help me decide on a sport/luxury vehicle

[TerryH]

My wife needs something very dependable to drive that falls into this catagory. A car with some pep and comfort as well that will seat four.

Looking for a car we probably couldn't afford when new.... a car less than $20K is preferrable so 60-80K on the odometer is expected. The BMW M3, 328i, 330i, 540i or Lexus IS300 or even the cheaper Volvo C70 are some models I've check out via Autotrader.com, but I would like to broaden the choices. Frankly, there are just a lot of ugly cars out there that sort of blend together by their blandness.

Thanks.

[ken_xman]

I am thinking of selling my Mercedes S600 V-12, Black sedan.
Very reliable, 400 HP, All leather dash, door panels, headliner.
Great shape. 83k miles.
New was $137,000
I might sell it for $30,000

Anyway.... look into MB, many real nice models out there.

[TerryH]

Originally posted by ken_xman
I am thinking of selling my Mercedes S600 V-12, Black sedan.
Very reliable, 400 HP, All leather dash, door panels, headliner.
Great shape. 83k miles.
New was $137,000
I might sell it for $30,000

Anyway.... look into MB, many real nice models out there.

LOL.. Thanks for the offer Ken, maybe you could just pay me to chauffeur. I'm sure that is a fantastic piece of machinery, but it's not only out of my price range, but I could not afford to service it either. Post a picture of that bad boy.

I would be open to other MB models more in my means. Not too small, but not a land yacht either.

[ken_xman]

This is certainly a boat. It has a factory wine cooler, Power door and trunk assist, double pane glass, hydraulic suspension, reclining& heated rear seat, and 0-60 in 6.0sec.
I will dig a pic out.

Maybe look at a E320. Its the mid size sedan with the 6cyl.

[BGCarrera32]

I've had pretty good luck with my Audi A4, you can find those with the kind of mileage you want in the price you're talking. Get a good PPI done up front, and at 70k the water pump/timing belt/tensioner is due which is about $1000-$1500 service. After that it's good to go again.

I'd be a little wary on the M3 or any of the more "performance" models, as they've probably been spanked a few times in their life...

[84porsche]

Terry,

Seat 4 or seat 4 really comfortably?? and are stick shifts out of the question? The 3-series has a small back seat but yes it does seat 4. I don't think I could interest you in a very peppy VW Jetta can I?

Chris

[RickM]

Perhaps an off lease/pre-owned Infinity G35. It fit's the bill a bit better than an E320.

[erics944]

The doctor that my fiance works for just got a 2004 G35 and loves it. Also look into the Audi A4/A6 models, a lot of people who were looking for BMW's were very impressed with the Audi's. When I am finally able to get a new car the A4/A6 is my first choice.

[TerryH]

Originally posted by BGCarrera32
snipped...... I'd be a little wary on the M3 or any of the more "performance" models, as they've probably been spanked a few times in their life...

Noted, but remember, we're on a forum where the average odometer reading is 100K+ and the cars were built for the track.


Chris, My wife prefers to shift, more gears the better, but I'm afraid a Jetta or A4 is not exactly the car for her either.

Rick, Infinity has a nice line up. I'm not crazy about going Japanese, but it won't stop me from considering the right car.

Only on my insistance are we getting a car. She doesn't want to give up her current ride which is now a 175K mile Turbo TBird we bought new in 1988. She is now very picky about style and power if she is to surrender her beloved car. I told her to pick from our lot for one to sell and her Bird was her choice. The laugher is, we will be lucky to get $1500 for that Bird.

Currently our stable is old cars and semi old work truck... but we have been blessed with no lemons to date. I hate pressing my luck, but it's time to update it somewhat.

88 TBird
86 Grand National
81 911SC
01 Ford Ranger

[djmcmath]

Good mileage, peppy, and seats 4? Easy (cheap) to maintain? Can't be the standard shape-n-size nondescript vehicular blob? Hmm ... Have you considered an air-cooled VW Beetle? I'm telling you what, that's definitely the ticket.

[RickM]

Originally posted by TerryH

Rick, Infinity has a nice line up. I'm not crazy about going Japanese, but it won't stop me from considering the right car.

