• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Good cars under $20,000? What would you buy?

Page 4 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Have ya'll checked out the numbers on the tiburon? Its 6 cylinder is a huge POS. It's a lighter car than my maxima, with less horsepower, and gets significantly worse mileage. They get like 3/5 EPA for those things. Plus, it's a hyundai. And don't say it has a good warranty - so does a Kia Spectra!
Click to expand...

Doesn't the Tiburon GT's V6 push something pitiful like 176hp and about 140lb-ft? And gets 20mpg?

- M4H
Click to expand...
I just checked - the HP there is about right, though the torque is 182 or something. It gets 19 mpg. What a POS.

 
Originally posted by: rbloedow
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
The tC w/TRD supercharger should be able to outperform any of the other options. 🙂

- M4H
Click to expand...

Nope - SRT-4.
Click to expand...


I stand by "Mustang GT". You *CAN* get them under $20k.

SRT-4 might be marginally faster, but I doubt it is as reliable or comfortable.
 
Originally posted by: Chiropteran
Originally posted by: rbloedow
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
The tC w/TRD supercharger should be able to outperform any of the other options. 🙂

- M4H
Click to expand...

Nope - SRT-4.
Click to expand...


I stand by "Mustang GT". You *CAN* get them under $20k.

SRT-4 might be marginally faster, but I doubt it is as reliable or comfortable.
Click to expand...
I'd really like to know how to get a current year (or a 2004 if they're into the 05s now) GT, barebones, for $20k. And I'm not sure carsdirect counts, since that site doesn't really work 😉

 
Carsdirect worked for me when I bought my current vehicle. I just printed out the page, took it to the dealer, told them if they match the target price I'll buy. But anyway, even if that isn't the case, lets look at the numbers.

A base Mustang GT MSRP is $24,185
Ford has a $3000 rebate Rebate Info from Ford

You are looking at $21,185 after rebate before any negotiation.

Invoice is $22,403

Many dealers will do "500 over invoice", which after the rebate would be $19,903.

EDIT- Added link to rebate info.
 
Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: notfred
I'm thinking I might buy a brand new car this summer. Price maximum is about $20k, but of course, cheaper is always nice.

I've been looking at the Scion tC. The Mazda 3 looks kinda cool. There's also the Civic, Corrola, and Focus, all of which are good cars, but I don't find them particularly interesting.

What else is out there that I'm forgetting about?
Click to expand...

stay away from the focus. i wouldnt buy one myself and i buy Ford most of the time.

I would go either an older accord,civic or Ford Taurus.
Heck you can snag a nearly new taurus for less then 20k. I have one now and i think its a good vehicle. But out of that or a accord? i would choose an accord.
Click to expand...

you could by a tauras, or a used m3 or 3 series. think about it.
 
Honda Accord coupe

Best car at this price point period.

Peppy @ 240hp.
Reliable as a F@3k.
Quite nice looking.

It isn't perhaps as fast as a 2xxhp Mustang GT(
rolleye.gif
) but it is quite peepy with a manual, and very comfortable.
 
Would you not get better value buying a 1 or 2yr old used vehicle instead of brand new? You'd have more options and selections to choose from generally, depending on where you live.

 
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Honda Accord coupe

Best car at this price point period.

Peppy @ 240hp.
Reliable as a F@3k.
Quite nice looking.

It isn't perhaps as fast as a 2xxhp Mustang GT(
rolleye.gif
) but it is quite peepy with a manual, and very comfortable.
Click to expand...

In Cali there's no way he'd get that for less $500 below sticker. That puts it $4k above his limit.
 
I just bought a 2003 Civic EX coupe with all the extras for under 20k. Spoiler and fog lights make this car look really sporty and it is pretty quick as far as four cylinders go. The gas mileage was the selling point though, it has saved me a bunch.
 
I got my 2003 I4 auto LX accord for 18k before tax. About 20k after TTL. Chop off ~800 for manual. Stock power is good, fuel economy is good, insurance is pretty cheap. Good on crash safety. Parts are cheap due to economy of scale. (parts/knowledgebase/availability wise, honda 4 bangers are roughly the import equivalent to chevy/ford V8s)

Mods are probably gonna be crazy for the accord engine as the months pass if you care. It shares the same lineage as the TSX, RSX, RSX-S and civic SI. A good easy first upgrade for handling are OEM CL/TL/TSX sway bars, they are all drop in replacements.

 
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Honda Accord coupe

Best car at this price point period.

Peppy @ 240hp.
Reliable as a F@3k.
Quite nice looking.

It isn't perhaps as fast as a 2xxhp Mustang GT(
rolleye.gif
) but it is quite peepy with a manual, and very comfortable.
Click to expand...

Under $20K not over............!

 
I hate to say it, but my wife's 1998 sunfire has really treated us well. We've put on 100,000kms since she got it (it's @ 150,000 kms), and we've maybe put $400 into it (battery, a broken exhaust pipe that was my fault and some sensor that she replaced before I met her). Not bad for $10,000 🙂
 
Originally posted by: faZZter
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Honda Accord coupe

Best car at this price point period.

Peppy @ 240hp.
Reliable as a F@3k.
Quite nice looking.

It isn't perhaps as fast as a 2xxhp Mustang GT(
rolleye.gif
) but it is quite peepy with a manual, and very comfortable.
Click to expand...

Under $20K not over............!
Click to expand...

if he can handle a 4dr, they are about $19000

unfortunately you people say that that is impossible in cali, so i digress
 
You should get 10 $500 beaters.
You can just throw them away when they die. 10 of em should theoretically last as long as 1 new car and only cost 1/4th as much. 😛
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top