Thoughts on what used car?

[supthecreek]

Just a different direction... to spur thought and suggestions

I always liked buying classics... you pay, but there is no depreciation.
In the end... you just do a little work and recoup you investment... if you're diligent... make money. If you had spent $60,000 on a classic... you'd still have $60,000 - more or less.

Lots of very cool rebuilds out there... with amenities.

That way you have 100 years of interesting choices.

Maybe something from Fast N' Loud

[mtmilam]

YEP, Supthecreek...I Agree.

I bought a 86' Ferrari on ebay about 4 years ago for less than 27K and it hadn't been in the shop yet ...I drive it about every 2 weeks or so...Its worth probably 35K at least, people think its a new car, its in such good shape....

Then, Last week, I bought my daughter a 1965 230 SL that has been restored. There are some good deals on Ebay once and a while,  She always loved those and she is suppose to buy it back from me when she graduates from Law school....(I'm getting that in writing, dam attorneys )  We all have daily drivers, but with the stock market like it is, and real estate down...Why not "Drive" some of your money instead of letting it sit.......With Classic cars you can carry Agreed Value insurance and they pay you what you say its worth, no Depreciation....You just have to have another car in your name as a daily driver.  If I could just think of a way to get a SUP rack on them .  My wife broke her leg and wrist about 2 months ago...she can't wait to drive it.





How Retro is that Dash

[supthecreek]

Sweet!
This was my daily driver for 4 years
Surf racks... ski trips... snow storms.. everywhere, everyday.
Never lost a dime on it

[ADKSUPr]

Mtmilam - I am soooo jealous of your daughter.  That's a gorgeous car!

Another car to consider is the Mazda 323.  That car is soooo much fun to drive.  When Mazda says 'zoom, zoom', they  mean it.  For that matter, if you're keeping your SUV, why not consider a convertible.  The Mazda Miata is a blast.  If it's too hot, keep the top up and use A/C.  If it's sort of hot, put the top down and use A/C.  If it looks like rain, put the top down, because the top is so easy to put up, you can do it at a stop light.  Also, if you drive at least 40mph, you won't get wet unless the rain is heavy.  Miatas are fun, fun, fun, but don't have a lot of trunk space, and they are reliable. 

Acuras are also great cars...fun to drive and have the luxury and reliability factor. 

[AJR]

Toyota RAV4.  Good gas mileage with 4 cyl and i can put a 9' SUP inside if i remove the passenger side headrest.

[bts]

You could look at something off one of the "worst retained value" lists, where depreciation is really extreme.

Several of the Koreans car lines have historically had very bad depreciation and very long power train warranties.  Read somewhere that the BMW 7 series lost their value really fast...that's memory so could be wrong.

[OUTSIDEWAVE]

  I am a pro american guy  but my poor college age son bought a 95 honda civi for $800,   with 240,000 miles no ac  guess what?  he  gets mileage  wise....................... around 45 city  and 45 highway  take that prius.

[SlatchJim]

Mtmilam,
Your post brings out my inner yenta.  My son has a good job in Honolulu, is drug free and unattached...as long as his future father in law can drive that sweet ride...he's yours. 

[mtmilam]

SlatchJim,
Sounds good...but Hawaii is a Long way from Louisiana....My other, oldest daughter, wanted to go to school there....I told her, "Ya know, you can't drive your car home for the weekends"....she asked, "Why not"......:D.....I guess she forgot her geography lesson about the little Pacific Ocean thingy.

[Celeste]

  I am a pro american guy  but my poor college age son bought a 95 honda civi for $800,   with 240,000 miles no ac  guess what?  he  gets mileage  wise....................... around 45 city  and 45 highway  take that prius.

How do you define American?  The Accord and I believe the Camri as well routinely rank in the top 5 of US produced parts content.  GFC mostly produces cars in Canada and Mexico.

[SlatchJim]

UDflyer,

We never read what you ended up with?

Slatch,
...in his 2005 Highlander with the best factory roof rack I've ever used.

[fms]

300td Benz , It will almost run forever

[UDflyer]

Well since i got this new iphone5 running ios6 I havent been able to post a dang thing or respond but it looks like its fixed now.

I havent had time to do squat with my car search process and since Im so indecisive about my vehicles its probably best.

Just going to keep researching them, keeping my eyes open and see what happens. Im not keeping my current suv  so i'll still be staying with only 1 car. But again...here i am this week using my suv to tow or move things 3x/week. Friends live to far away to borrow their vehicles. So the dilemma continues:(

[UDflyer]

If I come up on a deal for a running '61 Impala in the meantime I might pull the trigger:) then just buy an old beater truck

Ive always enjoyed the classic cars and you guys have inspired me to look into it again.

I know its pretty off target what i looking for originally in this thread but id be happier with a classic than a prius

[paddlebattle]

I  know you started out knocking Hondas. Listen. I'm an ASE certified master tech. I have 12 years experience and my specialty is German and Italian cars. I work on high end stuff every day. I myself have an MB SLK 350 and a Honda Element. I highly advocate Hondas. They are very reliable, have good fit and finish, good quality, and good materials. I recomend you buy an Acura TSX. It has the high end features you want, and the reliability you require. Otherwise I like Mercedes. I think you can get the same for less money with Acura but if you must have the badge, pick MB over BMW or VAG.