<p>I would not get that car. It is a phony pony. You should go with the GT Premium Convertible. Ford</a> Vehicles:
The extra power is worth the $$. It definitely should last you at least 3 years.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you aren't secure in your sexuality, I recommend getting a Hummer H2.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I would drive a hummer with the sole purpose of ****ing off my environmental science teacher.</p>
<p>wolfpack other than raw horsepower; I don't see any other advantage for paying an extra 7k for the GT premium conv. vs. the v6 premium conv. I'm not trying to win races. However if the engine on the GT premium has better durability and longer life-span; then it might be worth it to be the extra $$. If let's say the GT premium engine will last me an additional two years when compared to the v6 premium conv.; I'd say it's worth the investment.</p>
<p>Would you mind mentioning which company your internship was with?--and you don't have to say if that's the company you will be starting with--although that might also be interesting to know.</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>Calcruzer,</p>
<p>I interned in the heart of New York City last summer for a big 4 acct. firm and they paid me handsomely. Also my company that I got the offer from is a insurance / mutual fund company so it's not the same firm.</p>
<p>Also everyone,</p>
<p>Can I get better cars than the GT premium mustang conv. for the 32-33K price tag. For a 32K investment, I want a car that will last me at least 5 years. What about a possible BMW (or other German/Asian) substitute without going overboard the hefty price tag. I'm just worried about Ford's long term reliability - it is an American Car company!</p>
<p>Oh BTW, I will be going over the plethora of car recommendations in this thread to seek possible substitutes for the 32K Ford GT premium conv. price tag so it's not like I've ignored all your previous posts!</p>
<p>I am not going to make a recommendation, I am going to clarify recommendations to make your choice more informed. Cars are a passion.</p>
<p>--New Mustangs (V6, V8 GT). They're not great handlers, a solid axle at this point is kind of a joke, but they're a big step up from the fox body. It goes without saying that the V8 is the more powerful car, there are minor aesthetic differences between the GT and V6 on the exterior, and from what I am aware the interior. If you want a car solely to go fast in this price range you wouldn't get a Mustang anyway, and while there's stigma attached to the V6 it's a fine car for your needs, I'm sure. The Bullitt is actually an attractive trim package, but I always believe special trim packages are the equivalent of ****ed away money.</p>
<p>--Miata, S2000. I'm grouping them together because they're both torque-less wonders, but as a car enthusiast you have to love them. They're worth buying if you have windy roads and you enjoy driving, otherwise you won't enjoy them--especially the S2000, which is much more painful a daily driver than the Miata. They have "lolz u are a girl or gay" stigma attached to them--the Miata more than the S2000.</p>
<p>--E46 M3. It's a wonderful car, and the SMG is great if you aren't a big fan of stick (in which case I automatically dislike you and decry your choice to purchase anything other than a mini-van). It is the best daily driver mentioned, it is a great handler, the interior is probably the last great BMW interior. There are two downsides to the car: common, and depending on the year there are engine issues, so I wouldn't buy certain years from a private party. The Z, G and M3 are the only cars listed that have satnav as an option, if that's relevant to you.</p>
<p>--350z. Depending on the year the ride is either awful (the first 2.5 years of production) or passable. They're not particularly fast, they are extremely heavy, the interior is nice and they're a looker--with a hard top. The convertible looks a little awkward. It's starting to get a little long in the tooth. The G37, while pricing out of your range (if you add any features, basically), is generally considered "classier" and an update to the body.</p>
<p>--Corvette C6. 08 has the LS3, prior years the LS2, although 08 is outside the price range anyway. All the things I said about the M3 apply here, including it being very common--with the exception that the exterior is more attractive and the interior lacks slightly, the inverse of the M3. It is an amazing car from a driving perspective, it is a great handler, the ride is close to perfect and it's the fastest of the bunch.</p>
<p>--E90 3-series. Much like the E46 M3 and the Corvette, it is very close to a perfectly balanced car. At your price range you're not going to do great with engine choices and accessories, and it's extremely common.</p>
<p>That is all.</p>
<p>Also, I am not a fan of leases, but if you are positive you want to upgrade in 3-5 years it's worthwhile. You have to take into account resale value, though. The M3 is, arguably, always going to have relatively solid resale value, even though you're already buying it used. The resale value on the 350z is pretty poor, the S2000 and Miata are average, the Mustang has poor resale values historically. If you were going to get a car that you suspected would retain its value, a purchase where you limited the loan to a <4 year term might be what you're looking for.</p>
<p>I recommend getting a used car. From a #s point of view, new cars aren't worth it. You are paying a premium for it being new, and in a couple of years your mustang will seem pretty crappy.</p>
<p>I don't know why you would select a mustang (especially a non-cobra/gt) over the other cars listed in this thread. BTW, I am a former Mustang owner myself.</p>
<p>As for reliability, all cars are pretty damn reliable now-a-days (even Kia). Sure, Toyotas and Hondas have uber-reliability but all cars are a hell of lot more reliable than cars of years past. Will a mustang last your 5+ years? Of course, but I'm still not sure why you want it (compared to other convertibles).</p>
<p>FANTASTIC advice gentleman. I don't know how to thank all of you enough.</p>
<p>VectorWega,</p>
<p>I was initially lured in by the mustang v6 premium conv. price tag of only 26K - you have admit that that's a fairly low price-tag for such a beast. Again, I do have my concerns with Ford and I'm looking to make a bigger investment so I'll be looking into other German/Asian cars. If I'm going to own a car for at least 4-5 years, it seems silly to make anything less than a 33K investment but I may change my mind.</p>
<p>At this price-tag junction of 33K, it appears we may certainly have better international options such as the ones Tetris-Head listed even though the Corvette is a little over my pay-scale right now.</p>
<p>I'm not sure what the E46 M3's are going for, I'd assume it's still high-30s, and if there was a 3-5k difference in price between a new V6 Mustang and a certified pre-owned E46 M3 with solid options the choice would be obvious. The Saturn Sky is an attractive car if you'd like to go much cheaper than you are and save money to upgrade sooner rather than later (which probably wouldn't be a bad idea).</p>
<p>brag.</p>
<p>Actuaries have a really high burn-out rate because it's dead boring.</p>
<p>Mercedes is hot.</p>
<p>Good luck to you kotchian123--both with the new career and the new/old car choice. </p>
<p>P.S. Personally, p<em>hp</em>fan, this may seem a bit of a "brag" thread, but kotchian123 did provide helpful information to the others of us--so I think a bit of congratulations (especially here at Easter) is probably in-line.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Mercedes is hot.
