What next? The M2 is out
 

I'm just not in the mood to spend $60,000 on a car any more. I'm preparing for my 115,000 mile 135 to start costing me a lot (more) money, so I'm starting to think about what to do sooner rather than later. I don't really think I'm interested in a used 240 or any other BMW going forward--poor reliability with high repair costs have soured me a bit. Not to mention 1 more kid's car and 2 college educations coming due in the next 6 years.

So..what to do? The first thing that came to mind is $25,000 or so for a 3 year old GTI. Though that seems like maybe not a great idea if reliability and repair costs are a concern? Maybe a Mazda (car) something? I just don't know. I guess I'm looking to go $30,000 max.

Maybe I'll just buy a truck :speechle:

ok, no trucks :D

First of all, yes. It will. It can range from routine to non-routine (e.g. walnut shell blasting of the valves). HPFPs. Shocks. Brakes. Coolant system overhaul. Window regulators. The list is long.

Second, manual or DSG or automatic?

Mazda6?

Edit: And that's precisely why I ended up with a Mazda. Just over the price of entry and maintenance on these fancy cars. At least for now. Plus, car for kid; college for kid; retirement before I'm dead.

Yeah, I've already done some of that.

I'd do either/or on the transmission

Certainly a possibility. Only reason to avoid would be my 2006 was just so...blah. Plus they're gonna be going RWD very soon.

Maybe I could hold out for that one

yep. all of that. And I'd just so much rather spend $30,000 and go on 4-5-6 kickass vacations than $60,000 on a car.

Yeah cost of ownership and all, but

This, too.

Oh not to mention also possibly buying a house or spending $100,000ish to renovate a house to accomodate 5 people in the next year or 2

Two routes, assuming car supply which is iffy at the moment, IMO

1. Lease a GTI or A4

2. Preowned E300 or 530 since they depreciate like rocks. But are immensely nice vehicles.