Need your help , buying a DD,and 1 yr. to retirement

[vahena]

Hello Guys, need some help with buying a DD, and 1yr. out from retirement.
My problem is I cant seem to find the right car for me as I am a car guy, I have a 92 Porsche 964 garage queen, in which I will be selling in the near future. which has nothing to do with my DD.
I am looking at a 13,ooo figure as they are all throw away cars. Looking at a 2006 Jeep grand cherokee 68,000 miles from a reputable dealer, nice condition, clean car-fax. also I know, not comparing apples to apples, a 2003 Jag xj8 with 48,000 miles at the same price,nice condition also. I like a big car as I am now driving a 1999 Mercedes Benz E320 AWD, love the look,drive and feel of the car but time to trade it in.
anyone have a better car to recommend at that price range but stylish and fun to drive, easy on repairs and best buy for the buck, please no girly cars please.
Well you get the point, do I go with a stylish jag or the practical jeep, or is there something else out there that has some of the above.
Thanking anyone in advance for your help.

[Rick V]

Mazda has a decent line up and they are a lot of fun.

[Skytrooper]

A year out of retirement I wouldn't do anything. Your needs will change drastically. Finish out the year with what you have and after retirement, reaccess your situation and buy accordingly. I drive an '84 BMW 528e which suits my needs perfectly.

[scottmandue]

Gas mileage should be a consideration... at least if it were me.

I would keep the 964 for a fun driver and get a Hyundai or Kia SUV with a 10 year warranty.

[creaturecat]

Sheesh, a Jeep or a Jag?
You gotta be able to do better than that.

[jyl]

Not really possible to say, not enough information.

Do you have snow, mud, big and dirty things to haul, that argue for the Cherokee? Do you have a favorite British car mechanic whose kids need college tuition, that argues for the Jag?

[Zeke]

He might be wanting to finance although he has the 964. That may be the reason to buy now.

Some here buy out of a rental fleet rather than paying retail. Contact out member kaisen for some info on the subject in general.

BTW, your choice of Jeep or Jag are not the most maintenance free cars available. Ask me how I know.

[kaisen]

Thanks Milt

You didn't give us much info. Where do you live? What are your hobbies? How are you built?.... are you 6'5" 300 lbs? How many miles a year will you drive? City? Freeway? Stop and go? Will this be the only car in the garage? More information on needs and wants will help all of us, collectively, give you better advice.

$13K is plenty to buy a good car.

I wouldn't think that a 2006 Grand Cherokee or 2003 Jaguar would be the best choices. There are a lot of good cars out there.

[vahena]

Thanks everyone for your replys,
I have considered mileage as my Benz gets 28 to 30 if I drive right, a jeep is 18,or 19 highway and the Jag is well you know. I am 6'3" tall 225 lbs. I live in west chester Pa. and I mostly drive highway.I only need a 6 cyl. car or SUV as I do carry things from time to time. And we will be using it for DD and going out dressed up.
Was looking at the VW Touareg, what do you guys think of them ?
My wife has a 1999 miata that she loves, but I don't fit in the car,so we take my car everywhere.
I guess I can say that I need an SUV, as I am a construction superintendent that travels allot, also we haul allot of stuff, flee markets,the beach ,cars,bird watching, shooting and adventures trips.
I am trying to get the best of both worlds with only 1 ride , I want to trade in the Benz and the rest cash.
Hope this helps you guys, help me as this is driving me crazy.I am attaching a photo of my Benz as I love the looks ,drive,and the gas mileage, and style of the car
Thanks everyone

[Dueller]

I would rrecommend a BMW 235/528/530 wagon, 2wd with the sport package. Early to mid 2000 models are available well maintained with sub 100K on odo for well withing your price range.

To me the wagon handles better than the sedan, you have the benefits of SUV cargo space, get close to 30 mpg highway, etc. I've gone thru 3 of them over the last 15 years...all purchased in the 80K mile range and gotten 250K+ miles without any major problems other than routine maintenance like shocks/struts/brakes (at the 125-150K mile mark). Plus the wagons are usually 2$2-3K less than a comparable sedan.

[kaisen]

I'd consider a front-drive based (AWD or 2WD) crossover cute-ute, either with a V6 or 4 cylinder.
Something like a Honda CRV or Pilot, Toyota RAV4 or Highlander, Hyundai Sante Fe or Veracruz, KIA Sportage, Ford Escape or Edge, Saturn VUE, Lexus RX, etc.

They're easy to get in/out of at your height, natural chair-like seating position, and they're less complicated and get better gas mileage than rear-drive/4x4 SUVs.

[Erakad]

Amazing, exactly what I'm going through. Have a 2007 RAV4, good car, but am looking for either another SUV, or more likely sedan/wagon. Have thought about a 2005/2006 Mercedes diesel, but would really prefer a wagon. I like the recommendations on the BMWs Jim, but am also looking at Passants, or Audis as well. Looked at Highlanders on the web last night, a lot more cargo space and not much more in $$$s.

[Heel n Toe]

$13.9K ... 63K miles

GR Auto Gallery

[pavulon]

At 6'3, I don't think you're gonna like getting in and out of the Touareg. I'm 6' and had to get in a Cayenne last week..."low bridge" city. Getting in and out of my Jetta wagon is much easier (but lower).

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by Skytrooper

A year out of retirement I wouldn't do anything. Your needs will change drastically. Finish out the year with what you have and after retirement, reaccess your situation and buy accordingly. I drive an '84 BMW 528e which suits my needs perfectly.

Skytrooper makes a lot sense. You will have a lot more time to look at cars when you are retired. You may likely think differently when u retire, different hobbies etc. I am retired, have had a Boxster for a year and look at cars ads. daily. Mind u I only dream about another car.......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[vahena]

Thanks guys, allot of good information going on here,checking everything out as it comes in .I did not know, some of these models existed.
Keep them coming, this is really helping us out .
Thanks to everyone.

[wdfifteen]

The closer I get to retirement the more I think about the P-cars for fun and a pickup for a DD. I like my Toyota Tundra, and the company Silverado too.

[HHI944]

I love jags......but 03 is the 4.0 engine with plastic timing chain tensioner.......if this hasn't been updated, it is generally catastrophic...

[aigel]

I'd buy a wagon instead of an SUV unless you need AWD and ground clearance. Most the small SUVs don't hold much cargo. Gas is only going to go up.

If a new or <2 year car was an option, I'd recommend a Jetta wagon TDI.

G

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by aigel

If a new or <2 year car was an option, I'd recommend a Jetta wagon TDI.

My 2009 TDI DSG wagon has been a fuel and service only car so far (just turned 40K summer and highway only miles). Admittedly, that is a pretty cushy life for a WI car.