New Car

[Reenk Roink]

So I should graduate soon enough and my incredibly cool parents have given me a nice budget with to enjoy myself a bit and get a car!

Now the budget is quite generous, so I'm thinking to splurge a bit and get something really nice. I've been driving a 2005 Camry which is all good and functional, but I want to try one of those classy European cars like a Saab or Audi (the cheaper models of them - something $35K or less). Haven't done much research so I was wondering if someone else has one of these or another suggestion. Europeans, now is your chance to influence American life.

P.S: Please don't whine that I'm not buying American. I remember a couple years back I was eating at a Chinese Restaurant and this old guy said really loud something like "no American president has said it's unpatriotic to not buy American."

[Sarmatian]

When it comes to cars, it's a sensible decision not to buy American.

Secondly, Saab is not classy.

I'm not sure about prices of the European cars in the US but Audi A3 is always a sensible choice and you can buy a decent one for that price, possibly even A4. New Renault Megane is quite good and stylish also

Renault Megane

A3

If you wanna spend a little less, I thouroughly reccomend Kia Pro'ceed. I bought one and I'm extremely satisfied.

[drone]

Stay away from Saab, they were owned by GM and the badge got sold to a small auto company, Spyker. Their future is uncertain, to say the least. You might want to look at Volvo instead, but Ford is currently attempting to sell them to some Chinese firm soon, who knows what will happen. And Audis are just up-badged VWs, caveat emptor.

As a full blooded American, I would suggest ... a BMW 3-series or a nicer Japanese car like Nissan/Infinity or Honda/Acura. What sort of vehicle are you looking for: a classy sedan, sporty coupe, or something else? What is your driving style, and what are your needs?

[Reenk Roink]

Hmm thanks for the info about Saab, also it's not classy in Europe?

I'm looking for a sleek Sedan (A4 style, A3 is too stationwagonish), a coupe is too flashy, I like an elegant feel, a nice smooth drive, decent milage. I am looking at an Accord for a slightly less expensive solution.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Hmm thanks for the info about Saab, also it's not classy in Europe?

As with everything, people have different opinions. I have owned Saabs for many years and always found them very comfortable, reliable and reasonably interesting to drive. The 9-3 convertible is a nice car.

Saab, despite the ownership of GM, has always had a decent badge image in Europe. They are built in Trollhaetten by the same Swedish engineers that were making them before GM. Elegant feel, smooth drive etc, is a Saab certainly. Classy? Entirely subjective.

[Subotan]

Secondly, Saab is not classy.

It totally is. Saabs are sophisticated.

[Megas Methuselah]

Wow, what are you, rich or something? Just take the freaking bus.

[Andres]

If you're looking for good value for your money, then I'd suggest Skoda. If you want something that looks classy, go for the Skoda Superb. Skoda is much cheaper than Audi and BMW, but the quality is almost as good and allthough it's a matter of taste, I find the Skoda Superb very good looking.

Pics:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I'm driving a Skoda Fabia (yes, a cheap car; expensive cars are a complete waste of money) at the moment and I'm very happy with it.

[pevergreen]

Get a Holden.

http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles

[GeneralHankerchief]

I'm looking for a sleek Sedan (A4 style, A3 is too stationwagonish), a coupe is too flashy, I like an elegant feel, a nice smooth drive, decent milage. I am looking at an Accord for a slightly less expensive solution.

My mom drives an Accord, I've taken it out occasionally. Definitely recommended. Mileage is decent, although it's tough to notice for sure mainly because the fuel tank is so freaking big.

[Sarmatian]

If you're looking for good value for your money, then I'd suggest Skoda. If you want something that looks classy, go for the Skoda Superb. Skoda is much cheaper than Audi and BMW, but the quality is almost as good and allthough it's a matter of taste, I find the Skoda Superb very good looking.

Pics:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I'm driving a Skoda Fabia (yes, a cheap car; expensive cars are a complete waste of money) at the moment and I'm very happy with it.

I don't like Skodas. They're cheap, yes, but not that reliable and they're definitely not classy or stylish. Better to go for VW if he wants that sort of a car.

Hmm thanks for the info about Saab, also it's not classy in Europe?

I'm looking for a sleek Sedan (A4 style, A3 is too stationwagonish), a coupe is too flashy, I like an elegant feel, a nice smooth drive, decent milage. I am looking at an Accord for a slightly less expensive solution.

I'm not sure about Audi prices in the US, but with 35,000$, good A4 might be out of your price range, if you want to buy a new car. In my opinion it might be better to get A3 with full package equipment than A4 that's missing even a sound system. If you can get one with decent stuff in it, go for it by all means.

