Originally Posted by SoCalSC4

Does a 17 year old need a 350 hp car? I've seen more teenagers get in trouble
with cars like this with speeding tickets, accidents, etc.

I submit that most 17 year olds don't have enough driving experience or
understanding of vehicle dynamics to really handle a car like this.

We had a Persian kid locally here get his new M3 out of shape and kill
himself and a passenger. Not cool.

Also, if you've only been driving for a year or so, can you really "get bored"
with a particular car? I've always been a car guy, but when I was that age
driving was about the experience itself and the freedom- it wasn't even about
the car (I had a Fiat that I bought with my own money - it was a fun car,
and I learned a lot about pride of ownership and responsibility).

One other note; while a used W210 or E39 would be fun and have great snob
appeal, I think realistically you'd want to set aside some monthly $ for
repairs and maintenance. This would be true of any used car, but I have
friends that are Mercedes & BMW technicians and I am aware of the issues
that can plague these cars as they get older. Head gaskets, window regulators, power steering racks, sunroof motors- none are particularly
cheap to replace.

If you're thinking about heading to college, having an MB or BMW might seem
cool... until a less fortunate student keys your car or an inexperienced driver
backs into the corner of your car, taking out the taillight and bumper.

Not too many 17 year olds can earn $20,000 cash, so the source of the
money may infuence your decision. If aunt rose said "Johnny, I have $20K
to buy you a car" I suppose you might as well use it. If it was a trust fund
kind of deal I suppose I would spend a portion of it and invest the rest to
fund the purchase of a home sometime in the future. I wish I could have
purchased my first home at 25 instead of 30!

Originally Posted by VIPLINE

My bad, i didn't know he is only 17-year-old.
In that case, an used Volvo or Saab should do it. Learn how to drive first, and then start driving faster cars later. Safety is always first

Originally Posted by maniax

2005 subaru legacy gt

4WD.
STI engine. Different turbo.
250hp stock. Easily tuned to over 300hp.
Luxurious compared to STI.
Ultimate sleeper.
Reliable.

for an '05, it's going for about $18g!

Oh and did i mention the 5 star crash ratings?

You wont find a better bang for the buck than the LGT.

Originally Posted by vince1128

pontiac aztek...







jk im not a fan of the e39 bodystyle, but thats your call. Maybe an e46 330ci? those look great. i would stay away from the w210 e class however. my grandfather bought one new in 2000, wrote the dealer a check for 48k. today, he has major rust problems, the radio is broken, the lcd's and backlights are out on the instrument cluster, the steering wheel and shift **** are severly worn, and it only has 68k mi.also he is having trouble getting 10.5k for it. lexus and other japanese cars are always going to be more reliable, but i like my share of Euros. what about an audi a4/6?

Originally Posted by splitfire

why it is ok to buy a used E39 and not a newer Evo I had E39 528i, 540 6spd and E39 M5.. from my experiance my Evo was by far had way less problems than any of the E39s I owned, even I had fews things on the car...

Originally Posted by bighitbike

Well in my last thread I said that I have 15k to spend. Well I just came up with a bit more and would like to check out my options.

Necessities:
4 door
Not american
Moddable
Reliable

Those are my requirements...One question...how reliable are the BMW e39's?

Thanks,
Ellio

Originally Posted by Dx3

Elliott,

Not to sound condescending, but just because you have $20K doesn't mean you have to spend $20k.

You are 17 - you don't need to be driving a $20k car. Personally, if I could go back to being 17 I would do this.

Drop $8k on a boosted SC300 (I know you said 4-dr but I know plenty of people who have kids that fit in an SC. Not to mention you are 17 so you probably don't have any kids anyway.)

Take $2k for mods/maintenance.

Invest the other $10k in a high yield savings account and use it to live off while in college. I worked 2 jobs and went to college full-time because I decided having a cool car was more important. Trust me - it isn't.

Not that you will take my advice - but save this thread and in 10/15 years look back on it. Then I expect an email saying "You were right."

Jonny

Originally Posted by ElitistK

it is ok to buy used STi, but it is not ok to buy used EVO. The 540i w/ 6spd comes comes with sports package. If you're looking for a manual car, 540i w/ 6spd is my top pick, and then STI next. OF course, get the 01+ 540i.

Originally Posted by tmf2004

That's the best advice I've heard on this board in along time..

Originally Posted by Dx3

Elliott,

Not to sound condescending, but just because you have $20K doesn't mean you have to spend $20k.

You are 17 - you don't need to be driving a $20k car. Personally, if I could go back to being 17 I would do this.

Drop $8k on a boosted SC300 (I know you said 4-dr but I know plenty of people who have kids that fit in an SC. Not to mention you are 17 so you probably don't have any kids anyway.)

Take $2k for mods/maintenance.

Invest the other $10k in a high yield savings account and use it to live off while in college. I worked 2 jobs and went to college full-time because I decided having a cool car was more important. Trust me - it isn't.

Not that you will take my advice - but save this thread and in 10/15 years look back on it. Then I expect an email saying "You were right."

Jonny

Originally Posted by bighitbike

Hey man, that's a really good idea. But like I said previously, I am not sure if I can take the extra cash that isn't used. I really want to, and would love to pick up like an old SC, 1GS or something like that, then mod it a bit, then save for college. Hmmm, i was just thinking that I doubt I could keep the 10k and not spend it, maybe it's time for me to learn some management. That could work as an idea to keep the remaining balance. We'll see!

Thanks a ton,
Elliott

Originally Posted by VIPLINE

If u can come up with $2K more(around $22K,) u can get a Mercedes Benz W210 E55 AMG.....at least a 2001 model in very good condition. 349 hp & 391 ft/lbs of torque!!! I almost pick one up 3 months ago with 75,000 miles on it..........very very clean.....but I could only come up with $15K
U've owned Lexus already.....i think u should try an European car. I know people will start bashing me on this, but for real, there are somethings & feelings that Japanese cars just can't give u.

Originally Posted by Dx3

Invest the other $10k in a high yield savings account and use it to live off while in college. I worked 2 jobs and went to college full-time because I decided having a cool car was more important. Trust me - it isn't.

Jonny