Well, I'll be getting some money here in a few months and I'm looking to get a vehicle of some sort. Most of you know I'm a tuner at heart but my future career calls for something that is not of the sort. I'm looking to get into some section real estate after 2 years of college. I want to get an import like an Integra GS-R or a Civic Si but I doubt a client would like to struggle to get into a slammed, loud-ass, compact car, but i'm not ruling it out of my possibilities. But I am thinking more along the lines of a pre-owned luxury car/suv. I have about $12,000-$16,000 to spend so I was thinking along the lines of maybe...

1996-97 Mercedes C class
1995-97 Range Rover 4.6
1996-97 Jaguar XJ6 Vaden Plas

and then there's imports

1992-2000 Honda Civic coupe or Hatchback
1994-1995 Acura integra GS-R

If I get a nice sedan I gotta get a set of nice looking 20" wheels
If I get the Range i'd like to get some 22" wheels
and if I get an import It's gonna be JDM'd out with like Volk racing wheels, carbon fiber hood, recaro seats, slammed and well, you know how it goes...

So, what do you guys think? What do you suggest out of these? if you think there is something out there that i didnt list please include it also.

thanks alot

-ACE

Jag's.... Mercedes and hondas are all kind of cramped to sit in.Range Rovers are nice and lots of room but gas hogs i believe. Acuras are nice but also cramped. now Jag's always look good if you ask me but them and Mercedes cost alot to repair and around here in NY at least it can be hard to find someone thats not a dealer to work on them. i would go with the Range rover or the Acura myself. look for accessories and rims ,carbon hoods and such online and see what has the best prices and what you can get to spice each up the way you want

I got a 99 GS-R
The car is actually pretty quiet until you open it up. It tends to get kinds buzzy above 4K. It's not to "Ricey" unless you do the usual tuner stuff to it. Completely stock, it's not too loud, and looks great.
I have been VERY happy with the car. I got the 4 door version. It handles great, has good amounts of room and is bulletproof. It is SUPER Reliable. In all of 95K miles, I've had to change the brake pads, rotors and radiator, and that's it. The radiator cost me about $100 and i installed it myself. I did the usual 3K oil change intervals (And once or twice went to 5K ) The thing's easy to work on, parts are cheap, it's bulletproof and a blast to drive. I highly reccomend it.  

European cars? My first car was a 1987 Porsche 924S. I loved the car, but parts were harder to find, and it seemed to require more attention. I had to routinely do upkeep. Mechanics instantly jack up the price when you pull up.
As for positives: NOTHING handles like a German car. I've driven a few, and they all seem to be extremely sure footed. You can get the status of a european car, just be prepared to pay the slightly higher costs of upkeep.

of the luxo cruisers:
range rover.
nothing says snobbish upper class better.
(jag is a chick car, merc is a doctors car)

of the imports-
acura, hands down.

btw nic sig vid. Drifting looks cool but back in the day we used to call that "trying to get home from the party in one peice"...

well, I think I have come to find out that there is a car with all of my needs...

1) PERFORMANCE
2) ROOMY
3) APPEAL
4) RELATIVELY CHEAP!

its a 1996 Mercedes-Benz C36 AMG

-4 doors
-276 horsepower
-0-60 in 5.9 seconds with a 1/4 mile in the 14's
-leather
-it's a mecedes
-17" wheels
-OEM stying kit
-can be found for under $15,000.00

check it out, it's a great car

here's a link to one on eBay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2472629788&category=6334

mmmmmmmm...  AMG

Did you consider Beemers at all?  They've got more performance edge and stick if thats what you want.  Or you could go for jap luxury like a 99+ acura TL.  I would say a Lexus LS, but I think its way to plane, might as well be a large camry.  I know there is stuff out there for the TL from King/Mugen if noone else, and they are decently quick out of the box w/225hp.  Just some other ideas for you to shrug off

Beemer   A nice 5 series or an older 7 would be great.  I drove a 91' 7 series and it was Nice and classy, and the breaks were very quick to responce. The thing could get up to speed quick and be back down to zero in no time.
Nice image too. Look into it. (They last forever.)
-Denis S.

They all sound nice, but make sure you can afford to maintain them.  My brother has a Range Rover and everything on that car is expensive     The Rover has an air suspension.  If one of the bags go out, you are talking big bucks.  My father has a BMW.  Also major mula when it comes to service.  How about the VW Passat?   I have a Passat Wagon (wife and kids).  It has been an excellent car.  It has the works, leather, sunroof, woodtrim, heated seats, and the list goes on.  I would suggest the Acura from your list.  dependable and classy  

Good luck.

