Do you guys think the rx8 is my best option as to what car I should get. I have 10,500$ cash from totaling my rx8 (paid 7k for it and I'm debating whether I should get another rx8 (if i do it MUST be the gt package and preferably automatic) or buy a new car. I've seen 2002-2004 m3's with just under 100k miles. I've seen dodge chargers with rims and chrysler 300's with 22's for sale around my price range. All pretty low miles. I was thinking more along the lines of an Infiniti g35, but I cant seem to find one with under 85,000 miles... All the ones I have seen have been a 6 speed manual. I'm thinking about taking a professional stick shift class, but the only reason I am questioning stick shift is because Los Angeles and is crazy with traffic, and it's a lotta hills with speedy drivers and all. Someone give me an input, i've been looking for cars for the past 4 hours -____-

 

Moderator note to responders: I'm keeping a close eye on this thread. I understand the temptation, but please avoid it.

Mitch,

Is this car going to be your only car? If yes, then no, you shouldn't be getting an 8 at that price range

Your car selection is all over the place, with two of the cars apparently what you like about them is huge crazy heavy wheels? Another two are actually closer to high class 'performance' sedans (the M3s would actually qualify to that title). None of these are normally cross-shopped with the 8, so it's kind of confusing.

How about you tell us what you need out of your car. What do you put value in, what don't you care much about, how you need to use it, etc...

 

if you think the 8 is expensive to run a 100,000 mile BMW isn't a good idea. the engine might not break, but everything else does.

but yeah, dodge charger? no idea, never seen one.

 

Mods - please keep an eye on the guy who posted this comment, lest he lead this thread in a bad direction.

Mitch - first thing to do is ask yourself what it was you liked about the RX-8. Second thing is ask yourself what you didn't like. Work your way out from there. Browse through old copies (i.e., the year range you can afford) of the annual "all the cars" issues of Motor Trend, Car and Driver, and Consumer Reports. Avoid a decision based on what members of any particular brand-specific enthusiast forum tell you.

Auto vs manual is just a personal choice. Once you get the hang of it, the fun of shifting outweighs any minor inconvenience in traffic or on hills. But if you think you'd need professional training to learn, stick with the auto and avoid the stress.

Ken

 

It wasn't a judgement, just an observation.

 

Looks like you're torn between American(ish) muscle (the 300 / charger), Euro sedans, and what you're used to in the 8... which is a step below your other examples being a 4 door-ish coup.

The $10k can get you an R3 if you look hard enough... that's likely the route I'd go. I've thought about the 300, charger, and camero before, but they're a totally different car. If you're looking to make that kinda leap then have at it, you won't find much help here unfortunately.

 

You are looking for a car you don't need to think about while owning and driving it.

If you want to save lots of money during purchase, the Dodge or Chrysler are you best options. In the long run, stuff will break, Chrysler won't honor the warranty, and you will have to pay out of pocket to fix them.

If you want a more reliable car for the long run, you should buy the Infiniti.
It will cost more to get one with an automatic, but that's your problem. Either shell out the money, or don't. Either get a manual, and learn how to deal with it, or spend the extra money.

Your other choice is to buy another RX-8 for cheap, total it again, get more than its worth, and then buy a car with the more money you have now built up. Shouldn't be too hard to do that, as you've already proven.

But, there's no reason to get and own another RX-8 with an automatic, or a BMW M3, as those will suck your wallet dry, short term and long term.

BC.

 

oh boy.... another one of these threads................ a auto sports car well.....

 

Go test drive every single car you think you might like until you narrow down your choices to 3, then put three choices in a hat and pick one?

 

IMHO you seem a little undecided on what to do with your $10,500

Do you have an issue with a small monthly payment? $100-$200 a month, if not use the $10,5 as a down payment on something you really like and finance a small portion for a short term on a car with low miles on it.

$10,500 out the door taxes and all wont get you very much and very reliable, so narrow one down you really like and search around for a good deal on it.

 

Oh boy...getting a professional stick shift class and planning to get an auto...

It's not that hard to learn stick shift. Just keep practicing and you'll learn it like riding a bike with no training wheels.