Most likely used. This is for school, so I need something with AWD (we get lotsa snow) and decent gas mileage (550 miles to school from home ). Suggestions are welcome.

When i show up at the dealer, what should i beware of? I know the basics of how used car salesmen work (one of my good friends was one for years), and know enough not to get dicked. I also pull off the 35 year old man look really well - let my beard grow a little, put on my khakis and polo shirt, and pull up in my freshly waxed CL and i look twice my age. And i can act it, too.

 

WRX!!!!!!

 

Yeah, i forgot to mention...

I'm looking at the WRX, although getting one in my price range would be tough (i'd like to keep it as far under $10k as possible. That might even bet a bit high). A 2.5rs is also a possibility.

This can't be a shitbox either; i don't want it to die in the middle of the upper peninsula in midwinter.

 

first research what car you want first. what i did when i was shopping was just "shop" at the local dealers to see if there is somthing i like. If there is then i dont talk to a saleman about it, i just get the VIN and go home and use carfax and edmunds to determine a fair price on it. Once i find out the car is clean online, i go to the dealer and ask to take the car to get it checked. Take it to a shop you know and have it checked out. If everything is a go then offer the price you want for the car. If the dealer says he cant do that price then just leave, there are other cars out there thats worth your money.

So uh did i miss anything?

Trading in your CLS?

FWD car would be fine too, just buy some winter wheels if you want it to be perfect in the snow. My buddy bought a nice 97 CL 3.0 for $6k as a winter car.

 

Good advice.

I'm keeping the CL-S, i just don't want it sitting in a parking lot under 10 feet of snow all winter long.

FWD would be a last-ditch effort (been thinking about a used GTI maybe), but i would really prefer AWD.

 

Speaking of the GTi, i've been looking around and have found some that i could get for 6-7k. Does anyone have any suggestions for what to look for when checking the car over, how reliable certain model years are, etc.?

 

get a used jeep cherokee, they are reliable for the winter and i'm sure u can find one for around 5 grand, your 18 i wouldnt spend 10k on a winter beater

 

ive seen 98 audi a4's selling for under 10 grand