Need Recommendations for Newish Car!

[TidusZ]

Was in an accident, car written off, got $9000 CDN coming to me, so my budget is $10 000 - $ 15 000 CDN. I'm hoping to get something with less than 100 000 km's. Here are my likes:

2 seats or 2 seats and a minimalistic backseat.
good drivability, and parts that wont need replacing too often
Good sound system or easy to install new speakers (I've never done this before)
Fuel efficiency, to an extent
looks, to an extent

I'm 23, so I'd prefer not to have a grandmother's car, although I realize that'll cost more in insurance. I've been driving a pontiac g6 rental car for the past week and I think it's pretty good, although I have had to turn off traction control.

I am from London Ontario Canada, here is a website where I could possibly find a car http://london.kijiji.ca/f-cars...les-cars-W0QQCatIdZ174

I am great with computers but I know dick all about cars, so I put my life in your hands.

Oh, and my last car was a hyundai elantra 2003. Was alright, but could of used a touch more horsepower, better sound system, and more soundproofing - you could hear everything outside the car which made the car feel weak and flimsy.

 

[BassBomb]

You might be able to find a G35 for that much. I know 2005's are going for 17k CDN (My uncle is looking for one)

 

[desy]

Maybe a Saturn Astra Coupe for something different.
Civic Coupe
Focus Coupe later than 2003
G6 is OK like you mentioned
Nissan Altima Coupe
Saturn Ion Redline
Subaru WRX
Accord Coupe

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: BassBomb
You might be able to find a G35 for that much. I know 2005's are going for 17k CDN (My uncle is looking for one)

No worth-having G35 will be available for 15k Canadian, I don't think.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: BassBomb
You might be able to find a G35 for that much. I know 2005's are going for 17k CDN (My uncle is looking for one)

No worth-having G35 will be available for 15k Canadian, I don't think.

Well if he can stretch the budget a little for a nice car thats why i suggested it.

Other suggestions: Accord Coupe, Acura RSX (final year)
I am not too knowledgeable of American options

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Hyundai Tiburon
Eclipse GTS

 

[TidusZ]

I really like the look of the tiburon, but a friend of mine says that only women drive tiburons and that they are not that great. Is there any validity to this or is he talking out of his ass?

edit: Also, I'm not really looking to stretch the budget past 15 000. That's already as stretchy as I'm looking to go. I'm not a car enthusiast, I just don't wanna waste cash when I'm spending this much.

 

[scott916]

Don't get a tiburon. My girl has one and its a piece of shit.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: TidusZ
I really like the look of the tiburon, but a friend of mine says that only women drive tiburons and that they are not that great. Is there any validity to this or is he talking out of his ass?

edit: Also, I'm not really looking to stretch the budget past 15 000. That's already as stretchy as I'm looking to go. I'm not a car enthusiast, I just don't wanna waste cash when I'm spending this much.

that sounds right to me.

the focus came in an st model after the svt stopped coming out.

Are you looking for a standard model in a coupe(2 door) version or something small that is only designed to come in a 2 seat or 2 seat+fake backseat?

 

[TidusZ]

Doesn't have to be small, although sporty is a big plus. I like the look of the lot of the cars listed by Desy, so I guess it just comes down to whether there is a clear winner or if its just preference based on looks and price sorta thing. If I can save money on gas and get the same performance and reliability with a smaller car I'd get rid of the back seat. I'm not planning on having kids anywhere and I don't like being a taxi. I'm not opposed to a little back seat though, it can come in handy the odd time. Aside from that I am not great at telling how good a car is by looking at it or even test driving it. If it shakes and makes noise then that's a clear indicator its not in good shape, but aside from that I don't know what to look for. I'm gonna be going to look at cars this weekend, with km's between 20000 - 100 000, and the models listed by you guys.

This will be my first time buying a car, my elantra was a handmedown.

One thing I've noticed is a lot of the Subaru WRX's have all sorts of custom stuff on them and people will say 180 000 km's, only 80 000 on the engine. Is it safe to say these cars are used goods? Or is it like buying an overclocked enthusiast pc from someone who upgraded?

 

[LOUISSSSS]

accord v6 coupe w/ 6-sp (if u can drive MT)
good condition s2000 (hard to find)
SUPRA!
mini cooper (kind of homosexual to me if you're a 23 yr old guy)

 

[vshah]

civic si coupe. fun to drive and the stock sound system is solid. reliable, and gets ~35mpg on the highway (driving however you want) and ~25 around town (if you're a little careful).

i dunno if you'll be able to get one for 15k though, they hold their value pretty well...

