Thread: Buy me a car!

1997+ Toyota 4 Runner.

I'm also in CO and have had an '04 4Runner since new. I would by another in a heartbeat.

You went from having $160 (or something like that) in your account, to a few days later having a 10k-15k budget for a car?

You could go with a G35 or a lexus IS. Japenese cars hold up better than european ones. These 2 in particular are also very fun cars and I think they both offered an AWD version.

Lincoln MKZs/zephers are nice cars too. Not as sporty but frontwd or awd and would handle better in the snow and ice.

Last but not least an Audi A4 might be an option to consider. However it is less reliable.

Originally Posted by Mike39

Was going to post this on the "Thinking about buying a used luxury car but didn't want to hijack the thread)

So I am finally getting around to buying my first car (turned 16 5 months ago..). my budget is 10k-15k (no higher). My mom keeps showing me camry's and rav-4's (ick), most of them have around 70k, I keep thinking that there are decent mercs with similar price and mileage (yes, a little older though). Here are my dilemmas:

-I would like to get one without emptying out my wallet for every repair bill, can used mercs come with a decent maintenance plans? I probably wouldn't put that many miles on it, I am going to trade it in as soon as I can afford something a little more recent (hopefully sometime in the next year or 2)

-I live in Colorado, it snows a lot in the winter, I can't have anything with higher HP and rear wheel drive, would prefer something with 4 wheel drive but 2 wheel f or b works just as well as long as it doesn't have to many ponies.

-preferably not an SUV as I would love one but with gas prices these days, a higher mpg car would be smarter

-I am completely fine driving anything 2000's+ with no more miles than aound 100k

So, that is my criteria for picking a car, I REALLY like mercs but am open to any suggestions for a more luxury car (please no prius suggestions), any ideas come to mind?


Look forward to your responses,
Mike

You are 16 years old? Are you operating a fastlane business that will buy this car for you? Have you sold your first fastlane business and pocketed seven figures?

If yes, congratulations and buy whatever car you want!

If no, buy the most inexpensive car you can that will get you where you need to go (& safely) and save the rest of the money for your business.

Sincerely,

The 35 year old you

Originally Posted by RichKid

You went from having $160 (or something like that) in your account, to a few days later having a 10k-15k budget for a car?

Ya, I didn't tell you my business was taking off? (read below)


Sorry guys I should have explained, my parents have decided it would be beneficial to buy me a car, they are tired of me needing to have to take their cars places haha, I still only have about $700 now personally but hopefully that will change in a couple weeks!

(no, they will not take that 10k and put it into one of my business ideas, I would love that but it ain't gonna happen)

So your parents are buying a car, and you want a luxury car with an expensive repair cycle? This sounds like a horrible idea. You don't need to look cool, you need something that works all the time.

I also own an 04 4runner. I would get another if i lost this one.

Personally I would go with the Lincoln.

Cars for Sale: 2008 Lincoln MKZ AWD in Naugatuck, CT 06770: Sedan Details - 320465171 - AutoTrader.com

Boom that is a nice 12k car. Very professional. I realize it is nowhere near your location but they can be had.

It is basically a ford fusion underneath and therefore extremely reliable, cheap and easy to fix.

Get a Honda, Toyota, or Nissan.

Ok, hold on......... You are 16 and you want a Mercedes?? Ask yourself this. What is your goal? To look cool? Because in a Mercedes you will look like you are driving daddy’s car. Who is paying for the insurance? Who is paying for repairs? Are mom and dad ok with you driving a nicer car then them? (unless they both own Mercedes? ) Listen kid, be smart and get something nice and reliable. Go make your millions and buy whatever car you like on your dime. Maybe if you don’t spend too much of your parents money they will realize they have a mature responsible child on their hands and would be willing to invest some money in your business. Would you let your 16 yr old son buy a Mercedes on your dime?

I didn't get a car at 16. I don't have a car now, and I'm doing alright. Just saying.

Mike, I don't think you should settle on a car you don't like for the sake of being young. If it is within your price range, buy the car that you like the best, just don't be stupid and buy a Benz with 100k miles on it.

You should spend your alloted money on the car you like the best as long as it is not a money pit.

To not get a nicer brand just because you are young is dumb.

That said, my dad took me shopping for OLD benzes when I was 16. I looked at 92-93 E's and S's. Why? because they are SAFE and he was fine helping me with the maintenance (financially and physically). I ended up getting a 94 Town Car from my grandma in pristine condition because she was no longer in a condition to drive. Started a mobile detailing business and traded it for a 06 Xterra about a year and a half later. I still drive that truck, it is beat to shit and I love it.

Originally Posted by oddball

Get a Honda, Toyota, or Nissan.

^^THIS

At the beginning of your entrepeneurial career you don't need bling. You need set-it-and-forget-it reliability and low cost of ownership. When your car breaks down (and sooner or later it will), you don't want the repair bill to derail your fledgling business.

Your Benz may be appropriate at some point in your life, but this is not it.

Honda, Toyota, or Nissan.

Guess this can also mean: Acura, Lexus or Infiniti...

American vehicles are cheaper to repair and are almost as reliable as Japanese vehicles. That said I would go with a Ford or Toyota product.

If you are going to get a Benz make sure you factor a carchex warranty into the price. They are usually 1500-2500.

One more thing, you could lease a huge cheapie for a really long time for that. Think fiesta, fit, and sentra. You could get a new car every 3 years for almost a decade lol.

I convinced my mom to take a look at the 4runner, well see what the insurance guy says

Originally Posted by Mike39

I convinced my mom to take a look at the 4runner, well see what the insurance guy says

Looked at those for the girlfriend. The problem is in your price range they all have quite a few miles. We settled on a jeep commander.

Originally Posted by Kak

Looked at those for the girlfriend. The problem is in your price range they all have quite a few miles. We settled on a jeep commander.

Doesnt matter. Even with high miles, my car still looks and runs like new. There is a reason they have the reputation they do. I think after 4 years my car is sitting at the same value as what i paid for it. Mainly because of the used car shortage and all but still.

If im not mistaken biophase has a 4runner as well, and MJ has or had a tacoma, lol.

Not nocking the 4 runner, They are great SUVs and I wish I had one. I'm just saying a newer commander with 75k less miles on it will be the better deal. That is 5 years of use.

I have to call bullshit on the value after 4 years thing.... You must have got the best deal ever.