[/quote]
If by hot you mean they produce awful cars under $50,000, then yes, they're hot.</p>
<p>tetris I just found a website with BMW 2002 M3 convertible on Sale for $31,500</p>
<ul>
<li>But it's a tad bit old. What do you think about this:</li>
</ul>
<p>Used</a> BMW, BMW Classifieds. New, Certified Pre-Owned, Used BMWs For Sale</p>
<p>I'm worried about the age of the car.</p>
<p>If you're going to pay that much, I would just get a new car. But this one is good. Personally I prefer 5-speed. The mileage is not too bad. If you like it you should request some more photos.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If by hot you mean they produce awful cars under $50,000, then yes, they're hot.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>In that case, yea they're hot, but not as hot as Lexus.</p>
<p>And I agree with tetrishead about the saturn sky but only if you get the redline. I think the turbo helps a lot in that car because it has suprising power for a 4 cylinder 2 liter engine. IMO it looks a little bit better than the Solstice, but if you want to save money then the Pontiac Solstice GXP is cheaper for the same car. Sky just as better aesthetics.</p>
<p>lol. nice, wolfpack. I dunno, I just like mercedes.</p>
<p>Ugh, I hate the solstice...it's such a poser car.</p>
<p>I don't like the Solstice either. I do actually like the Sky. They are the same car except for styling differences. The Solstice is ugly, and to my knowledge it is automatic only. Sky is probably the only Saturn I've ever liked.</p>
<p>
[quote]
tetris I just found a website with BMW 2002 M3 convertible on Sale for $31,500</p>
<ul>
<li>But it's a tad bit old. What do you think about this:</li>
</ul>
<p>Used BMW, BMW Classifieds. New, Certified Pre-Owned, Used BMWs For Sale</p>
<p>I'm worried about the age of the car.
[/quote]
I wouldn't be overly worried about age with some specific cars, in general older American cars are solid and European cars in the last decade hold together well.</p>
<p>The issue with the E46 was that there was engine failure with the S54's, I'm not sure if it was all of them, from 01->03. It's impossible to know how the car was broken in, and people had warranties extended to six years and I forget how many miles. This is a private seller, so it's not "certified preowned," and because of that I have no idea how a warranty will apply itself. As with anything car related, have a mechanic you trust take a look at it. Every car has issues, I wouldn't be worried, but if you have an issue with cars that are 6 years old I'd start looking only at certified cars from a dealership. Not because they'll be better, but because it's easier to sue a car dealership.</p>
<p>How good are you with cars, mechanically? I don't expect you to be a master mechanic, but if you have some understanding of what noises a car should and should not make, and you can do basic maintenance (brake rotors, oil, brake fluid, etc) I'd be less worried about buying a car from a private seller.
[quote]
In that case, yea they're hot, but not as hot as Lexus.
[/quote]
Yes and no. The LS used to be a Camry ripoff. Today it's a Camry ripoff with some nice added features (and major suspension modifications), making it a solid car. It's pedestrian, but that's what it's supposed to be, and it does it well. As far as major manufacturers go I'm a fan of Audi.
[quote]
And I agree with tetrishead about the saturn sky but only if you get the redline. I think the turbo helps a lot in that car because it has suprising power for a 4 cylinder 2 liter engine. IMO it looks a little bit better than the Solstice, but if you want to save money then the Pontiac Solstice GXP is cheaper for the same car. Sky just as better aesthetics.
[/quote]
The Sky is infinitely better looking, it's not close. The Redline is a very nice small car for the price.
[quote]
I dunno, I just like mercedes.
[/quote]
Mercedes makes wonderful vehicles, just at the high-end only. They're more responsible for the HP wars than BMW or Audi or anyone else. Anything they make below $50,000 is something I'd be comfortable calling garbage, though.</p>
<p>Mercedes doesn't not make wonderful vehicles. They have mystique, but that's about it. Reliability is in the trash.</p>