Buying my first car!

[Smooth-Op]

Hey!

I just got out of univ and started working so the time is right for me to buy my very first car.

At first I was thinking about a used BMW ('01 330 XI) but I've been told BMWs off warranty are money pits...

What do you think about this? I live in Quebec so we get LOTS of snow here. Would I still be able to use it in winter?

http://www.lespac.com/search/detail.php?PHPSESSID=3583f7075627e51da91c8ea1a8dd1527&infst=RK_7610741%3BRK_7693727%3B&cp=0&region=&num_reg_ori=17&gr=0&majalerte=&a=7693727&o=%2Fsearch%2Findex.php&r=1424&liste_ville=&listcmp=&parindex=0&page=1&total=302&nbrpages=38&visite_recherche=&categorie_titre=&idcookie=971d839db82389f5eb132907eb5bf82b&zc=0&zg=0&priorite=&orderby=distance&mots=eclipse&distancemax=0&agemax=0&liste_region=&catgr=C0-&prix_de=0&prix_a=0&annee_de=0&annee_a=0&type=0&etat=0&no_region_de=0&no_region_a=&no_region=&prio=

The price's in CAD$ (1 CAD$ = 0.96 USD$). If you want me to translate some infos just ask.


EDIT : I just came across this :

http://www.lespac.com/search/detail.php?PHPSESSID=3583f7075627e51da91c8ea1a8dd1527&infst=RK_7710124%3B&cp=0&region=&num_reg_ori=17&gr=12&majalerte=&a=7710124&o=%2Fsearch%2Findex.php&r=1424&liste_ville=&listcmp=&parindex=0&page=1&total=20&nbrpages=3&visite_recherche=&categorie_titre=&idcookie=e33c2d876d8e4262b4f22d3e7372a6a6&zc=0&zg=12&priorite=&orderby=distance&mots=330+xi&distancemax=0&agemax=0&liste_region=&catgr=C0-12&prix_de=0&prix_a=0&annee_de=0&annee_a=0&type=0&etat=0&no_region_de=0&no_region_a=&no_region=&prio=

Only bout 100k km! (60k miles) How much in repairs could I expect to pay a year? Tell me what you think!

[Boosted Gtir]

repost much?

[Gibson]

Buy a Metro.

[Smooth-Op]

:confused:

[Deetz]

Your 1st car should be a simple and easy to take care of, why buy a used bmw? If i were you, even if you want something fancy look at a lexus or acura.

[weeznah]

Get something cheap but works.and if something goes wrong its cheap to fix.I can sell you a geo metro for 600 bucks.

[403ep3]

Can't view any of those links plus they are all in french :facepalm:

[Das Auto]

Qu'est-ce que c'est?

[Smooth-Op]

I'm an actuary ; I can afford something more "exciting" than a geo metro. :barf:

...And I thought this forum was for car enthousiasts :rofl:

sry about the links. trying to figure a way to make them work...

[CLiVE]

I thought we already gave you advice in your other thread?

http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&threadid=231813

[Smooth-Op]

Originally posted by CLiVE
I thought we already gave you advice in your other thread?

http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&threadid=231813


Yeah you did. Back then I wanted a BMW and now I'm looking at a mitsubishi eclipse.

[Smooth-Op]

There it is :

http://cache.lespac.com/1/grandephoto/97/9700497/7693727-0-1222267205.jpg

8900 $ for a 2003 ECLIPSE GS 116400 km (bout 70k miles I guess)

Here are some infos in french :

Prix : 8 995.00$
Année : 2003

Marque : Mitsubishi
Modèle : Eclipse
Version : Gs Toit-mags Full Éq
Transmission : Automatique
Nombre de cylindres : 4
Taille du moteur : 2.4 litres
Motricité : Roues motrices avant
Type de carburant : Sans plomb
Kilométrage : 100 000 à 149 999km
Nombre de portes : Coupé(2)
Nombre de passagers : 4
Air climatisé
Couleur Extérieure : Gris
Couleur Intérieure : Noir
Options : Alarme, AM/FM Stéréo, Air climatisé, Jantes aluminium, Lecteur DC, Coussins gonflables cond., Coussins gonflables doubles, Phares anti-brouillard, Essuie-glace intermittent, Servo-freins, Mirroirs électriques, Servo-direction, Vitres électriques, Dégivreur arrière, Volant ajustable, Vitres teintées, Verrouillage électrique, Aileron, Toit ouvrant, Régulateur de vitesse, Tout équipé, Volant ajustable, Coussins gonflables pour passagers, Miroir côté passager, Audio haut de gamme
Garantie du manufacturier : Disponible, Garantie de 3 mois ou 5000 km motopropulseur.Garantie prolongé disponible a prix imbattable.
Financement : Disponible, source du financement : institution financière, type de financement : crédit Bancaire

[Kloubek]

I have always been a fan of Audi - especially since I started owning them. :) They are absolutely amazing in the snow, and most have pretty good pep - base model A4 being a bit of an exception... especially in the earlier years.