I'm with you as I'm not a current a fan of most Japanese offerings. However, there's something about a black G35. It looks like it's in the same class as much more expensive cars and is apparently quite capable. A friend has one for just over a year and loves it. FWIU, it's pretty much a reskinned 350Z.

[island911]

Originally posted by TerryH
My wife needs something very dependable to drive that falls into this catagory. A car with some pep and comfort as well that will seat four. ....

I'm in the same boat. My wife is on her third Saab 9000, the latest a turbo. But now that GM owns them. . .auch. GM's stratigic planning seems to be focused on planned obsolecence ! (but that's another story)


I've been looking more and more at the Mercedes.

One of my criteria is old-school engineering. ...where serviceability is part of an already strong design.

So Rick; tell me about your 380SL. I'm kinda eye'n a nice '72 350SL . . am I crazy or what? .. . hmmmm, let me rephrase that... what are the best years to buy?

[TerryH]

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
Of all the ones you mentioned, I'd go for the 328/330, hands down.

I'd not get into any of the BMW V8s at the higher mileages. The earlier V8s had the Nikasil engine problem, and even the later ones haven't been super reliable as far as a lot of the little things (that can add up). At the higher miles, and with your budget in mind, a 328/330 is a far better and more realistic bet than a 540.

M3 is good, but a lot more expensive to buy, maintain, insure, etc. Drive a 330 stick shift, I think you'll find you don't need to go to an M3! The 330 stick is a rocket.

IS300, Ford/Volvos, blah.

I wouldn't buy a higher mileage, out of warranty Audi.

Brian, so with the 540's track record, I should run away from ads like this one?

1998 BMW 540I, 4 dr, V8, full pwr, Premium sound, alarm, fully loaded, new tires, extra clean, spoiler, new brakes, 70K miles, like new, exc cond, must see, $16,400

This car is less than a mile from me. Is it worth a look or are there inherent problems I don't want to buy into? There are definitely 540's that fit my criteria, but I don't know all the quirks/demons of each model. Hell, I studied for almost a year before buying my 911 and I don't want to drag this out that long.

Anything I buy will get a ppi and carfax.

Problem with the 330i is it hasn't been out long enough for me to afford it unless it's been driven back and forth to the moon twice.

Thanks, I value everyone's opinion.

[RickM]

Originally posted by island911
So Rick; tell me about your 380SL. I'm kinda eye'n a nice '72 350SL . . am I crazy or what? .. . hmmmm, let me rephrase that... what are the best years to buy?

Good Question. My answer, it depends on what you value as "best". Reliability? Power? Looks? Value retention? The same may apply to these cars as others....get the newest one you can afford.

However,
the '72 - '89 107 based SLs are very heavy cars. Weight approaching an Explorer. That's why the factory workers called them the Panzer Wagon back in the day. They are not performance cars. They do offer a ride quality that quite unique. In good running condition it's a pleasant, old(er) school type roadster. Just look and sit in the seats. They're filled horsehair with zero lateral support...and feel it. lol

If you decide to go 107 then you may want to consider a Euro model (which looks like you may be doing *). Many prefer the smaller Euro bumper and unified headlight configuration along with the (usually) more powerful engines. But like any other grey car beware of hack jobs. 280SLs (Euro) are quite desirable and peppy by 107 (and 6 cylinder) standards. IMO, the 500SL (Euro) would be the next up in desirability. (Plus these come in manual versions)
With a Euro consider that some parts are going to be harder to source but not impossible with the right connections.

The 380 is close to the bottom when it comes to power but for the type of driving its intended for it's fine for me. If I want to go fast I hop into the 911 or on my bike.

If you want to mix having a fun car with looks and good value retention/potential investment then go for the previous generation 113 SL. To me one of the most beautiful and classic car designs....right behind the BMW 3.0 CS(i)


* - The 350 SL is an interesting car in that it may not be a 350SL.
The first 107s produced were 350SLs for the European market. As you may know the number designation is the engine displacement...most of the time. When the 107 came to the US it was a 4.5 L car or 450. The first few were marked as 350s. Dealerships were instructed to rebadge these cars to 450SL. Some were, some weren't....or some carried both a 350SL and 4.5 badge. So, is the car you're looking at a US 450 or Euro 350?

