- Mar 23, 2008
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Currently driving an inherited Chevy Impala LS 2001 (3.8L, 200hp) gas guzzler. It has many issues, had to spend $3k repairing it last year, so I want to buy a new car in 1-2 months.
My budget is $8k cash. I don't want to lease. I would prefer to buy outright.
- I will be driving this for 2-3 years and then I will sell and get a newer car, so the car must have SOME retail value.
- I would ideally like to take this on road trips as well as a daily commuter, I'm not sure how many miles I'll drive per year. Right now I don't commute via car and have no idea, really. Estimating 10-12k per year.
- Reliability is most important
- Exterior and interior are both equally important. I don't want an outdated interior.
- I don't have a family, single 24 year old male, coupe is preferred
- I live in the DC area so there's not much snow
- Good MPG
After researching cars thoroughly, my top 3 picks for $8000 car (through private dealer most likely)
1. 2005-2007 Acura TSX ~70-100k miles
Why:
- luxury division of Honda, so Honda but better build quality
- looks better than accord, fancier, sportier, faster
- i love the exterior and interior
- good mpg
2. 2005-2008 Accord Coupe EX ~60-90k miles
Why:
- honda reliability
- cheaper than TSX, will have less miles
- great interior on EX
- better mpg than TSX
3. 2007-2009 Scion tC ~50-80k miles
- toyota reliability
- cheaper than both TSX and accord coupe EX
- alright interior
- good mpg
4. Honda Civic EX-L or SI - I only like black colored because it somehow makes the low end front look better; but this I think is inferior to the tC in everything except maybe mpg/reliability and pricing.
Other notable picks I have already cancelled out and why:
- Nissan Altima - cancelling out because while it is a great car, 2 of my friends already have it and I don't want the same exact car. I like the coupe but it's way more expensive.
- Acura RSX - it looks better than a tC but the year would be too low, I would have to find a 2004-2006 one becaues they discontinued in 2006 and while the quality may be better than a scion tC, interior is important to me.
- Lexus IS - RWD is horrible for snow, but more importantly it's almost impossible to find a good deal on a IS. I don't want a 2002-2003 one.
- Audi A4 / BMW 3 series circa 2004-2005 - I don't want to deal with maintaining a high performance german car - It's expensive.
Can anyone offer some input/insight on my picks? Should I just go for a low miles tC and buy a TSX in 2 years?
Obviously if I find the perfect deal I will jump on a TSX but all the ones within my price range are high miles (80+).
My budget is $8k cash. I don't want to lease. I would prefer to buy outright.
- I will be driving this for 2-3 years and then I will sell and get a newer car, so the car must have SOME retail value.
- I would ideally like to take this on road trips as well as a daily commuter, I'm not sure how many miles I'll drive per year. Right now I don't commute via car and have no idea, really. Estimating 10-12k per year.
- Reliability is most important
- Exterior and interior are both equally important. I don't want an outdated interior.
- I don't have a family, single 24 year old male, coupe is preferred
- I live in the DC area so there's not much snow
- Good MPG
After researching cars thoroughly, my top 3 picks for $8000 car (through private dealer most likely)
1. 2005-2007 Acura TSX ~70-100k miles
Why:
- luxury division of Honda, so Honda but better build quality
- looks better than accord, fancier, sportier, faster
- i love the exterior and interior
- good mpg
2. 2005-2008 Accord Coupe EX ~60-90k miles
Why:
- honda reliability
- cheaper than TSX, will have less miles
- great interior on EX
- better mpg than TSX
3. 2007-2009 Scion tC ~50-80k miles
- toyota reliability
- cheaper than both TSX and accord coupe EX
- alright interior
- good mpg
4. Honda Civic EX-L or SI - I only like black colored because it somehow makes the low end front look better; but this I think is inferior to the tC in everything except maybe mpg/reliability and pricing.
Other notable picks I have already cancelled out and why:
- Nissan Altima - cancelling out because while it is a great car, 2 of my friends already have it and I don't want the same exact car. I like the coupe but it's way more expensive.
- Acura RSX - it looks better than a tC but the year would be too low, I would have to find a 2004-2006 one becaues they discontinued in 2006 and while the quality may be better than a scion tC, interior is important to me.
- Lexus IS - RWD is horrible for snow, but more importantly it's almost impossible to find a good deal on a IS. I don't want a 2002-2003 one.
- Audi A4 / BMW 3 series circa 2004-2005 - I don't want to deal with maintaining a high performance german car - It's expensive.
Can anyone offer some input/insight on my picks? Should I just go for a low miles tC and buy a TSX in 2 years?
Obviously if I find the perfect deal I will jump on a TSX but all the ones within my price range are high miles (80+).
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