Which car to buy?

bigaudiofanatic

mark090852 wrote: »

Not sure how you got those numbers. Our Maxima was just under $40,000 and even with a $5K trade in and 5K cash down you would still be looking at WAY more than $230 a month even if financed for 5 years.

Because I am getting a loan threw my credit union not the dealer.

PhantomOG

($230x72months) + $10K = $26560 at 0% interest. MSRP on a 2010 Maxima is ~$30k right?

Even if you got a really good deal on the Maxima, I think taxes and fees would push you over $27k, but it doesn't sound completely unreasonable.

cstmar01

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

Because I am getting a loan threw my credit union not the dealer.

you still have to pay interest. show me a credit union that won't charge you interest and I'll be amazed that they are not out of business.....or a scam.

acmf74

ViperZ wrote: »

Personally, my preference would be a BMW 5-series (528?), but maintenance will be on the high side. If you're looking at the new TL, why not try a slightly used Type-S?

Being young and not having a mortgage has its advantages .

I'm a big Bimmer guy and I agree with Viper. Parts are $$$

concealer404

Jstas wrote: »

No, O2 sensors don't cost between $50 and $150. I don't know where those prices are coming from but only the old universal ones from the GM TBI systems are that cheap last I checked prices.

For a 2005 BMW 5 series, the O2 sensors cost as little as $380 for the front/rear set on a 525i to as much as $780 for a left and right front/rear set. Those are Rock Auto prices so add 15% and you'll get local retail from a Pep Boys, NAPA or Autozone or something. It all depends on which ones you need. I'd imagine a newer 5 series could easily exceed and maybe even double those prices.

That's for a set... i was operating on the use of the singular that Cody originally said. $850 for ONE o2 sensor is stupid.

I spend like.. a tenth of that for new WIDEBAND sensors.

Last time i replaced a factory o2 sensor, it ran me a whopping $32.

Zeros

Jstas wrote: »

No, O2 sensors don't cost between $50 and $150. I don't know where those prices are coming from but only the old universal ones from the GM TBI systems are that cheap last I checked prices.

For a 2005 BMW 5 series, the O2 sensors cost as little as $380 for the front/rear set on a 525i to as much as $780 for a left and right front/rear set. Those are Rock Auto prices so add 15% and you'll get local retail from a Pep Boys, NAPA or Autozone or something. It all depends on which ones you need. I'd imagine a newer 5 series could easily exceed and maybe even double those prices.

I'm not trying to start a fight, but he did say an oxygen sensor, as in one. On your website, Rockauto you can get a front o2 senstor for a 2005 525i for $77.79 and a rear one for $125.79. I don't think my statement on prices was too far off base.

Edit: concealer said the same thing right before me

Serendipity

acmf74 wrote: »

I'm a big Bimmer guy and I agree with Viper. Parts are $$$

Although on the flip side, used BMW's seem to depreciate faster than Japanese cars... a Honda Accord holds value better than a BMW M5 over say, 2-6 years. So let someone else take the depreciation hit instead of buying a new car. E60's are already in the $30k-50k range used, and they were a $90k car brand new.

Hey, you only live once

Jstas

Zeros wrote: »

I'm not trying to start a fight, but he did say an oxygen sensor, as in one. On your website, Rockauto you can get a front o2 senstor for a 2005 525i for $77.79 and a rear one for $125.79. I don't think my statement on prices was too far off base.

Edit: concealer said the same thing right before me

One is a universal fit and the other comes without a pigtail. I looked at those, I'm not stupid. I don't really view those as options because they may or may not work and require too much rigging to get installed.

Also, along the lines of what concealer said, I have had O2 sensors cost a fortune. On certain Mazdas equipped with a Miller cycle engine, to replace an O2 sensor, the entire downpipe has to be replaced. That's a $400-$600 part depending on where the Y pipe is in relation to the sensors.

Also, on my truck I have banks of O2 sensors. If one in a bank goes bad, I have to replace both in that bank. I have 4 catalytic converts, two O2 sensors upstream, one O2 sensor down stream behind the first cats and one downstream behind the second set of cats. The cheapest I have seen them is $33 for the upstream only. That's $66 but those are the upstream. The downstream ones, they run around $146 each so that's around $292 for O2 sensors for one bank.

Every car is different, some are cheaper than others and if you go the cheap route you get poor results. A malfunctioning or improper O2 sensor will eventually snowball and cause greater problems with much, much higher costs.

concealer404

I guess that's the difference. With me, i would rather have $700 in my pocket, and 30 minutes worth of rigging to end up with the same result.

But i guess the point was... that it's not real likely that it's $850 for ONE o2 sensor in this case.

As for the last paragraph, i agree 100% when pertained to "normal" people. I have NO o2 sensor on my MX6. It's just fine.

woodguru

Here's an interesting thought if you like Maxima's (good cars).

