I'm looking for another car.

[DarkstarZero]

As you may know, I drive the M Coupe, but you may not know that it's my only car. I drive it to the track, track all weekend, then drive it to work the next day and pick up groceries on the way home. That's been working out great until now. I just got a new job in Alexandria, almost 40 miles from my house. I don't want to put 80 miles a day on M Coupe so I'm looking for options. Here's what I've come up with.

Option 1: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 300D for around $1,000. These things are bullet proof (not literally). It's gonna be cheap, it's gonna smell like old people, but everything should still be working on it and it should last almost forever. If terrorists are still driving them around then it should be good for commuting.

Option 2: e39 M5 for around $17,000. At this price, it's going to have around 75,000 miles on it. This is the most fun option but does anyone know how reliable the old M5s are? If it's somewhat reliable, I think I would do this and keep it until it dies but if I would have to put $1,000 worth of work into it every 5,000 miles then I don't want it.

Option 3: Sell the M Coupe and get a new car. I don't know if this would cost me more or less in the long run. I think the Audi S5 is probably the best car for daily commuting but it's not going to be anywhere near as fun on the weekends

Any thoughts?

[MDyDinanM]

why not just get a used beater, that requires low maintenance, like a toyota/honda or even get a small hybrid or something? The cars you listed will add up in maintenance costs. Save the money for a down payment on a house, etc.

[richardbb85]

buy my acura rsx

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by mdyaman

why not just get a used beater, that requires low maintenance, like a toyota/honda or even get a small hybrid or something? The cars you listed will add up in maintenance costs. Save the money for a down payment on a house, etc.

The car needs to be enjoyable and interesting, spending 520 hours a year in a boring old honda or toyota is not how I want to spend my life. It's worth it for me to spend a little extra on something I'll enjoy - that's just my view on life. And I already own my house, not interested in buying another right now.

[Templar]

Meh... If finances aren't much of a concern get what makes you happy while you're not driving the M.

My second car is an '02 Mitsubishi Eclipse. I worked on it a bit before I got my M3. It's nowhere near as powerful or exciting, but it is decently quick, good on gas, and does the job.

[mexicanmike]

Why not look at a Hyundai Genesis. Close to your 17k, zero upkeep cost for 100k miles, suppose to be fun to drive, and you can get it new. Some will say its close to the cost of a more eco friendly car, but the genesis is suppose to be kinda fun to drive.

I would say look for a e46, but then your still looking at high upkeep costs (potentially).

[DarkstarZero]

Yeah, a cheap new car would be good. If the Persu were available, I would buy it immediately (http://www.flytheroad.com/)

I should also note that since I'm looking at another car, I think it should be a bit more practical, ie. 4 seats, 4 doors. That's why I'm thinking e39 M5, lots of space and pretty cheap right now. I just don't know how much the upkeep would be. The Genesis just doesn't have everything I'm looking for so it's not really worth it. Good idea though.

[DarkstarZero]

I'd also get the Gordon Murray T27 (http://www.gordonmurraydesign.com/pr...erformance.php) But just like the Pursu, it's not available... The only thing comparable is the smart, and that's a rip off.

[mexicanmike]

Really, the genesis doesnt fit your needs, but those two sub go cart sized cars do? If your looking for eco-friendly, just get a prius. If your looking fro sporty but cheap, get the genesis. If your looking for sporty, small, and eco friendly, there is a 100k tesla roaster you could look at.

You seem to be a little across the board, want a 4 door, want sporty, but also want a lunchbox for a car?

You could always consider a street bike.

(Not insulting or attacking, simply pointing out you may want to start narrowing your requirements down if you want a realistic solution)

[1N54E92]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

As you may know, I drive the M Coupe, but you may not know that it's my only car. I drive it to the track, track all weekend, then drive it to work the next day and pick up groceries on the way home. That's been working out great until now. I just got a new job in Alexandria, almost 40 miles from my house. I don't want to put 80 miles a day on M Coupe so I'm looking for options. Here's what I've come up with.

Option 1: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 300D for around $1,000. These things are bullet proof (not literally). It's gonna be cheap, it's gonna smell like old people, but everything should still be working on it and it should last almost forever. If terrorists are still driving them around then it should be good for commuting.

Option 2: e39 M5 for around $17,000. At this price, it's going to have around 75,000 miles on it. This is the most fun option but does anyone know how reliable the old M5s are? If it's somewhat reliable, I think I would do this and keep it until it dies but if I would have to put $1,000 worth of work into it every 5,000 miles then I don't want it.

Option 3: Sell the M Coupe and get a new car. I don't know if this would cost me more or less in the long run. I think the Audi S5 is probably the best car for daily commuting but it's not going to be anywhere near as fun on the weekends

Any thoughts?

Option 1, makes the most sense. You might end up smelling like a old fart but that's the only downside.

Option 2, but instead of getting a E39 M5, for that price get yourself a 2011 toyota Corolla for $15,000. just put gas in and oil change every 6,000 miles with great gas mileage 36 MPG on highway.

