Best new car for under $20k?

[wasssup]

I'm going to need a new car shortly but I just don't know what to buy. I originally wanted the TSX, but I realized I somehow drive a lot and would feel bad putting ~20-25k/year on a $30k car (resale even for a tsx would tank).

I dislike the look of the 07 accord sedans, and while I really wanted a sedan this go around if I went with the accord I'd have to go for the coupe. I think the 5-speed EX model would be around $20k otd.

Then there's the Civic. I bought a new 5-speed Civic LX in 2003 for $14.5k OTD. The new LX's are like $18k OTD here. Somehow I think I can get a Si for $21k OTD, which is a better deal, though I wished I could get another LX for ~$15k otd.

OR I can just buy another used car....

 

[randomlinh]

mazda 3 or another used car. I'm sick of my car now. Not because I don't like it. But because there are stupid people on the road. I curbed a rim yesterday trying to avoid being side swiped by a focus. rock chips from driving ~20k miles a year make me cry when I wax the car. and the fact i'm just about to go out of warranty in 2.5yrs... heh.

sad thing is I knew most of this would happen. should have gotten a beater and a project mx5

 

[compuwiz1]

A bicycle...invest the rest.

 

[spaceman]

if you live where there is snow.
go subaru

 

[Scouzer]

Mazda 3 undoubtedly.

TSX or Mazda 6 if used.

 

[FoBoT]

http://forums.anandtech.com/ca...atid=85&flcache=623926

 

[ViviTheMage]

wrong!

 

[sjwaste]

Ford Fusion.

 

[JohnCU]

nissan altima (2.5)

 

[patentman]

Scion tc is a pretty good choice at sub 20k.

 

[thomsbrain]

how do you need a new car if you already have a 2003 Civic that you bought new? unless you put 50,000+ miles a year on it, it isn't even close to needing to be replaced yet. you say you drive 20-25K miles a year... that's really not that much, and that would mean your civic is only around 100K miles tops. as someone who drives considerably MORE than you, let me say from experience that you don't need to worry about a new car until your honda is well over 200K miles. so just keep saving your dough, and you can either afford a nicer car later, or maybe a fun weekend car to go with your new econo-car, or maybe just invest the savings.

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
Ford Fusion.

Honestly that car is supposed to be pretty good, and I like the tail lights

 

[effee]

a mazda 3 is pretty good, but bare on the inside.. can you get a mitsu lancer?

 

[slackerinabox]

Hyundai sonata's are pretty nice.

 

[chris7b]

You will not be able to get an accord coupe ex for 20K. Going to be around 22-23 otd. Also good luck finding an Si for 21K. Around Los Angeles they go for 25-28K w/ markup. You MIGHT have better luck with a Sentra SE-R.

 

[skywhr]

you can get a 07 si for 22k pre tax tag and title

 

[sthaznpride17]

Mazda 3

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: Quintox
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: sjwaste
Ford Fusion.</end quote></div>

Honestly that car is supposed to be pretty good, and I like the tail lights

I just bought a 2006 Fusion and I like it :thumbsup:

It will make a good daily driver.

 

[jiggahertz]

Originally posted by: Special K
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Quintox
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: sjwaste
Ford Fusion.</end quote></div>

Honestly that car is supposed to be pretty good, and I like the tail lights </end quote></div>

I just bought a 2006 Fusion and I like it :thumbsup:

It will make a good daily driver.

I just got the Mercury version of the Fusion (Milan) and loving it so far.

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

Get an American if you want one that breaks right away so you can replace it.

 

[wasssup]

No offense to the guys that have domestics but I'm not considering anything other than a japanese brand...

 

[theeedude]

Fusion is ranked way higher than I4 Camry according to CR.

 

[alimoalem]

mazda 3. i thought it was much better than tc (another poster posted tc for a recommendation). i drove the manual mazda 3 and an automatic mazda 6 (all the manual ones had dead batteries...) and the 3 i felt was better than the 6. the 3 is a little bare on the inside though. maybe it's cause i drove the cheapest one, idk. check out the cars with different packages/trims to see if they're any better.

if you can somehow go with a mazdaspeed 3, go for it. also, like the previous poster mentioned, you are NOT getting a civic si for $20K. in my area (bay area) they have like $6000 markup. i think the cheapest i saw was $25K.

i haven't driven a new accord but they look nice. i doubt you'd get one for your budget though. i'd try finding a used 2006 accord if you're serious about getting one.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Fusion is ranked way higher than I4 Camry according to CR.

no one's made any mention to a camry in this thread...

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: alimoalem
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: senseamp
Fusion is ranked way higher than I4 Camry according to CR.</end quote></div>

no one's made any mention to a camry in this thread...

Well he did mention he wants a Japanese brand only. Just making a counterpoint that Fusion is ranked very highly by CR. Also, it has the same powertrain as the Mazda3 that everyone here is recommending.