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[MotF Bane]

Have: 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix, 135k miles, slowly rotting away.
Budget: About $10-12k. Nothing great.
Requirements: It must be snow friendly.
Preferences: Six cylinder, faster/better handling than the Grand Prix.

I've test driven upwards of twenty cars in the past eight months, because this wasn't a surprise. I loved the Infiniti G's, but they're about twice the price range, same story on a WRX, and I'm aware that's a weird cross shop. I don't think highly of Chrysler, and my father and I are both concerned about European reliability. From test drives, I've mostly liked Asian cars.

Mostly this thread is because I want to see if a) I forgot a car manufacturer, an interesting car, something to check out.

Also, b) opinions on an '05-'08 Mazda 6s (the 3.0L V6 with the 6 speed auto)? I drove one, it was about the best car IMO for this price range.

Thanks!

 

[yh125d]

Fusion. I've owned two and wouldn't hesitate to buy a third. Did pretty great in the 10"+ snow storms we got this year

 

[slugg]

I test drove a Mazda 6 and Toyota Camry, both v6's, and honestly, I thought the Camry was the clear winner. The new body styles are coming out (or maybe they're out already?), so you should be able to get one even cheaper pretty soon. Once the new body style hits, all older gens should go down in price a little bit, if you're lucky. My favorite thing about the Camry is that it's nice and quiet, but the 6 (and Honda Accord) were not nearly as insulated.

As far as snow driving, I have no comment. I've never even seen snow... ever... in my entire life. I know, I'm a loser

 

[jlee]

http://worcester.craigslist.org/ctd/2542056914.html

 

[MotF Bane]

@ slugg - I have not driven a single Toyota or Honda, I have a rather negative opinion of them; I probably should at least drive them.

@ JLee - I laughed. And I'm seriously considering it. I do have such a distaste for fours, but turbo fours are much more respectable. It's a little far off, but if I'd have it for a few years, a long drive isn't a major issue.

You might get a chuckle here JLee, I mentioned in the AutoX thread I wasn't sure about my car performing. Turns out the front anti-sway bar snapped, and the rear shocks are completely destroyed. Fuck ice/sand/salt.

 

[jlee]

@ slugg - I have not driven a single Toyota or Honda, I have a rather negative opinion of them; I probably should at least drive them.

@ JLee - I laughed. And I'm seriously considering it. I do have such a distaste for fours, but turbo fours are much more respectable. It's a little far off, but if I'd have it for a few years, a long drive isn't a major issue.

You might get a chuckle here JLee, I mentioned in the AutoX thread I wasn't sure about my car performing. Turns out the front anti-sway bar snapped, and the rear shocks are completely destroyed. Fuck ice/sand/salt.

LOL, yeah that'll do something, and not something good

If you want to swing by and take a look at my Forester sometime, let me know. It'll be a (lot) quicker than stock, but you'll get a general idea anyway.

 

[Jeff7181]

My coworker has a plain Jane base model Subaru Impreza. Said it was something like 17k out the door, brand new. Used I would expect one to be in your price range and you can't beat a Subaru with all wheel drive for the snow. Especially if you slap some snow tires on it.

 

[MotF Bane]

Now I remember why I hate four cylinders - they're fucking slow! (Caveat: this applies to N/A, not boosted.)

Mazda 3 handling is fucking faptastic, but it's screaming to accelerate, and it still feels so slow. Also, Mazda 6 visibility is a bit better, more importantly, it has a V6. A small and weak one, but a V6. If I could afford an MS3, I'd be all over that like a fat kid on cotton candy.

RE: Subaru - I love the Rex, I can't say I'm keen on an SUV, and the base Impreza would be too slow.

 

[jlee]

Hahaha, yeah, there's a reason I don't own any n/a 4cyl's.

 

[Kroze]

02-03 Nissan Maxima
02-04 Infiniti I35
------------------------------
Best cars ever

 

[NutBucket]

I don't follow how a WRX isn't in your price range. There are plenty to be had in your price range.

