$20k For a Car...

[Trikat]

Subaru WRX or Subaru Legacy maybe GT (used).
Maybe a Honda or Camary (obviously only a few car choices).

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: MAME

Originally posted by: Strk

Originally posted by: MAME

Originally posted by: Strk

Originally posted by: XZeroII

Originally posted by: Strk
Does size matter?

Seriously?

What? He didn't say if he wanted a large, midsized or compact sedan. Get your mind out of the gutter!

And take a look at used Subaru Legacys (2005 or newer). It's a great car, but it gets hit with large depreciation.

I heard they get 18mpg

Edmunds got 20mpg with the GT version, which isn't bad for an AWD car with 250hp. The NA version is fairly quick and get a decent increase in mpg.

Even at 20, with Premium, it's a very expensive ride

Then look at the NA version. It has around 170hp and provides enough power to keep most happy and uses regular. I used an Outback as a rental a year or so ago and it had that engine and it was pretty nice.

 

[imported_goku]

If you're going cheap, always buy used top end.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Are you seriously kidding me? Forget camry, accord, domestics.

For $20k you can get used infiniti G35 or a bmw 3er with about 30-40k miles in it. Way more worth it than low end sedans, plus a lot more fun to drive too. Other options are used TSX or used Maxima...edit: also the Altima V6 is very nice.

If you want new there's always the 06 Jetta ... V6. Probably much more fun to drive than camry/toyota cars, although less reliable.

 

[randomlinh]

could always try a mazda3 might be a hair heavy, but you might be able to snag one cheap for anyone that has the urge to trade up for the mazdaspeed3.... like me.. haha.. now I just need to find an extra 10 grand...

 

[Reckoner]

I've been averaging 15mpg with my legacy gt in the city in sport mode, horrible gas mileage.

 

[MAME]

Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy
Are you seriously kidding me? Forget camry, accord, domestics.

For $20k you can get used infiniti G35 or a bmw 3er with about 30-40k miles in it. Way more worth it than low end sedans, plus a lot more fun to drive too. Other options are used TSX or used Maxima...edit: also the Altima V6 is very nice.

If you want new there's always the 06 Jetta ... V6. Probably much more fun to drive than camry/toyota cars, although less reliable.

I was considering a G35, but insurance is a bit much

 

[MAME]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
could always try a mazda3 might be a hair heavy, but you might be able to snag one cheap for anyone that has the urge to trade up for the mazdaspeed3.... like me.. haha.. now I just need to find an extra 10 grand...

good cars, but are too low on the car totem pole for me

 

[DeviousTrap]

Used Saab 9-5 Aero?

 

[Playmaker]

Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy
Are you seriously kidding me? Forget camry, accord, domestics.

For $20k you can get used infiniti G35 or a bmw 3er with about 30-40k miles in it. Way more worth it than low end sedans, plus a lot more fun to drive too. Other options are used TSX or used Maxima...edit: also the Altima V6 is very nice.

If you want new there's always the 06 Jetta ... V6. Probably much more fun to drive than camry/toyota cars, although less reliable.

Agreed.

The only jap car I'd consider in this situation is a G35 or maybe a Maxima with a few mods. The rest either so incredibly ugly or slow.

You can't get a 3-series bimmer with decent power unless you pony up for an M3.

I'd look for a ~2001 Audi S4 with low miles. Reliable if serviced and properly maintained, and with a few mods will easily blow away any other options in the fun department.

 

[MAME]

Originally posted by: Playmaker

Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy
Are you seriously kidding me? Forget camry, accord, domestics.

For $20k you can get used infiniti G35 or a bmw 3er with about 30-40k miles in it. Way more worth it than low end sedans, plus a lot more fun to drive too. Other options are used TSX or used Maxima...edit: also the Altima V6 is very nice.

If you want new there's always the 06 Jetta ... V6. Probably much more fun to drive than camry/toyota cars, although less reliable.

Agreed.

The only jap car I'd consider in this situation is a G35 or maybe a Maxima with a few mods. The rest either so incredibly ugly or slow.

You can't get a 3-series bimmer with decent power unless you pony up for an M3.

I'd look for a ~2001 Audi S4 with low miles. Reliable if serviced and properly maintained, and with a few mods will easily blow away any other options in the fun department.

I'd probably stick with a G35 or TL if I went the sport/lux route

 

[Mikey]

Scion tC?

 

[MBrown]

Get a used S4 B5.

 

[MAME]

Originally posted by: Mikey
Scion tC?

too low end

 

[JulesMaximus]

I paid $22k for my 2003 Nissan Maxima SE brand new a few years ago. Loss leader FTW!!!

 

[MAME]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I paid $22k for my 2003 Nissan Maxima SE brand new a few years ago. Loss leader FTW!!!

loss leader?

 

[theNEOone]

Originally posted by: MAME

Originally posted by: Mikey
Scion tC?

too low end

you're only spending 20k on a car, and you're making comments like "too low end." are you a tard, or just living on the moon?


=|

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Originally posted by: theNEOone

Originally posted by: MAME

Originally posted by: Mikey
Scion tC?

too low end

you're only spending 20k on a car, and you're making comments like "too low end." are you a tard, or just living on the moon?


=|

...there's a certain degree of class associated with some other cars, versus the tC. For some, civic to accord is a step up. For others, not so much... so I woudln't exactly group all $20k cars in one category.

...which is why buying a used high end car is a viable alternative .

 

[theNEOone]

Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy

Originally posted by: theNEOone

Originally posted by: MAME

Originally posted by: Mikey
Scion tC?

too low end

you're only spending 20k on a car, and you're making comments like "too low end." are you a tard, or just living on the moon?


=|

...there's a certain degree of class associated with some other cars, versus the tC. For some, civic to accord is a step up. For others, not so much... so I woudln't exactly group all $20k cars in one category.

...which is why buying a used high end car is a viable alternative .

yes, i realize that.

perhaps i interpreted his tone incorrectly.


=|

 

[CraigRT]

Altima SE or Maxima SE.
Both 3.5, both manual trans available.

 

[Otaking]

My 2 cents cuz I'm in the same boat: :beer:

If going new: Camry (maybe V6 if you can bargain), Sonata V6, the new Saturn Aura looks promising, Accord, Mazda 6, Legacy 2.5L, Ford Fusion / Five Hundred

If going used: Acura TL, Audi A4 (ONLY if you want, but I'm sick of all the problems I'm currently having with my 2001 A4 :| ), Cadillac CTS, Saab 9-5, Honda / Toyota anything, Nissan Maxima

And that's about all I can think of for now.

 

[PowerEngineer]

Sporty sedan that also gets good gas mileage is a tough combination. I'd certainly look to the Infiniti G35, but the gas mileage is not so good (low 20's in real life) and I understand it goes through tires and brake pads pretty fast. Still, I would have bought a 2003-2004 G35 for $20k-22k if I had found one without a sunroof (need the headroom).

I think the Honda Accords drive nicer than the Toyota Camrys. A used V6 of either might fit the bill, although I personally think their resale values are too high.

You might also take a look at used Lexuses like the IS300, GS300, or SC300.

Good luck!

 

[kumanchu]

06 civic

 

[halik]

new or used?

 

[novon]

Originally posted by: kumanchu
06 civic