New or Old Car

[grantf]

Hate to say it but I am glad I still have my corola. other than a clutch and some front brake work it has been a life saver when my Z is sick. and it gets really good mpg.

[CW240Z]

To add a little happiness to this discussion.....

Get a 1987-91 BMW 3-series, they're cheap, reliable, easy to work on like the Zs, good on gas, good looking, and a blast to drive. With a budget of 2500-4500 you could get a really nice one that needs little to no work. I love mine, got it for $100, yes I said $100 and drove it home. These cars are like the Civics of European cars, and I always get people asking me about mine. Plus, it's a BMW!

Chase

[Threehz]

CW, if only the car gods could bless me with a deal like that! I really badly wanted a 3-series but I had the hardest time finding them. I'll investigate again because I LOVE those cars and who can say no to a BMW. Thanks for the input I will definitely recheck into those!

Thanks for the positive input from everyone, when I do find my next car I'll be sure to share it here and hopefully it won't get too bashed upon HA!

[CW240Z]

If you are talking about tree sap, WD-40 will get that off without harming the paint. You'll probably have to wax the car again after that.

Chase

[Stanley]

The OP must be half through college by now but since it's been revived I'll throw my two cents in. Hate the new cars. Back in the day different makes looked different. Give me a z car or a 57 chevy or a 89 crx anyday. You can't work on the new ones unless you're a graduate of some mechanic school. What is all that stuff under the hood? My neighbor had to take a wheel off to change the spark plugs - it took him all day. You can adjust the mix on your SU's while you're stopped for a traffic light.

I rented some new cars - maybe it's how I drive but they were all gutless or guzzlers. Guess I'd take a GTR if they gave me one.

[Hardway]

I love these conversations so I will throw in my .02 cents. I have always had a late model modern car to drive every day and an old project car or several to work on. A reliable daily driver is a must for many reasons. First, your own personal safety. Second, you need to know that when you turn the key to leave for school to take an exam the car will start and the AC will blow cold and/or the heat will keep you warm. College and working is hard enough, don't add an old car in to the mix. Third, your social life. Let's face it, most girls do not like old cars unless they are fully restored with all creature comforts in working order. If you find a girl that actually likes project cars and might even lend you hand with yours, scoop her up! The point is, you need a nice enough car to take someone out to dinner in or who knows, maybe even a small road trip. See where I am going?

CW makes a great point, a nice reliable car does not have to be expensive, although the chances of finding a $100 3-series BMW near by that you can drive home is probably not going to happen. I had a '98 Accord Coupe for 5 years as a DD, V6, auto, and I got compliments on it all the time. I think I paid $5K for it, and over the course of owning probably put another $3K in it. Hondas that are 4-10 years old can be had for cheap. If they have been well taken care of you can get a great car, drive it for a long time, and not have to worry about it. Plus, a bank will easily make a loan on a Honda. If not a Honda then a Toyota or something else. If you are going to finance something and your credit is good, go with a credit union. They have the best rates for used cars. Let us know what you got!

[IdahoKidd]

There is a very nice 95 Maxima here on a lot with 93K miles. A guy could get it for $4K. Good economy and at least in my book, is a good quality used car, bordering on being an old car, since I haven't really came up with a definition of an "old car". Gut instinct is this car would go another 100k with little trouble and pull in mid 30s in fuel. Seems a win win. At 52 I've lost the urge to have a 'new' car and would rather have the money. Now if you want an older car, I have a 52 windsor deluxe that gets mid twenties in fuel economy and you can cancel the gym membership if you drive it twice a day.........

[Stanley]

If you buy a late model used car and aren't up to doing your own repairs better have a warranty - and few used cars come with one. Another neighbor got a beautiful black BMW or MB, forget which, just a few years old. When it quit running they sold it as is, too expensive to have it diagnosed and repaired.

240sx ?

[sblake01]

The OP must be half through college by now but since it's been revived........

It was revived by a 'bot...he's been reported and removed. Edited February 23, 2013 by sblake01

[ninjazombiemaster]

, zombie threads. Still an interesting topic, and I had the similar debate with my mother when buying my Z. I was buying a used car, either way. It was just, ~5k for a 5 year old or ~5k for a 40 year old car. We all know how the story ends - and I don't regret it. Sure, I've spent a little more on occasional repairs and accessories I might not have otherwise needed, but they've all been done by me. But the newish used car would surely have problems, too. Ones I probably couldn't fix easily, not to mention I wouldn't like it nearly as much. My next car, however.. When I can afford it. All the trimmings, AC, fancy phone technologies, all that good stuff they come with. But I'll still drive the Z on nice summer days - or perhaps more often than the new one.