On the same note, you could also go for a Legacy GT or an Outback XT, also should be square in your price range.

 

[MotF Bane]

I don't follow how a WRX isn't in your price range. There are plenty to be had in your price range.

On the same note, you could also go for a Legacy GT or an Outback XT, also should be square in your price range.

Previous generation with some mileage on them, so I worry about how badly the car might have been abused by a previous owner.

 

[brblx]

if you think you can get 0% financing and the payments aren't a problem, i'd test drive a new 3. might also be able to get a good deal on a barely used one. what year 6 and 3 did you drive?

 

[CraigRT]

02-03 Nissan Maxima
02-04 Infiniti I35
------------------------------
Best cars ever

Those should be a lot less than $10-12K.. And they also rot away pretty badly unfortunately. I paid $5500 for my 02 SE 6 speed last year, sold for 5500 a few months later. That was almost a year ago that I sold it. 100K miles.

 

[MotF Bane]

if you think you can get 0% financing and the payments aren't a problem, i'd test drive a new 3. might also be able to get a good deal on a barely used one. what year 6 and 3 did you drive?

The 6 was an '06, the 3 was an '09 (it was out of the price range, but the salesman suggested trying it). The payments on a new 3 would be an issue, unless it was fairly stripped down, at which point I'd rather get an older used car.

 

[jlee]

Another one to look at is an 05-ish Legacy GT - just make sure to replace the oil pickup with a Killer B unit so it doesn't crack and nuke your engine/turbo.

 

[Doppel]

Maybe not now but earlier this year if you got a loss leader a 2011 Altima w/ V6 could be leased at $209/month with only tax, tag, title, etc. out the door. That isn't a typo. Sure you don't own it after but at $209/month who cares. I see Maximas still available (2011) now for perhaps $50-70/month more than that. This is if you're at all entertaining the thought of a new car. Obviously you can trust your repair bill will be $0, which you can't say about anything used for $12k. You have payments and oil changes and that is it.

AWD severely limits your choices, clearly. If you get a newer car with stability and traction control it will handle snow infinitely better than your current car. All the new cars have that (or virtually all of them) plus side airbags more or less standard.

 

[MotF Bane]

@ JLee - you sure love your Scoobarus.

@ Doppel - Lease means there's nothing at the end of it, no thanks. Maintenance costs don't really worry me. Also, $200 is what I'm seeing as a maximum monthly payment. I'm okay with FWD for snow, I'd prefer AWD, but I've had FWD with traction control for years, and it works.

 

[jlee]

Yes, yes I do. :awe:

 

[manimal]

One can pick up a clean first gen g35 rear drive for 10 k if you shop around. Altimas can be had cheap with low miles as well.

 

[MotF Bane]

I'm going to look at a 2004 G35x and 2004 I35 tonight, those together will serve as the backup in case I have problems with the seat of the Mazda 6 on Thursday.

Of course, if the seat of the Mazda isn't a problem, then I'll have to pick between a 2004 G35x 87k miles blue/black 5AT AWD versus 2006 Mazda 6s 41k miles new clutch/motor black/black cloth 5MT FWD. Derp.

Edit:
Dear car dealerships,
If you sell a car a week ago, remove the advertisements, and remove it from your own websites inventory.

 

[CraigRT]

Another one to look at is an 05-ish Legacy GT - just make sure to replace the oil pickup with a Killer B unit so it doesn't crack and nuke your engine/turbo.

That is a great car. Always loved that era of LGT.

 

[Arkaign]

Those should be a lot less than $10-12K.. And they also rot away pretty badly unfortunately. I paid $5500 for my 02 SE 6 speed last year, sold for 5500 a few months later. That was almost a year ago that I sold it. 100K miles.

We have tons in TX that are in minty shape with zero rust, could always take a cheap flight down and drive back

 

[Jumpem]

2004-2005 Forester XT.

 

[alfa147x]

1995 Honda Civic CRX del Sol