If I were you, I'd look for a used car, let's say several years old BMW 3-series. Several years and 50,000-150,000 km is nothing for a BMW, with proper maintenance, you can get more than half a million km from it. You wouldn't even spend your entire budget, you could get a car with a strong engine and great equipment that is reliable and stylish. Of course, there are risks, but if you know a good mechanic who can check the car for you, there's not much to worry about. Also, since the car would be awesome and wouldn't look like it's straight out of the factory, you would be seen more as a "knower" than a "spender", but that's just me.

If you don't like used cars, go for Audi, no mistake there. If you don't like the new Megane, Peugeot 308 might be also worth considering. New Peugeot diesel engines are quite good, almost the quality of German ones. Get a 308 hdi and you're ready to go anywhere you want.

[Andres]

I don't like Skodas. They're cheap, yes, but not that reliable and they're definitely not classy or stylish. Better to go for VW if he wants that sort of a car.

Skoda is VW, but cheaper.

Skoda is no longer the rubbish it used to be in the seventies-eighties. Nowadays, it are very reliable cars. I'm driving one myself and unless something changes drastically, I'll probably keep buying Skoda for the rest of my life. I fell in love.

[Louis VI the Fat]

WHAT OF THE POLAR BEARS ARE NONE OF YOU THINKING OF THE POLAR BEARS

[Sigurd]

Forget about SAAB ... Swedish and crappy. Sorry, but that is the general notion here.
Audi = good looks but expect lot of garage time.
Volvo = great, but been there done that in several iterations. Boring.

If I would have chosen a car today, a brand new one, I would go for BMW. German craftsmanship at its best.
I don't know what they go for in the States, but you get original factory guaranty even if you chip it.
Chain trimming belt is a plus (never have to change it) and I know; my rubber trimming belt snapped last year and the engine was smashed to pieces.

BMW 335i Coupe would be my choice if I were young.
Today I would go for the brand new 5 series, but here in Norway the starting price for this baby would be around $84 000.

[Sigurd]

WHAT OF THE POLAR BEARS ARE NONE OF YOU THINKING OF THE POLAR BEARS

[Subotan]

WHAT OF THE POLAR BEARS ARE NONE OF YOU THINKING OF THE POLAR BEARS

[Lemur]

I want to try one of those classy European cars like a Saab or Audi (the cheaper models of them - something $35K or less).

One of the nicest things about Audis, BMWs and Benzes is that they lose value very quickly as compared to the Japanese sedans. Even better, there are lots of idiots who lease them for three years and dump them back on the dealer. For a well-built car three years is nothing.

By way of example, my BMW 3 would have been about $40k brand new with all of its options. I picked it up when some dentist/lawyer dumped it at the end of its 3-year lease for closer to $20k, and it was in perfect condition. And nobody makes a nicer 4-door sedan than BMW.

I realize it isn't your money, so the value proposition isn't as compelling as it ought to be, but please, buy used. It makes so much more sense. And high-end dealers offer fresh warranties on their used cars. (My BMW, for example, got a new 3-year/100k warranty when I bought it.)

[InsaneApache]

If you want a fun ride with plenty of zip and good fuel economy you could do worse than a BMW mini. I got one for the missus a couple of years back and drove it more than she did. Fabulous.

[Lemur]

Mmmm ... Mini Cooper ... if I didn't have two kids I would so have that car ...



... and it's supposed to be super-tall-guy-friendly. Lots of headroom up front. Wheee!

[Ronin]

I bought this at the end of last year.

Skoda Octavia Elegance.

[drone]

Holdens, Skodas, and Peugeots are not generally available in the US. Let's see if I can rattle off the main badges sold here...

Honda/Acura
Toyota/Lexus/Scion
Nissan/Infiniti
Mazda
Suzuki (maybe only motorcycles now)
Subaru
Mitsubishi
Isuzu (maybe not anymore)
Kia/Hyundai
Jaguar/Land Rover
BMW/Mini
Mercedes
VW/Audi
Porsche
Volvo
Saab
Ford/Lincoln/Mercury
Chevrolet/Buick/Cadillac/GMC
Chrylser/Dodge/Jeep
Tesla

Plus most of the fancy stuff like Lambos, Bentleys, etc.

I'm a Honda guy, so I would be biased towards the nicer Accords and Acura sedans, but Sarmatian and Lemur have an excellent point about used BMWs. Look for one fresh off a 3 year lease, you can probably find a really high-end one for your price range.

[Sarmatian]

Skoda is VW, but cheaper.

