What car will fit these guidelines?

[xxForgedxx]

I am looking into German cars, I feel that they offer something special in comparison to other manufacturers. However I do have my gripes about German cars but I'd still like to give one a shot. Can you help me find something that fits within these guidelines?

Wallet: $10-25,000 (registered, insured and ready to drive)

PERFORMANCE:

-12 to 14 second stock or mild modified performance. I do not plan to drag race the car I just like to use 1/4 mile times as reference to how quick they are. I'd like the car to fit into this area with bolt ons at most, if it is that quick with MILD mods it fits the bill

-Capable handling in stock form at least, joyous handling with mild modifications to coilovers. Keeping it simple still

-AWD or RWD, FWD need not apply

UTILITY:

-As long as it has decent space to store groceries it will do just fine

RELIABILITY:

-I need to be able to have fun with the car without constantly having on my mind, what delicate things probably got worn to crap, broke or will soon. I do not drive like an A-Hole but I feel a car with good performance is useless if it can not take the type of driving attracted by its attributes. It needs to be able to take track time (once in a while stuff, at a novice level mind you)

MAINTENANCE:

-I need to feel confident I can turn key and go without the next stop breaking the bank. Or potential big dollar repairs creeping up behind me

The cars I have ruled out, hopefully you will be able to see what I am trying to steer clear from:

-B5 Audi S4 is one example I have in mind.

Lets hear it

[Year's_End]

E39 5er. E36 M3. E46 3. Lots of choices actually.

[xxForgedxx]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

E39 5er. E36 M3. E46 3. Lots of choices actually.

E39 5 Series = VANOS = Big $$$?

E46... the only one that fits the mold is a 330ci or an M3. Are you suggesting the M3 fits that bill? I thought VANOS was a high dollar fix, as well as subframe failure.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by xxForgedxx

E39 5 Series = VANOS = Big $$$?

E46... the only one that fits the mold is a 330ci or an M3. Are you suggesting the M3 fits that bill? I thought VANOS was a high dollar fix, as well as subframe failure.

Hmm, not sure. I think they brought out a host of new engines mid-cycle that incorporated VANOS. Maybe you could look for the pre-VANOS-equipped models.

[silvergray545]

Audi B6 S4

AWD 4.2L V8 300+ hp and decent handling

[xxForgedxx]

Originally Posted by silvergray545

Audi B6 S4

AWD 4.2L V8 300+ hp and decent handling

Very good handling however cam tensioner issue/service can be huge money...

[LOLrance]

im confused. Weren't you so broke that you were asking people if you should sell your 98 accord to pay for bills? Now you have up to 25k to spend on a car? WTF?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171635

[silvergray545]

Originally Posted by xxForgedxx

Very good handling however cam tensioner issue/service can be huge money...

yeah but you can still get those under warranty

[xxForgedxx]

Originally Posted by silvergray545

yeah but you can still get those under warranty

Warranty is a bad crutch... if you have to count on a warranty to enjoy a car that says enough. Once the warranty is gone, so is your money.

[xxForgedxx]

Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3

im confused. Weren't you so broke that you were asking people if you should sell your 98 accord to pay for bills? Now you have up to 25k to spend on a car? WTF?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171635

Don't get in to that. No one said when, and to be frank I don't feel like explaining.

[silvergray545]

Originally Posted by xxForgedxx

Warranty is a bad crutch... if you have to count on a warranty to enjoy a car that says enough. Once the warranty is gone, so is your money.

then you shouldnt be driving a german car. plain and simple. something will break and it will be expensive.

[xxForgedxx]

Originally Posted by silvergray545

then you shouldnt be driving a german car. plain and simple. something will break and it will be expensive.

Not necessarily...

[rlb]

Originally Posted by silvergray545

then you shouldnt be driving a german car. plain and simple. something will break and it will be expensive.

