I need a new car

[magman007]

Ok guys, i need a new car, and i would really appreciate ur help finding one. Heres the backround.

Currently, i have an 83 mercedes benz 240 d. Its a great car, despite being slow, and i think it has alot more left in it. The body its self has over 350000 miles on it, and the new engine in it has 125000. This worries both me and my parents, as i am going to school in Kansas,and i dont want to be stranded out there. They payed 2000 for it. The NADA book values it at 4k+ but i know a car is only worth what some one will pay for it.

My parents would like to see me take the minivan out to college. Its quick, runs well etc. BUT ITS A VAN. now many of you will think im probabally spoiled, and think that im not being rational in wanting a good car, when the van runs fine. But the thing is, i dont like the van, i dont like how it handles, and i dont like that when driving i cannot see the front of it.

So, im looking for a good reliable car, that you know, looks cool as well, in the 2000-2500 range. If any one can help me out, id really appreciate it.

Ive been looking at ford probes on ebay, and they seem to go with in that price range, but i am not sure on their reliability etc. Also, many of them have very high milage, etc etc.

If you would be willing to find something that is in my range, i would really appreciate any help you are willing to give. As it seems, i will be selling my car on ebay, reserve of 2000, and a buy it now for 3000. Worst comes to worst, the car either A doesnt sell, or B sells and i cant find any thing to replace it. if that happens, il just tough it out with the van.

thanks for your help, i really appreciate it. also, any reccomendations to what i should look at will be appreciated as well. Also, im looking primarily for automatics, as i can drive stick, but at the moment, im not that good at it, and i dont want to worry about it. Also, any thing that can handle in the snow, would be appreciated. Thanks Guys!

[Machina123]

well

my brother has a ford probe and that thing is a trooper. he hit a guard rail doin 30 and there is very very very very little damage to the car. i was surprised when he got it back how little damage there was. his is a 1990 or a 91 probe i forget which year. the only thing to go wrong with it sice he had it was the radiator. its a relatively fast little car and handles well. the newer style ones are cool 2. but if i had to get into a accident with a sportscar id would deffidently vouch for hsi probe.

[punkncat]

I would suggest an older Maxima. Get the auto trans.Avoid the manual.
Consumer reports has had that on the list of used cars to own forever. I have owned one and other than the driver side electric window was an AWESOME car. Loads of power , decent handling/ride , looks nice.

[magman007]

what about a pre 1998 beatle? you know the old style! the things that float, and will go through any thing? im sure i can pick one up cheep, any reccomendations?

[silentdeath55]

I just got a 1999 mercury mystique for about 5000. I know its over your price range, but try looking into older mercurys/chevy (particularly cavaliers)/fords/etc. they seem to go for around your price range and will last a long time. My brother has a 1990 ford probe and it still runs, so thats good.

[lord1234]

bill

seriously can i suggest a Toyota Camry...

i drove one for the LONGEST time...and my god it handled great..had some pick up...and even looked ok in the process...a 94 or 95 should be around 2kish if you look hard enough...

I can also vouch for them being safe in crashes(if you remember my pictures)

talk to me on AIM or IRC if u want to know more.

--Lord

[magman007]

well personally, i think a pre 1998 beatle would be really cool, either that or the probe, because apparently they are still running fine, gotta love mazda for their engine in it. Il also look into the camry and the old toyotas as well.

[Fred]

take the minivan dude...

I did the car shopping thing back in April...

Sell your Benz and put in a rockin stereo, tink the back windows DARK, and throw in a strobe and discoball... party on wheels!

plus minivans have room for all the maneuvering you'll be learning in... flightschool, yeah, that's it... flightschool...



---Fred

[vf-xx]

Hahahahaha, Keep whatcha got man.

Look at it this way. Buying ANY used car you are buying a new set of problems. They may be minor, they may be major, but problems none the less. With your current car at least you know your problems. Maybe sell the minivan and put the money in a savings acount specifically to be used to fix your car when you have problems.

I'm currently in a 77 cutlass. My family has owned that car since 1980 and I was born in 1981. Not only is the car older than me, we've OWNED it longer than I've been alive. Love the car to death, but there's quite a bit of rust damage to the car now and we don't want to dump the 2k we'd need to fix the body.

[magman007]

well, currently the car has no problems, but it is quite pricey to fix, if and when it does have problems. i hae a feeling the trans will need work soon, as it doesnt shift, when it is supposed to. the odd thing with the mercedes, is to get it to shift out of the gear, you need to let up on the gas, to let it shift, there are only 3 ways to use the pedal as well, either floored to get off from a stoplight or going up a hill, or mid way pressed to keep current speed, or none at all.

the deal with the vw that is soo tempting, is that my uncle owns a VW repair shop, so any thing that is curently wrong with it, i could have fixed, and for cheep before i go off to college. thats why im so interested in it.

i cannot sell the minivan, as it isnt mine to sell, its being loaned to me if i wish to use it. i would like to do that, but if i sold it off, i would sell my car off, and buy a used rx7

[Curly]

Well, are you seriously considering this because you don't trust the Mercedes, or do you want another car? Truthfully I would trust Mercedes all the way to Kansas more than I would a beetle. The old beetles may run forever, and your uncle may own a shop, but I'd sure hate to get into an accident with one. Around town is one thing, but you are talking about driving almost half way across the country. Your uncle may be able to fix it when its in PA, but what about when its in Kansas? I would probably just take the minivan if I were you. Once you get to school you wont need it very much anyways. Sell the Mercedes and put the money into paintball or into all the new gear you will soon need as a pilot, ie headsets, gps, etc...

[1stdeadeye]

Look at an older Toyota Celica GT. Looks nice. Runs srong.

But seriouly think about the Van. It will make you muy popular!!! You will be the one to tote your buddies around and the ladies will hink you are secure in your manhood since you drive a mom-mobile!

[magman007]

hmm. Scott does have a point.

Curly, i do trust my mercedes, but my parents dont. they baisically put their foot down and said that i cant take it.

Fixing a bug, is apparently quite wasy, and parts arent hard to find for it...

The ford probe is still on the table


also im looking at the audi s4000 quattro

toyota celica

and the camry

and yes, il think about the damn van

[skife]

beatles are fun the old ones anyways that are rear wheel drive and have the trans axel.
parts arn't that hard to find, usually dune buggy shops have them in stock.
if you get one though make sure its a stick because the auto ones are no fun to drive

[PsychoBaller]

My car is up in December, it be yours for a lump sum of $7000, u can check her out at IAO.

Stats:
-2000 Mazda ES Protege, Green
-Gray cloth interior
-only 40,000mi in 5yrs !!!!!

Nothing wrong with her. Last Xmas i had new brakes, a new battery, and 2 new tires put on her.

-baller