$17,000 on a new/used car, any recommendation?

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M

Mark

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,486
3
76
ok guys the time has come. i am going to need a new/used vehicle. i really do NOT want to go over the 17k mark on it. here's what im looking for in the car:


looks good
fun to drive
decent leg room in the backseats
reliable
low on insurance(im 23 soon to be 24 with perfect driving record)


im going to be taking the train to work so gas milage for now really isn't a concern. here is a list of cars that i like so you guys can get an idea:


scion tc
mazda 3 series
subaru impreza wrx
nissan maxima
acura cl
ford mustang



i don't really like camry's or accords because they look a little boring to me(although i will admit i haven't driven or been in a recent one).


well thats all i can think of for now. any other suggestions as to other cars i should check out?
 
TheLonelyPhoenix

TheLonelyPhoenix

Diamond Member
Feb 15, 2004
5,594
1
0
The Mustang is rough on insurance, but with a perfect driving record it might be bearable. You can forget about the backseats though. WRX is probably even worse in the insurance department, but you'll at least be able to seat 4 comfortably.

Scion tC if you want a small coupe (though I think its ugly), Mazda3 if you want a small sedan (I own one and love it), Maxima if you want a mid-size sedan (though I think the Accord is a better choice here). If you want a sports car, take insurance off your list of concerns.

Originally posted by: Mo0o
Civic? tc is not so good in terms of back seat space.
Click to expand...

I've sat in the back of a tC, and it was definitely more comfortable than the back of any other coupe I've been in.
 
A

Azndude51

Platinum Member
Sep 26, 2004
2,842
4
81
My sister has a Mazda3 S, very nice car. It's great looking and very sporty. She has a manual tranny and loves to drive it around. I would say, if you want 4 doors, got with a Mazda3. If you want 2 doors, go with the tC.
 
M

Mark

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,486
3
76
I like everything about the 3, except the rear end of it. It looks like it was kicked by another car. I agree about the Scion's rear-seat legroom, it's surprising comfy in the back. Cross the Mustang off the list, I forgot those things are very limited on backseat room
 
Baked

Baked

Lifer
Dec 28, 2004
36,052
17
81
Another vote for the Scion tC. For something under 20K, the back seats look surprisingly roomy. The exterior is very well designed too.
 
Mo0o

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
24,227
3
76
Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
The Mustang is rough on insurance, but with a perfect driving record it might be bearable. You can forget about the backseats though. WRX is probably even worse in the insurance department, but you'll at least be able to seat 4 comfortably.

Scion tC if you want a small coupe (though I think its ugly), Mazda3 if you want a small sedan (I own one and love it), Maxima if you want a mid-size sedan (though I think the Accord is a better choice here). If you want a sports car, take insurance off your list of concerns.

Originally posted by: Mo0o
Civic? tc is not so good in terms of back seat space.
Click to expand...

I've sat in the back of a tC, and it was definitely more comfortable than the back of any other coupe I've been in.
Click to expand...

But a 4 door civic would provide more leg room...
 
L

Lucky

Lifer
Nov 26, 2000
13,126
1
0
Originally posted by: Mo0o
"Civic? tc is not so good in terms of back seat space."
...


"...a 4 door civic would provide more leg room..."[/i]


Well of course! And my mom's toyota avalon has more legroom than a geo metro. Significantly more. But it's not like a civic sedan in a limo compared to the tC!

Edmunds writes about the tC: "Although the tC is a compact car at just 174 inches long (about the same length as a Honda Civic coupe), a relatively long (106.3-inch) wheelbase provides more than ample legroom, especially for those riding in the back. Rear passengers will also enjoy the split seat backs that can individually recline up to 45 degrees."

Edmunds data on the tC:
Rear Head Room: 36.6 in. (1.5% ess than civic, and that's without the seats reclined)
Rear Shoulder Room: 50 in. (4% less than civic)
Rear Hip Room: 47.3 in. (5% less than civic)
Rear Leg Room: 33.6 in. (6% less than civic)


Edmunds data on the civic sedan

Rear Head Room: 37.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 52 in
Rear Hip Room: 49.8 in.
Rear Leg Room: 36 in.


The rear seat of the tC is pretty damm roomy. I imagine if you had a six footer upfront with the seat back all the way, and a six footer with long legs in the back, it might get cramped. But I'm a six-footer who sits with my seat back all the way and reclined pretty far, and I've never had a complaint from the multitude of passengers I've taken in the backseat as far as legroom goes. Headroom is another story for six-footers.

 
M

mercanucaribe

Banned
Oct 20, 2004
9,763
1
0
Considering that you're taking the train to work, I'd spend a lot less money on an older car, since extreme reliability won't be necessary. If the difference in insurance cost matters enough with your income, why spend a whole 17k on a weekend car?
 
F

fbrdphreak

Lifer
Apr 17, 2004
17,555
1
0
Mazda3 or Maxima; Maxima's have good reliability, handle well, strong V6, decent mileage; I'll probly be getting that or a Grand Prix later this year
Mazda3's are fun to drive, good mileage, look OK
 
M

mrchan

Diamond Member
May 18, 2000
3,123
0
0
used mazda 6 or used accord coupe. both will be big enough to haul 4 people comfortably. both are reasonably fun to drive. both should be very reliable and get good mileage.
 
D

dxkj

Lifer
Feb 17, 2001
11,772
2
81
Originally posted by: Mark
ok guys the time has come. i am going to need a new/used vehicle. i really do NOT want to go over the 17k mark on it. here's what im looking for in the car:


looks good
fun to drive
decent leg room in the backseats
reliable
low on insurance(im 23 soon to be 24 with perfect driving record)


im going to be taking the train to work so gas milage for now really isn't a concern. here is a list of cars that i like so you guys can get an idea:


scion tc
mazda 3 series
subaru impreza wrx
nissan maxima
acura cl
ford mustang



i don't really like camry's or accords because they look a little boring to me(although i will admit i haven't driven or been in a recent one).


well thats all i can think of for now. any other suggestions as to other cars i should check out?
Click to expand...


I bought a mazda3 hatchback for 16.7 after TTL, great car, good mileage, sporty fun to drive (160hp engine not bad for the size of the car). I got the side airbags, ABS, 6CD changer built in the dash, and moon roof


I would do it again :)

 
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