I've got $5000. What car do I buy?

[halik]

Originally posted by: jmebonner

Originally posted by: halik

HAHAHA you used sportish and buick in the same sentance...

Get an eagle talon ts AWD / Eclipse GSX

Do a little checking buddy. A lightly modded Regal GS will lay down sub 14 second quarters all day

You know swapping blower pulleys to make your steering wheel armwreslte you every time you step on it doesn't really fall under sporty...

 

[jme5343]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: jmebonner

Originally posted by: halik

HAHAHA you used sportish and buick in the same sentance...

Get an eagle talon ts AWD / Eclipse GSX

Do a little checking buddy. A lightly modded Regal GS will lay down sub 14 second quarters all day

You know swapping blower pulleys to make your steering wheel armwreslte you every time you step on it doesn't really fall under sporty...

sport-ish I've looked at the Contour SVT, I used to want one. Not as fast as the GS. I live in KS, not Alabama. I couldn't care a whole lot less how it handles. IT's all straights out here I couldn't fit anything in the back of the countour, much less two kids. In all honesty, I do appreciate the ideas though!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
You could look for a mid 90's Impala SS (the RWD cop car one...not the POS FWD model). Or a Crown Vic with police package.

Don't know about the interceptor package, but the regular crown vic/ marquis is BY FAR the worst car I've ever driven. You're basically sitting on a floating couch.

Pretty much all body on frame sedans are gonna drive and handle like utter shite (tuned for medicare-bound drivers with fragile hips).

$5k puts you to late 90's american sedans... so garbage. Either spend more cash and get something more recent or look at the other options.


EDIT:

How did i not think of thise : FORD CONTOUR SVT. Sweet looking car, great handling and should hover around $5k

Well, like you said, $5k isn't much to work with...

I agree with you on the late 90's American sedans though. Complete and utter garbage. Edit-At least the cop package would get you some upgrades over the "grey hair approved" package that comes stock.

I'd recommend a mid 90s BMW but you're looking at huge repair bills especially if you get an automatic. Might as well increase your budget on the front end.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: redgtxdi
Oooooh this is great.


Hmmm.............

Well, you could just X off anything American from my short list.

I'd be lookin' at a Corolla or Camry. (Late 90's should put you right in that range if you hunt hard enough).

Ford Escort and Chevy Prizm would be on my list

 

[BabaBooey]

Bonneville SSEi 3.8 supercharged the most fun you will ever have in a sedan...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: bababooey
Bonneville SSEi 3.8 supercharged the most fun you will ever have in a sedan...

You've only driven one sedan haven't you?

Don't answer that. You pretty much already did.

 

[hellokeith]

$5k for a car?

 

[jme5343]

Originally posted by: hellokeith
$5k for a car?

Why the confusion? I spelled it out pretty well, I thought.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: jmebonner

Originally posted by: hellokeith
$5k for a car?

Why the confusion? I spelled it out pretty well, I thought.

word,
I bought my 96 Audi a4 with decent options and 92K for $3400 back in 2003. You can get some nice deals if you're handy and/or lucky

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: funboy42
How about a almost fully rebuilt 88 Pontiac Firebird with a whole new drivetrain, and paint? Southern car so no salt and NO rust

$2500 and she is yours.
New:
Engine 305 v8 Thottle injected rated at 26mpg Hwy
Trans (will cherp the tires shifting into second)
Trans Mount
gas Tank
Gas Pump
Exhaust (cat back all brand new)
Tires (front)
Brakes
Paint (2 different shades of white between the flames and the rest of the car with metal flake the the clear coat)
radiator
Thermo and fluids
Rebuilt Front light motors
Radio

Needs:
head liner
O2 Sensor
fan switch Installed (already have the switch just need to install it. Fan stays on all the time)
Heater switch (high doesnt work)
Door key

Works:
Air
Cruise
Both power windows
Electric Hatch
Lights go up and down like they should and do not wink

Damn, how close is Dyer to Soddy Daisy? ME WANT!!!

:evil:

 

[jme5343]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: jmebonner

Originally posted by: hellokeith
$5k for a car?

Why the confusion? I spelled it out pretty well, I thought.

word,
I bought my 96 Audi a4 with decent options and 92K for $3400 back in 2003. You can get some nice deals if you're handy and/or lucky

Now that is a deal I'd go for I was just looking around vwvortex at A4's.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: jmebonner

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: jmebonner

Originally posted by: hellokeith
$5k for a car?

