Ideas for a 3-4k Family car?

[pporcaro]

98 jetta TDI
45 mpg where it's at. and diesel is 5 cents cheaper than gas again

[BTP325ic]

cant go wrong with a diesel car.

[MR 325]

I also say E32 735

[maximumangle]

2000-2002 Saturn SC2. its a nice little 2+2 with a third door. not as nice as a 7 series but you can still get them w, power everything, moonroof and full leather. not lacking in power like the 01 camry, and still gets 30-32mpg city, 40-42mpg.

[Eric]

I say 2000ish vw Jetta tdi.

E34 is cool, but it is not Honda reliable.

[nando]

toyota camry, sorry guys, i know its not cool but it would be 10x more reliable then any newer bmw and get better mileage and be more comfortable.

I'd rather commit seppuku.

[VacMan]

Here's my newest project. Paid $1500 for it. Sunroof works great and it doesn't need much, mainly suspension which I planned on doing anyway and an o2 sensor. Early M50 car, and I have all the 5 speed stuff to swap it right now (thanks Jack!) Eventually I'll do an S50/52; Jack's built S50 touring kept up with my M5 from 10-100ish on the freeway and is a blast to drive.

Crappy Blackberry pic:

[SpecM]

Mine has 305k and still runs like a champ. It gets great gas mileage when someone other than me drives it, has plenty of interior room and has a cavernous trunk (fits 4 17 inch wheels with tires).

I got the car from my girlfriends dad who bought it new. It has literally never had anything done to it other than timing belts/waterpumps, plugs/wires, oil changes, tires/brakes. I take that back, i fucked up the flex pipe when rallycrossing it but i dont think that was the cars fault.

Oh and i generally drive it like its a rental, anyone who has ridden with me/attempted to follow me cant attest to that. The old girl takes everything i throw at her and i think she'll easily make it another 50k.

word

mine's starting to puff a little blue smoke for 2 seconds on a cold start, its the exhaust valve stem seals that seem to go bad, and the driver's side power window motor is geting weak in hot weather, it'll need that soon

ditto on the upkeep: brakes, tires, a battery... plugs... oil... air filter... uhh hell mine still has the factory plug wire, but I'm changing them soon.

and 35mpg is easy to get on the highway, prob 26-28 around town with the AC

[Erick]

E34 touring without a doubt. :)

[Hallen]

735i E32

Or the 740i or iL E32. Sweet-sweet cars, really. More room than you know what to do with, yet drives like a much smaller car.

I have a 99 E46 sedan. It is a bit tight in the back for 2 adults, but it is fine for younger kids and baby seats. The 4 doors give it very good access to the back. It gets very good fuel economy, I average 27mpg on my normal commute and I don't go easy on the gas. I would buy a 2001 or newer if you have the money. A lot of the basic 325i models are not that expensive now.

An E34 is sweet too, but like the E32, you are looking at an older car that is going to have its maintenance issues just like your E30. The E46 is very solid in that regard.

DOH, I'm still asleep. Now I see the 3-4k amount. Yeah, tough to find an E46 for that money for sure. You might find some high mileage 99 323i like mine. Don't let the 323i part throw you off though, it is just a hair less power than the later 325i and it weighs a bit less, so not a bad deal. Just watch for the rear subframe/floor cracking problem (which is very rare).

[Erick]

Sorry, I just read autoblog.

Use the 3-4k for a new diesel 1 Series hatchback. 52mpg and Cali-loving-emissions.

[Eric]

Sorry, I just read autoblog.

Use the 3-4k for a new diesel 1 Series hatchback. 52mpg and Cali-loving-emissions.

wait, what??? link please???????


edit: read autoblog just now... those are overseas only. no 1 series diesel hatch for US. the 3 door hatch is by far the best looking 1 sereis too. :(

[longhornM6]

Mercedes Benz W123 Wagon

If you can find one in the price range, they're great! And the Turbo Diesel is BULLET PROOF! Mine even has a third seat which makes it almost as useful as a Minivan. Mine has 233,000 miles on it and still strong!

[Erick]

wait, what??? link please???????


edit: read autoblog just now... those are overseas only. no 1 series diesel hatch for US. the 3 door hatch is by far the best looking 1 sereis too. :(

Wtf? Either they are editing typos or I'm imagining things. I could've sworn the article said coming to the US like not even an hour ago. O.o

Damn. Massive :(

[kishg]

an e30?