Okay so im going to be getting my degree soon and I already have a good job lined up. I will be able to get a new car. So i was wondering what kind of cars to look at. Here is my check list of what I would like:
1.) Something Reliable (Not a Honda or Toyota)
2.) Made Soild
3.) Something fast
4.) something under $40k
5.) New or Used doesnt matter.

I won't be putting many miles on it so I doesn't have to have great MPG.

Thanks and Im looking forward to seeing what types of cars you guys would pick.
Only car that came to mind when I first thought about it was a M3

 

A MINI

 

Already have one...something for the weekends

 

A used S with $20k in mods

Might be able to pick up a used Elise for that kinda $$$ though,

E46
C5
STi
Used M5
Miata
GTI
Locost 7 (Britishly reliable though, at which point get a Classic!)

 

My first thought was S2000 or MR2 Spyder - but thats Honda and Toyota

My Second thought was a Saleen Mustang - but you want build quailty and reliability.

How about a motorcycle ?

Actually I think an M3 is about the perfect combination.......

 

Used Audi TT3.2 (the six cyl. eng.)
Honda S2000
Used Z06
Used M3
Used Porsche 911 carrera
????

 

Well, what do you want to do with it on the weekends? Do you want something with a completely different personality than your MINI? You wouldn't believe what $30-40k will get you in the lightly-used Mercedes market - How about a 2001 V12 S600 that was $125k when new? If you don't need that much, the S500 is 90% of the car for a LOT less money.

If you're looking for dedicated track toy, you could get a one-year old Lotus, as long as you don't mind that it's got a Toyota engine.

How old are you willing to go? There's a world of classic European and American collectibles in your price range (Have I mentioned that I have a 1972 Dodge Charger and 1972 Mercedes for sale right now?)

 

Your criteria has Mini written all over it. Get a Mini Cabriolet for something a little different.

OR

Something classic like a well restored MGB or MGA.

 

I want something in a new car market 2004-now.Ive done alittle looking around and here is my picks in order.
1.) Infiniti G35 (Power, syle, and reliablity)
2.) Audi TT 225hp (Turbo,Styl, and its a V-Dub! haha )
3.) Chysler Crossfire SRT-6 (Supercharged and stylish)
4.) BMW Z4 3.0i (Roadster and pretty good power)
5.) Pontiac GTO (400hp corvette Engine and good for the Money)

 

+1 for the 04 G 6MT with brembo's. but im a little(?) biased...
if you have some extra funds, you can really make that into a nice
weekend car.

 

Funny you should say that. Im going down right now to Cerritos Infiniti to look at a 2004 G35 Coupe with Brembo's and Navigation! 6 speed Manuel too ! only 24k miles and a price of $25k. If all goes well I might take it home haha.

 

biased.... I'd have never..... well maybe....yeah I almost expected that.

But perhaps instead of a weekend car you line up the job, keep the MINI and find a house with a garage to keep the MINI safe Not as fun but if you play you're cards right it could make you some money down the road.

 

Corvette Z06 is very reliable, fast and actually gets decent highway mileage
M3's aren't all that fast, sure they look great and have nice fit and finish, but you'll get spanked by the local srt4 kiddies and they WILL laugh at you as they go by (i use to)

Solid is pretty much anything expensive, it's all fairly solid nowadays unless you're going bottom of the line.

Define fast. I mean there's G35 fast (high 13's with a good driver), there'sZ06 fast (low-mid 12's with a good driver), high priced fast, like a Mercedes Benz S600 TT (high 11's out of the factory)...or Hayabusa fast, like only a custom car can give you, like my 400++ whp 2000 lb. Miata, 30+mpg, daily driver that gets sideways at 80-90mph, so which fast do you mean?

you won't get a used S600 but you can get a new Elise for around that money.

new? Lotus Elise.

Lotus Elise, great mileage, great reliability (toyota motor), looks, speed, attitude...hope you're not a fatso cause you ain't gettin' in or out of it.

If you're starting a family or just want to look 'pimp' go with a four door Benz, an S600 twin turbo will keep a huge smile on your face until the warranty runs out, at which point you will start to hate it. There's so many in that price range...it's a tough call, surely you must like something over the majority of other cars, the G35's are nice cars although they are EVERYWHERE, i myself like things you don't see on every corner, like sti's, evo's, M3's Cobra mustangs, etc...

 

that's a good deal! mines only got like 13k miles.


^^ hahaha

but yah, at age 22 or wat not, i would probably just do the one car
deal and save up to get a house. every little bit will help on a mortgage
down payment.

 

OK, I'm going to be the weird response...
Being over 50 and having bought LOTs of fun cars, new Alpha Spider, 2 new Bimmers, etc. I wish someone had told me to save my money and not throw it away on a depreciating things like a car...

Sorry, unless you can pay cash when you're first starting out, you wind up throwing money out the window to be "cool".

Your choice, but don't own a car worth more than 25% of your income in your car(s)

Sorry for being the old fuddy duddy...

Member of "old farts motoring club"

 

just got back from my Test Drive. The G35 is amazing. Great all around car. Im giving it some serious thought. I wont plan on buying till the end of summer. The guy kept trying to talk me into taking it home now, but I just can't. IT was on reduced price $23,500.

 

Free Advise

Keep the MINI, pay off some of your student loans, save for a house, the wheels can wait.

 

Im going to keep the Mini, I have a scholarship, and as for the house I have a savings account especially for that. I have the extra cash to play around with. If I do get the G35 im going to sell my 240sx track toy.

 

you only live once...make an impression.
the girls love a guy in a nice car and they WILL leave you with memories that'll last forever...well worth the extra $$$

 

I actually am just a car addict. In my young life ive had a Gmc Sierra, Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, Honda Civic Si, Two Mini's, Nissan 240sx Skyline Conversion and a Dodge Neon Srt-4. I only do it for myself and no one else. I love cars, its my passion.

 

Test-drive the Z4, J. My mom has one and it's FUN! (Yes, my mom!)

 

I already test-drove a M Coupe Z.. it was amazing. So was the price tag. I like the Z4 3.0i but it lacks from what the M has. I like the idea of the G35 because of the upgrades I can get. Thanks for the idea though Clo! I was thinking about another Mini an "s" this time pre-modded.

 

An MCS would be fun...why not get a cabrio?

 

Darn it Clo! I love the way you think!

 

no~ G35C is the way to go.

Jtrem- you sound like you have a plan... go for it. and yah,
its a fun car to tune, especially start with the suspension and the
car will feel even better without sacrificing comfort.

im looking at getting the next gen G coupe too. they have me
convinced. so they better deliver