herbalist

I'm currently driving a 1997 Acura 2.2 CL. No problems with it but my boss tells me that my car is not good and that I should drive something nicer. He is going to give me a monthly car expense of $600 for car payments. I have NO idea what to get and he wants me to get something in the next several weeks.

Here is a bit of info that may help with your suggestions:
-I'm single
-Mostly city driving
-Need room for my hockey stuff
-Need room for my bike stuff - may get a roof rack or trailer hitch rack
-I want a nice interior - leather, power windows, moon roof, etc
-Would prefer automatic transmission
-Not really interested in North American cars
-No preference over new or used
-Considering something other than Acura

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, would you lease or finance?

Street Spirit

What is it you do that your boss cars enough about what you drive to want to pay for something else? Are you selling your TL and putting any of it towards something else? And devil's advocate, but if you end up out of a job at some point before the car is paid off, or he decides he's not paying for your car anymore, will you be able to manage the $600/mo he is giving you for now? Will you own it at the end, or will it become his/the company's car?

ChrisQ1980

G37-S sedan

bgsm1th

hhmm....do you carry clients around or something?
Do you want AWD living in TO, or are you fine with RWD?

Without a whole lot of background info, if I were living in TO, I'd go with an Infiniti G37x/M35x or BMW 5 series awd

If I didn't want AWD and didn't need a 4-door, I'd go with a G37S coupe or 3 series coupe personally.

Will Y.

Either way, get the arrangement in writing (e-mail is good).

I'd prefer to keep the car and have the company make payments, BUT I would also want to get a car whose payments are less than $600-- the rest can go into the emergency/savings fund. I don't know the tax implications of the car allowance for you in your province and country (i.e. is the $600 taxable, can you deduct business use of the car, etc.) either.

With those caveats in mind, Audi A3, Saab 9-3 (probably pretty cheap b/c depreciation sucks), probably some mini-SUV cross-overs (Element, RAV, Saturn Vue-- I hate them all, but you have a bike and are in snow country ), Volkswagen Passat, Acura CL, Acura TSX (likely slow w/auto trans). I haven't listed any RWD vehicles or vehicles that have no trunk space like the Infiniti G.

I see a FWD Lincoln in your future, though.

G/L!

herbalist

I work in management/business development. I'm good friends with my boss and me losing the job would be almost impossible. We were good friends before I got the job. He wants me to have a nice car and to enjoy nice things - in his words. The car will be mine.

I haven't decided what I'm going to do with my CL. Its 12 years old and they're selling for around $3000 on autotrader so I don't know if its worth it to trade it in.

herbalist

I'm not carrying around clients. AWD would be nice. Thanks for the input.

herbalist

In terms of the payments and the tax implications, that is something I have to look into. He mentioned to me that he is willing to give me an extra $600 per month for car payments. I pay up front and then he reimburses me.

I don't think I'm interested in any of the small SUV's you mentioned. Something like the A3 would be nice though.

I wasn't thinking about getting a new car anytime soon so there are a lot to decide from in a short period of time.

bgsm1th

AWD G37 coupe or AWD 3 series coupe then!

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

S4 avant. or S4 sedan (CPO). 335i 135i. G37, G37X. Don't be scared to check out the new CTS either it's a great car. Realistically any car's trunk will take a hockey bag no problem, and sticks along the side of the passenger seat. The bike's a different story though, a folding rear seat would be something that's important or the availability of hitch/roof systems for the particular vehicle you decide on.

herbalist

You're talking used though, right? At $600 per month, doesn't that work out to approximately a $30K car?

herbalist

True about hockey bag storage. I really like the new Audis.

Street Spirit

Keep in mind that in the Canadian car market, $30,000 (if that's your budget) isn't going to get you anything really fancy if you buy new.

Street Spirit

Would you be interested in a wagon/hatch of any sort so you can actually fit your bike in the car with the seats down?

herbalist

^ I have to do some more research I guess.

herbalist

Possibly. The bikes do get pretty dirty so I think I'll either go with a roof or hitch mounted rack.

tegkid

iTrader: (7)

audi a3 ftw.

stright-(paint)balling

your gonna have to go used for your budget

Street Spirit

I don't know what your total budget is...

But to give people an idea of Canadian pricing, which SUCKS in every which way compared to US deals....He can't get any of the models most of you have been suggested if he is looking to buy new/fairly new.

These are MSRPs before taxes (13%), fees, and negotiations....

