Best used car under $15k?

[FleshLight]

Must be:
1. Compact or mid-sized
2. Somewhat roomy
3. Somewhat sporty
4. Japanese
5. Fun to drive

 

[aplefka]

Why #4? Just curious.

 

[sniperruff]

01'-03' maxima!!!

 

[Turkish]

maxima

 

[Demo24]

Mazda 3 springs to mind

 

[chowmein]

maxima for under 15k?? wowowowowowerz

i would say Celica but thats not fun to drive.

RSX!

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: chowmein
maxima for under 15k?? wowowowowowerz

i would say Celica but thats not fun to drive.

used maximas are cheap. you can easily get a fairly new 95'-99' for under $7k with decent milage.

 

[chowmein]

you must provide linkage!

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: chowmein
you must provide linkage!

00' SE 98k miles $8200

96' GLE/GXE with leather 103k miles $5200

and mind you i just pulled those prices now, those are not really the best deals. the 2000 SE looks good.

 

[Buickbeast]

VW GTI, makes a fun daily driver. stage 3

 

[chowmein]

Originally posted by: sniperruff

Originally posted by: chowmein
you must provide linkage!

00' SE 98k miles $8200

96' GLE/GXE with leather 103k miles $5200

and mind you i just pulled those prices now, those are not really the best deals. the 2000 SE looks good.

those are some heavy miles IMO

 

[LuNoTiCK]

Originally posted by: sniperruff

Originally posted by: chowmein
maxima for under 15k?? wowowowowowerz

i would say Celica but thats not fun to drive.

used maximas are cheap. you can easily get a fairly new 95'-99' for under $7k with decent milage.

I am thinking of finding a used Maxima. Are they really reliable? Also, wheres the best place to look for them to make sure you get a good one for a good price? They only take premium gas, correct?

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Honda Accord?

 

[Buickbeast]

Originally posted by: chowmein

00' SE 98k miles $8200

those are some heavy miles IMO

That's only ~16k a year.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: LuNoTiCK

Originally posted by: sniperruff

Originally posted by: chowmein
maxima for under 15k?? wowowowowowerz

i would say Celica but thats not fun to drive.

used maximas are cheap. you can easily get a fairly new 95'-99' for under $7k with decent milage.

I am thinking of finding a used Maxima. Are they really reliable? Also, wheres the best place to look for them to make sure you get a good one for a good price? They only take premium gas, correct?

with a $15k budget, you can easily get a used maxima with decent milage. maxima's are generally quite reliable... with $15k you can even find one in any car dealer but i'd look privately first... craigslist? to know the price, go on edmunds and look up the prices for reference (of course try to go as low as the trade-in price)

and yes only premium. that was one of the factors i also considered. a guy at work has a 97' and he sweared that he only put in premium every other tank and has no engine knock. i wouldn't want to gamble...

i was seriously doing research on mid-size's and maxima's are quite good if you can overlook the 20mpg gas milage and it drinks premium. if you just want something simple and reliable... get a camry.

personally if i have 15k i'd try to find a maxima.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

How used are you willing to deal with?

Out of smaller cars, the Mazda3s, Civic Si, and Scion tC all fit the bill... the used car market for the 3s is still thin, but I'm sure you could find something, and the hatch looks nice if you need the extra space.

For mid-sized cars, I'd go with the Mazda6, Accord, or Maxima.

 

[chowmein]

Originally posted by: Buickbeast

Originally posted by: chowmein

00' SE 98k miles $8200

those are some heavy miles IMO

That's only ~16k a year.

thats true, but that one is also a stick tranny, clutch ain't cheap (ad didn't mention replace one yet) I firmly believe any car over 100k miles is not good milage. thats just my $0.02

 

[Buickbeast]

Originally posted by: sniperruff

Originally posted by: LuNoTiCK

Originally posted by: sniperruff

Originally posted by: chowmein
maxima for under 15k?? wowowowowowerz

i would say Celica but thats not fun to drive.

and yes only premium. that was one of the factors i also considered. a guy at work has a 97' and he sweared that he only put in premium every other tank and has no engine knock. i wouldn't want to gamble...

Yeah, speaking of this, don't buy a used one from Enterprise rent-a-car. When I worked there, I allways told them to put in premium but no one ever did! Also they would go between 7k-14k between oil changes.

 

[FleshLight]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
How used are you willing to deal with?

Out of smaller cars, the Mazda3s, Civic Si, and Scion tC all fit the bill... the used car market for the 3s is still thin, but I'm sure you could find something, and the hatch looks nice if you need the extra space.

For mid-sized cars, I'd go with the Mazda6, Accord, or Maxima.

Less than ~50k on it. This will be my first fully owned auto and I want to make it last for at least 30 years (by that time I'll move out of my rents' basement ).

 

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: chowmein

Originally posted by: Buickbeast

Originally posted by: chowmein

00' SE 98k miles $8200

those are some heavy miles IMO

That's only ~16k a year.

thats true, but that one is also a stick tranny, clutch ain't cheap (ad didn't mention replace one yet) I firmly believe any car over 100k miles is not good milage. thats just my $0.02

You firmly believe that, but my 96 Maxima has 150K miles and is going very strong. No engine or tranny problems, and I drive that thing hard. I was hoping it would die so I can have an excuse to get a new car, but no such luck I am gonna get a new car and may keep this one around.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: chowmein

Originally posted by: Buickbeast

Originally posted by: chowmein

00' SE 98k miles $8200

those are some heavy miles IMO

That's only ~16k a year.

thats true, but that one is also a stick tranny, clutch ain't cheap (ad didn't mention replace one yet) I firmly believe any car over 100k miles is not good milage. thats just my $0.02

i do agree that the milage is a bit on the high side, but:

1) that thing is loaded with heated leathers
2) it's a SE

and generally any maxima 00' or newer for under $10k should be a good deal. however since OP has $15k to play with... get a 02'-03' that has more power, with lower miles.

 

[jai6638]

an accord or camry...

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: aplefka
Why #4? Just curious.

I think he wants the car to stay together after 3 years

 

[JulesMaximus]

You could probably pick up a 2 year old Mustang GT for around that price. Make sure you get the 5spd though. The automatic transmissions in those cars are junk.

 

[Caesar]

Originally posted by: FleshLight
Must be:
1. Compact or mid-sized
2. Somewhat roomy
3. Somewhat sporty
4. Japanese
5. Fun to drive

With this budget I will recommend Honda Accord V6. You will robably get 2001/2/3 for this much money with around 40 to 70k on it and regarding ur check list

1. Compact or mid-sized: Midsized
2. Somewhat roomy: Very roomy
3. Somewhat sporty: Sporty lookwise I think
4. Japanese: Yep
5. Fun to drive: Drives and handles well with 200hp and good torque with V6

The interios is nice with leather upholstery and 6disc changer etc etc.....