$15,000 which car to buy?

[ExtremeSi]

I have my heart set on a couple cars, but I want to know what car people would buy if they had around $15,000-17,000?
Any thoughts are welcome, I just want to consider other options I may have overlooked and good reasons why
I'm generally into RWD or 4WD imports, but whatever people have to suggest could be interesting

[civicrider]

you should buy my 1997 audi 2.8 quattro :thumbsup:

[legacyturbo]

Well 15-17g's here will get you a nice late 90's BMW 325/328 those are never a bad choice in the 4wd category a subaru 2.5 rs is a nice car you can find one of them for a bit cheaper than 15g's and then mabee swap in a JDM version 6 STI engine and then you'll have one hell of a rocket ship because the 2.5 rs's are a few hundred pounds lighter then the present day sti's so definately not a bad choice there. those would be my choices also a quatro audi would be good too with a hoped up 1.8t engine then theres always the american choice of say a camaro with an LS1 engine if your looking for one of the fastest car for 15g's but again you said you like imports so ahh 300zx twin turbo would be a pretty awsome car as well depending on if you want a newer car or not.....then theres always the EBay import a car route which you can get into a WRX for around 16-17 after you get it here or an E36 m3 for about the same price.

[Hakkola]

Get a 92-94 Mercedes benz 500e/E500 I've seen them going from $12 000 to $23 000, should be able to find a good one for 15-17 000.

RWD, jointly built by Porsche and Mercedes, 325 HP. For the price you can't beat it.

The line was renamed E500 in 94 in addition to some minor bodywork changes. Special suspension, interior, and bodywork caused the price to skyrocket to approximately 80K (american) during its run. With 322HP and 354 lb-ft of torque on tap combined with 2.82 gearing caused 60 to come in less than 6 seconds and the car was electronically limited to 155. The W124 chassis was fortified with Porsche's help to ensure this car performed flawlessly in all aspects. Adaptive rear shocks and subtly flared fenders conceal 225/55/16 Z-rated rubber on 16x8.0" eight-hole wheels. Virtually every possible option available on a W124 is standard. Four bolstered sport seats replace the conventional 2 front/3 rear configuration of other E-class cars. Curb weight topped 3800 lbs so fuel economy suffered slightly. A larger fuel tank of 23.8 gallons made up for any possible loss of range. This is perhaps the most desirable and collectable Mercedes of the last 20 years.

[Hakkola]

1994 E500

[Neil4Speed]

Originally posted by Hakkola
Get a 92-94 Mercedes benz 500e/E500 I've seen them going from $12 000 to $23 000, should be able to find a good one for 15-17 000.

RWD, jointly built by Porsche and Mercedes, 325 HP. For the price you can't beat it.

The line was renamed E500 in 94 in addition to some minor bodywork changes. Special suspension, interior, and bodywork caused the price to skyrocket to approximately 80K (american) during its run. With 322HP and 354 lb-ft of torque on tap combined with 2.82 gearing caused 60 to come in less than 6 seconds and the car was electronically limited to 155. The W124 chassis was fortified with Porsche's help to ensure this car performed flawlessly in all aspects. Adaptive rear shocks and subtly flared fenders conceal 225/55/16 Z-rated rubber on 16x8.0" eight-hole wheels. Virtually every possible option available on a W124 is standard. Four bolstered sport seats replace the conventional 2 front/3 rear configuration of other E-class cars. Curb weight topped 3800 lbs so fuel economy suffered slightly. A larger fuel tank of 23.8 gallons made up for any possible loss of range. This is perhaps the most desirable and collectable Mercedes of the last 20 years.

I definitely agree with Hakkola, this car is nuts, and one of those cars that might go up in value as it ages due to its rarity. I would imagine you would have a hard time finding one, but if you did, you would have a reliable, unique, beautiful, safe, classy, luxurious car.

If that is too old for you, might I suggest a Subaru Legacy GT?