 

[TidusZ]

Supra's look awesome, but how are you supposed to left turn while sitting in the right seat? Also, for 15 000, looks like the best I can get is a 1993 with 150 000 kms on it give or take.

I have never driven MT, it seems like it would take a long time to get used to and for it to be like breathing. I do drive with one hand on the wheel a lot though. How long would you guys estimate it would take to get good at MT when I've only driven auto before? A lot of these nice vehicles are manual. So far the civic si coupe is the best looking one to me but kijiji has slim pickings on those - I can look around at dealerships though.

The mini cooper would definitely be a huge blow to my pride if I had to drive one. No thanks.

What do you guys think of this? 2005 with 76 000 kms, http://london.kijiji.ca/c-cars...line-W0QQAdIdZ99884482

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: desy
Maybe a Saturn Astra Coupe for something different.
Civic Coupe
Focus Coupe later than 2003
G6 is OK like you mentioned
Nissan Altima Coupe
Saturn Ion Redline
Subaru WRX
Accord Coupe

Yep those are nicer then people think.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: TidusZ
Supra's look awesome, but how are you supposed to left turn while sitting in the right seat? Also, for 15 000, looks like the best I can get is a 1993 with 150 000 kms on it give or take.

I have never driven MT, it seems like it would take a long time to get used to and for it to be like breathing. I do drive with one hand on the wheel a lot though. How long would you guys estimate it would take to get good at MT when I've only driven auto before? A lot of these nice vehicles are manual. So far the civic si coupe is the best looking one to me but kijiji has slim pickings on those - I can look around at dealerships though.

The mini cooper would definitely be a huge blow to my pride if I had to drive one. No thanks.

What do you guys think of this? 2005 with 76 000 kms, http://london.kijiji.ca/c-cars...line-W0QQAdIdZ99884482

have you looked across the border?

 

[TidusZ]

No I haven't. Don't you have to pay a lot of taxes if you buy a car across the border and bring it back?

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: TidusZ
No I haven't. Don't you have to pay a lot of taxes if you buy a car across the border and bring it back?

not really

if you get a used car made in NA, there is no duty (6.1%), you still have to pay pst gst and an import fee and of course account for exchange rate.

I followed this website

http://www.importcartocanada.info/

Do not look in NY, waste of time. But try Michigan, Ohio and Illinois.

I just picked a zip code and searched on autotrader.

I drove back a 2006 MB E350 4Matic (40k km on the odometer) from Peoria, IL early Jan. Even after the MB Canada 'safety upgrade' of C$2800 (unique to MB and BMW) the car came to about C38K. Car was US23k.



Here is an example . This is the dealership I got the MB from.

http://www.finishlineford.net/...0a5ce9&useHistory=true

 

[desy]

Rule of thumb is there has to be about 5G advantage to import a car to Canada
Then you crunch the numbers.
I'd like to know how the guy with the ION lost his license ?

 

[TidusZ]

I went out looking today, best car I've found so far is a 2007 Saturn Ion Quad 2 with 15 000 kms, full warrenty up to 100 000, has sunroof, spoiler, am/fm/cd/mp3, etc. Took it out for a drive, pretty nice ride but the sound system is kinda soso, could use a new sub. The trunk is deceptively huge, and the back seats (suicide doors) go flat down as does the passenger seat, so you could fit a lot of stuff in there. You could fit a nice subwoofer in the trunk. What are your guys' thoughts? $12,900 cdn

 

[TidusZ]

Also, would I be better off going for a 2007 Ion 2 (145 hp) with less km's, better warrenty, and sunroof, or a 2006 ion 3 (175hp) with say, 60 000 kms, for similar pricing? I'm seriously considering these 2 options.

As for the Redline, the dealership did not have any, and I think it's kinda outside my budget.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Hyundai Tiburon
Eclipse GTS

:thumbsdown: Garbage

 

[JulesMaximus]

How about a Lexus IS300? Nice sporty 4 door sedan. Lexus quality and luxury, excellent chassis and engine, honestly, I'd look around for a nice used one.

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[mafia]

LoL? Really? Come on man

 

[mafia]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Hyundai Tiburon
Eclipse GTS

LoL? Really ? Come on man

 

[mafia]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
How about a Lexus IS300? Nice sporty 4 door sedan. Lexus quality and luxury, excellent chassis and engine, honestly, I'd look around for a nice used one.

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Try not to get one that is pre 2002 as those had many transmission issues.