Just remember that parts for any of these kinds of import cars tend to be pricey.

Oh - and as far as your Eclipse example, it would not be my personal choice. Seems that body style has terrible resale, and this particular model you show is just the 4-banger, so it's not very quick at all. I'd get the V6 for sure if I ever bought that model Eclipse. (Yes, this is an enthusiast site.)

[Canmorite]

You mentioned lots of snow in your first post, then went on to talk about RWD and FWD cars. Did AWD ever cross your mind?

[Smooth-Op]

How about that one?

http://cache.lespac.com/1/grandephoto/39/8742339/7710124-0-1222487887.jpg

http://cache.lespac.com/1/grandephoto/39/8742339/7710124-1-1222487928.jpg

http://cache.lespac.com/1/grandephoto/39/8742339/7710124-2-1222487969.jpg

It's a '01 330XI with 60k miles for 13800 $.


Some infos :

DESCRIPTION

Voiture en excellente condition - 100 100 km - 11 000$ de valeur en options ajoutées : Gr. Dyn. AWD - Gr. Premium et Gr. sport - Transmission automatique avec Steptronic - Traction intégrale - Contrôle dynamique de stabilité - Sièges électriques à mémoire - Intérieur en cuir Montana (gris) - Sièges chauffants - Volant sport, multi-fonctions, gainé en cuir - Toit ouvrant - Chaine HI-Fi Harman-Kardon (7 disques) - Rétroviseur anti-éblouissant - Jantes BMW en alliage - * Une taxe seulement (TVQ)

INFORMATIONS COMPLÉMENTAIRES

Marque : BMW
Type de véhicules : Berline
Transmission : Automatique avec mode manuel
Nombre de cylindres : 6
Taille du moteur : 3 litres
Motricité : Intégrale
Kilométrage : 100 000 à 149 999km
Nombre de portes : Berline(4)
Nombre de passagers : 5
Air climatisé
Offre : À vendre

[Smooth-Op]

Originally posted by Canmorite
You mentioned lots of snow in your first post, then went on to talk about RWD and FWD cars. Did AWD ever cross your mind?

XI = AWD right?

[Mr_ET]

You know people outside of Quebec use kms and not miles right?

Doesn't mean because some don't speak French they are Americans. We're still all in Canada.

I'd stick with a fwd car for our wonderful "tempetes de neige"

Since calcium will become an issue I would make sure to buy a car that has been undercoated and rust protected and something that is no more than about 5-6 years old.

If you told us a bit more about your needs and wants we could probably help you better.

[Mr_ET]

Originally posted by Smooth-Op


XI = AWD right?

yes and it says in that ad you posted that it is awd. 01 is getting a bit old though :(

[Canmorite]

Originally posted by Smooth-Op


XI = AWD right?

My bad!

[403Gemini]

Want a reliable luxury car? Lexus IS300

[Smooth-Op]

Originally posted by 403Gemini
Want a reliable luxury car? Lexus IS300

No offence but I've heard the interior is major shit...

[nbaker00]

How about an 02-04 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro?
That would probably be my #1 choice for an AWD, all season, decent optioned car for under $20,000.

[403Gemini]

Originally posted by Smooth-Op


No offence but I've heard the interior is major shit...

Why would i be offended? I dont own one.

That being said i have a subaru which has an interior which is nothing to write home about but its a fun car :D

[TorqueDog]

Originally posted by Smooth-Op
No offence but I've heard the interior is major shit... Go check one out for yourself.




That way, you know that the interior is major shit. =]

[Mr_ET]

For reliavility I would stay away from a used Audi at this time and where did you hear the IS300's interior was crap?

It's actually pretty decent:dunno:

[403Gemini]

IS300 interior

http://images.forbes.com/images/2001/01/22/test_interior_377x248.jpg

Looks pretty clean to me...

[TorqueDog]

Sitting in it makes you want to stab your eyes out with rusty forks.

[403Gemini]

Originally posted by TorqueDog
Sitting in it makes you want to stab your eyes out with rusty forks.

Sounds like a bit of an over reaction lol

[Team_Mclaren]

Originally posted by 403Gemini


Sounds like a bit of an over reaction lol

not really, that interior is actaully really brutal... nothing compares to any other models lexus had to offer.

[nightfx]

Originally posted by Smooth-Op


No offence but I've heard the interior is major shit...
Didn't think you cared about what the interior looks like since you are considering an eclipse. :dunno:

[Smooth-Op]

Well the Eclipse is like 3 times cheaper. I can overlook the interior.

I don't really know much about cars tbh... so does Eclipses have a good rep on this forum?

Do you think that FWD '03 Eclipse would b any good in winter?


BTW : for the past 3 years I've been driving a '05 automatic Sunfire that my parents bought for me and my sister.

I want something with more HP and that looks better... inside and out.

