So in a year i will finaaally be done with my management degree at the university, and one of the first things on my list is getting a new car. I've got so many ideas running around in my head about what to get, and although it is a year away i'd like to thoroughly research all my possible options to make the best informed decision possible. Aside from that, its just fun to research cars. This is my very diverse and crazy list that i am currently thinking about. My requirements are: leather, sunroof, woodgrain, major preferance to RWD but if it is fwd must have an LSD and a manual transmission. Reliablity is a key concern, although less of one if i find an inexpensive car that i like that allows me to keep my acura as my DD. Without further adu, here is the list:
BMW 3 series (99-up)
BMW 5 series (e34, or e39 body style)
Mercedes E420 (94-95)
Mercedes E320
Jaguar XJ8(the sedan, can't remember if its the J or the K, beautuiful car but concerned abour reliability)
Acura 3.2TL/CL but ONLY in 6 spd
Also considering an older SD or D and keeping the acura

Open to other ideas/comments suggestions, lets have fun with this! Price cap is between 10k if i keep the acura, 15k if i sell it. If i sell the acura gas mileage is also a concern/factor.

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83 300SD.......sold
96 integra SE....sold
99 a4 quattro....sold
2001 IS300.......sold
2002 330i.........current.
2004 highlander limited....current.

You will have just one car, and presumably a job that will require a commute. Buy the freshest car that you can afford that has a good reliability record and good parts availability. Get a fresher Acura. When the cash starts rolling in, then buy a second vehicle that has some emotional appeal.

That would probably be the smartest decision, but for the price of a fresher acura that i would enjoy, i could also find a nice used e46 328i 5spd. I figure if i shop around for long enough and buy at wholesale i could get one for around 12k. I'm pretty handy with a wrench, but all the electronics do scare me. One of my favorite cars has always been the 94-95 e420's, but i'm afraid the gas would kill me if it was my only car. *IF* everything goes according to my plan(which it never does...but anyways), i should be making fairly decent money right out of school, and perhaps even during my last semester. I know ultimately my finances will be the deciding factor, but i have to have a car that i will enjoy or else i will not be happy. Also, if you can think of any domestic cars that fall into my criteria please post up, i'm all for keeping my money in america (i know thats a can of worms, but lets not open it in this thread...)Thanks for the input,
Ryan

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83 300SD.......sold
96 integra SE....sold
99 a4 quattro....sold
2001 IS300.......sold
2002 330i.........current.
2004 highlander limited....current.