Looking for a new car...

[HardcoreRobot]

Right now I drive a 1998 Accord (ex v6 auto). I really don't have a problem with it, but I miss driving a manual transmission terribly. I would love to buy a new car but nothing really pops out to me as being worth the price. My current financial situation is pretty good, but I don't have much savings (currently take all my extra cash and put towards retirement or my second mortgage). Thus, no down payment. Furthermore, my car is worth $0 as a trade in since I plan to give it to my parents or cousin when I am done with it.

I know I would be happy with a new car, but I have never had a car payment and without much money down, my monthly payment will probably sting. Im just not sure I am ready for it.

Now I have been making decent money and driving this car unhappily for nearly 4 years now. I am reaching the breaking point and not sure what to do. To further complicate things, the car runs fine and has relatively few miles ~90k. Definitely seems wasteful to me to just discard it.

So to alleviate some of those pains, I have been considering getting a cheaper car now, (maybe 10-15k?) driving it for 2 or 3 years, at which point I will have saved up for what I really want (sports coupe in 30k or 40k + range). the downside with this is, I cant really find a lot of cars that I think are as nice as my car. used ones have just about as many miles, and new ones seem to be the 'lower' offerings from manufacturers (ex civic)! I worry about how road noise and ride comfort will be. I don't think I can sacrifice that and bring myself to start paying for a new car that is crappier than my current car just to have a manual transmission!

Aesthetically I prefer smaller sedans or coupes. Not really a fan of hatches (tho hatches like RSX are fine). A lot of the cars in my price range are the lower end offerings (ex. civics).

I guess I'm just looking for a nice used car in that price range that will retain its value decently and won't cause me expensive maintenance! And by nice, I mean at least as good as my current car. I have been trying to make this decision for 3 years now! I have not test driven anything yet bc I can't even get that far.

I don't know what I want or expect you guys to say and I have typed a lot more than I was expecting. Do you think this is a smart idea? Any car recommendations? Should I just stick with a good thing and drive the car into the ground? Got to drive my friends Sky redline around this weekend... reignited my thirst for shifting 🙂

 

[aleckz]

Buy a project Miata?

Cheap, lots of mods and you can burn time and money with it. Only downside would be the extra money for payment + insurance.

 

[Funyuns101]

if you like the rsx style... maybe a toyota celica?

 

[radioouman]

I'm going to make an unpopular recommendation here.

I understand how you can be reasonably unhappy with your car, but it sounds to me like you would be better off working on that second mortgage before you buy yourself a new car. I know that it might not be feasible to pay off that mortgage before you buy another car, but it should be a goal.

Once you pay it off, then reward yourself with a car.

 

[Cobalt]

Used E36 M3 is at ~$15k and tons of fun. 🙂

 

[HardcoreRobot]

Originally posted by: radioouman
I'm going to make an unpopular recommendation here.

I understand how you can be reasonably unhappy with your car, but it sounds to me like you would be better off working on that second mortgage before you buy yourself a new car. I know that it might not be feasible to pay off that mortgage before you buy another car, but it should be a goal.

Once you pay it off, then reward yourself with a car.

that is probably one of the most sensible things to do. honestly that really was the initial target for getting a new car. buuuuut, based on our current payments that is probably still 4 years away. we have been in the house around 1 year and our goal was to pay it off in 5. so, we have been saving pretty aggressively to dump the 2nd loan which is the main reason i dont have the money for a fancier car. im OK with that, im just trying to figure out if I can scratch my 'new to me' car itch in the meantime...

the celica suggestion is a good one, i have not looked at them yet and will definitely get them on my list.

as for the m3... i have been drooling over a used e46 for quite some time, it just a bit out of the comfortable price range for now. my biggest concern with an older car like the e36 is that i dont want to get stuck with unexpected serious maintenance. regardless of the branding, that risk is gonna increase with age/mileage.

miatas seem to have a great reputation for fun and as a project car, but i really don't have a lot of car knowledge and am not the type to really get dirty with a car. it is something i would love to learn but if im honest, its probably not something i will find or make the time for. any car that is going to need significant attention is probably out of the question.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: radioouman
I'm going to make an unpopular recommendation here.

I understand how you can be reasonably unhappy with your car, but it sounds to me like you would be better off working on that second mortgage before you buy yourself a new car. I know that it might not be feasible to pay off that mortgage before you buy another car, but it should be a goal.

Once you pay it off, then reward yourself with a car.

Agreed.

 

[Mermaidman]

Are you sure it's your car that making you unhappy, and not other life circumstances? I ask because I find myself car shopping when I really stressed or bummed about something 😛.

But if the problem is truly your car and you're otherwise OK, then it's not a bad idea to be able to "buy" your happiness, even though it doesn't make financial sense.

(I myself have been researching and shopping for a Miata PRHT even though it's completely irrational.)

 

[HardcoreRobot]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
Are you sure it's your car that making you unhappy, and not other life circumstances? I ask because I find myself car shopping when I really stressed or bummed about something 😛.

But if the problem is truly your car and you're otherwise OK, then it's not a bad idea to be able to "buy" your happiness, even though it doesn't make financial sense.

(I myself have been researching and shopping for a Miata PRHT even though it's completely irrational.)

oh yeah, im very happy overall with my place in life 🙂
i never really wanted the car that much in the first place, but it was a hand me down / graduation gift from my parents after college. thats not really accurate... i did WANT it, it was a great gift and i appreciated it greatly. this is also why i want to give it back to my parents as an extra car or give it to one of my cousins that is approaching driving age. but even from day one i wanted something different! ahhaahh

im not usually a compulsive shopper, actually i have never bought anything expensive aside from the house!