[Gibson]

Originally posted by Smooth-Op
I'm an actuary ; I can afford something more "exciting" than a geo metro. :barf:


Not exciting enough? Are you kidding? How much more excitement do you need when slight inclines make you break out in a sweat?

[TorqueDog]

Originally posted by Gibson


Not exciting enough? Are you kidding? How much more excitement do you need when slight inclines make you break out in a sweat? A friend of mine had a 'turbo' Chevy Sprint.

Only car I've ever driven where it was faster during normal acceleration than at WOT. :rofl:

[wrcftw]

I kinda like my is300's interior :confused:

[Smooth-Op]

So... does 8900 $ for a 2003 ECLIPSE GS 116400 km 2.3 litres 4 cylinders sounds about right?

And would it be usable in winter? Not the kind of guy to own 2 cars atm really.

[Smooth-Op]

bumpeedee-bump-bump

[nbaker00]

Why don't you just buy the Eclipse?

[Smooth-Op]

Originally posted by nbaker00
Why don't you just buy the Eclipse?

I'm gonna be nice and just ignore that reply.

[Sorath]

i`d buy an rsx over that. its about the same price

[Smooth-Op]

Yeah it's a good car but I've already got two friends with Type-S...

I'd like something different...

[nbaker00]

Originally posted by Smooth-Op


I'm gonna be nice and just ignore that reply.
Why?
You keep asking everyone what they think of the car as if you want to buy it.
I think it seems like an alright deal.
Not the best winter car, but not the worst!

[hypnotoad]

Everyone knows that BMW's are expensive only because they come from germany, not because they are high quality (ford's and chrysler's are the "BMW's" of UK). So for a first car, I would suggest you buy a Pontiac Grand LeMans. It's a station wagon and it's built to last.

[Smooth-Op]

Originally posted by hypnotoad
Everyone knows that BMW's are expensive only because they come from germany, not because they are high quality (ford's and chrysler's are the "BMW's" of UK). So for a first car, I would suggest you buy a Pontiac Grand LeMans. It's a station wagon and it's built to last.

Good advice but a wagon...? hell no!!!


Edit : Just googled it.... I assume you were joking right? lol

[Gibson]

Originally posted by Smooth-Op
Yeah it's a good car but I've already got two friends with Type-S...

I'd like something different...

You know whats different?

A Metro.

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by Smooth-Op
Yeah it's a good car but I've already got two friends with Type-S...

I'd like something different...

There might be a reason for that....They're good reliable cars, and will likely be running after the eclipse has died.

With that being said, the eclipse seems like a decent deal and should give you several solid years and be decent in winter (buy a good set of winter tires please).

[Smooth-Op]

Originally posted by Gibson


You know whats different?

A Metro.

I loled :rofl:

[Smooth-Op]

Originally posted by CLiVE


There might be a reason for that....They're good reliable cars, and will likely be running after the eclipse has died.

With that being said, the eclipse seems like a decent deal and should give you several solid years and be decent in winter (buy a good set of winter tires please).

Great. But now that I'm going to meet the owner to take a look at the car. What are the questions I should ask and what should I look for on the car?

[Eleanor]

I love the IS300's interior :love:

The gauges look like a nice watch.

[hypnotoad]

Originally posted by Smooth-Op


Good advice but a wagon...? hell no!!!


Edit : Just googled it.... I assume you were joking right? lol

No, actually I wasn't joking. This was my first car, and they seem to be somewhat of a rarity. They were manufactured in 1983 and had a wierd gigantic clock beside the speedometer. Hmmm maybe it's new thread time??

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by Smooth-Op


Great. But now that I'm going to meet the owner to take a look at the car. What are the questions I should ask and what should I look for on the car?

Ask about the history of the vehicle, maintenance, accidents, general questions.

If you don't know exactly what you're looking for I recommend that you arrange to get an inspection done (at your expense, $100 or so).

The mileage does seem a little high on the eclipse, and could be getting in to the mileage range where major maintenance is required soon. IMO I would pay slightly more for a vehicle with less mileage.

Personally I usually look for used vehicles ~5 years old with no more than 80K kms.

[Smooth-Op]

How much should I expect to pay annually on repairs/maintenance on such a car?

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by Smooth-Op
How much should I expect to pay annually on repairs/maintenance on such a car?

Tough to say. Largely depends on the car, often the luck of the draw.

I think the way to look at it is would you prefer a $500/month payment for ~5years to finance a newer vehicle, or $500 here and there on maintenance.

BTW I think you're doing the smart thing by not buying a BRAND NEW vehicle right when you get out of school. Many people make that mistake.

[Casa]

get a Lexus IS300. sweet driving car, really sharp looking car, super reliable!
interior was fine for me :dunno:

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by Casa
get a Lexus IS300. sweet driving car, really sharp looking car, super reliable!
interior was fine for me :dunno:

He is looking for a car that is great in winter as well. IMO the IS300 may not be the best recommendation.