Best car for 30K

[thearabian]

My friend is in the market for a 30000$ car. The car must be a sedan, either Japanese or European, larger than an Audi A4, with at least 160 hp. the I30t is a definite contender, what other cars do you suggest (or even what car you disapprove) and why?

[thearabian]

I suggested the Volvo S70, BMW 323, Acura TL, Lexus IS300, Mercedes C230, even fully loaded Maxima....
IS there anyting really good or bad about these cars and did i forget any?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Top of the line Maxima or Infiniti I30, either way there's tons of horses and refinement http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gif

[ChuckH]

Keep in mind that only the TL and the Maxima are larger than an A4 (enough to make a difference anyway), and the
IS 300 is smaller than any of them. If your friend wants to put anyone bigger than about 4' tall in the back seat, the IS300 is off the list. Stick with the Maxima, TL, or S70 if rear seat room is a factor.

What about a fully loaded VW Passat V6 4 motion? If he can swallow the purple dash lighting, the Passat is an outstanding car with plenty of room. The TorSen based AWD is indestructible and fantastic also.

If it were me, I'd be down to the Passat and Maxima, based on what his requirements seem to be.

Charles

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by thearabian:
I suggested the Volvo S70, BMW 323, Acura TL, Lexus IS300, Mercedes C230, even fully loaded Maxima....
IS there anyting really good or bad about these cars and did i forget any?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[thearabian]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ChuckH:
Keep in mind that only the TL and the Maxima are larger than an A4 (enough to make a difference anyway), and the
IS 300 is smaller than any of them. If your friend wants to put anyone bigger than about 4' tall in the back seat, the IS300 is off the list. Stick with the Maxima, TL, or S70 if rear seat room is a factor.

What about a fully loaded VW Passat V6 4 motion? If he can swallow the purple dash lighting, the Passat is an outstanding car with plenty of room. The TorSen based AWD is indestructible and fantastic also.

If it were me, I'd be down to the Passat and Maxima, based on what his requirements seem to be.

Charles

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I mentioned that to him as well, but he doesnt justify paying that much for a VW, something we've been hearing for a while now... And in a way he's right, for the same price as a fully loaded passat, u can get an I30t (entry luxury). The passat is not Luxury according to me...

[noelsaw]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by thearabian:
I mentioned that to him as well, but he doesnt justify paying that much for a VW, something we've been hearing for a while now... And in a way he's right, for the same price as a fully loaded passat, u can get an I30t (entry luxury). The passat is not Luxury according to me...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If I were in the market again for a $30k car, the VW Passat would be on my list. I really like the way German cars feel solid when you slam the doors. I also like the Audi-like interior build of the new VWs.

But in terms of mechanical and electrical reliability, I don't think VW is up to Nissan/Honda/Toyota standards yet. Close but not yet.

[ChuckH]

Yeah, they're closing the gap, and it's pretty close now. I drive a '98 A4 2.8 Quattro, in addition to the Xterra, and it has only had three very monor problems in the past three years and all three were electrical; sunroof switch, power window, and a dead warning buzzer. I also had an '89, Audi 90 Quattro that I drove to 110K miles. Almost every problem with that car was electrical of some sort, although only one was a major problem. So, in my experience anyway, the mechanicals are as good as any, but the electricals are still a bit of a trouble area. Keep in mind I've had bad experiences with every Japanese car I've owned (Honda, Mitsubishi, Mazda), except the Xterra, so the Audi's always seemed ultra reliable to me! With the exception of the bad steering column, the Xterra has been most excellent! http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gif

Charles


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by noelsaw:
If I were in the market again for a $30k car, the VW Passat would be on my list. I really like the way German cars feel solid when you slam the doors. I also like the Audi-like interior build of the new VWs.

But in terms of mechanical and electrical reliability, I don't think VW is up to Nissan/Honda/Toyota standards yet. Close but not yet.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Max Ima]

You're missing one of the usual suspects. The Lexus ES 300 can also be had for around 30k. With the IS hitting the showrooms, the dealers will probably come off their high horse and be willing to deal.

[noelsaw]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Max Ima:
You're missing one of the usual suspects. The Lexus ES 300 can also be had for around 30k. With the IS hitting the showrooms, the dealers will probably come off their high horse and be willing to deal. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I well equipped ES300 is more like mid 30k. When I was shopping for a new ride last year, it occured to me how too expensive the ES300 is.

[This message has been edited by noelsaw (edited 07-08-2000).]