+1
If one of your concerns is reliability and low cost maintenance then you should be looking at Japanese cars not German. I would not want to own a German car outside of the warranty period.

[im spencer]

I'd be getting an old bug-eyed wrx and mob it around in that thing for a while. You can fetch one in the low 10's nowadays i think.

[xxForgedxx]

Well see, to be honest. The two cars that come to mind are the R32, either gen but probably the 5th gen. Or the E90 330i... I really think that I will be crazy happy with an EVO or STi until I start getting annoyed.

The problem with those two cars, is that you can't turn OFF performance when you want to.

[asdflkijd]

-As long as it has decent space to store groceries it will do just fine

LOL he wants a grocery getter
uhhh for that price, you can get a Mazdaspeed 3, its pretty nimble and fun to drive. Or some other options are Honda S2k, Mazdaspeed3, Golf Gti... but since you wanna stick with German manufactures, I suggest a used R32... Or how about a E46 ZHP? Older Audi's are prone to problems don't get it..

[jlstyle]

Originally Posted by xxForgedxx

Well see, to be honest. The two cars that come to mind are the R32, either gen but probably the 5th gen. Or the E90 330i... I really think that I will be crazy happy with an EVO or STi until I start getting annoyed.

The problem with those two cars, is that you can't turn OFF performance when you want to.

Where do you get e90s for sub $25k???
Since your budget is tight and looking for a performer that is reliable, you should get a S2000. Aged german cars just cost more to maintain.
But in other hand, 05 or 06 S2000 with around 15k miles would cost you around $24k or less so you get newer car for the money than the german ones. Also it does low 13, handles great, great reliablilty, looks good, sounds great, drop top and could drive to perform or drive to cruise.

[killjohnnyforan]

a guy who seems to know everything asks the questions.. seems a bit contrary to me

[xxForgedxx]

Originally Posted by jlstyle

Where do you get e90s for sub $25k???
Since your budget is tight and looking for a performer that is reliable, you should get a S2000. Aged german cars just cost more to maintain.
But in other hand, 05 or 06 S2000 with around 15k miles would cost you around $24k or less so you get newer car for the money than the german ones. Also it does low 13, handles great, great reliablilty, looks good, sounds great, drop top and could drive to perform or drive to cruise.

Actually you can get a 2004-2005 with 20k about for $18-19,000.00 and E90's are indeed below $25,000.00 I have found a more than a handful of local E90 330i's with 30-40s,000 miles for that price. The s2000 is a GREAT car but if I am going to have TWO cars I'd just assume find a fixed roof coupe C5 Corvette, a MUCH better bang for the buck.

[nmulax]

Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3

im confused. Weren't you so broke that you were asking people if you should sell your 98 accord to pay for bills? Now you have up to 25k to spend on a car? WTF?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171635

Originally Posted by xxForgedxx

Don't get in to that. No one said when, and to be frank I don't feel like explaining.

Originally Posted by xxForgedxx

The s2000 is a GREAT car but if I am going to have TWO cars I'd just assume find a fixed roof coupe C5 Corvette, a MUCH better bang for the buck.

So you went from 98 Accord, to selling that to pay bills, to $25k German car (that may not be attainable for a while), to having two cars.

[xxForgedxx]

Originally Posted by nmulax

So you went from 98 Accord, to selling that to pay bills, to $25k German car (that may not be attainable for a while), to having two cars.

IF I am going to have 2 cars which the s2000 would require. I would be better off going with a C5.

[killjohnnyforan]

Originally Posted by xxForgedxx

Actually you can get a 2004-2005 with 20k about for $18-19,000.00 and E90's are indeed below $25,000.00 I have found a more than a handful of local E90 330i's with 30-40s,000 miles for that price. The s2000 is a GREAT car but if I am going to have TWO cars I'd just assume find a fixed roof coupe C5 Corvette, a MUCH better bang for the buck.

you're a clown. why would you post a question, just to disagree with every answer that comes your way?