2009 Audi A3 ** Base model with Auto starts at $33,450
2009 Audi A4 ** Quattro starts at $41,200
2009 Audi A4 Avant ** Quattro starts at $47,000

2009 Infiniti G37 Coupe ** Base model starts at $45,200
2009 Infiniti G37x AWD Coupe starts at $47,700
2009 Infiniti G35 Sedan starts at $37,990
2009 G37x AWD Sedan starts at $41,300

2009 BMW 323i Sedan starts at $34,900
2009 BMW 328i Sedan starts at $39,900
2009 BMW 335i Sedan starts at $48,900

2009 Acura TL with Auto starts at $39,990

To give you an idea....$30,000 here is like a nicely equipped Accord or Altima (not even top-of-the-line)... So he's either got to go used or lower the bar a bit on luxury (brand).

Will Y.

Oh, one other thought - Volvo C30 hatchback (and there is no way to get a bike in it, so you'd need a rack)-- I thought the stick shift version was decent, but have no idea if the auto trans version is slow or not. Adding in about half the options, like leather, will get you to $30K USD although base runs about $22K USD. The C30 is a hatchback on a shortened S40 sedan chassis.

And water-s is right- you're more likely in the lightly-used market, which is scarier when dealing with Euro cars out of warranty than Japanese or domestic nameplates.

Street Spirit

Why not something completely utilitarian like Subaru? Those are meant to be used to the fullest and get dirty.

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

He's not a lesbian

http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/detai...5&adid=7455003

http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/detai...4&adid=7458261

mrmako

If you look to the left
<--------------------------




Then you know what I will suggest.

The Subaru, especially the Legacy 2.5GT / spec B or the 3.0R are good, solid cars. Very understated, moderately quick (get a 6MT and you will grin), fairly low in price (compared to others that are its equal), and very comfortable seting (the seats are really supportive, and the steering wheel is the best Momo I have felt). Also very reliable, a plus with any car.

Or, if Volvo is to your liking, the V70/S60 are nice, but they have a new model of their small wagon, the V50. A friend of mine owns one in Germany, and says that thing is great. Quick, good gas milage, and I think you can get an AWD model.

Food for thought.......

Street Spirit

If it were up to me and I could afford one, I'd love to drive an Audi (within warranty)!! They're beautiful! But I can also completely appreciate the utility of a Subaru. I'd have no problem running one into the ground and not feeling the least bit bad for using it to its fullest along the way -- I wouldn't feel the need to baby it or worry about it like a luxury car. They just have the aura of a car that is meant to be used and driven. Mind you, certain aspects of Subarus don't excite me at all.

Moog-Type-S

A4 Avant

herbalist

Thanks for the input everyone.

I don't have a problem going the slightly used route. So far at the top of my list are the BMW 3 series and Audi A3/A4, both 2006 and up. That being said, how many km's would you consider to be too many when looking at these used cars?

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

Well average use for a 2 year old car should be 30-40k so I'd look for something in that windows. most people average about 20k a year. 50-60k would probably be my upper limit.

death

+1 for picking up either a Subaru Legacy Spec-B or an Audi S4, used of course... With Torontos climate either choice will handle the inclement weather well.

herbalist

Any opinions on either of these?

http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/detai...7&adid=6860169

http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/detai...1&adid=7442095

keg1997

Not a fan of black cars, but both look good.

harminder247

iTrader: (1)

They seem very overpriced, but not too sure how much they go for in canada, i know its more expensive but that much?

herbalist

^After looking around a bit, they seem comparably priced.

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

Canada is expensive. That car would have started at about 37k when new, tack on the options it probably went out the door for 41 +TTL.

mrmako

Seems like the KM on the car are average to high for a car that is 2 years old (plus a month). But they look OK.

godfather2

legacy

Crazy Bimmer

At least find one with sport package.

invisiblewar

A3 ftw

virtualbong

Friend or not...I would not buy a new car for that much per month without having something in writing stating that he will fork over $600 per month for the car. Is the company going to buy it or you? If it's you...you better get something in writing. Friendships can end just like that...who knows, maybe he's paying you off because he's messin' with your girl...

iTimmy

I like the second generation infiniti G, however, I don't think it is the right car for you, the trunk opening is really small, the trunk is fairly spacious, but larger objects don't fit well. And they don't have fold down seats, I think you're on the right track with the E90.

JediMindTricks

i wish i had this kind of arrangement with my boss.

but since you need room for all your gear, something like an A3 would sound nice to me.