Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Car shopping round #10293

As many of you know, I ran into some car problems on Monday which is prompting another round of me trying to figure out which car I want to get next.

This time, however, I'm pretty low on ideas. Nothing out there seems to suit me or my budget so I'm opening it up to people in general to suggest something that I might have missed

Criteria:

  • At most $30k out the door. I might go as high as $35k, but there would have to be a good reason for the premium. I just don't like the idea of having something so expensive out there that any idiot in a Prius can ruin by running into it!
  • Something classy, maybe a bit of luxury
  • Not one of those "fresh college grad" cars like the Honda Civic, Fit, or VW Golf
  • Fun on the road -- don't suggest SUVs, trucks or minivans :P
  • No BMWs -- I've seen too many fall apart at year 3 once the factory warranty expires
  • I guess preferably a coupe, though these days I'm open to more
  • Also preferably new
Mmm... I think that's it for criteria... I've been considering a weird variety of cars, anything from the Audi A3 to the Nissan 370Z. I just can't narrow it down yet :(

Any ideas/suggestions?

7 comments:

Vanh said...

Based on your criteria, sounds like you already have cars in mind and you're just looking for reassurance!
-Luxury
-30-35k max
-Coupe (though A3 doesn't fit this!)
-Not BMW

That's kinda tough... to meet all those req's only leaves you... nothing that I can think of XD Something has got to give. Even 370Z and A3 are compromises. Can't really see Nissan as luxury and it'll run you over 30k out the door, and A3 not really coupe-ish (I almost see it as a wagon)

Some additional cars that I would personally look at which would meet some of those criteria (but not all) are:
- Lexus IS 250
- Subaru Impreza WRX
- Mini Cooper S
- BMW 1 Series
- Hyundai Genesis Coupe
- Inifiti G37

I haven't actually had any personal experience with any of those, but those are some of the ones I'd consider based on performance/price. I guess your own mileage may vary. As much as I would've like to spend more on a car, I ended up going cheaper. At the time I got my car I really wanted G35 or IS350, but they would have been 2x more than what I ended up with... and I just felt better having an extra 15k in my pocket. But you're rich, so you don't have to worry about any of that!

Ascule said...

Hmm... which car did you end up with Vanh? I'm also looking at the Toyota Prius and possibly the VW Jetta TDI. 30k was the upper limit, not lower xD

ash said...

wait until summer and get a cr-z!

http://cr-z.honda.com/photo-gallery/?gid=16

Solymir said...

I keep hearing good things about the Hyundai Genesis, but I don't have any personal experience.

Ascule said...

Hmm... Ashle might be on to something with the CR-Z. Somewhat sporty, still hybrid, 37MPG, fairly cheap...

I've checked out the Hyundai Genesis once... It's cheap and decent, except that the coupe version doesn't have navigation this year :( Still might look at it though

Vanh said...

I have a Scion TC. Roughly 19-20k out the door so it fit my budget.

I think most of the cars I listed meet your 30k limit, except the G37! Again, based on your criteria, there doesn't exist anything... except maybe a used car!

Ascule said...

Ooo... I should check out the TC. Seen that on the road a few times xD

Let's see... list of cars I have to check out are:
- Lexus IS 250
- Hyundai Genesis Coupe
- Scion TC
- Audi A3
- Acura TSX
- Wait for Honda CR-Z