MikeS 18

Okay, so I have a '01 CLS with Navigation and 78,000 miles. Parchment interior with mahogany wood - or maybe its really plastic woodgrain. Brand new tranny! I'll have brand new rotors and wheel bearing in a few weeks. Otherwise, the car is stock (spoiler, nothing else to speak of.

Now, I want to get rid of this car and get another car without spending any extra cash or taking a loan.

I don't need a sports car and to give you an idea, I'm thinking used Golf or maybe Jetta or TDI. I drive 40 miles each way to work up and down an interstate. I need a back seat but not really 4 doors. Don't need 260 hp as much as I need to not drop extra cash.

What should I buy? (OH, forgot to mention: will buy used but don't want to have anything with more than 35k and probably nothing older than a 2002.)

CleanCL

iTrader: (4)

ouch, going from a CL to a Golf... i can't imagine doing that. but if i had to pick a car that is more of a practical purpose i guess is what your looking for... try taking a look at a used chevy malibu or the new cobalt (coupe and supercharged but i duno), or even a low end mazada still looks nice, but i don't think i would touch a VW... EVER.

Dave

Hey Mike, I would suggest a slightly used Mazda 6 (with the luxury and sport package). You can also get a manual transmission with this vehicle, but they are probably rare?

Volkswagons have quality issues - do some research!!

'03 cls six speed
Icebox Intake

Red-CL

MikeS 18, You're sig is hilarious

Brady6226

Maybe you could find a high milage S2000, that would be a good replacement.

Brady6226

nevermind i read your full post, im retarted

Brady6226

i got it, buy a s2000 and a 4 door civic.

mattg

you're nuts if you go vw.


get a mazda 3.

Dem1K

iTrader: (1)

I like the Scion TC

Chaptorial

Yeah so do I. You can get a base one for like $15k.

Gonna be tough to get that for your CL though.

GreenMonster

I like the Scion Xb (the box on wheels)...

How 'bout a 74 Maverick ??

Nothing wrong with a used VW (not my style), but you can get into a used 2001 Bmw 330 in the low 20's and a 325 for cheaper...

New Civic, used RSX, or a used Accord would keep you in the honda family... (isn't the RSX made in Japan??)

rezurex

i would recommend NOT going to vw, you're going to have quality issues.

the RSX is made in japan. very high quality car... if you're not looking for the power you can get a used RSX-S or baseline (cheaper), manual transmission too. much better handling than the CL and its a nice car

TypeSKid

I'd rather walk than have a vw.

MikeS 18

I thought the kids were blowing up their RSXs by missing gears and over-reving?

Accord- > too sedate

Scion ->

BMW -> I already have a car that costs $$ to repair.

'74 MavericK -> hmm....

Loseit

iTrader: (1)

i saw one on the road this weekend and they look wicked nice!

KCPreki11

RSX > Golf

pebe

1st gen CL 5 speed? u can grab one in good condition for under 6 grand if u look.

GreenMonster

I thought they resolved the coil pack issues ?? Where's CrazySellout ?? He drives a VW

I think the jetta makes a nice girl/wifes car, but it might take some getting used to (going from a cl). Friend of mine has jetta, says it has seat warmers... That sells me on it

You could buy 4 or 5 Mavericks for the price of a used CL...

You didn't say NO to the Civic Who else makes decent econoboxes ??

Have we ruled out the Domestic offerings ?? With the new mustangs coming out, the old style will be getting pretty cheap...

GreenMonster

Honda Civic
Mazda MAZDA3
MINI Cooper
Acura RSX
Toyota Celica
Toyota Corrola
Scion tC
Mitsubishi Eclipse
Toyota Prius
Ford Focus

(Hyundai offerings intentionally ommited, I don't like Mitsubishi either)

carquest

if you're willing to give up performance for cost but still want a little reliability look at a manual accord. should be able to find a low milage version for under $15K.

a used civic if you can stand the size.

look at the reliability reports on MSN's carpoint. the 3.5L chrysler/dodge V6s look reasonable. should be able to find a used sebring/stratus or intrepid/concorde for under $15K

good luck.

MikeS 18

Cooper? Hmm...

