Need a car recommendation

[GasX]

Okay, I am thinking about turning in my leased Blazer early to get a used car with the following specs:

Musts:
4 doors and a backseat that adults can sit in without kneecapping themselves.
6 cylinders or at least 175 hp (i.e 4 cyl turbo might work)
Good reliability reputation
>20mpg
<$15,000

Wants:
Sporty
Nice looking


Current winner is 1998-2000 Contour SVT, but I am wide open to suggestions.

 

[hoihtah]

how can you go wrong with a maxima?

 

[pyonir]

Pinto. They are REALLY nice.

 

[Evadman]

Your blazer fits all of those nicely. Maybe get a used one?

 

[GasX]

A pinto is two doors, otherwise I'd be ALL OVER IT!!


Not...

 

[pyonir]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
A pinto is two doors, otherwise I'd be ALL OVER IT!!


Not...

hey, fine, limit yourself.

 

[StattlichPassat]

This thread has Maxima or Passat written all over it- I'd go for the latter, but either matches your criteria and would be a perfect choice for your needs.

EDIT: Think 'pre-owned'.

 

[Thegonagle]

You should be able to find a nice 2000 Maxima close to your price if you look.

222 HP, nice, roomy interior.

The GXE models were only about $20,000-23,000 new. Be sure to scope out the GXEs with alloy wheels. The alloy-wheeled GXEs have a few other features in the package.

If you're really lucky, you might find a fairly basic SE. They have the fun suspension and cool blacked out tail lights.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Evadman
Your blazer fits all of those nicely. Maybe get a used one?

It's a 2-door and averages 16mpg. Not going to work...

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Evadman
Your blazer fits all of those nicely. Maybe get a used one?

It's a 2-door and averages 16mpg. Not going to work...

And I average 6-7.


How about a used 4 door blazer? The MPG is a little low, but you get the convience of having a utility vehicle instead of a car.

 

[GasX]

true, but with a car you get lower insurance, better gas mileage and a more drivable vehicle.

Here is my car progression
91 Sentra
67 Mustang
2000 Blazer

time to go back to 4 door and start the cycle over...

 

[notfred]

Mercury Maurauder fits all of those except the price...

How about a Taurus SHO?

 

[GasX]

The SHO is nice but the Taurus interior is just HORRIBLE! The oval "stereo thingy" just outright runs the car. If I go Ford, it'll probably be a Contour SVT.

 

[Evadman]

true, but with a car you get lower insurance, better gas mileage and a more drivable vehicle

The insurance depends on yoru age. My '99 Ram was much less to insure than my '95 Suzuki. Saved about $120 every 6 months. Go figure. Can't aregue witht he MPG. More drivable I can argue with, but it depends as to what you mean by "driveable"

Since I have not been in the "car" market for a while, I am just going to stay out of this one

 

[crawford]

I absolutely love my 98 contour svt. Its everything you listed and more. Have you ever driven or driven in one ? God they are awesome.

 

[RossMAN]

Stick with the Ford Contour (not sure about it's reliability/resale/crash results though) or get a used Maxima.

 

[rubenswm]

I'd take a look at an Acura Integra GS-R, and If you can't drive a 5-speed, an Acura Integra LS (4dr). they're great cars!

 

[crawford]

Originally posted by: rubenswm
I'd take a look at an Acura Integra GS-R, and If you can't drive a 5-speed, an Acura Integra LS (4dr). they're great cars!

not to rag on the integra (never owned one) but im almost positive that the contour is better in every aspect. Engine (2.5 liter v6 that is a high revving fun as hell engine), Exterior (nice somewhat subtle body kit and just a smooth overall look) and interior (leather is in every single SVT and its really nice, white face guages and everything). The overall feel of the car is that it is really expensive but I picked mine up for only $9500 with new tires and front brakes with 56k miles and its in PERFECT condition.

 

[vi edit]

Pontiac GTP - Cheap, good gas milage, roomy, and goes like stink on sh!t.

But I do agree, the Contour SVT's are freaking sweet. I question reliability though. You either get a good one, or a really, really, bad one. Lots of tranny problems in those. Stick shift is also pretty sloppy.

 

[RGN]

99 Maxima

 

[OS]

This is a little more expensive, but a new stick 2.5 Altima is pretty close to what you listed, but not particularly quick. It has 175 HP, I think 0-60 in 8 flat for a stick 2.5, not fast but certainly adequate. Even though the V6 gets all the raves, the V6 is a little on the overkill side for a daily driver.

They are very, very roomy inside, I'm 6 foot flat and I find the rear seats of the Altima to be comfortable, it's quite nice. Actually, I think the rear seats of the Altima has the same amount of leg room as the front seats of my corolla. I like fast cars as much as the next guy, but when a car has that much interior room whil still looking good and handling good, that's really something and I wouldn't mind sacrificing power in exchange. I was thinking the other day of getting rid of my corolla for a 2.5 altima as a daily driver when I start working.

The thing is though, many of the early current production run Altimas had minor build problems, I don't know if they've been resolved yet. You can find more information at altimas.net They also have a good nitrous forum in case you decide later down the line that 175 hp isn't enough for you.

more info



Also, you can buy a new 2002 I4 accord LX for around 15K, but they aren't very fast/sporty/headturning. But the reputation and reliability is almost unmatched and they are nice cars. Although I prefer Honda cars for daily drivers, I can't deny that the Altima has a better looking styling than the Accord.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Pontiac GTP - Cheap, good gas milage, roomy, and goes like stink on sh!t.

But I do agree, the Contour SVT's are freaking sweet. I question reliability though. You either get a good one, or a really, really, bad one. Lots of tranny problems in those. Stick shift is also pretty sloppy.

I am looking at a 1998 with 42 miles on it and an extended warranty to 65000 miles. I would hope reliability would not be an issue...

 

[vi edit]

I'm assuming 42,000 miles?

For some good info on the 'Tour SVT, check out Contour.Org

 

[GasX]

yup 42,000 miles

 

[max105]

Originally posted by: hoihtah
how can you go wrong with a maxima?

I agree. Try to guess what car I drive by my AT name.