Why the confusion? I spelled it out pretty well, I thought.

word,
I bought my 96 Audi a4 with decent options and 92K for $3400 back in 2003. You can get some nice deals if you're handy and/or lucky

Now that is a deal I'd go for I was just looking around vwvortex at A4's.

Theyre nice, but far from cheap or particularily easy to maintain. I've got a box full of interesting bits and tools needed to fix it up. Giant 16mm triple square (12pt star) for the tranny drain plug is the coolest one by far.

 

[jme5343]

bump for the work crowd, let's go ahead and throw imports in the mix as well, broaden the range.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: jmebonner
bump for the work crowd, let's go ahead and throw imports in the mix as well, broaden the range.

Here ya go!

 

[jammur21]

96-99 Maxima

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: jmebonner

I'm heavily leaning toward a Buick Regal GS, atm. Supercharged 3.8l, reliable, many amenities, quick enough, room and stylish.

I was going to suggest a Buick.

 

[nigerianbusinessman]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
too bad you prefer domestic. a late 90's maxima would have been perfect. they are generally very reliable.

Seconded.

My wife got into a head on collision with a drunk driver in an SUV. She was going about 20, the drunk was doing about 50. The Maxima was totaled, but probably saved her life. They're very reliable, roomy, have plenty of power, and are built like a tank.

 

[dmw16]

regal gs or pontiac grand prix gtp (both same cars)

 

[SearchMaster]

My next car will be a 2003-2005 Maxima to replace my 2000 Maxima, hopefully in a couple of years. 140K miles and going strong.

 

[Vegitto]

Originally posted by: funboy42
How about a almost fully rebuilt 88 Pontiac Firebird with a whole new drivetrain, and paint? Southern car so no salt and NO rust

$2500 and she is yours.
New:
Engine 305 v8 Thottle injected rated at 26mpg Hwy
Trans (will cherp the tires shifting into second)
Trans Mount
gas Tank
Gas Pump
Exhaust (cat back all brand new)
Tires (front)
Brakes
Paint (2 different shades of white between the flames and the rest of the car with metal flake the the clear coat)
radiator
Thermo and fluids
Rebuilt Front light motors
Radio

Needs:
head liner
O2 Sensor
fan switch Installed (already have the switch just need to install it. Fan stays on all the time)
Heater switch (high doesnt work)
Door key

Works:
Air
Cruise
Both power windows
Electric Hatch
Lights go up and down like they should and do not wink

That is one excellent looking car. If I were you, OP, I'd get this for $2500 and spend the other $2500 on keeping it in a good state.

 

[49erinnc]

Another vote for mid-late 90's Maxima. If it has been taken care of, you won't have to worry about finding someone locally to work on it because it will never require the work. Other than brake jobs/tune-up (both easily done by you), it should be problem-free. You can find a really nice one, loaded with options with 65K-120K miles for under $5K. Baby it and she'll see 250K+ miles easily.

 

[Cal166]

Check out Maxima.org and look for a good deal. Used to own one, check sig. My next car will be a 2003-2005 Maxima also.

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: bababooey
Bonneville SSEi 3.8 supercharged the most fun you will ever have in a sedan...

Aside from being front-drivers, these actually arn't that bad ... decent handeling, lots of interior space & one of the safer cars GM has ever built in an accident.. very heavy with bland styling & not all that reliable though.

With only a $5k budget, I'd say you should forget shopping for any specific car & instead shop for the best car for your money. A Turbo Regal with almost 200k miles isn't a good choice for reliable transportation even though it is a seriously fast car & would make a good toy, because the motors in those had an average lifespan of roughly 60k before blowing up when driven hard. (less if chipped)

If you have to have somthing domestic & want a big back seat, the best bet is going to be either a Police package Crown Vic or a large GM front wheel drive sedan.

 

[jme5343]

Originally posted by: 49erinnc
Another vote for mid-late 90's Maxima. If it has been taken care of, you won't have to worry about finding someone locally to work on it because it will never require the work. Other than brake jobs/tune-up (both easily done by you), it should be problem-free. You can find a really nice one, loaded with options with 65K-120K miles for under $5K. Baby it and she'll see 250K+ miles easily.

Okay, slightly leaning toward a 97 Max w/ 150 k, but need to get some things ironed out. I DO like this style and the packages offered, thanks to all who have mentioned the maximas...