Civic too small. Focus, Prius..c'mon, I haven;t lost all sense of pride...

BEETROOT

this is basically a list of every car that I hate.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

You may be able to get a slightly used Altima, or a Galant. There's also the Saturn ION. I can definately recommend the Altima, sister has one and it's not a bad car. The Mazda 6 is also a good buy.

Jonesi

Check out their site too.. You can have the factory throw on a S/C for you and everything will be under warranty still.. You can customize the shit out of it..

davo-cls

People need to get off the VW reliability crap just because they heard someone else say it. Just don't buy a VW that's a 2002 and below model. 2003+ models are very reliable cars. We have a 2003 Jetta along with my CL and I actually like driving it as much as my car (minus the power). I would look for a 2003 Jetta or Golf especially a 1.8T (not the 2.0 or 2.slow as it's known).

GreenMonster

Hey, I don't like 'em either, just trying to help out here... Edmunds.com, price range search 15k-25K, coupe/econobox.... that's what you get... I even left out the chryslers and other stinkers :P

If the Civic is too small, the cooper ain't gonna be any better... You want a midsized car at a compact price... There's no pleasing some people

The Maverick has lots of room...

6th gen accord ex v6 coupe (1998-2002)... or a Toyota Camry... they sold a shit load of 'em for a reason...

MikeS 18

yeah but the cooper is "fun" but its also $24000+

I'll buy a couple Mavericks, and then toss them out when they break...

GreenMonster

We'll yeah, new it is, but if you buy a used one.... But for a few extra grand you can get new, and a few extra on top of that you can get a cooper S, and now we're into new accord territory... it never ends...

I went thru 4 pintos in HS/college... when I killed the first one, it went in the backyard to be used as parts for the 2nd one... After that I just used to rotate my stock, and I always had a decent parts car... Worked for me back then, but I don't like working on cars as much as I used too...

123456SPEED

I don't really get this thread, you don't seem to want any of the cheaper or smaller JP cars out there, and you're considering a VW, makes no sense to me. I'd say sell the CL and get another one with lower miles. I wouldn't buy a VW for reliaibilty, Hondas spoil you for other less reliable cars. Get a Chevrolet I guess.

MikeS 18

I'm liking the TDI's so maybe a 2003 Jetta TDI?

BEETROOT

mustang gt
impala ss
cherokee sport

GreenMonster

If you're going to buy a VW, buy a real one :



FYI: This was a gag photo on the popular lexus ad from years ago. Erik Meltzer a German member of the type2.com mailing list came up with it: http://www.gerbelmann.de/lexus/index.html (giving credit where credit is due)

Chaptorial

I couldn't even fathom going from a CL to that. Why not just keep the CL in that case?

Meth

I think you gotta be a bit more open-minded considering your needs and your allocations....

my 2 cents involves Japanese Imports only for that price range...my fiancee's VW was a nightmare...

The fact that you are even considering a change from a CL to VW tells you how much the CL fooked up the ACURA reliability reputation. ..

I have a 03 6 spd CLS...but drive a 94 5 spd accord to work everyday...stick with Jap imports.

talking from exp only

MikeS 18

"I think you gotta be a bit more open-minded considering your needs and your allocations....

my 2 cents involves Japanese Imports only for that price range"

LOL! That would be being "closed minded" not open minded...

GreenMonster

Mike, I haven't said it yet, but I've thought it...

Guys our age, shouldn't be driving sportcoupes anyways... Give in already... you know you really want a silver minivan... or god forbid... A TOYOTA AVALON !! (you have to wear one of those old man hats in an avalon too, it's a law or something)

MikeS 18

Nah, its a Buick for me!

mattg

^ very nice, gramps.


:killer:

Justin.CL

Mustang all the way. Should be big enough, reliable, and if it does break it is not as expensive to fix.

Good luck Mike, hope the shopping goes well.

GreenMonster

Is that the Tiger Woods model ??

My dad was into the Pontiacs... Had to sell 2 white ones to settle the estate... I thought the Bonneville was never gonna get off my front lawn

The diesel VW is looking better now...

EDIT: one thing we haven't touched apon... If the CL is paid off, it might be wiser to make monthly improvements, instead of monthly payments...