$18,500 on a car that is long gone from warranty??
All you will see is money going down the toilet. an $18,000 car and a $2000 car will last the same amount of time, you`ll just lose $16,000 on it in the meantime. Plus you will spend big bux on insurance.
The problem with you kids is that you "thinK' you need a new car or you think that 2004 is "old" for a car when in actuality there is a whole lot more out there that you dont even know about like OBD-II upkeep, Finances, what-ifs that may happen, your lack of driving experience, etc.
Find a decent car thats less than $3000, dont finance it, then get your dream car after you have your career established and/or are done with college.
Oh, here`s affordable luxury, 28mpg In town, SAFE free roadside for life and NO computers or tune-ups! only oil changes. and It will last as long as YOU do, unless you live in the rust-belt.
http://reviews.ebay.com/1980s-Mercedes-Diesels-647-500-Miles-amp-Going-amp-Going_W0QQugidZ10000000003602287?ssPageName=BUYGD:CAT:-1:LISTINGS:3