Topic: 8 month until my lease ends

[rsxca]

As the title says my lease ends in 8 months and so I've decided to start looking for a new car.

I'm starting early since I've decided that I'm most likely going to buy a used car.  Here are my choices so far.

1) 911 2005-2006, Ever since I saw that commercial where the mom picks up two kids from school I've been dreaming of a 911 as a DD.  Problem is that I drove my friends 2008 911 C4 and felt a little under-welmed.  Maybe I was expecting too much from the famous 911.  Interior was just ok and the sound of the engine was ok.  Maybe I needed to drive it harder?? One thing I was worried about was the stiff suspension but even in sport mode I would be able to drive it everyday.  Also the clutch was damn stiff!!!
2) M3 sedan 2008-2009,  Alway liked the look of the M3.  V8 power!!  Haven't driven yet.
3) S4 2010,  Like the look, nice interior, newest of all three.  Haven't driven yet.

I figure since I'm looking for used car that I need to start look now since you never know when the car you like will go on sale.

I know the three cars I've pick are not likely cross shopped, esp. the 911 but these are the three I've had my eyes on.

Let me know what you guys/girls think.  Any other cars that are similar to these three that I have over looked??  Must seat four.  Two kid 8 and under in the back and must have a manual transmission.

Thanks

[rrocket]

2001+ 911 Turbo is the better buy.  And the engines are based on the GT2 racing design and are VERY robust.

[Vanstar]

I would also love a 911 but I am of the opinion that if you cannot afford a new one, you really cannot afford a used one.

[rrocket]

I would also love a 911 but I am of the opinion that if you cannot afford a new one, you really cannot afford a used one.

Not true at all.  Just have to be careful which models you pick...

[Julie]

I would also love a 911 but I am of the opinion that if you cannot afford a new one, you really cannot afford a used one.

I don't know if I would agree with that.

If I get a Porsche, I am 99% sure I'd get used.  Most of these Porsche don't get driven in the winter, their mileage is low and their prices have dropped a significant chunk when they're a few years old.  Yeah, maintenance is more expensive, but in the price range OP is looking at, he wouldn't have a problem paying for the maintenance.

Of the three cars you list OP, I only really know the M3.  I would recommend an 09 model.  Even though the M3 is the most reliable car BMW makes and the only real issue has been with the DCT transmission (until 2010 when a fix came out, for all years), there are a little more first year bugs than the 09 models and up.  Also, the MDrive on the 09+ models was vastly improved over the 08 model.  There are more 08's then 09's on the market now, but that will start changing as more 09's come off lease or get traded for a newer model year.....  Not that I wouldn't recommend an '08 (they've still been pretty solid), but I just think the 09's are a better value.

[2latecrew]

Keep your eye out for a used RS4 V8
http://www.thesmokingtire.com/2010/comparison-review-2010-audi-s4-vs-2007-audi-rs4/

There is one at my gym often. The car looks badazz and the sound of that V8 ..wow one of the best sounding sedans around. Top Gear drooled all over it when it came out so it can't be that bad right? 

I love 911s but if you honestly are talking about a daily driver that you will put kids in the back of (even if they are under 8 like my kids) I wouldn't have one as a DAILY driver. That's just me.

I really like the S4. It strikes me as the best daily driver of the bunch. Its not going to be as exciting as the M3 probaly though. All depends on what the ratio of excitment to daily dirver practicality has to be. The Audi with its newer platform, roomy interior and AWD would seem like a better car to live with every single day...but maybe not as much fun on those days when you can really let it loose. Unless you can track them..how often is that these days?

[tortoise]

Wow,  that's a great shopping list.

I think the Audi would be the most comfortable, the BMW the most well rounded and the 911 the most fun. 

What about the BMW 1M?

http://www.arabiandrift.com/video/64864/Top-Gear--BMW-1-M-coupe-complete-testingavi

[Snowman]

I would also love a 911 but I am of the opinion that if you cannot afford a new one, you really cannot afford a used one.

Not true at all.  Just have to be careful which models you pick...

I was at PFAFF here in Oakville yesterday  browsing for my 2012 summer car. I 'm thinking a 2005-06 911 Carrera S or 4S. Any issues?

[Snowman]

I would also love a 911 but I am of the opinion that if you cannot afford a new one, you really cannot afford a used one.

I don't know if I would agree with that.

If I get a Porsche, I am 99% sure I'd get used.  Most of these Porsche don't get driven in the winter, their mileage is low and their prices have dropped a significant chunk when they're a few years old.  Yeah, maintenance is more expensive, but in the price range OP is looking at, he wouldn't have a problem paying for the maintenance.

