What’s the Best Car Under $15K for a Petrolista Father-To-Be?

I got a 2003 Infiniti G35 coupe in perfect condition with only 46,000 miles on it for only $10,700. (It comes in a sedan too). It’s fast, fun and has a nice growl on it. 280 horsepower. I get a smile on my face every time I turn a corner in this thing. And in my experience Nissans are very reliable.

When my now-6-year-old daughter was born, I drove a 1988 SAAB 900 turbo sedan and it was great. I replaced it with a 1991 Volvo 240 2.3 just for the cliché but it turned out to be a great car and actually one of the few I regret having sold…

your little champion will own the road in a 2007 Lumina sedan. When he’s old enough to face forward place his seat in the back, middle. He will own the road, be entertained by the road and grow up to be a Petrolista like his Dad. These cars are proven units for growing families. It can be a daily driver and drivers car. Sedans don’t have things rolling around making noise or have cabin noise like wagons can, your partner will love you for a sedan. All the baby things will be away from prying eyes in a sedans trunk too. That said the child wont care about the car nearly as much as you or your partner will so make sure you’re happy with your choice 7 let us know what it is so we can cheer/howl-it-down – Chris.

300te

Does your partner (wife, gf) have a car also? So far we only have one kid and have used our BMW X1 28i (M Sport) as the primary family car. I have a ’07 Z4M Coupe as my primary vehicle. I can turn off the air bag with a key on the passenger side, and the seats have ISOFIX points for the carseat… Anyway, I don’t know what you drive now, but as long as it’s not a primary car there’s a whole lot of options out there for you with one kid (two kids and more and you may need to think a bit more).

This was my question one year ago. My baby is now 6 months and counting. I rarely think outside of BMW:
-E34/E39 M5
-E34 535i*
-E36 M3

*my first car.

Congrats! I never understood the “OMG we’re having a baby we must buy a minivan!” thing. When my son was born we had a 1999 A4 1.8T as the main car, but I drove him every day in my Corrado G60 without any significant issues. Looking at it now I’d think those long doors would have been a PITA but I don’t remember it being a problem. In a pinch I could use the parcel shelf as a handy changing table too 😀

The A4 was succeeded by a Legacy GT wagon, which is a terrific family car in almost every respect – power, space and comfort in spades, enthusiastic community, and to my eyes the wagon is a considerably more distinctive and attractive car than the sedan. However, at higher mileage they are a true “enthusiast car” in that you would be wise to check the oil at every fillup and pay close attention to maintaining it. Which with a small child may not always be at the top of your mind. That said, a petrolista, by design, chooses to expend extra effort (and/or money) in order to drive something interesting.

What else.. “fun, sporty sedan” shouts Evo or STI, although finding one you trust for under 15k might be tricky. I can vouch for the Evo 8/9 as a worthy “sensible four door”. Design is subjective, although personally I like that it only seems to have design elements that [i]do[/i] something – there’s nothing for show on that car. Luggage capacity isn’t great but you can easily chuck a stroller, a baby jail and a couple of bags in the trunk. And the Recaro baby seats match the upholstery.

It’s hard to argue with an E39 though. Such a classy and comfortable car.

Congratulations! I don’t have any specific recommendations, but my preference would be for a wagon (sorry, Touring model) or large hatchback of some sort. Especially when it’s your first, you’d be surprised how quickly you load up the car with stuff for even minor trips! You take everything because you don’t know exactly what you’ll need (eg, a playpen for staying over somewhere, plus a stroller, plus a bag for you and your wife – it adds up quickly). If you have a dog like we do, it gets even worse!

The correct answer is E39 540i with the six speed manual and the sport package. I just bought this 02′ for $9k with 85k miles and it’s in excellent condition. Look for the 2003 with the M-tech package because they use the M5 bumpers. They are a bit harder to find and bring a bit more money but they do look better with the updated bumpers.

Congratulations! I would say a 4 door e36 M3. It is safe, dependable (mine hasn’t let me down), light, handles amazingly well, I am sure can fit all of your baby gear, and if you want to splurge and spend closer to that $15K you can find a very low mileage oem creampuff (you’ll have to be patient though I am sure).

how about something like this:
http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-bmw-318i/

a girlfriend of mine had one many years back. Quite sporty to drive and with an inline 6 even more so

I’m feel so unoriginal but I have to echo the E39 M5. Wonderful car. I own one.

That said, the typical answers to these type of questions I feel are somewhat misleading. It’s always sedans and wagons. I’ve never found the need to throw a bunch of extra shit in the car beyond a stroller and bag so I don’t see the absolute logic in a wagon. Now granted, rear door access to a car seat and loading a child is much improved versus a coupe.

You know what I value the most in loading my kid into a child seat? Not having to be hunched over in doing so. I had a much easier time loading my daughter into our 1999 Honda CR-V than in my E39 M5.

So how about some taller vehicle suggestions?
– First-generation Porsche Cayman
– First-generation BMW X5
– Jeep Grand Cherokee STR (not sure if $15k is possible here)
– Jeep Wrangler 4 Door

Just food for thought. It’s not like you’ll get an E39 M5 and regret it. 🙂

From the experience of just downsizing, I say go with the smallest wagon or hatch you can tolerate/will fit a rear facing car seat (things take up a ton of space)/and remember when your kid is three and a half and still in a car seat he/she will be constantly drumming on your kidneys.

Just went from Mazda5 to GTI, and even with 2 kiddos, it has definitely been worth it. Both are available with a manual, but the GTI will only work if you aren’t too tall.

Congrats, and test fit that car seat before buying.

Black Crown Vic with tinted windows. Comfortable, safe. Drive like a boss!