Option3, don't sell the M coupe.

[DarkstarZero]

You're right Mike, I am kinda all over the place. But think of it like a cost system.

Those lunchbox cars are cheap and interesting, but not practical.
The corolla isn't a bad deal at 15k and nicely practical, but very boring.
The M5 is practical, interesting, sporty, but potentially expensive.
The Genesis is, well imho, mediocre all around. It's not good at anything.
A Prius is just plain expensive and terrible at everything except gas mileage.

1ntense is probably right, an ultra cheap, practical, interesting car like the Benz 300D makes the most sense.

[3M TAPE]

E39 540i M Sport.
Fun, interesting, rare and pretty fast.

[FusionM]

I can recommend a VW Golf GTI.

[Shieldze1025]

^+1

I was gonna suggest a Golf TDI. 40+ mpg, no tree-hugger-hippie-communist-hybrid-battery to worry about, and still sporty. If you wanted to go a little bigger from the Golf there is always a Jetta also.

Of course this is biased, but an E36 wouldn't be bad either. Most of the maintenance is fairly easy that you could do at home and there's a ton of people out there who know how to fix them, and you can pick on up for a few thousand.

Just my $.02

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by Shieldze1025

^+1

I was gonna suggest a Golf TDI. 40+ mpg, no tree-hugger-hippie-communist-hybrid-battery to worry about, and still sporty. If you wanted to go a little bigger from the Golf there is always a Jetta also.

Of course this is biased, but an E36 wouldn't be bad either. Most of the maintenance is fairly easy that you could do at home and there's a ton of people out there who know how to fix them, and you can pick on up for a few thousand.

Just my $.02

My thoughts exactly! But my research on the Golf and Jetta TDIs show that they're in the mid-20s new and not much less for used, which is a bit much. A Jetta TDI for 15k would be perfect but I can't find one.

I had an e36 M3 and loved it but it was the most unreliable car I've ever had. Do you have any suggestions on reliable 90s BMWs?

[Shieldze1025]

Umm idk too much about 90's bmws. I just know a ton of my friends have E36's and do all the work themselves. Most of them are still in school or on tight budgets and have no problems getting repairs done. Takes a little more hands-on work but money wise shouldn't be too bad. You can also get E46 non-M's for a few thousand, but again repairs might start adding up.

You can get the fourth gen TDI (99-06 I believe) fairly cheap. Edmunds had a good write up on it:

http://www.edmunds.com/volkswagen/golf/review.html

Introduced midway through the 1999 model year and sold up until mid-2006, the fourth-generation Golf sported clean lines, an impressive standard features roster and the availability of turbodiesel power -- a rarity in any segment, let alone the economy car sector. In keeping with tradition, three body styles were available: a two-door hatchback, a four-door hatchback and a convertible (sold as a separate model under the Cabrio name).

Enjoyable to drive thanks to its responsive chassis, this Golf also offered a variety of engines. The GTI could be had with a 2.8-liter six-cylinder "VR6" engine (a compact, narrow-angle V6, which made up to 200 hp) or a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The turbo-4, or 1.8T, as it was called, made either 150 or 180 hp, depending on the year; the 150-horse version was available on the standard four-door Golf in 2000 and 2001.

Known as the TDI, the Golf's diesel offering consisted of a 1.9-liter turbodiesel inline-4, initially rated for 90 hp and capable of returning nearly 50 mpg on the highway. Golf TDI models sold from 2004-'06 had an updated version of the 1.9-liter that delivered 100 hp. Late in the model run, the limited-edition high-performance R32 was offered, sporting a 3.2-liter 240-hp VR6, all-wheel drive and tasteful body accents; it was sold only as a 2004 model.

Most folks shopping the used Volkswagen Golf market within these years, however, will probably be looking at the volume-seller Golfs (the GL and GLS trim levels), most of which were powered by an outdated two-valves-per-cylinder 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. With just 115 hp -- compared to the 125-150-hp ratings of most peers -- and below-average fuel mileage, this power plant offered the worst of both worlds. Buyers looking at '99 models should note that both third- and fourth-generation Golfs were sold that year. Horsepower is the same, but the engines in the new Golfs had an upgraded cylinder head design for better low-end response.

If possible, we suggest looking for a fourth-gen Golf with either the 1.9-liter TDI or the 1.8-liter turbo instead. Note that Golf TDIs are relatively easy to find on the used car market, while four-door Golf 1.8T models may be hard to come by because of their short, two-year run. If you want the turbocharged 1.8-liter engine, you're more likely to find it in the two-door GTI.

Generally, our editors found this Golf to be a likable vehicle to drive. Compared to other economy cars or hatchbacks of the time, the VW Golf stood out because of its long list of standard features, high-quality cabin materials and generally fun-to-drive nature. Downsides included a high price when new (now largely negated by depreciation), the aforementioned 2.0-liter engine and mediocre reliability.

