I need help picking out a car....

[Balla5900]

Alright, so right now I drive a '00 Civic Si and I feel like I want to step up to something nicer. I'm not sure if I'm really looking for faster... just something more upper class (if it does happen to be faster, then that would be a plus). I will have about 18 grand to spend once I sell my car and am wondering what I should buy. I've already thought of buying a Mitsu 3000GT VR4, BMW M3 and Honda S2000 and unfortunatly they are considered restricted vehicles until I'm 30.... haha.... So too fast (which I know these aren't the fastest... but they are pretty effin' fast) is a no go.

I really can't change insurance companies now.... so I have to stay within their parameters.

I want to find something that will stand out, be reliable, be nice to look at, drive, admire, respect.... etc. The Honda is just not doing it for me.

So... are there any suggestions.... like particular Mercedes, BMWs, Acura (maybe the 3.2 TL?).... any company for that matter...good model and year... around my price range that would be an excellent value for what I'm looking for?

Thank you in advance.

[Balla5900]

I've thought about the RSX-S.... and I guess I'm just looking for other options. Would the Lexus IS300 be a good choice? Or something else... thanks again.

[kcap122]

the is300 is classier, with a nice, much bigger backseat than in your Si. Itll be quicker than your Si too, but not by a whole lot. Personally, i think the is300 looks absolutely sic, so its a real good bet. Unfortunately, i remember something where the first model year didn't have a manual transmission, so if that's an issue you may be out of luck. The following year's is300 is valued at about $2k more.

Good luck.

[del]

what is your price range? get a used B5 S4. it's a 4 door so the insurance company will be happy. handsome looking cars, upscale, it's a very well respected car, guys will admire you, girls will adore you. and they're pretty quick too.

oh, tunability is also there too.

[DinanM3_S2]

Originally Posted by del

what is your price range? get a used B5 S4. it's a 4 door so the insurance company will be happy. handsome looking cars, upscale, it's a very well respected car, guys will admire you, girls will adore you. and they're pretty quick too.

oh, tunability is also there too.

He said his price cap was $18,000, so im pretty sure the B5 S4 is out of the running. Besides, I think most insurance companies would price an S4 pretty close to an M3, but then again, insurance people often arn't too bright when it comes to cars, so who knows.

Balla, if not a E36 M3, then why not another E36, like a 325is or a 328is. They arn't as quick as an M car, but its about as close as you can get. Good interior, RWD, decent power. I personally think its a better buy then a RSX-S. The 328is should have about the same power and more torque then the RSX, + the 3-series has legendary handling. Im not sure on the E36s, but a friend of mine said he pays about the same insurance on his E46 330i as he would on an Accord V6.

Avoid Benz, they arn't very fast or fun in your price range.
The IS300 is a decent car, but it isnt as good as the E36 Bimmer.

[Balla5900]

Originally Posted by del

what is your price range? get a used B5 S4. it's a 4 door so the insurance company will be happy. handsome looking cars, upscale, it's a very well respected car, guys will admire you, girls will adore you. and they're pretty quick too.

oh, tunability is also there too.

I would love to get an Audi S4.... but I'm really worried about having to replace the turbo's... and the expensive maintance.... =(

I think I most likely will go with a e36 BMW..... unless I learn some really really good things about the S4 ;-)

[del]

Originally Posted by Balla5900

I would love to get an Audi S4.... but I'm really worried about having to replace the turbo's... and the expensive maintance.... =(

I think I most likely will go with a e36 BMW..... unless I learn some really really good things about the S4 ;-)

well yeah, the B5 S4's have some reliability issues when compared to the lexus or even the BMW's. so you have a good point there. but here are some really good things about the S4: two turbos and one of the best awd systems available

[kman10587]

E36 328is would do it. The Nissan 300ZX could work as well.

[NISSANSPDR]

I think the E36 M3 is a very nice choice...a good balance between luxury and great performance