VectorWega

Mazda MX-5 is not a "chick" car anymore. You have to recognize that the majority of buyers for these 2 door convertibles (especially the BMW Z) are men. The Mx-5s body style is pretty tight and the folding hardtop is awesome. Also, the only car that handles better than an MX-5 is a Lotus, which is outside your price range.

If you aren't secure in your sexuality, I recommend getting a Hummer H2.

Sachmoney

I should've probably added that I would still drive a S2000 or a BMW Z4...M.

What's funny is that the OP hasn't commented at all about cars since his/her original post.

crs1909

^I'm assuming it's probably a guy.

kotchian123

URiA702,

What field are you working in?

Sachmoney,

the exam information is all in the website. The first exam is probability theory and the second exam is financial math. IMO, fun and not too bad.

kotchian123

I'm thinking about getting this car:

2008 Ford Mustang V6 Premium Convertible — Yahoo! Autos

But I'm worried about Ford's car reliability for long-term. If the convertible lasts me for just 3 years in good shape; I'll be happy because then I'll upgrade.

wolfpack12

I would not get that car. It is a phony pony. You should go with the GT Premium Convertible. Ford Vehicles:
The extra power is worth the $$. It definitely should last you at least 3 years.

wolfpack12

I would drive a hummer with the sole purpose of ****ing off my environmental science teacher.

kotchian123

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.

Calcruzer

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.

Thanks,

kotchian123

Calcruzer,

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.

Also everyone,

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!

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!

tetrishead

I am not going to make a recommendation, I am going to clarify recommendations to make your choice more informed. Cars are a passion.

--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.

--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.

--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.

--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.

--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.

--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.

That is all.

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.

VectorWega

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.

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.

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).

kotchian123

FANTASTIC advice gentleman. I don't know how to thank all of you enough.

kotchian123

VectorWega,

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.

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.

tetrishead

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).