I need a new car

[kccougar]

I got sidewiped today by a cupcake delivery driver. I haven't talked to their insurance people yet, but this likely will be the tipping point for me buying a new car. I had originally planned on replacing it this fall, but I was debating whether or not I should replace my wife's vehicle first and had finally decided to hold on to my car for another year or so.

So I need some suggestions. I had some very definite ideas of what I wanted but I still likely will need to buy my wife a car in the next year anyway so I can't afford what I want right now. I told myself several years ago I would never have another car payment, and I don't buy new cars anyway.

Here's my criteria - tell me what you would buy if it were you:

<$12,000
4 doors
Large enough to fit adults in rear seat, at least to go to lunch
Performance is important
There has to be something interesting/unique about it - NO CAMRYS.

[JohnnyLingo]

There are cupcake delivery places?

This changes everything.

Also: get a used BMW, right?

[I.J. Reilly]

You need a Toyota Avalon. It's what all the cool GA's are driving these days.

[Pheidippides]

I got sidewiped today by a cupcake delivery driver. I haven't talked to their insurance people yet, but this likely will be the tipping point for me buying a new car. I had originally planned on replacing it this fall, but I was debating whether or not I should replace my wife's vehicle first and had finally decided to hold on to my car for another year or so.

So I need some suggestions. I had some very definite ideas of what I wanted but I still likely will need to buy my wife a car in the next year anyway so I can't afford what I want right now. I told myself several years ago I would never have another car payment, and I don't buy new cars anyway.

Here's my criteria - tell me what you would buy if it were you:

<$12,000
4 doors
Large enough to fit adults in rear seat, at least to go to lunch
Performance is important
There has to be something interesting/unique about it - NO CAMRYS.

I'll sell you mine! Okay, not really, since I like it, but I think that's around the book on 2005 Acura TLs these days. Admittedly, it is a dressed up Accord. But an Accord dressed up in a rent-a-tux if nothing else. And the manual transmission package is nice and keeps driving fun.

Adults fit in the back seat, no problem.

[Indy Coug]

I got sidewiped today by a cupcake delivery driver. I haven't talked to their insurance people yet, but this likely will be the tipping point for me buying a new car. I had originally planned on replacing it this fall, but I was debating whether or not I should replace my wife's vehicle first and had finally decided to hold on to my car for another year or so.

So I need some suggestions. I had some very definite ideas of what I wanted but I still likely will need to buy my wife a car in the next year anyway so I can't afford what I want right now. I told myself several years ago I would never have another car payment, and I don't buy new cars anyway.

Here's my criteria - tell me what you would buy if it were you:

<$12,000
4 doors
Large enough to fit adults in rear seat, at least to go to lunch
Performance is important
There has to be something interesting/unique about it - NO CAMRYS.

I enjoy my Saturn Aura. It's quiet and handles well and has decent pickup and is affordable. I have had zero issues with it so far (20,000 miles driven on a car with 32,000 miles). Since Saturn is going bye-bye there are some really good deals to be had on them.

[falafel]

+1

I bought a 3 used in 1998 and it's still rock solid, 11 years and 120k miles later.

Go get a '99 M3 (the last year before the effeminate curvy design took over). You can get one in your price range easily. It will beat the hell out of any other used car you look at for under $12k. I'm serious. Look for one.

cheers.

How many miles would you expect a 99 M3 to have for under $12k? I would think it would be over 120k miles.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Wait 5 years and falafel will sell you a hover car.

[Donuthole]

Wait 5 years and falafel will sell you a hover car.

w/keyless entry and ignition!

[falafel]

w/keyless entry and ignition!

Starts with a retinal scan.

[kccougar]

+1

I bought a 3 used in 1998 and it's still rock solid, 11 years and 120k miles later.

Go get a '99 M3 (the last year before the effeminate curvy design took over). You can get one in your price range easily. It will beat the hell out of any other used car you look at for under $12k. I'm serious. Look for one.

cheers.

The E36 is a little smaller than what I'm looking for. I've been watching the E39 M5s but they are still too pricy for me right now. I've considered an E34 M5 but I think I want something a little newer.

[kccougar]

Help me out - good or bad color combination? My daughter says it's horrible. My boys think it's cool.

[falafel]

Is that an audi? I remember audi doing something like that. Personally, I think the orangy/brown looks weird with dark grey.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Is that an audi? I remember audi doing something like that. Personally, I think the orangy/brown looks weird with dark grey.

If we were able to unlock your car then I would have been able to judge your interior.

[bluegoose]

Help me out - good or bad color combination? My daughter says it's horrible. My boys think it's cool.

I'm with your daughter on this one.

[JohnnyLingo]

I don't think I'd ever choose a car based off the color scheme of the interior.

That said, that one looks weird.