I'd love a 3 series, but it's impossible to find one under $15k over a 98 with under 100k miles. I'm looking really hard at a 99-00 Acura TL and a 00-01 Volvo S40/S80. They're both really nice cars, it'll just end up depending on the best deal I can get. I still want an A4, but they're almost as hard to find as the 3 series. Though if this one guy will email/call me he's selling a 01 A4 1.8T Quattro for $12k with only 68k miles. I'd love that car!

 

Mike I got your email.. Sent you one back... I was in GA yesterday and today for nhra finals. I knew someone that had a Audi a4 an they got rid of it for an infiniti g35 in a second.. They didn't like that car after awhile at all. Just something i was told.
Paul

 

Well, I put a deposit on a car.

Ready?






























1999 Volvo S80 T6 Twin Turbo I6, 82k miles, silver "moondust" exterior(it's almost a pearlescent kinda of color in the right light, looks awesome) with tan leather interior, loaded with sunroof and just about every option but the nav system(which I read was pretty bad anyway). All for $10,995. Out of the dozen or so cars I looked at this weekend it was by far in the best shape. The paint is absolutely perfect and the interior is 98% perfect with only 2 minor blemishes I could find. I drove it for about 15 minutes and I fell in love with it. The power from the bi-turbo 6 was very impressive, as it makes 268hp and 280ftlbs(that's almost as much as my LT1 was stock!). The seats seriously just surround you and are extremely comfortable and supportive. It felt like the entire interior just wraps around you. The engine ran perfectly and felt wonderful. All in all it's an awesome car at a great price. This is the kind of car I can see myself driving for a long time.

Now I just looked at the 2001 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro over in Windemere(Oil Heir, guy could give the car to me and it wouldn't dent his bank account, house was freaking MASSIVE and beautiful) and it was the cleanest Audi I have seen yet. It's his wifes car and she kept it in pristine condition, I could only find a few minor scratches in the interior, exterior was perfect(silver again, with black pleather interior). Now, after driginv both of these cars can you guess which one I like more, alot more? The Volvo!???! I still can't believe it, but the Audi, while having an extremely nice interior, was very uncomfortable. The seats were hard as rocks, very unsupportive(slide all over the place on them) and the engine was pretty dissapointing. I mean you can get some acceleration out of it, but you have to wring it's neck and it's honestly not thata fun to drive. I'm still shocked that I'm choosing a Volvo(albeit a $40k Volvo brand new) over my dream car Audi A4 Quattro. I think the single biggest reason is the seats, they really are just aweful, which is extremely dissapointing for Audi.

So anyway, I'll be picking up my new(to me) 1999 Volvo S80 T6 tomorrow after work. Payments should be in the low 200-250 range, which isn't bad at all. Once I start working at a school and make a bit more money I'll pay more on the car each month to get it paid off early.

So what do you guys think? Here's a link to a review on the car and some nice pics of it.

Review:
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpconta...ntent...Volvo*

Pics(almost identical to my car):
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/620898

 

S80's are awesome cars.

 

friend has an 02 Accord, will deliver to Jax Area, she wants something sportier & convertible. looking at new V6 mustang 'verts now.

asking $10,700
white, tan interior

ONLY mod is security system/remote start

e-pics avail later

Engine: 4-Cyl. 2.3L VTEC
Trans: Automatic
Drive: FWD
Mileage: 56,000

Equipment
Air Conditioning
Power Steering
Power Windows
Power Door Locks
Tilt Wheel
Cruise Control
AM/FM Stereo
Single Compact Disc

http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/kw.kc....cord&4;HO;A3&&&

Trade-In Value $9,650

Private Party Value $11,795

Retail Value $14,165

 

OH NO! I guess I should have included a disclaimer about that one. Volvo is the only car that I will NEVER own or try to sell again(besides Cadillac, but for differant reasons). Remember how I said parts were comperable, or lower?? Not so with Volvo. Then you factor in the fact that not only are the parts much more expensive, the car will not run if you try to install anything yourself. The dealer has proprietary software that you have to have updated any time you replace anything. Even the Volvo only independant shops do not have the equipment.

Case in point, we had a 2000 C70 turbo convertible. What basically amounted to a throttle position sensor cost us nearly $1500 to have replaced. To replace a peice of trim on the door panel(seperate from the door panel itself) you have to replace the entire door panel from the dealer at a cost of $766. On a BMW the same part is $9 because it is sold seperate of the door panel.

Oh, and look at them carefully. I think that because people think they are safe they use them as battering rams. Every single one I have bought and sold has been in some type of bad accident that was covered up well enough to be missed on a quick inspection.

Think long and hard on that one.

We only paid $13400 for my wife's 99 BMW 328iC convertible with 59k. If you are looking to get a lesser model, like a 323 or 325 or even a 328 or M3 with a sunroof I cant beleive you cant find one in your price range. Check ebay. If it is far away, even after paying an independant inspection company(and dont buy one sight unseen without doing this) and having it shipped, I think you would still be under your budget.

I could even take you to the auction if you want.

 

Oh, I should update you guys. I'm not getting the Volvo. I forgot to update this thread. I'm buying a 2001 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro with 69k miles tomorrow. It's silver with black leather interior. I'll post some pics and a review when I get some time this weekend.



Oh, and don't worry, I'm getting my deposit back on the volvo!