Looking at the new cost and keeping that in mind look at used Infinity Q45's (or even bring it down to the 30 series with a six cylinder that's better than the Maxima's). The Q45 is a way higher quality car and you know it as soon as you open the door and sit in it. It was engineered and built to last well beyond the first lease/purchase cycle so they stay in really good shape. The people that buy them typically don't drive them much, they stay in garages, and their owners can afford to maintain them perfectly. Because of their owner demographic they have the cheapest insurance ratings. Also, and this is a great benefit, cops will treat you with more respect when you are pulled over, it makes you look more substantial.

You can drive a way nicer car than typical kids drive for well under $10k, and believe me your friends and the girls you date will respect the type of person smart enough to drive cars like this.

I was joking earlier about the Audi S8 that I own (I also have an Infinity Q45t that is a great car), Audi S8's are not a kid's car nor can the typical kid afford to keep it up, affordable it's not.

One thing I forgot, BMW's are ludicrously expensive to have work done, the Infinity is exactly like driving a Nissan or Toyota in that respect, you don't get hosed everytime you need it serviced. I have had Jaguars, Mercedes, and BMW's including two M5's and a 750il and the cost of parts and service is offensive.

Demiurge

If you were a woman, I'd impregnate you.

Serendipity

concealer404 wrote: »

With me, i would rather have $700 in my pocket, and 30 minutes worth of rigging to end up with the same result.

I would rather have a used car, with no car payment, instead of buying something brand new. That's why I'm perfectly happy with an OLD but "sometimes needs repairs" car. Even with all the parts I have replaced it's still cheaper than a car payment.

As for the OP, well, it seems like he wants something new(er).

renowilliams

Well Big I wish you well on whatever choice you end up making. I remember being your age (many years ago) and I had my share of cars over the years. As stated here by others, a car for the most part will be about the worst investment you can make. You stated that you were not interested in an investment but like it or not thats what it is.

Anyway, whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be fun for you and at the very least a learning experience.

Good Luck
Tim

concealer404

Serendipity wrote: »

I would rather have a used car, with no car payment, instead of buying something brand new. That's why I'm perfectly happy with an OLD but "sometimes needs repairs" car. Even with all the parts I have replaced it's still cheaper than a car payment.

As for the OP, well, it seems like he wants something new(er).

Bingo. I spend less maintaining the 4 cars i own than the car payment for ONE of the cars listed will be.

inspiredsports

concealer404 wrote: »

Bingo. I spend less maintaining the 4 cars i own than the car payment for ONE of the cars listed will be.

Yep, you've made the point that nails it right there.

If you want to show off, borrow and buy new. If you want to keep some cash in your pocket for other uses (like audio ), drive used vehicles.

Serendipity

So what are you going to do? Keep your current car until it dies, or buy one of the above cars?

It seems like "Used BMW 5" and "Keep what I have until it dies" are winning

Polk addict

Umm... Why not a Subaru Legacy? If you get a V6, that'll have plenty of power for you... Plus, not maintenance needy...

concealer404

Polk addict wrote: »

Umm... Why not a Subaru Legacy? If you get a V6, that'll have plenty of power for you... Plus, not maintenance needy...

I think a Subaru Legacy with a V6 would be a tall order.

bobman1235

V6, H6, same thing.

nooshinjohn

Polk addict wrote: »

Umm... Why not a Subaru Legacy? If you get a V6, that'll have plenty of power for you... Plus, not maintenance needy...

Subary does not make "V" configured engines. They are all "Boxer" type engines or "horizontally-opposed" similar to Porsche. I can second the idea of a Subaru as they are powerful cars that have stellar reliability and safety ratings. If you go WRX, you will be able to tweak and tune the car to your liking along the way. Sorry to come across like a Subaru salesman but if the shoe fits....:D:p

concealer404

Subaru Legacy GT = win

Serendipity

How about a Subaru Impreza WRX STi?

audiobliss

concealer404 wrote: »

Subaru Legacy GT = win

Agreed. I used to love them from around ~2000. Just beautiful lines. Classy, subdued sporty.

TNRabbit

Enjoy no car payment; put that money on a set of SDAs and a man amp~

Serendipity

Also considered the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X?

bigaudiofanatic

Basically I got the itch to finish my audio system in the civic. So for now for another year or so I am going to keep it.

The trunk is going to be finished in show car standard and going to run 3 ways up front might run active as well. Going to be nice and be able to show it off to get more installs hopefully.

bigaudiofanatic

TNRabbit wrote: »

Enjoy no car payment; put that money on a set of SDAs and a man amp~

LOL If anythign I want my Martin Logans.

Serendipity

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

Basically I got the itch to finish my audio system in the civic. So for now for another year or so I am going to keep it.

The trunk is going to be finished in show car standard and going to run 3 ways up front might run active as well. Going to be nice and be able to show it off to get more installs hopefully.

OK, Keep it until it dies. Probably the best financial decision you will make.

jinjuku

Keep it until it dies. Put that money saved towards audio.

I have a 99' Altima that I haven't made a payment on in 8 1/2 years. Still drives fine ( it helps that I work from home ). Maybe a pair of Linkwitz Lab's Orion++ or the Pluto's.

jflail2

Keep it till it dies and put the money away for a house. I wish I could go back in time 6 years ago to tell myself exactly that...