[Nova316]

Screw the Benz
Get a Bimmer :D
:bigpimp:
u can get a pretty dam good one for 15 000$
look at like 325is or 328i if u can both amazing cars
Both cars are pushing about 190hp and 206torque

[rtsen]

I don't recommend getting a used older luxury car, it has a higher chance of having problems and it will be expensive to fix (parts, labour, etc.)

You cant go wrong with a subaru legacy if you want a 4wd or you can get a used fwd like a accord.

[Das_Amaretto]

Originally posted by rtsen
I don't recommend getting a used older luxury car, it has a higher chance of having problems and it will be expensive to fix (parts, labour, etc.)

You cant go wrong with a subaru legacy if you want a 4wd or you can get a used fwd like a accord.

wtf?? used accord? ugh :barf:

he said he wanted RWD or AWD. I say E500 would be sikkkest car on the list so far. Really, u have tons of options with around $15k

I say get a nice used RWD luxury car. If you buy one from the original or second owner, preferably on older person who takes care of their cars, you will likely have a LOWER chance of having problems if it was well maintained.

Mostly 1997-2000 cars are right in your price range.

I say get a 97 Q45 and do it up like a widebody mafia yakuza car. haven't seen one of those yet. it has 300hp and torque and u can supercharge it too. it's heavy so it won't be a rocket like that subaru swap idea, but it'll look super :bigpimp: and totally original here.

[Sorath]

you should buy my car :D its in my sig

[88CRXGUY]

My 03 Lancer....

[90Tegra]

type ARRR

[ga16i]

SW20 MR-2
or... 2 S13's :bigpimp:

[andres_mt]

get that Fairlady Z, that's for sale on this site :bigpimp:

[turbo'dGSR]

Originally posted by 90Tegra
type ARRR


Yup, Integra Type R.

[hizzity]

here you go.
www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=17773168

here is another good one.
www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=17541455&pgno=3&srt=1

[7thgenvic]

go to www.j-specimports.ca! lots of goodies in that price range!

[kane584]

get a 96 prelude all wheel drive , they fo for like 7 g then just supe it up with mods, ;) and plus they have good hortse power

[talon31]

buy my skyline for 12k. its MINT inside, outside and mechanically.

[Nav13]

Originally posted by kane584
get a 96 prelude all wheel drive , they fo for like 7 g then just supe it up with mods, ;) and plus they have good hortse power

preludes never came in all wheel drive, unless you meant four wheel steering?

[C4S]

late 90's A4 2.8 ( 98, 99 etc ) early 00 A4 1.8 T ..

Mid-late 90's 3 series .. ( 95 325, 96 328, 97 323 etc .. )

um .. those are are reasonable in running cost ..

for sure much lower running cost then a 16 yr old 300Z .. MR2 .. or those 18 yr old JDM car .. unless you are a mechanic .. :)

If you don't mind the look .. something like mid-90's LS400 is not bad .. or a SC 400 .. and they are quite reliable .. but big V8 .. :dunno:

[Weapon_R]

Buy a late model 3 series for $15,000. You *might* be able to get a 97 or 98 low mileage 325 for that much.

[redline_13000]

Originally posted by Nova316
Screw the Benz
Get a Bimmer :D
:bigpimp:
u can get a pretty dam good one for 15 000$
look at like 325is or 328i if u can both amazing cars
Both cars are pushing about 190hp and 206torque



Originally posted by Weapon_R
Buy a late model 3 series for $15,000. You *might* be able to get a 97 or 98 low mileage 325 for that much.

best ones for your budget IMO so far, someone might post a better vehicle.

[CKY]

Originally posted by hizzity
here you go.
www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=17773168

here is another good one.
www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=17541455&pgno=3&srt=1

hmm didn't know legacy's came in 2 doors.

