Best Car under $20k ?

SUBxWRX

Senior member
Aug 23, 2001
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I'm planning to get a car soon but I'm not sure what to get. Originally wanted to get the WRX a wonderful car i've always wanted, but the price is something I have to put into careful consideration. I'm looking for something under around 20k....possibly a SE-R V Spec? ...Post suggestions and reviews
 

djheater

Lifer
Mar 19, 2001
14,637
2
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Buy a new reliable 10k car like a Neon and put the other 8k in an interest bearing CD for the life of your loan/financing then you'll have made money (sort of) I don't see why people need snazzy cars (I guess I'm boring)

Personally I want something safe, reliable and cheap the rest of my money goes to the house fund. You'll need those bucks eventually... is the trade off worth it?
 

SUBxWRX

Senior member
Aug 23, 2001
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O no Accords please....my family already has 2 of those, ..... Although Honda cars are really reliable, I want to try something new.
 

freebee

Diamond Member
Dec 30, 2000
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While 20 grand doesn't buy that much in terms of a new car...20 grand will get you a very nice Ducatti. Nice italian built motorcyle. My mom won't let me ride one, so i putt-putt around in my subaru forester.

Maybe a simple v6 mustang would be adequate. Its a nice car, fairly quick, and you save a bit on insurance premiums compared to v8 models.
 

geno

Lifer
Dec 26, 1999
25,074
4
0
Get the new Neon SRT-4, can't beat the performance for under $20k. 0-60 in 5.8, 205HP, subjective looks (I happen to love it, but I can see how some people might not like the body style), Viper-esque seats, huge brakes, bigger rims....oh did I mention it's Turbo? :D (hint...easy to upgrade)
 

Jejunum

Golden Member
Jun 19, 2000
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i just bought a subaru 2.5 rs; got it 600 under invoice! (w/ fog lights, keyless, and tweater kit)
 

djheater

Lifer
Mar 19, 2001
14,637
2
0
my mother-in-law has an SRT and has had nothing but problems with oil leaks. The mechanic says he see a lot of them that way however I have two of the lower model engines (manual) and have had absolutely no problems in over three years....
 

geno

Lifer
Dec 26, 1999
25,074
4
0


<< my mother-in-law has an SRT and has had nothing but problems with oil leaks. The mechanic says he see a lot of them that way however I have two of the lower model engines (manual) and have had absolutely no problems in over three years.... >>


Don't confuse the R/T with the SRT-4, WAY different engines...
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,044
445
136


<< i just bought a subaru 2.5 rs; got it 600 under invoice! (w/ fog lights, keyless, and tweater kit) >>



My friend bought a new 2002 Subaru WRX wagon for barely $23,000 very nice price.
 

911paramedic

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2002
9,448
1
76
Where do you live?
What type of driving do you do?
What type of activities do you do?
How much time do you spend driving?
Do you like big or little cars?


Info like that would help us point you in the right type of direction...
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
5
81
I would point you towards an extended cab S-10 or a Dodge 1500. I personally prefer a truck. There are lots of speed parts, and you can pay for them by hauling your neibhor's couch across town for $30 bucks :)
 

The Dancing Peacock

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 1999
3,385
0
0
The mitusbishi eclipse and toyota celica can both be had for around 20k as well. I don't want a honda either, these seem like decent cars, haven't research them too much. I think a low-end Altima is around 23K iirc.
 

Gunbuster

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,852
23
81
Mazda Protege

(dont worry about the post that will follow, about how your penis will shrivel and fall off for not getting a 250+ hp car)
 

LittleWolf

Senior member
Feb 28, 2001
456
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If you prefer a sport German ride, you can try a Jetta GLI or a GLS with the 1.8T and sport suspension. Should be about 20K.

-j
 

SUBxWRX

Senior member
Aug 23, 2001
893
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I was thinking of a Mazda Protege MP3 .....but I know a couple people who has it....so I want to get something different. What do you guys think of the Sentra SE-R spec V ?
 

Wuzup101

Platinum Member
Feb 20, 2002
2,334
37
91
...I don't know about you but I wouldn't buy anything named after a computer file extension....lol

I personally like Eclipses, though you could probably get a NICE used firebird formula, trans am, camaro, ss, etc... for under 20k. They will be a few years old (like 2-5) but even the really new used ones should be under 20k. There was a nice TransAm in the paper last year that my dad was looking at. It was a 2000, this was mid 2001, cost was 17k. Car had everything, was a vert, leather, the new ones have factory 500watt systems, 305-320ish hp, will smoke most/all stockish mustangs (besides the new 2003 SC Cobra...but that's a different beast).

If you want to go the import rout though...like i said I like eclipses, other than that acura integras (used of course...hint: TypeR)....

Or save your cash and get a 2003 C5 Corvette Z06.....hum....maybe that's a little out of reach.
 

Kenji4861

Banned
Jan 28, 2001
2,821
0
0
You can get a Subaru Impreza 2.5RS at exactly 20k.

If you want under, go with

Honda CIVIC EX

Toyota 2003 COROLLA-S

Honda Accord

Nissan Altima

Toyota Camry ($2600 off MSRP right now)

Nissan Sentra- seR

Mazda Protege5

Toyota Matrix

Whatever style YOU LIKE. I personally getting into the wagon/hatch styles. I would go with a Protege5 or Matrix