Car recommendations, under $25K

[Thorn]

My cousin is looking for a new Euro sedan for <$25K. No, no domestics or Japanese. European only.

I'm thinking he'd be pretty happy with the A4 1.8T or maybe a Jetta GLX (or Golf).

Any suggestions? Are there any notable models that I'm leaving out?

 

[Doggiedog]

You can't get a 323 under $25K.

VW VR6 GTI is nice.

Edit: Sorry missed the Sedan. I think you can also get the Passat.

 

[StageLeft]

Yeah a nice VW or an Audi A4 if you can sqeeze into one for that - i'd take the audi

I think an audi is better bang for buck than a bmw...its probabaly similar to the VW, but audis look sweet as hell too. Nice car.

 

[Thorn]

I didn't know about the 323i. That was what he added to the list, I wasn't sure about the price.

Yep, looks to be about $28K... ok, it's OUT.

 

[Doggiedog]

I would be kind of wary of getting the A4s. They are great cars but I think they are changing the model next year so your cousin may want to get something else. Ditto for the Passat.

The Jetta VR6 may be a good choice.

 

[Boogak]

Here's a vote for the Audi A4. Just got a 2001 model and I love it. There's a new 2002 model for next year but IMHO it's ugly as hell. Check out www.audiworld.com for more Audi info.

 

[HKSturboKID]

Accord LX 4dr. You should be able to pick it up for $20,000. For the other $5k you can hook it up!

 

[Thorn]

Boogak, the A4 is still in the top 2, but the more I read about the Jetta GLS VR6 the more I like it. Seems to be a nice little cruiser for $22,500 (w/ Sport Luxury Package).


HKSturboKID, he absolutely doesn't want a Honda. He's pretty much ruled out any Japaneese cars.

 

[Doggiedog]

Make sure your cousin gets 5 speed though. Most European cars would be a waste if they are automatic.

 

[Frenchie]

Volvo s40. Nice car, good price. Starts at arounf 23k.

 

[Chooie]

You can always try to convince him to go the PT Cruiser route, and slap on a supercharger and some fatter meats

 

[vi edit]

I'd say look for a closeout on a VW Passat. Or, if he want's to go small, I know the dealers around here are offerning as low as 3.9% financing on the Jettas.

He won't be able to get much in the way of an A4 for 25,000. Invoice alone is 24,600. Best way to buy an A4 is 2-3 years old at 2/3 of the original price.

 

[Thorn]

5-speed manual as an absolute must, no &quot;slush box&quot; here.

I'll look into the S40... hadn't really thought about Volvos.

Chooie, no domestics... he hates them more than I do.

 

[roc919]

The Audi A4 rocks.

 

[Thorn]

Looks like the S40 only comes in an Automatic... if that's the case then it's out.

 

[U2fan]

You can get a Honda Prelude for less than $25K and Toyota MR2 is around $23K.
Both are worth their money.

 

[Suicidal]

Get a pre-owned late model bmw. Best thing you could do. Screw brand new, let the other guy pay the markup.

 

[TuffGuy]

you might want to consider the 1.8t versions of the jetta or passat. it feels quicker than the vr6, plus you can have the dealer install a p-chip for about $400 which makes it more powerful and faster than the vr6. unfortunately, since it is a turbo, sell the car before it hits 100k miles.

 

[Thorn]

Suicidal, that's what I would do too. But he wants a brand new car (never owned a new one before). *shrug*

 

[cyclistca]

Jetta with the 1.8 Turbo. Several of the guys at work drive them. Very nice car. You can also get a chip for it so that it puts out the same power as the A4 (180 vs 150 I think).

The A4 is a great car but it sounds like it might be out of your cousins budget new. Pre owned might be an option. As someone else already said a newer one is coming out for 2002. Sort of looks like a smaller A6. Personally I like it. In fact unless something else comes along it will probably be my next car when I buy again in 2005.

 

[Thorn]

I dunno, I'd rather go for the durability of the V6 (it can be chipped too). Plus, most 4 banger turbos are pretty selective about gas grades and they sound a bit too &quot;whiney&quot;.

 

[Stifko]

1.8T should be enough power for a VW, plus they are releasing a Wolfsburg Edition which is loaded for under 20K

see the story and specs here (scroll down) : http://www.vwvortex.com/

 

[Doggiedog]

The old Saab Turbos had the best sounding engines. Don't know about the new ones though. Did you check out the 9-3s? They are pretty good bargains. Don't know about reliability though.

 

[Thorn]

Nice link Stifco. Wow, these things have quite a following don't they? And I thought we 300ZX owners were fanatical.

 

[Stifko]

VW has a huge following, I hang in the Scirocco forums cause I got me a 'Rocco 8V!

Tell you that Jetta Wolfsburg Ed. looks kinda sweet though...