Of the three cars you list OP, I only really know the M3.  I would recommend an 09 model.  Even though the M3 is the most reliable car BMW makes and the only real issue has been with the DCT transmission (until 2010 when a fix came out, for all years), there are a little more first year bugs than the 09 models and up.  Also, the MDrive on the 09+ models was vastly improved over the 08 model.  There are more 08's then 09's on the market now, but that will start changing as more 09's come off lease or get traded for a newer model year.....  Not that I wouldn't recommend an '08 (they've still been pretty solid), but I just think the 09's are a better value.

  I have seen many 2005-2006 Porsche 911 Carrera S's in the $50k-$60k range, with low mileage, and  in minty condition.

[airbalancer]

Wow,  that's a great shopping list.

I think the Audi would be the most comfortable, the BMW the most well rounded and the 911 the most fun. 

What about the BMW 1M?

http://www.arabiandrift.com/video/64864/Top-Gear--BMW-1-M-coupe-complete-testingavi

two kids in a 1, I do not believe that would be the best fit

[tortoise]

Gotta be better than a 911.

[aquadorhj]

that shopping list is worthy of drool.. 

what about maserati grand tourismo?  second hand, their value drops like rock, but ferrari engine, four seats..  i know it's got automatic( automated manual... ), but it's gotta be a nice ride.

RS4 is a nice option as well.  so is 1M, (i'm sure kids will fit in the back) but they are so limited in number.

OMG, how could i have forgotten, CTS-V!!!!!!  since you are looking at M3 sedan, might as well look at CTS-V too.  560 supercharged HP.. and OHV chevy engine doesn't sound too bad either. worth a look, right?  ones with magnetic ride control will give you comfort carting kids around(more cool points for you if you get a wagon), and when you want to boogie, press a button and voila, monster.

[blur911]

I would also love a 911 but I am of the opinion that if you cannot afford a new one, you really cannot afford a used one.

Not true at all.  Just have to be careful which models you pick...

Absolutely.  

Also, either find a good independent garage or learn to fix them yourself.  Older air-cooled ones are fairly easy to work on.
A friend has a 997 and loves it.  They've gotten pretty comfy.

[tpl]

I toy with the idea of a pre-loved 911 as my next car rather than another GTI or a 3-er.  First I'd find a LOCAL place that would service it competently and then find the car.    I no longer have much interest in getting all oily.

I suspect that around here ( K-w on the west to Oakville in the south) there would be no difficulty in finding a really good one.

[rsxca]

CTS-V is pretty cool car but the styling is not to my taste.

M1 coupe pretty cool car but I think they will be hard to come by in the next 8 months.

RS4 was another car I was thinking about but from what I have herd the S4 is almost as good a drive but much more livable and probably cheaper to run in the long run. Also I like the interior of the S4 more.

Thanks for all the replies. I will keep everyone posted.

[johngenx]

There is some truth to the adage that rrocket has provided.  The running costs on a used 911 are really no less than on a new one.  Of course, buy an 80's model and work on it yourself, and that is how a 911 becomes truly affordable.

Personally, my two faves are the 89-ish cars and the last of the 993 air cooled models.

If I were out shopping Porches today, a Cayman S would be near the top of the list.  I know a guy that bought one for under $35K and it's a mint car.  THAT is a lot of Porsche value...

[tpl]

In the unlikely but not impossible event that I'd buy a 2nd had Porsche, the 911 is the only one I'd consider and I don't care too much about the running costs...I am more sensitive to capital costs as a retired guy.  The capital cost of even the cheapest new 911 variant is such that I'd buy a BMW 5-er or an M-B E-class instead. And yes I know that they are a different sort of car.

[Snowman]

In the unlikely but not impossible event that I'd buy a 2nd had Porsche, the 911 is the only one I'd consider and I don't care too much about the running costs...I am more sensitive to capital costs as a retired guy.  The capital cost of even the cheapest new 911 variant is such that I'd buy a BMW 5-er or an M-B E-class instead. And yes I know that they are a different sort of car.

I agree tpl, as much as I like the Cayman and Boxer there is nothing like a 911.

[Cord]

Man, it must be fun shopping for cars like that.

[articsteve]

I was at PFAFF here in Oakville yesterday  browsing for my 2012 summer car. I 'm thinking a 2005-06 911 Carrera S or 4S. Any issues?

Intermediate Shaft failures and the Rear Main Seals leak prematurely.  Estimates are that 10% of engines suffer catastrophic failures by 90K miles.  98 and 99 - pure junk.  Porsche came in with failed "fix" for 2000-2005. 2006 Porche installed heavier bearings, but problems are still showing up and the new IMS bearings require complete tear down of motor.  So a 2005 with the IMS replaced would be less risky than a 2006.

Consequently, you would need to find a unit that had IMS replaced which would mean that it had a new clutch and other associated parts.   

Clutch will cost you about 8K tax in.  AC failures common.

Next summer you can pull a 2006/45k miles out of the States all day long for 40K.  Just expect to spend 10 -15K the first 2 years if you're going retail on the repairs.