Less than $30K daily driver,what you'd buy?
 

Just want a few ideas and as the title says, if you had $30,000 or less, what would you go out and buy as a daily driver and why? New or used (up to 3 years old w/less than 25,000 miles on it). Let me know.:question: :question: :question:

I purchased my wife a Infinity M35 that fits you numbers. It is a great car, handles well and very fast.

Pontiac G8 or Cadillac CTS with the V6

Low mileage G8.

^ agreed! :thumbsup:

http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/u...c_g8gxpred.jpg

Although I am a fan of daily driving a truck. You can get a brand new Dodge Ram with a Hemi for $20,000:
http://cf.juggle-images.com/fit/whit...gularfront.jpg

I'm about to be in the same prediciment. Lenie, figure this all out and let me know. :unibrow:

I just picked up a 2011 Ford Fusion (I know it's a Ford!!!). I paid just over 30 for it, but that's also in the Canadian market so should be less down south. Or a slightly used one would be less. It gets mid 30's for fuel economy. Very good reviews. Has won several awards. I'm very happy with it so far. The 2013 are redesigned. Has a front end that looks more like an Aston Martin.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010382.jpg

Do you want something barely practical, slightly more practical, or very practical? New or used?

My old driver bit the dust late last year, and I tried to talk myself into getting some kind of fun sedan with perhaps a little bit of luxury, but then I caved and bought a used GT500. Mustangs might not be the greatest cars out there, but if you want something you can drive everyday and take to the track on occasion, without a ton of maintenance, they aren't a bad deal, you know if you don't mind Fords, or looking like a secretary :lol: Otherwise there are G8s, G35 (which I would suggest, BTW), etc.

I'd suggest one to Todd, but he pretends to be a classy guy.

Matt

Oh, and it's for my wife..sooo no trucks:lol:

A '09 Buick Lacrosse Super.

(It's got a 5.3)

:D

I agree with the G8...

Cadillac cts sport wagon. V6 models under 30,000

Whats wrong with trucks??
I had a new Dodge Ram 4wd crew cab short bed for a rental, had it for a few weeks and my wife would not give it up she loved it. She has a Jeep Commander (which she loves) but really liked the pickup.

Keeping a pretty open mind here, you know devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other...:woot:

Don't get me wrong I like and own trucks.. she prefers a car.

G8, or buy my Grand Prix and I'll buy the G8:cheers:

damn already? that went by quick!

VW Sportwagon turbo diesel? Decent perfromance and mid 40's mpg on the road.

A finished Dynacorn bodied car....not more than 3 years old of course. :unibrow:

Can you say Fiat 500........Whats up with the fricken gas prices today :willy:

How many miles per day will it be driven?

For $30K I'd sell you my 2010 Challenger RT :D only has 14K miles or less

For sheer daily-driving enjoyment, look at a 3-series BMW. But, if it's anything like mine, you'll want to sell it at 6-7 years of age or 65Kish miles. They get pretty expensive with maintenance items and little things going wrong after that.

Wife answered it for me.
 

Well my wife answered for me..

A 2009 370Z Sport/Touring 31K with 6000 miles and a7 year New car warranty...

Looking at it now...Black beauty...

05 MB E55 with ext warranty. :thumbsup:

I thought of those too, but Lenie has his own little set of rules. :P

I've hated every Mercedes Benz I've ever driven. Slow steering, numb brakes.

You know how rebellious I am Skip. :D

I liken it to a big Caddy type cruiser instead of anything sporty with tight steering and braking. I don't even want tight steering in a daily driver anymore. Been there done that for years.

Have you driven a model with the E55's 516 ft-lbs engine?

I'm with you buddy. My S4 is driving me nuts. All you need to do is blow on the steering wheel and it changes direction. I've had it into the dealer twice for alignment and a new set of tires. Best driving car I have is the Camaro. :D

That is funny. :thumbsup:

Really? Ask Brian Finch about how slow the steering is and how numb the brakes are on my S63... I think he'll have a slightly different view "at speed" than this.

However -- you always have to remember "the market". The market for different cars is what they're built for. MB is built for "comfort" and long distance high speed autobahn touring... kick back at 140 and talk to your buddies on your way to the golf course...

A Ferrari is built to be fast and nimble... and loud. Completely different markets and different purposes. Ya can't really compare them.

If I want loud and rowdy -- I'll drive my Nomad... Wind in my hair the '32... a drive to California.. the S

Daily driver... The S or anything in the line EXCEPT the C class...

Owning one - I'd agree with this!

Or the Audi S4... which Todd doesn't like -- but I love the one I bought for my son... it's fun - fast enough - 4 doors - looks great...

However.... it ain't (nor is the 3 series) 30 grand either....

For 30K I'd buy a Ford F-150

Don't get your panties in a bunch. I haven't driven a S63.

I'm not... just saying that these cars are built (MB) for what they are -- big comfortable "numb" cruisers... Great for long distance touring. Pick up the pace a bit -- and they do quite well.

I'll put a vote in for the MB as well. I never would have thought that I'd own one, but after driving the C63, I'm pretty hooked. I won't keep it much past the warranty period, as they are pricey to repair. But damn it's a nice driving car!

The regular C-Class though, that's a whole different story...

2004-2005 Mercedes E55.

Lenie, we know of course that at least 500hp is the right thing to do for a daily driver, but does your wife want more than 200 hp? ;)

Skip, you're definitely on to something with that statement. Greg's AMG barge, Josh's (tuned) E55, or even my GT500 are excessive on horsepower for a daily driver. If 500+ seems excessive, I would think 350 would be barely adequate for Lenie's wife, right?

Matt