Best car for around $24,000?

[mpower03]

e46 m3 for sure, maybe a 370z they have grown on me a lot

[FORCED AIR]

Originally Posted by Garduna

2010 GTI gets my vote

+1...I helped my younger brother pick one out. Great car. Especially since you are coming from a BMW, you probably want something with a little class and comfort.. You prolly don't want a shit interior or styling; Cobalt SS, SRT-4, etc.

You could go with the fastest for mid 20's which would give you the afore mentioned supped up econo boxes or a WRX.

But like I said coming from a bimmer the VW is prolly the best bet.

The Gti is also about as close to a "baby" N54 powered 1 or 3 series as you can get. Boost comes in very low and the car feels torquey, not to mention that I have never driven a car with a better feeling clutch. (Shifter needs some help though)

You can pick up a APR reflash for less than the price of N54 tunes and it puts you at around 250 wheel if I remember correctly (that might be with I/E) you can then reflash to get around 300 wheel with DP, IC, etc.

so....yea...it is basically a baby 1 series in power, modding, styling, luxury, etc.

fastest for that money would put you in Mustang GT, mazdaspeed3, Cobalt SS or WRX.

I only included new rides obviously. But if you are stressing $ than it is better to know that it is warrantied IMHO.

[kyleb350]

If you go to the dealer, don't tell them you can afford $450 a month. Instead stick with the overall price ($24K). They'll try to sneak you into something like 6 year financing.

When the Mazdaspeed3 first came out, I thought it was hideous, but the looks are kinda growing on me. Great car for the money

[PoorMan]

Originally Posted by kyleb350

If you go to the dealer, don't tell them you can afford $450 a month. Instead stick with the overall price ($24K). They'll try to sneak you into something like 6 year financing.

+1 Never talk payments until a final price is agreed upon..

[tkbr0wn]

Have you checked to see how much its gonna cost you to get out of that lease? Or are you going to try and get someone to assume it?

[EpicE90]

Originally Posted by tkbr0wn

Have you checked to see how much its gonna cost you to get out of that lease? Or are you going to try and get someone to assume it?

im trying to have someone assume my lease, but in this market i dont think im going to have much luck unfortunately.

[tkbr0wn]

Originally Posted by EpicE90

im trying to have someone assume my lease, but in this market i dont think im going to have much luck unfortunately.

Then you definitely will not be saving ANY money by getting out of your lease.

[EpicE90]

Originally Posted by tkbr0wn

Then you definitely will not be saving ANY money by getting out of your lease.

I dont think im really following.... My car is on swap a lease and im hopeing for someone to give me a call and transfer the car out of my name, and into theres, and take over the payments. The main money id be loosing is my down payment.

[jaiman]

Originally Posted by PoorMan

+1 Never talk payments until a final price is agreed upon..

True if you are only talking to one dealer, but if you're asking many dealers for quotes it's much easier to do it on a monthly payment basis.

[EpicE90]

Originally Posted by Bryan0102

just went to the dealer to check one out. they had a four door in auto that gets 23/34 and a black 2dr in stick 21/31. I checked it out. its really sick, it has a touch screen navigation (but its just radio) standard- It also has red stitching all over which is a cool touch, sport pedals, the inside of the rims are painted black, and has some nice dual exhaust with a diffuser. its super sleek and the msrp was 27k. didnt drive it but ive driven the mk5 numerous times and love it. its slower than my C350 but feels quicker. The blow off is lovely on this car. I think ill most likely be picking one up at the end of December. im going to the beach (87 degrees at 330 wtf) ill post a few cell pics later

Dude i went like an hour ago too. I was really impressed the steering wheel is beautiful.

[dexter]

3 choices came to mind...

1.- 2003-2006 BMW M3 definitely within your price range, and the bargain of the century IMO.

2.- 2003-2004 mustang cobra 390hp supercharged 4.6 V8 $2k in mods and you have 500whp easily and honestly a pretty aggressive looking car from the exterior. and they sound amazing. the interior is questionable but the sets are nice.

3- 2008.5-2009 mazdaspeed 3. all around a great car. FWD is a the only drawback, but torque steer is manageable due to the lsd up front. and they sound great with an exhaust. and the alcantara seats are awesome.

hope this helps...

