Most Rewarding Car for under $20k?

[LakeCleElum]

Agree with Denis, Jetta TDI or Mazda ...... Maybe not luxury, but a great driving experience.

[Jim Richards]

Can you find a late model Cadillac CTS for < $20k?

[Rick V]

Throw in another vote for the Mazda line up

[SiberianDVM]

I'd look for a 2006-2008 Acura TL Type-S. Test drove one a couple of years ago and it was very nice, and also fast. I should have bought one instead of my RSX Type-S, but I'm not a 4 door kind of guy.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Can you find a late model Cadillac CTS for < $20k?

Yes, you can get a 2008-2009 CTS with 50-65K miles for under $20K

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Yes, you can get a 2008-2009 CTS with 50-65K miles for under $20K

IMO, this would be an excellent choice to meet all of the OP's requirements stated in post #1.

[BRPORSCHE]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Is 19 MPG in the city close enough? At least take one for a spin... it won't measure up to an E39, but it might be a fun, capable car for what you need.

2006 Mazda 6 - Top Speed

Hmm I actually own this car. It's fun (zoom zoom) and I get 32 mpg on the highway when I drive it soft, but it also handles extremely well.

It has 4 doors, gets good gas mileage and you should be able to find a 2008-2009 well below your price range. It's the smaller body style and much easier on the eyes.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Noah930

That's a dangerous mentality to have for a young'un. My 2 cents, for what they're worth.

Not saying you should drive a crapbox. As you're in sales, as others have mentioned, the vehicle you drive may give your clients an impression on your abilities (fair or not). But sometimes you also have to separate--to a certain degree--vehicles for fun and vehicles for work.

Excellent advice. I have a company car (I own the company) and decided on a new Toyota Venza three or so years ago...it is a complete Milquetoast auto but it has all the things I wanted in a company car: plenty of storage capacity for luggage, great a/c, sat radio, good in city traffic, easy to park, etc. 60K miles later and all is well.

In my line of work I deal with a lot of civil servants and military, often taking them places in the Venza, etc. I have seen other business owners make the mistake of having too nice a car: Some of the GS folks and military are NOT car folks and think a luxury car is silly and that it reflects poorly on the owner of the car.

I don't agree at all, but know your audience.

Also, in certain parts of the country a "foreign car" is not a positive.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

it won't measure up to an E39, but it might be a fun, capable car for what you need.

Given the OP's location, I would not recommend a 6 unless he's cool with having rust issues in a couple years time.
At least that's been the experience with the 3 in our family, and the 6s of a couple extended family members in the Chicago area.
Great cars otherwise...

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by seahawk

also, in certain parts of the country a "foreign car" is not a positive.

+1

[gprsh924]

Lots of interesting input and advice so far. I will have to respond in detail tonight when I am on my computer.

When I bought my E39, I was looking hard at a Mazda 6 as well. It was a few years newer and had a few less miles, but was also a couple thousand more expensive. And after driving the cars back to back, it just really didn't compare.

As I said in my initial post, I know what the logical move is, i just have to decide if I want to be logical. It would be interesting to hear from any owners of some of the suggested cars about what type of $$ go into them from about 90k miles to 150k miles. Having had BMW's since 1993, I know what to expect there, for better or worse.

[onewhippedpuppy]

This would be my list:

Mazdaspeed 3
Mazdaspeed 6
GTi
GLI
Pontiac G8 (360 HP auto GT or 402 HP 6-speed GXP)
Audi A4
BMW per prior comments
Volvo S60R
Saab 9-5 Aero (you can steal these right now)
Mazda RX8 (does it count as a four door?)
Chrysler 300 SRT-8
Dodge Charger SRT-8
Subaru WRX/WRX STi
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Subaru Legacy GT - grown up STi

That's just a quick dump of my brain, cars that have four doors and should be $20k or less. Obviously it runs the variety gamut. I included the WRX and Evo, but suspect that you'll find the interior to be cheap compared to your BMW. The Legacy as well as the Mazdas have a much more upmarket interior than the WRX/Evo.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Excellent advice. I have a company car (I own the company) and decided on a new Toyota Venza three or so years ago...it is a complete Milquetoast auto but it has all the things I wanted in a company car: plenty of storage capacity for luggage, great a/c, sat radio, good in city traffic, easy to park, etc. 60K miles later and all is well.

