My '95 Cutlass Supreme is on it's last leg, I'm lucky it survived this winter without any major catastrophes. It has many issues, including a taillight that works when it wants to (directional switch issue), no reverse lights, cracked windshield, inside driver's door handle doesn't work, major body and probably frame rot, suspension and brakes that barely work. In other words, she's going to retirement soon.
So that means I am looking for a new daily driver/winter beater. I put almost 10k miles on my Trans Am last spring/summer/fall, and I don't really want to do that again. I've always bought cheap beater cars, but now that I have a well-paying full time job, I want to get something a little more driver friendly. I am going to say my budget is around $8k max, closer to $5k is ideal. Ideally I am looking at wagons/hatchbacks, possibly small SUVs, because I have a large dog and would like to haul him around in comfort.
So far, I've been looking at Subaru wagons, Mazda3 hatchbacks, and that's about it. Looking for suggestions on what else I should be looking at. I like the Mazda3 hatchbacks, but they are a little over my price range. All of my previous winter beaters have been old American cars, so I'm not familiar with how well these cars hold their values and what a decent value would be. Educate me, oh wise ones.
My other option is to buy my grandma's old car since she is looking to buy new this spring. However, it is a less-than-desirable car. It's a 2001 Buick Park Avenue. On the plus side, it has low miles (~56k) and an engine I am familiar with and can find cheap parts for (3800 Series II), and I can probably get it pretty cheap (~$3500). But, it is a boat and I am looking for something a little more sporty/fun to drive.
So that means I am looking for a new daily driver/winter beater. I put almost 10k miles on my Trans Am last spring/summer/fall, and I don't really want to do that again. I've always bought cheap beater cars, but now that I have a well-paying full time job, I want to get something a little more driver friendly. I am going to say my budget is around $8k max, closer to $5k is ideal. Ideally I am looking at wagons/hatchbacks, possibly small SUVs, because I have a large dog and would like to haul him around in comfort.
So far, I've been looking at Subaru wagons, Mazda3 hatchbacks, and that's about it. Looking for suggestions on what else I should be looking at. I like the Mazda3 hatchbacks, but they are a little over my price range. All of my previous winter beaters have been old American cars, so I'm not familiar with how well these cars hold their values and what a decent value would be. Educate me, oh wise ones.
My other option is to buy my grandma's old car since she is looking to buy new this spring. However, it is a less-than-desirable car. It's a 2001 Buick Park Avenue. On the plus side, it has low miles (~56k) and an engine I am familiar with and can find cheap parts for (3800 Series II), and I can probably get it pretty cheap (~$3500). But, it is a boat and I am looking for something a little more sporty/fun to drive.
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