... and worse. Just because VW owns Skoda doesn't mean they're the same. I'm not saying it's a bad car, but I don't like it and it is definitely not classy, which is what reenk wants.

Mmmm ... Mini Cooper ... if I didn't have two kids I would so have that car ...

... and it's supposed to be super-tall-guy-friendly. Lots of headroom up front. Wheee!

Oh, yeah. Was my first choice as well last year but I couln't find a good used one in Serbia so I endep up getting Kia Pro'ceed.

[Lemur]

Sarmatian and Lemur have an excellent point about used BMWs. Look for one fresh off a 3 year lease, you can probably find a really high-end one for your price range.

This is what ~$20k gets you if you play it smart:



(Yes, that's the actual Lemurmobile around the time I bought it. AWD, winter package, convenience package, all of the trimmings. Like I said earlier, it would have been $40k minimum had I bought new.)

And the 7 series depreciate even faster. Por ejemplo, a 2006 BMW 7-series sedan can be had for as low as $21,575. If that ain't a bargain I don't know what is. Of course, the 7 series gets terrible mileage and costs a pretty penny to maintain, so I would steer clear of it. But please be conscious of the luxo-end deals that are available.

-edit-

And if I may chime in: Agreed, avoid Saab like the plague.

High-end brands that actually mean something: Acura, Lexus, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Cadillac, Infiniti

High-end brands that are questionable: Saab, Hummer, Lincoln, Jaguar, Land Rover, all "Sport Activity Vehicles"

Bespoke cars that are silly expensive and make no sense unless you have money to burn: Porsche, Lambo, Aston Martin, etc.

[Ronin]

... and worse. Just because VW owns Skoda doesn't mean they're the same. I'm not saying it's a bad car, but I don't like it and it is definitely not classy, which is what reenk wants.

Ohhh RLY?

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...682530,00.html

German auto giant Volkswagen is having trouble with its subsidiary Skoda. Not only are profits down at the Czech-based automaker, but its cars are now competing directly with VW models -- and in some cases are beating them in road tests.

On the topic....I heard that the Ford Focus European model is going to start being sold in the US....it is an amazing car and if a nice budget is available I´d go for one of the top versions.

[Subotan]

Um, Skodas aren't Yugos. They're good cars now.

[InsaneApache]

Bought a brand spanker BMW 316ti eight years ago. Great car, stuck to the road like it was glued on, even when cornering at speed. Loads of stuff on the steering wheel so you don't have to take your hands off to change the CD or turn on the air con. They do depreciate like a stone though. I think I 'lost' £3000 just driving it off the forcourt.

I liked the Mini better though. It's a really fun car to drive.

[drone]

High-end brands that are questionable: Saab, Hummer, Lincoln, Jaguar, Land Rover, all "Sport Activity Vehicles"

Saabs are nice, and had a good rep here in the States. But not knowing if Spyker will be able to maintain a US presence (and hence parts/maintanence) is enough to be wary. Hummer is toast. Jag and LR got sold to the Indian company Tata (insert favorite breast joke here) Motors 2 years ago, so who knows what's going to happen. Apart from being American, not sure why Lincoln is on the list, Ford's quality has improved recently. Not that I would ever buy one...

Bespoke cars that are silly expensive and make no sense unless you have money to burn: Porsche, Lambo, Aston Martin, etc.

The Boxsters are vaguely affordable. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the 911, I just wish they had kept the whaletail.

[Vuk]

Mmmm ... Mini Cooper ... if I didn't have two kids I would so have that car ...



... and it's supposed to be super-tall-guy-friendly. Lots of headroom up front. Wheee!

This is the only small car I would ever drive by choice.
And Reenk Roink, forget all the silly European crap , buy Ford. Get a Crown Victoria while you still can! It is as roomy as you will ever get, stands up in a crash better than any of the cars you have been looking at, is one of the most reliable cars ever made (I know a guy who has over 350 on his and it still runs great. He has had to replace the Head gaskets twice and the coils once, but other than that, just routine maintenance), has good performance, and is as sexy as heck.

[Secura]

Om nom nom nom nom!

That car makes me wish I could drive. And had £2,500+ to spend. It's pretty sleek, quite stylish and quite affordable if you're not a student hovering on the poverty line. Of course, Jeremy Clarkson is probably going to pop up and slap my face while shouting something about women knowing nothing about cars.


EDIT: Just realised that the image is from a website called carsforgirls as well, hahaha.

[A Nerd]

Rear-wheel drive is terrible in the winter. I bought a honda...wish I had splurged and bought a used BMW though! :(