In any case, consider the early 107 comparable to early 911s when it comes to attention and cost.

Below is a short write-up I put together previously...


"The 380 had a single row timing chain up until 1984. It was then updated to a double row. Doing this update is quite costly. Appox $3k here in the US. However, there is still maintenance with the dual row as there are guides and tensioners that should be maintained....not nearly as costly though.

Here's a list common replacement items:

- Since these cars are far from lightweight all suspension pieces suffer after so many years. Especially if sitting unused. So if not replaced RECENTLY figure on Shocks (Bilstein), Subframe bushings, ball joints, springs...etc.

- Fuel injection system on 81 and up...it's the wonderful Bosch CIS system. Not unlike the 911 you will have cold/warm/hot start problems. As usual many throw thousands chasing idle, start and missing problems.

- Climate control - This has to be the most unneccessarily complicated system I've ever seen in my life. And they will all develop problems. It is absolutely unintuitive as well. To make it more fun it's all vacuum operated with vacuum actuators buried behind the dash. They can be rebuilt inexpensively but getting to them and getting to the right one is the challenge. The Monovalve is a common piece in the heating system to go. Luckily it's inexpensive and quikly replaced.

- Rust - Not the worst cars regarding this. However, the older you get the more prone you are to suffering.

- Convertible top...Very simple mechanical setup. I like it. Hard top same thing...well done.

- Interior....Dash cracks can be a problem. Seems blue cracks the most.

- Radiators also have issues, especially with a plastic filler neck. Once they break it's almost impossible to repair and not cheap to replace.

- Radio...by Becker. I'll say no more.

Like any other car the better it's been maintained by the PO the better for you.

Overall I really enjoy the car...for what it is. It's not a fast car. Rather a convertible cruiser that retains that old world luxury roadster feel. The Euro car that seems to be very desirable is the 500SL as well as some of the sixes.

If you're going for a more collectible model then go with a 113 chassis SL. I believe from 63 through 72 here in the US. We had the 230,260 and 280 SL. Like the 911 the first examples had smaller engines but were lighter and didn't have to incorporate emmision equipment. Theses are very prone to rust and are very basic cars comparitively speaking. But beautiful and collectible."

[adamred]

I bought myself a 2001 Audi A6 Avant with 50K on the clock and a 2 year bumper to bumper warrantee (Imagine that for a moment!!!) for $18K....the Audi tiptronic is pretty good, and occasionally you can find A6s with a manual....a lot of car for the money...
Adam

[cantdrv55]

Acura

[RANDY P]

54o's are known for several problems, esp at 70K -

radatior blows it's top about then

auto tranny fails (behind V8)

dashboard info center turns to braille due to pixels burning out.

Lots of other weird electrical things.

[onewhippedpuppy]

You might try doing some research on BMW forums, lots more information there. www.bimmerforums.com is the one I know of. If I had 20k for a 4 door, I'd own an Audi S4, no question. 20k will buy you a nice one. I owned a '99 A4 with over 100k on it, didn't have a problem. It was the most high quality feeling car I have ever owned. www.audiworld.com and www.audizine.com are both good BBS for Audis.

[TerryH]

Thanks Randy. I did talk to a local independent BMW garage owner. He also mentioned V-8/AT relationship.

The question now is if the radiator, trans, and other stuff has been replaced is the car back on the wanted list?

Did all models have a bunch of water pump, thermostat housing failures?

Every car is going to have some sort of bad rep. Obviously, replacing a trans is a biggie compared to a new water pump or radiator.

[Eric Coffey]

Pep, comfort, seats four, and less than $20k? I would be looking at E36 M3 4-doors (`97 & `98). If you can settle for a little less pep but the same 4-door comfort for a lot less $$, I would look into the E36 318i (5-spd). I had a `95 318i, and beat the piss out of it. It never gave me problems, and had over 200k on the clock when I sold it. Biggest expense was a clutch job, that replaced the original at around 160k! Even that was less than $1000. They are actually pretty peppy, handle great, and the brakes are phenomnal. Not to mention, 4-banger = less maintenace and GREAT gas mileage.