[gpws2k]

As an S2000 owner, I would highly suggest taking one on a test drive. You will have a hard time finding a more fun car for the money. Since money is tight, you should just look for an 02-03 with 50k miles or less. These can easily be had for under $15,000 and the reliability of the car is great so there shouldn't be much to worry about. This will also put a lot less financial stress on you. I would avoid the 00-01s simply because they have a plastic rear window.

[Sal@AUTOcouture]

$400 a month including taxes and interest will be a car in the ~20k range roughly (60 months), so...since you want 54 month MAX, you need to look at a ~17-18k car. With that said, my suggestion would be 03-04 Evo, 04 sti (if you can find one for this price), 04-05 330i (zhp if you can find one), older vettes (non- z06) are easily obtainable in the low to mid teens now as well (98-99MY)

[EpicE90]

I've actually take it upon myself to see how much 08 mustang gt's were going for ,and ive found them for about 25k without searching to hard. I'm able to finance them anywhere up to 72 months, even though 72 months is a really long time it definitely keeps the payment where i want to be.. So i may go this route. If not i think i may go for an S2K. Ive driven one before and they are an absolute blast to drive. I thank everyone for their contributions in this thread , it has definitely helped me in this situation.

[dexter]

Originally Posted by EpicE90

I've actually take it upon myself to see how much 08 mustang gt's were going for ,and ive found them for about 25k without searching to hard. I'm able to finance them anywhere up to 72 months, even though 72 months is a really long time it definitely keeps the payment where i want to be.. So i may go this route. If not i think i may go for an S2K. Ive driven one before and they are an absolute blast to drive. I thank everyone for their contributions in this thread , it has definitely helped me in this situation.

why not an 03-04 cobra? you can get one for the less than the mustang gt and you will most definitely smoke it. all mustangs are easily tunable, but you will never get the power out of the GT like you can with the cobra.

[Sal@AUTOcouture]

Originally Posted by EpicE90

I've actually take it upon myself to see how much 08 mustang gt's were going for ,and ive found them for about 25k without searching to hard. I'm able to finance them anywhere up to 72 months, even though 72 months is a really long time it definitely keeps the payment where i want to be.. So i may go this route. If not i think i may go for an S2K. Ive driven one before and they are an absolute blast to drive. I thank everyone for their contributions in this thread , it has definitely helped me in this situation.

remember, you're going to have an 8 year old car by the time its done being paid for...if that matters to u

[NewSong]

Originally Posted by EpicE90

I've actually take it upon myself to see how much 08 mustang gt's were going for ,and ive found them for about 25k without searching to hard. I'm able to finance them anywhere up to 72 months, even though 72 months is a really long time it definitely keeps the payment where i want to be.. So i may go this route. If not i think i may go for an S2K. Ive driven one before and they are an absolute blast to drive. I thank everyone for their contributions in this thread , it has definitely helped me in this situation.

Financing a car for 72 months?

[EpicE90]

Originally Posted by NewSong

Financing a car for 72 months?

I know its a long time, but if i ever REALLY wanted to get rid of it i could. Again may lose some money but to be quite honest my head still isnt made up at the moment so who knows what ill end up with lol

[Andrew@ET]

mazda 3 speed

[M3R1]

Originally Posted by SunnyD

+1...If I had to spend 24k right now I'd pick up an e46 m3

I've had two of them. They are really great cars... Period...

[NewSong]

Originally Posted by EpicE90

I know its a long time, but if i ever REALLY wanted to get rid of it i could. Again may lose some money but to be quite honest my head still isnt made up at the moment so who knows what ill end up with lol

You're going to put yourself in the poor house quickly making financial decisions like this...

[EpicE90]

Originally Posted by NewSong

You're going to put yourself in the poor house quickly making financial decisions like this...

Lol your right. Let me tell u , i have quite an unstable mind when it comes to finacial matters and cars. Im quite terrible. I really dont know what my options realistically are anymore. I can afford 400 a month without stressing about it, but 500 like im spending right now is just too much when i factor in the rest of my lifes expenses. Not that there's very much mind you, but u catch my drift. I think the best solution really is for me to lease another car. But this time i wont be putting any down payment.