A friend of mine had an '01 VR6 GTI that I really liked. 5 speed, fairly quick and fun to drive. The interior was awesome and on-par with audi interiors. I did a quick Autotrader search for TDI's and they start around $7k, not too bad.

[Petlizard]

The Mercedes will have the most character. And if it was me, I'd rather have either a really nice car or a really beat up car, nothing in the middle.
I'd vote for choice # 1.

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by Petlizard

The Mercedes will have the most character. And if it was me, I'd rather have either a really nice car or a really beat up car, nothing in the middle.
I'd vote for choice # 1.

I'm seriously considering it.

I've decided that, until my job moves closer to me, the e39 M5 is going to have to wait But while looking at the M5, I noticed the e39 530i is around $10k and can get 30mpg highway. That's not a bad deal. It's cheap, comfortable, practical, and has enough gadgets to keep me interested. I may look into that while I wait for a nice 300D to come up for sale.

[crazycarl16]

I think all of the suggestions are good ones. Before I got my M3, I had the M Coupe and almost kept it and bought an E39 M5 for the same reasons as you. That would definitely be the most fun, but you would likely have fairly high and regular maintenance costs.

I think a used Japanese car is the best way to go for reliability and cost, and I would shoot for an SUV like a Pathfinder or 4Runner. I drove several of those growing up, and both are solid, dependable, and allow you to do all the things you absolutely cannot do with an M Coupe, with plenty of creature comfort/gadgets.

Lastly, I would never give up any BMW for an Audi. I like Audis a lot, especially in terms of looks, but none of them, including the S4, S5, and RS4 (all of which I have driven) feel as tight and connected to the road as Bimmers, especially the M Coupe.

Good luck with decision.

[bimmerfan08]

M5s are fun, but from what Ive heard, are expensive to maintain out of warranty

[Krozi]

I vote for the Merc

[mexicanmike]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

You're right Mike, I am kinda all over the place. But think of it like a cost system.

Those lunchbox cars are cheap and interesting, but not practical.
The corolla isn't a bad deal at 15k and nicely practical, but very boring.
The M5 is practical, interesting, sporty, but potentially expensive.
The Genesis is, well imho, mediocre all around. It's not good at anything.
A Prius is just plain expensive and terrible at everything except gas mileage.

1ntense is probably right, an ultra cheap, practical, interesting car like the Benz 300D makes the most sense.

The lunchbox cars are cheap and interesting, sadly, with everyone still running around in their 90's pushed monster SUV's a accident would be like if Ray Lewis tackled Verne Troyer(Mini-me), there would be nothing recognizable left.

The corolla is the ultimate drab experience, its pretty much what people get when they have given up on enjoying their commute, the purchase of one is the first step towards suicide.

The m5 is great, would be amazing to drive, but any repair is gonna end up costing you at least 1k. Gas would be expensive, and frequent, and for a long commute, that could add up(Repairs and gas).

From all the reviews I have read about the Genesis, they have been fairly positive. I myself have not driven one, but was under the impression that it was one of the most sporty cars for a practical price. (Performance to fun ratio was good). I will take your word for it though, if its a tird, its a tird.

The prius on the other hand gets pretty good gas mileage. In regards to it being terrible, idk about that, I actually own one. Although a diesel car can get really close to the gas mileage of the prius, I have been rockin it for close to 3 years. Let me tell you, everytime I get in that car I want to take a hammer to my head. It is boring as hell to drive, I barely fit (6'5/280) and it looks terrible. However, it has been solid as a rock, great gas mileage, 45.8 average over 3 years, and I don't baby it at all. I drove to ND going 85 plus the whole way. For me the big bonus was the California HOV stickers. My daily commute has been cut from 1-1.5 hours, to an easy 30 minutes. I blow past everyone waiting in traffic and all the things I hate about that silent, sneaker shaped, piece of hippy loving crap, fly right out the window.

The prius isn't cheap for what it is, but It has done a great job for me.

I only wish the Chevy Volt was more aggressively priced. Its so expensive, but with the HOV sticker benefit ending in January, I too am looking for a new commuter. I am looking at the Volt and the Leaf, both cars that will "qualify" for the HOV passes(Legislation pending). The leaf will give 100 miles, gas free, but highly impractical outside of a back and forth trip to work. The Volt, ~30 miles electric, then switches to gas. Both really highly priced though, probably impractical for most peoples daily commuter.

I am looking at these two because although they will both more than likely be boring to drive, they will be good on gas(Im cheap, not trying to reduce emissions or I wouldn't have the M), will be more spacious than my M, and will hopefully save me much time in traffic.

On a last not, the smart car sucks, anyone considering one should just go sit in one of those mall photobooths, and have a friend shake the crap out of it, thats what it will be like driving that over-marketed POS.

EDIT: I, like many others, would recommend the TDI. They are a blast to drive, economical and pretty solid. They are a little more, but I guess it depends on how long you intend on holding on to it, and how much you want to minimize driving the M coupe.