In my line of work I deal with a lot of civil servants and military, often taking them places in the Venza, etc. I have seen other business owners make the mistake of having too nice a car: Some of the GS folks and military are NOT car folks and think a luxury car is silly and that it reflects poorly on the owner of the car.

I don't agree at all, but know your audience.

Also, in certain parts of the country a "foreign car" is not a positive.

This is the best advice. If you're in sales and the clients are going to see your car, (or even worse, ride in it), make the image issue the #1 concern. Find the most tolerable solution that makes the right image. Late-model, nice but not too nice, quiet and bland is best. Even the color should be attractive but not attention-seeking.

For non-car people, all they look at is the age of the car and if they think it's silly or reflects immaturity.

[kaisen]

If you're struggling with the logical versus emotional, I find the best thing to do (when it comes to cars) is put a price tag on it. Know what it costs to follow your heart. Sometimes you'll be surprised at how little it costs, sometimes how much.

Here's what I would recommend (purely logical) to a client in your situation:

Buy a long-term-rental return 2011 Nissan Altima 2.5S from Hertz or Avis business logistics in Chicago. I can buy a nice one with ~36-40K miles for about $13K, delivered. They typically have new tires by that point. They're very nice cars and a lot more fun to drive than most in that class.

Take out a 48 month loan for $10K at 3%. You'd have a $220 monthly payment. I know you can afford more, that's not the point.

According to official EPA ratings, 30,000 miles per year of 70% freeway driving calculates to a $3,850 annual ($320/mo) fuel cost at $3.60 gallon regular gasoline. Compare this to the $5,500 annual ($460/mo) fuel cost of your current 530i using premium (as BMW requires) at $3.85/gal. That means you'd be saving $140/mo in fuel.

Three years from now, May 2015, you'll sell the car with 128K miles for $6,500 as some kid's graduation present (this isn't a WAG, this is pretty accurate). You'll still owe about $3,300, so you're basically recovering the money you're now injecting as a down payment.

Then do it again.

Meanwhile, you're saving money compared to what you *think* you'd like to do ($20K 2008 328i with 55K miles?) in terms of interest, fuel, insurance, repairs, maintenance, and depreciation. Put that money towards a fun hobby car that you can enjoy on weekends and playdays (or date nights). Even if it means taking out a loan, remember you're saving $125/mo in fuel compared to where you're at right now. Maybe even saving in payment -- how much more than $220/mo are you paying now?

OR

Follow your heart and get what you want, keeping in mind the opportunity cost of $220/mo payment and $320/mo fuel.

Ironically, as I've pointed out before, it wouldn't be cheaper to buy a $20K Jetta TDI and replicate the same scenario.

YMMV

[Hydrocket]

Personally, any car not RWD should be off the list, and AWD cars just barely on the list. Sorry...every FWD car I've driven sucked. Even the vaunted GTI.

[SeanPizzle]

Lexus GS300/430. you can pick up an 06 or 07 for about 20K. Nice ride for sales. take the miles well.

[gprsh924]

Eric, yes the decision will ultimately come down to how much value I put on having a "nice" car.

Anyone actually own any of the cars mentioned with 100k+ miles that talk about first hand experience?

[VincentVega]

Here's what I would recommend (purely logical) to a client in your situation

That's damn good advice.

[Hugh R]

Look at KBB.com, I think they've added some features about cost of ownership.

I looked at a Hyundai a few years ago (new) and what drove me away was the cost of collision insurance, it was so much more than a Toyota, like double.

I was in Vancouver, B.C. last week and drove a rental Ford Taurus SEL. It was a really nice looking car inside and out. The Microsoft Sync stuff and the pressure sensitive dash buttons were cool.

[89911]

Quit kidding yourself, you want another BMW! Here's one locally but I'm sure a search in your area will produce the same:

Cars for Sale: 2007 BMW 335i w/ Premium Package in New Castle, PA 16101: Sedan Details - 321361092 - AutoTrader.com

I'm sure you could get it around 20k with some sweet talkin! The 335 is a great engine and very underated. A couple of mods with the turbo can produce more power then $1000's on a Porsche. If you buy anything else, you will one day realize its not a BMW and continue your search.