Advice on a car under 20k

[SoyBoy004]

Any options? I really like the wolfsburg jettas, but don't know if they make a 2002 model? I will make a purchase in June when my Integra lease ends. Any ideas?

 

[toant103]

Nissan Sentra spec v!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or v spec.

something like that

 

[punkrawket]

can you narrow the field a little bit??

2 door.... 4 door... family sedan... sports sedan.... manual... automatic.... capacity.... speed.... especially new or used..... stuff like that

 

[GasX]

Ford Focus ZX3 SVT

 

[RossMAN]

<< can you narrow the field a little bit??

2 door.... 4 door... family sedan... sports sedan.... manual... automatic.... capacity.... speed.... especially new or used..... stuff like that >>



I agree, we need more info and preferences from you.

 

[mztykal]

Dodge Neon SRT.

Fvck the sh*t, have a turbo'd four-banger with a factory warranty UNDER 20k.

 

[erikistired]

wait on the drivers edition gti that should be out this summer. check out the details in the DE forum at vwvortex.com

~erik

 

[SoyBoy004]

something similar to jetta. 4 door sports sedan-ish.

 

[dmw16]

If you want something sporty. how about a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. Supercharged with 240HP and 280ft/lbs of torque. Lots of mods to make if faster if you want. You could get a 1998 or so for well under 20k.
-doug

 

[freebsddude]

2002 Honda Accord EX Coupe

you would probably go a little over 20K

or 2002 Honda Accord LX for about 18-19K!

 

[psteng19]

Hands down nothing beats the Sentra SE-R in handling, power, fun, performance, reliability, quality, etc. for under $20k.

Nissan ~ Driven

 

[mrchan]

i dont get it. a bunch of the people on this board always promote nissan's, granted the sentra is a decent car, but you guys make it out to seem great. and whats with this nissan driven thing? if you've ever read any reviews on the sentra you'd notice they say it has a lot of power, but no where to go with it because it handles terrribly. it never wins any car comparisons. if you want something with a lot of power, a crappy interior, and crappy handling, get a sentra (read the reviews). in comparison, you could get a protege/mp3/protege 5 that doesnt have as much power, but a great interior, and the best handling in its class, or spend a little more and get an Accord or a WRX (which also handles great, but C&D like the handling of the mp3 better). the jetta is another good choice, although i recently bought a new car, and seriously considered the jetta, BUT it's made in mexico.... there are a lot of good options now, just depends on what you're looking for.

 

[BigSmooth]

<< if you've ever read any reviews on the sentra you'd notice they say it has a lot of power, but no where to go with it because it handles terrribly. it never wins any car comparisons. if you want something with a lot of power, a crappy interior, and crappy handling, get a sentra (read the reviews). >>


I think you should read a few more reviews yourself. Although I personally would prefer a Mazda Pro-5 for the utility, the Sentra SE-R's reviews are not as bad as you describe. It did fare poorly in C&D's comparison test but overall it has gotten pretty good reviews. Edmund's gave it their #2 "Econosport" award (behind the Jetta 1.8T), Motor Trend , CarPoint, and Canadian Driver all had good things to say about it, and the regular Sentra won MotorWeek TV's "Small car of the Year" award for the second year in a row. Most of the reviews I have read like the handling characteristics of the SE-R and the layout (although not the colors) of the interior.

By no means do I think the SE-R is the end-all of cars under $20K, but it seems like you are basing your opinion on one or maybe two articles.


Edit: some quotes...

"Handling is excellent, with a stiff, serious-minded suspension and razor-sharp steering. And the 180 <sic> horses do this light four-door proud. Understeering through a tight turn? Just power your way out: The Spec V's helical limited-slip front diff will tuck the nose in and guide you through." - Motor Trend

"Cornering is flat and confident, particularly in the Spec V due to the its sticky, low-profile 17 inch radials." - CanadianDriver

"Assembly and finish show great attention to detail, but the XE and GXE are definitely more bland inside that the sportier SE-Rs that feature red trim...
...the dashboard looks good and is well organized. The controls are legible and within easy reach...
...the multi-link beam suspension provides excellent stability in most situations, and the Sentra bites into corners of all diameters, producing high lateral acceleration especially in the SE-R...
...the SE-R's bucket seats provide lateral and lumbar support worthy of a competition car..." - MSN CarPoint

"Dynamically, the Spec V was a standout, with responsive and well-weighted steering, flat and neutral cornering and strong, even braking." - Edmunds.com

 

[Rent]

'99 Contour SVT

They can be had for well under 20k and are badass cars

 

[psteng19]

mrchan


<< i dont get it. a bunch of the people on this board always promote nissan's, granted the sentra is a decent car, but you guys make it out to seem great. >>


He asks for a recommendation, people give it. nissan's make great cars for the money. name me a car in it's price range/class that offers what it does (Re: sentra).
I like Nissans. But I won't automatically dismiss other cars blindly.


<< and whats with this nissan driven thing? >>


it's my partial sig. have a problem with it?


<< if you've ever read any reviews on the sentra you'd notice they say it has a lot of power, but no where to go with it because it handles terrribly. it never wins any car comparisons. if you want something with a lot of power, a crappy interior, and crappy handling, get a sentra (read the reviews). >>


have you ever driven one? ever rode in one? doesn't sound like you have. don't base everything on what you read in magazines.


<< in comparison, you could get a protege/mp3/protege 5 that doesnt have as much power, but a great interior, and the best handling in its class, or spend a little more and get an Accord or a WRX (which also handles great, but C&D like the handling of the mp3 better). >>


first off, i like the protege mp3. my family has the 99 LX. decent little car. but WAY underpowered.
Accord and WRX??? if I'm not mistaken, he's asking for UNDER $20k.


<< the jetta is another good choice, although i recently bought a new car, and seriously considered the jetta, BUT it's made in mexico.... there are a lot of good options now, just depends on what you're looking for. >>


Jetta's are nice. my cousin has one. car has quite a few problems though, problems that shouldn't be appearing on a 30k mile car. and it's not just her car. carreviews shows that they are problem prone. and these are reviews from individuals...owners. not some magazine that drove it for half a day and decides to do a write up on it.
hope VW fixes the problems... they recently upped the warranty.

NISSAN ~ DRIVEN

 

[fastz28]

<< I think you should read a few more reviews yourself. >>




I think you all need to drive a few more cars yourselves. Quit comparing specs on paper.

 

[SoyBoy004]

thanks for the response all! i am thinking altima!

 

[Thegonagle]

Go incognito in a new Accord LX. Great cars, just no wow factor (which I don't care about).

The Altima 2.5 S with a 5 speed might work too.

Of course the Sentra SE-R would be nice. The interior is perfectly fine in them, if only a little small.

You can save a lot of money if you don't care too much about having a "fast" car and grab yourself a 2002 Civic LX, or spend a couple thousand more, and you can get a "loaded" Civic EX, and come out well under $20,000.

I'm also very excited to see a new Civic Si Hatchback, which should also be just under $20,000.

VW's are "nice," but their reliability ratings in CR get blacker and blacker as the cars age, and there are a lot of reviews on Car Review that say "never again," etc.

 

[IgorTs]

japanise car !