Cool ... 100th post  :mrgreen:

I test drove a range rover about 6 month ago and I tried a expedition... Between the 2 the expedition pleased me a a lot more plus a lot better price and if you can find one of the limited's for sale just as nice if not better on the inside. I ended up just getting a XLT becasue it lacked the air suspension so it would be a lot easy to get a lift on it and mudder tires  

the jags are essentially on the same frame/powertrain setup as a ford crown vic. i would seriously say, take the money, put into bank, maybe a 24 month cd or somethin, and wait to get car until done with college. and drive what youve got now. your choice though :dunno:  , btw, those "imports" are technically not. most are made here in the states.

oh yeah my 1000 th post :nana:  :nana:  :nana:  :nana:  :nana:  :nana:  :nana:              

/\---Unfortunatley my friend, you are mistaken. The Jag in question dates back to the mid sixties with the intoduction of the original XJ-6's. It has nothing in common witht he crown vic. They date way past the Ford purchase of Jaguar.
The Range Rover would be fun, but it has an engine based on a 50's Buik, that doesnt tend to be cheap to fix. The whole SUV is gorgous, but when something goes wrong, you are going to putting out a huge amount of money to fix it.
The Mercedes, what to say about it? It fantastic, especially if its AMG prepared. Again, maitnence is not cheap. You will be shocked the first time you have the brakes done on it.
Civic's and integras...BOO! They may be reliable, but nothing screams high school rice like they do. I should know, I drove a civic that was PIMPED in High School There were half a dozen of them, plus another 4 Integras. I woiuuld not go that route.
Lastly, the Bimmers (this is the correct spelling, Beemer is *technically* deligated only to BMW motorcycles). My girlfriend drives a 1997 740il, and I can tell you, that thing is fantastic! Brilliant to drive in any conditions, smooth, powerful, fast, agile. Its the winner for me hands down. Even an early 90's 5, or & is perfect. Of course and M car would be the best. Perhaps a mid 90's M3? The 240hp I-6 in the last gen 3 series is jem, even though it does not matcht he output of its european brother. The old M5 is a treat, but be wary of it. Tough to find and fix. Id stick with the M3. You could probably find a nice M3 Sedan from '96, or '97 in that price range. I dont know what the US market is like. Perhaps youd have to buck up a few more $$$, but it would be worth it!
Whatever you do, promise me you wont get a "high performance" front drive car. I wil personally ride mya ss to your house, and vandalize it. Nothing is more kitsch than a front wheel drive burnout. Not to mention understerr. God thats awful!

Oh yah, both the Civic and Integra are made in Japan. They are true imports.

Dont forget about Subaru!

Get a WRX.  Awesome, fast, roomy, dependable, and can outhandle 95% of the cars on the road.

Plus tons of aftermarket available.

I'm a fan of the WRX myself. Anyhow, would you consider 2 cars? If I were in your situation I get a few year old Crown Vic or or 4 door BMW or Explorer, etc. to haul clients around and drive comfortably, then get the weekend tuner car to mess with. I'm in the fortunate position of owning a home with a large garage though. That's my humble opinionay.

I like those integras.  And those 4 doors are really hard to find.  Not sure if that was what you were looking for.  Great car.

ASLAM.

Has anyone heard anything about the BMW 8-series cars, 840, 850i?? Might be a possibility.

-ace

Personally I would go for a done up 1970s Datsun 240Z but thats just me ... If you really want something "recen" Have you loked at a Lexus ? I am sure you can find something in your price range. Have seen the 8 series and I love that car but have no info on price or relability.

my bad rich, was thinkin bout the newer ones. (jag/ford)i stand corrected. btw, the civic is made/assembled in ohio.
http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/news,view.spy?artid=22460&pg=1
partially correct on acura though

http://www.hondacorporate.com/america/?subsection=manufacturing
:dunno:

you are comparing "apples and oranges" here, first you should decide what you really want, and what you can see growing with over the next couple years. Also, if you are still in college, you should probably consider ins. as a factor.  I have owned a 00 Si, and a 01 GSR, and my latest cognotation a 94 Civic Hatch with a JDM Civic Type R motor and tranny.  All were alot of fun driving, if you could keep your foot out of it, they were all very pratical but comparing small sedans to luxury sedans? Come on, who do you think is going to win, plus you have throwen in a SUV gas guzzler in the mix.  Decide what you really need then go from there, nothing wrong with having a nice ride but be aware of maintainence cost on those upper end cars.  good luck with your decision

I think I've solved you're problem: Lexus IS300. Its got the power for you're weekend cruising, and if not there's plenty of aftermarket products out there (its called a Toyota Altezza in Japan). It also has the class of a luxury car with all the leather, etc. All this and you can get it with a 6-SPEED manual transmission...hey just like the GS!