[95EagleAWD]

You should buy my Talon. AWD, turbo, already modded nice... :thumbsup:

[ExtremeSi]

Originally posted by legacyturbo
a subaru 2.5 rs is a nice car you can find one of them for a bit cheaper than 15g's and then mabee swap in a JDM version 6 STI engine and then you'll have one hell of a rocket ship because the 2.5 rs's are a few hundred pounds lighter then the present day sti's so definately not a bad choice there. ....then theres always the EBay import a car route which you can get into a WRX for around 16-17 after you get it here or an E36 m3 for about the same price.
I love the earlier 2.5rs, but I've heard that its not easy to swap the STI engine into it because its not a direct swap. And the wiring is a nightmare. By the time I'm done it will probably be over 20Gs. But that is a good choice!:drool:
I was looking on ebay for the E36 M3's and a lot of them seem to be around 17Gs+ USD. That would be a great car, but maybe I could settle for a 3series, but I want something with lots of POWER too.


Originally posted by Hakkola
Get a 92-94 Mercedes benz 500e/E500 I've seen them going from $12 000 to $23 000, should be able to find a good one for 15-17 000.

RWD, jointly built by Porsche and Mercedes, 325 HP. For the price you can't beat it.

That's something I never considered actually. Those cars are sweet! Impressive power too. The only problem I always have with Mercedes cars is they're auto! I love standard and don't think I could bring myself to buying a auto.


Originally posted by ga16i
SW20 MR-2
or... 2 S13's :bigpimp:
SW20 is one car I've always loved. Its got good looks, turbo power, mid-engine, easily upgraded, the only problem is that is getting old now. It's hard to justify paying that much for a old car, but it may come to that. It's one of my favorite choices.


Originally posted by hizzity
here you go.
www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=17773168
here is another good one.
www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=17541455&pgno=3&srt=1
That's a nice Lexus! I never knew those things go for that cheap. I may have to test drive one of those and see how they feel. Do they come in standard tho?
Teh 2.5RS is beautiful too, but that seems a little high for the engine that comes with it. There was a 2000 WRX on bargainfinder going for only $17,000, it's tempting to go that route too. But I dont like the looks as much as the old 2.5RS G8s


Originally posted by 7thgenvic
go to www.j-specimports.ca! lots of goodies in that price range!
Wow they do have a lot of nice cars there! SW20s, FDs, and the prices are so cheap considering. I may have to go that route, but I'd have to test drive a right-hand drive car to actually see if I would like it. Seems like I'd be giving up a lot.


Originally posted by C4S
late 90's A4 2.8 ( 98, 99 etc ) early 00 A4 1.8 T ..

Mid-late 90's 3 series .. ( 95 325, 96 328, 97 323 etc .. )
for sure much lower running cost then a 16 yr old 300Z .. MR2 .. or those 18 yr old JDM car .. unless you are a mechanic .. :)
If you don't mind the look .. something like mid-90's LS400 is not bad .. or a SC 400 .. and they are quite reliable .. but big V8 .. :dunno:
an A4 was high on my list too. the 2.8 would offer nice power and the AWD gives me all-year round ability. It's just perhaps not sporty enough for me, but I'd have to drive one to be sure.
The 3series as well is a nice choice. But I don;t know if I'd be happy with that power.


Thanks for all the responses, just as I thought I have a lot to consider

[2002civic]

pmd

[Fez_turbo]

pmd

[ExtremeSi]

Originally posted by 2002civic
pmd

Originally posted by Fez_turbo
pmd
Sorry I'm not a huge fan of civics (even tho yours is nice) and I never liked Grand Ams. Plus I'm not looking for a FWD vehicle, thanks anyway

[95EagleAWD]

PMd...

[Sorath]

Originally posted by Sorath
you should buy my car :D its in my sig


<3

[INITIALD]

Originally posted by 90Tegra
type ARRR



Originally posted by turbo'dGSR



Yup, Integra Type R.




:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[statick]

Automatic transmissions aren't that bad...Word to Hakkola and Neil4speed's suggestion:thumbsup: .