spending to $5000 now because I think I'm going to invest my money in a realestate project with my dad and be part owner of a commercial building rented out to stores. He's done it before and is successful. I've been working in retail for 4 years and can't stand it. hopefully i can support myself when this project is done. sorry for the sloppy post, i'm tired. maybe I can find a nice 87 924s or FC-RX7. Those sound reliable, fun, and I know the RX7 is fairly safe. I've had a 1989 Jeep wrangler before with 130,000 miles and that was a headache. Something always broke on it atleast twice a month. I spent $850 in 6 months on parts alone I did the repairs myself. thats $1700 a year on maintnance. Not to mention gas sucked, it was so slow 18 wheelers could accelerate to highway speeds quicker than me, not too safe, and the ride was HARSH. People complain about the 240sx's suspension being too harsh but it feels like a cadillac compared to the wrangler's. I would get migrains and back aches from driving the wrangler (I do mostly highway crusing and it takes me atleast 30 minutes to get anyplace) The waves I got and gave with the wrangler however was something awesome but it is not a good car for me everyday. Maybe a TJ, but the YJs are just too much of a PITA. I go to william paterson university by the way.

[Simon S]

Originally posted by Tim Hancock
Life is not safe, just about anything fun includes some risk. Get whatever you think would be FUN to drive + reliable! Sorry, I just get all goofy when people start bringing up safety issues (too many OSHA visits at work!)

second that.

[bigbrotherjohn]

I second the notion of getting an early rx-7. However I have heard of oil burning problems with old rotary engines. By the way, I live in NY and know sveral people going to William Paterson.