my budget is about 20k, and i was looking at used 2003 or 2002 subaru wrx... i can get one for about 20k. i know the sti and evo are way too expensive for me.

now is the wrx turbo hard to maintain? i heard that you must let it run for a set about of minutes after every drive, that might be too much hassle for me...

well i can either get that, or i can get my dad's old 1997 merc e320, which was bought way back for 40k, but now edmundscom says is under 20k in value, so my father is willing to give it to me(im 18).
the merc is luxurious, and the wrx is a whole different route, its sporty..., and they are worth about the same.

the wrx is small and the e320 is medium sized, a little large, so it might be hard to park.

which one should i choose? i need a quick decision!


btw ive also checked these following cars out because i heard they are also the best for my price range, which is 20k. miata, mini, acura rsx,??

what yall think

hmm. spend 20k on a WRX, or take a free 97 mercedes? as cool as a wrx is, you'd be dumb to pass on a free mercedes e class. that's if your dad is 'giving' it to you. take the mercedes, keep for a little bit, then trade it in for a brand new wrx if you want the wrx that bad. take advantage of your parents' generosity, it's not going to be around for much longer. but like i said, i'm not sure if you're dad is giving you the car. if that's the case and you're still considering droppin 20k on a wrx, i oughta come over and beat you over the head repeatedly. :bigthumb:

Again, if your dad is giving you the Merc, take it, and put some AMG alloys on it :biggrin:

Yea I have to agree...if you can pocket the 20k...and maybe use that to modify the Benz...you'd have a badass Benz...get some Renntech upgrades or Brabus stuff...maybe engine swap...and you'll be in business of kicking arses!

I agree. The most important thing is to keep it tasteful. Get some AMG or Brabus mods - though i dont know how far $20k will get you if you go for Brabus - and you will have an awesome Benz. What colour is it, in and out? Im assuming leather interior.....

uh no, my father will pay for 20k if i buy the wrx, or he will give me the merc since its valued under 20k. so hes willing to shell out 20k and no more...

so its not about money...

I wish my dad would have shelled out 20k for my car :rolleyes: either way take the Merc- the WRX is extremely expensive to fix when it goes wrong- the repair bills for the most basic of things can reach about 1000 dollars!!!!:eek:

Well, why not just share the E320?
What car is your dad going to drive?

ALthough, as luxurious as Benz' go, their weakpoints include maintenance & reliability.

Originally posted by NSX
Well, why not just share the E320?
What car is your dad going to drive?

ALthough, as luxurious as Benz' go, their weakpoints include maintenance & reliability.

What makes you think this???? Benzes are known for thier ability to go on for ever (Even if it is an expensive forever- ie. Parts specifically)

Originally posted by Jimster


What makes you think this???? Benzes are known for thier ability to go on for ever (Even if it is an expensive forever- ie. Parts specifically)

Well, in Canada, the newspaper gets weekly Merc bashes about reliability & whatnot

It basically comes down to this: would you like an ugly (IMO) fast car or a nice looking car thats less fast? I personally would get the mercedes.

Im always surprised / suspicious when I hear that Merc supposedly has a reliability problem with their cars, especially when you consider the fabled record they have in that area. Strange that our E280 hasn’t put a foot wrong in 5 years of ownership eh? Or my uncle’s S500, for that matter, and his previous S500… or my aunt’s C230K, and her previous 190 2.6, which was strong as a tank when she sold it after 10 odd years of ownership… When a Merc breaks down - which is something that clearly happens to all cars - its more likely to be reported because its not something you expect. That has to be the reason behind Merc bashing… just my 2 cents…

Originally posted by crayzayjay
Im always surprised / suspicious when I hear that Merc supposedly has a reliability problem with their cars, especially when you consider the fabled record they have in that area. Strange that our E280 hasn’t put a foot wrong in 5 years of ownership eh? Or my uncle’s S500, for that matter, and his previous S500… or my aunt’s C230K, and her previous 190 2.6, which was strong as a tank when she sold it after 10 odd years of ownership… When a Merc breaks down - which is something that clearly happens to all cars - its more likely to be reported because its not something you expect. That has to be the reason behind Merc bashing… just my 2 cents…

Agreed- the only issue top-end Mercs have is depriciation- back in 1998 my dads friend bought a 1995 S600 (About $280,000 NZ new) for $85,000 NZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thats more than 2 thirds of the god-damn value lost. then there is the Audi A8- a 1995 one can be purchased for about $30,000- this is why we must be careful of top of the line Luxury cars :wink:

Well, Mercedes isn't exactly highest in reliability ratings.
ie. in Consumer Reports

That’s what always surprises me… from experience, when cared for, they’re the most reliable cars I know

further from my family's experience with Mercs, on holiday this summer I used a cab company which had old Mercs, early 90’s E’s and late 80’s S’s. Peeking at the dials most of these cars had covered over half a million km’s and seemed to be running like clockwork, engines still smooth and quiet with the AC on full blast. The couple of drivers I spoke to confirmed how dependable the cars were… like I say im always surprised to hear someone say that Mercs aren’t reliable when all my experience with them says otherwise…