[thearabian]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by noelsaw:
I well equipped ES300 is more like mid 30k. When I was shopping for a new ride last year, it occured to me how too expensive the ES300 is.

[This message has been edited by noelsaw (edited 07-08-2000).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

yeah, the ES, if similarly equipped as the I30t, will come out 4-5000$ more

[thearabian]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Doctor Tae:
I got to drive a Subaru Legacy GT... not a bad car at all... feels a little underpowered, but handling wise it's hard not to overlook... and reliability is top notch also...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Personally, i would stay away from Subaru and other companies like it (Mazda, Mitsubishi) solely because their market share isnt as big as Honda, Toyota and Nissan and their parts are said to be more expensive...

[TitaniusMaximus]

I got to drive a Subaru Legacy GT... not a bad car at all... feels a little underpowered, but handling wise it's hard not to overlook... and reliability is top notch also...

[**DONOTDELETE**]

maxima gets my vote. 1 SE manual to go, please.

[Slack00]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by thearabian:
Personally, i would stay away from Subaru and other companies like it (Mazda, Mitsubishi) solely because their market share isnt as big as Honda, Toyota and Nissan and their parts are said to be more expensive...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This is true....but I've heard Subaru has proved itself to be reliable and rugged over the past few years...so hopefully, it won't come to that...

On a side note, didn't Subaru finally put an H6 in their car that makes about 215hp? Although torque was always good, power has always been the major complaint of Subarus....

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Can't just stay away from a car if it has expensive parts. Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have expensive parts compared to the domestics. Subarus are reliable and having owned a 90 GL with more then 300,000 KM, I can say Subarus are good for me.

[noelsaw]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Slack00:
This is true....but I've heard Subaru has proved itself to be reliable and rugged over the past few years...so hopefully, it won't come to that...

On a side note, didn't Subaru finally put an H6 in their car that makes about 215hp? Although torque was always good, power has always been the major complaint of Subarus....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

As to Subaru's reliability...remember that Nissan used to own a good chunk of them. Therefore a lot of the same parts were used.

Yup, Subaru will finally put a 6 cylinder in. If you read the press release, it sounds like they licensed the Nissan variable induction system and variable capacity muffler!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>The new Subaru H6-3.0 uses a variable intake manifold and a dual-stage muffler to optimize power delivery throughout the engine speed range. Low-speed and mid-range power have not been compromised for high-rpm power, and vice versa. The variable intake manifold features an induction control valve that provides two intake characteristics. Below 3,700 rpm the valve remains closed to create a long intake runner length, helping to boost low-end and mid-range power. When the valve opens above 3,700 rpm, the manifold creates a "scavenging" or light supercharging effect, allowing each cylinder to catch high-pressure waves of intake air bouncing off the opposite side of the manifold.

A mechanical valve in the rear muffler varies muffler volume to help enhance engine power in different speed ranges. At lower engine speeds (around-town driving, for example), the valve remains closed to provide a smaller-volume muffler chamber. The resulting level of exhaust back-pressure enhances power at these speeds. When exhaust pressure reaches about 22 psi -- which occurs at about 2,400 rpm -- the valve opens to allow exhaust gas through an additional chamber. The resulting increased muffler volume reduces exhaust back-pressure, enhancing power at higher speeds. Muffler valve operation does not affect the noise level.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[DrewSRX]

If your friend can wait until September, I would suggest the all new 2001 Volvo S60 T5. This car should start out in the low $30k price range. It will feature a 247hp/243lb.ft all alloy DOHC turbocharged inline-5 cylinder engine. It will have two transmission choices, either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed adaptive geartronic automatic. This car also has front dual/side airbags as well as side impact protection system including side impact curtain airbag as well as whiplash protection seating. The other nice features on this car are DSTC, dynamic stability and traction control as well as EBD, electronic brake force distribution. There will be a Dolby Pro-Logic sound system with optional Navigation System. A high security package is also offered that includes level sensor, interior motion sensor, homelink, follow me home, immobilizer key, and laminated side windows. The car is about 10 inches shorter, 1 inch wider, 1 inch lower, and 200 lbs lighter than a BMW 5-series. A little bit later the AWD version will come out and maybe a year later "hopefully" the S60R will debut with close to 300hp. It will be interesting to see how this car does, I think it will be a real success. Here is what it looks like!

http://www.tbns.net/drewsrx/S60int.jpg

http://www.tbns.net/drewsrx/volvos60.jpg

-DrewSRX
91' Infiniti Q45a
95' Volvo 960