If you had 30K to spend on a car new or used what would it be

[Jegan_V]

Hmmm perhaps I'm weird, I was tired of normal cars. I drive a lot of normal cars at work and very few are of any interest to me. Its why I got the FRS in the first place. That said if I wanted a better all rounder, I want a sports sedan(preferably wagon but these days none exist), I want to sit relatively low and have fun despite the practical body. I'm thinking the new WRX would fit the bill fine, so few sports sedans have a manual but that one does.

[try2findmark]

JZX100 Chaser

[gramicci101]

A 4x4 Tacoma, crew cab, as late a year as I could get for $30k. Perfect complement vehicle to my BRZ.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by mfbmike

996 911 turbo.

+1, or an earlier 997. I might be biased coming from a clunky convertible but Porsches are extremely comfortable IMO.

[Shagaliscious]

Originally Posted by xia

FJ Cruiser

I would love to have a FJ as a second vehicle.

[jdmblood]

e46 m3

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by Jegan_V

Hmmm perhaps I'm weird, I was tired of normal cars. I drive a lot of normal cars at work and very few are of any interest to me. Its why I got the FRS in the first place. That said if I wanted a better all rounder, I want a sports sedan(preferably wagon but these days none exist), I want to sit relatively low and have fun despite the practical body. I'm thinking the new WRX would fit the bill fine, so few sports sedans have a manual but that one does.

Not a manual, but sport wagons do exist.

[strat61caster]

$30k for a shiny new all-rounder that doesn't put you to sleep? WRX it is.

But that's the boring answer. If you took away my two cars and gave me $30k (more than they're worth, I'd only protest out of sentiment, oh boy I would protest hard) here's what I would buy:

1991 Nissan D21 King Cab Pickup (what I currently have) let's budget $3k as I do want the 5 speed and air conditioning again.
1983 Mazda RX-7 bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz $5k for some flexibility
AW11 MR-2, again $5k for flexibility, NA for simplicity
2003 Mazda Protege5, $6k for this one, practical 4-door hatch goodness

That leaves $10k for me to make sure they all run properly, pay tax title license, insurance, and to find a new place with at least a 2 car garage all to myself.

Originally Posted by Jegan_V

That said if I wanted a better all rounder, I want a sports sedan(preferably wagon but these days none exist), I want to sit relatively low and have fun despite the practical body. I'm thinking the new WRX would fit the bill fine, so few sports sedans have a manual but that one does.

2005-2006 Subaru Legacy Wagon GT with a MT has 250 horses, tips the scales at just a bit over 3,000 lbs and beats the FR-S 0-60 by a hair, can be had for less than $15k



Alternatively Mercedes AMG Wagons are scarce but they do exist, I've got a friend with one although AT, not sure how prevalent MT's are. Just went to craigslist and here's this beast with 469 horses, just a touch outside the limit of our discussion:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/ctd/4620607633.html

Although a manual you might find it in your heart to forgive it's sins...

[Shagaliscious]

Wow, I can't believe I didn't think of it before, considering 2 of my buddies have one.

3rd Gen TL Type-S. IMO one of the best looking sedans. The stock wheels are sexy too.

[DarkSunrise]

Lots of choices for a more refined, sporty car that will seat 4 comfortably.

New: GTI, WRX, FoST

Used: Golf R, E60 M5, S4, CTS-V, STI hatch

Italicized cars would be my top choices.

[tYtEn86]

For me its either a car with great gas or a truck with crew cab, I havd been reading up on 2015 subaru legacy, starting around 26k awd 4 doors 36 mpg. Or something hybrid like a prius, but I think I rather have awd for safety.

[gymratter]

Z4 or SLK

[Jegan_V]

Originally Posted by dem00n

Not a manual, but sport wagons do exist.

The Volvo V40 though isn't sold here, strangely not even the S40 is available. I know they exist in Europe by the tons where even the Focus has a wagon version in addition to the hatchback, I definitely prefer them over the sedans we get here.

Originally Posted by strat61caster

2005-2006 Subaru Legacy Wagon GT with a MT has 250 horses, tips the scales at just a bit over 3,000 lbs and beats the FR-S 0-60 by a hair, can be had for less than $15k



Alternatively Mercedes AMG Wagons are scarce but they do exist, I've got a friend with one although AT, not sure how prevalent MT's are. Just went to craigslist and here's this beast with 469 horses, just a touch outside the limit of our discussion:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/ctd/4620607633.html

Although a manual you might find it in your heart to forgive it's sins...

I actually was thinking of buying a Legacy GT back in 2011, I even wanted that version of the Legacy wagon. I just didn't have enough money at the time with the cars being offered, so I settled for a high mileage but clean Impreza 2.5RS. I was even willing to accept the sedan which are more common, but again it didn't turn out to be. Of course with used cars, after I got my Impreza 2 months later, I see a Legacy GT wagon, with an MT, in the colour I wanted and a price I could afford...if only I was willing to be car-less for another 2 months(was car-less already for 2 months).

As for the Merc E63, I'm pretty sure none had a manual as even the C63 doesn't have one. I just did a quick search to see if any E63 AMG wagons were available and I did...only it cost $93K. I think they're fantastic, however even if they came down in price to the below $30K range...I feel if you buy a used car you best be prepared to maintain a vehicle according to its MSRP. I know for sure I can't afford to maintain a AMG Mercedes nor a BMW M car, that's the only minus I see out of these.

[Celadrielas]

Honestly? If you took my twin and told me to go buy a "fun eco box -- New or Used", I would Buy some bullshit boring car for as little as possible to have running great, and then use the rest to pay of debts and put a down on a condo for myself. This is because I am going through a legal separation with my (now) ex-fiance and the cost to split up the bills alone is rediculous, then add find a new place to live, fuel, insurance, and the different car... The money could get else where and I'd be a lot happier.

As it is, I got my FRS appraised at $17,500 at a dealer just in case -- offer in writing -- so I could haggle for a cheaper car if I landslide into hell. and if I do need to, I am buying the cheapest reliable car on the lot.

Life changes pretty quickly, it seems and at 30 years old, I need to remain responsible with any income -- Free money or not.