First Car for 10k or Less?

[kitatech]

Tell ya why I like a stick...
The engine "braking" keeps me from speeding over the limit...if I want to stay under 40, I just stay in 3rd...croozin easy in 4th @ 40-50.

I can drive around town in 3rd most of the time....as long as I'm moving even a bit I can avoid 1st, and as long as I'm @ 10mph I can stay in 3rd...

 

[arnoc]

I'm really going to have to consider stepping up my purchase sooner than I wanted. I used the Durango's thing today to see what the average MPG I was getting on my ride home from work. Anyone want to take a guess at how bad it was?

The Answer :

Spoiler

9 MPG. Not Even Double Digits.

The best I got roughly going through the only portion of town at 50 MPH? 18.

 

[Throckmorton]

2002 Celica http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3652562171.html

 

[Throckmorton]

Honda Element 4WD http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3589751267.html

 

[Throckmorton]

2002 3 series http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3629247250.html

 

[Throckmorton]

Mazda 3 (go and buy this right now) http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3630207761.html

 

[Woosta]

I have no idea why you would ever want an American car.

Why not Accord Coupe, Acura RSX/TSX, scion tC, Nissan Altima?

See my thread:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2305307

The japanese car will be more reliable and the cars that I mention look all better, IMO, than the ones your post.

 

[Woosta]

2002 3 series http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3629247250.html

Is this a joke? A BMW that's 162,000 miles?

Honda Element? A box on wheels??

The mazda 3 has 129,000 miles..

Do not agree with *anything*.

Also, OP I think I have a vastly different taste in cars but maybe I can make you change your mind:

http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/3608532527.html Scion tC - Toyota reliability but with a sportier look
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3656789631.html Accord Coupe EX V6 - but you should probably get non-V6 for better mpg, it'll be cheaper too
http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/3637732418.html Acura RSX - coupe version of the TSX that looks better than tC and Civic, and better build quality overall
http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/3574139633.html Civic Coupe - great mpg, honda reliability, lightweight, better interior than RSX

You do realize that Honda and Toyota are the most reliable cars on earth, right? There's a reason everyone buys them.

 

[Throckmorton]

The Mazda 3 has 129k highway miles over 4 years. That's much better than 50k city miles

 

[Woosta]

Actually the Mazda3 is a good pick but would not get 129k even if its highwaymiles, there are conflicting arguments on whether its better to get 129k higihway vs 50k city.

 

[tweakmonkey]

UPDATE:
Due to suggestions from the topic, I've been focusing in on a few models.

1)2005 Toyota Camry LE: 4 Cylinder Automatic with 127,679 miles for $8,900. Hoping to talk dealer lower, as found a similar model for 6,500 out a dealer (within range of me, but much farther than I'd prefer to go, and I like the color less). Color is listed as: MINER GREEN. Wish I could find on in bright red or a dark color.

BORING. You're not 60 and this isn't your first car right? (no offense to anyone )

2)2007 Ford Fusion S: 4 Cylinder Manual with 87,687 miles for $8,378. Red. My grandpa really enjoys his, only drawback is I don't know how to drive manual (I understand the concept, and when I was really young used to drive a manual riding lawnmower, but it's been ages since I've done it).

I think a Focus would be a lot more fun. One of those newer ones but maybe they're way too expensive.

3) A 2003 Mazda Protege5 with 93,081 miles for $7,000 from a dealer. 4 Speed Automatic. Low on my interest since it's so far away to grab, but still slightly interests me.

That's better but I think the Mazda 3 with a manual would be way better.

I'd look at the best mileage-getting Acuras (since that was your first requirement I believe ^) because they'll be reliable, nice and fun. Mazda seems like less quality for a similar car (IMO). Toyotas are just too boring.

 

[dbk]

don't talk bad about Camry... cue that Camry dude...

get this car http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/3576555716.html

 

[power_hour]

That's what a manual is good for. It makes driving around in the city much more fun. You get to pretend you're in a heist movie

In your 10K car.... haha nice

OP: See if you can find any decent 2004-2006 Mazda6 with the 2.3 engy. Good handling, decent power but didn't have the rust issues the Mazda3 suffers from. However, having owned the Mazda3, I can say if you can find a decent one, buy it. Fun cars. But you will need to likely spend some cash - motor mounts, suspension and steering are weak points. And Rust. Watch out for that shit. GL

 

[kitatech]

Oh yeah, Camry dude abides.....he got his 05 5-speed LE with 97k miles and new clutch, (+ master/slave cylinders, acculumator), new front tires, new windshield....

....for $7k from the dealer out-the-door...the trade-in value...don't settle and pay any more for such a car....

ps. a camry stick is a safer bet than a honda stick, given that a lot of honda sticks are owned by kids on the run for fun, and it may really be that most camry owners ARE 60+ years old...I am...who (unlike me) lollygag thru the gears on their way to early bird dinners

...though ironically my camry needed a clutch because I guess the prior owner, of the under 60 set, didn't know how to run a clutch...