Need Your Opinion: Best Car for Under $21,000

[KiLLaZ]

My other post was too long, plus my budget has been somewhat cut... but anyway, I'm looking for something that will take me to school and back (2-3 hour drive). Reliability is extremely important, I don't want to start having major problems with the car 3-4 years down the line, because it will be on the road a lot. Something "peppy" and fun to drive, has a nice manual tranny (no clunky 18-wheeler shift ), and can not exceed $21,000 when all is said and done. The current options I've been considering so far are: VW Jetta, VW, Golf, VW Gti (someone help me with the difference between these besides looks), Toyota Celica, and a Honda Civic.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Edit: March, 18th
Looks like the general consensus here for a fun-driving car would be a VW. I just have a concern regarding maintenance though, I've heard that german cars are the most expensive to maintain and that the bumper-to-bumper isn't that great. Any comments on that?

Also, is it true that with a boost chip, you can get the 1.8T engine up to almost 200HP!?!?? I would love to see some specs about the engine w/ the boost chip in!

 

[kumanchu]

eh, for what you are looking for all of the above would fit. what about the acura integra? that also seems to be in the same pricerange/ cartype as the ones you just mentioned.

 

[Emulex]

find yourself a nice 1.8T Volkswagen. Peppy, easy to mod, and will spank all over integras. Boost is good.

 

[geno]

Check out an Integra as well - they're nice cars. If I were spending that money I'd get either a Golf or a Stratus R/T (both can have great V6's under the hood) - both can be had nicely optioned for around 21k

 

[slunk]

Go with a VW Wolfsburg Jetta.

 

[vi edit]

For the cash, I'd nab a golf 1.8t. I say go for the golf because it's:
a) 1k cheaper than a jetta
b) has twice the hauling capabilities
c) sleeper car
d) a little cheaper in insurance

That said, if you look hard enough, you can probably find a 2000 model for under 17,500. Spend another $500 for the APR or Nuespeed chip, and you have one peppy, economical, and useful ride.

Take my opinion with a grain of salt...I'm a sucker for hatchbacks

BTW, if there is ANYWAY possible you could scrape up another $1,500 get yourself a subaru WRX.

 

[vi edit]

BTW:

Jetta
- Available engines - 1.8t, TDI(Diesel), and VR6
- Body Style - 4 door sedan
- Available with leather
- More expensive than Golf

Golf
- Available engines - 2.0L 4 cylinder, TDI(diesel), 1.8t
- 4 door hatchback
- Can't get leather
- Cheap

GTI
- Available engines - 1.8t on GLS model, VR6 on the GLX model
- Comes with a "sport" suspension
- 2 door hatchback only
- Expensive insurance
- Several thousand more than the Golf
- Available with leather

If you have that long of a drive, and want major reliablity, look into a golf with the TDI engine. The engine is small, and the horsepower is low, but it has the same torque as the 1.8t model. With a fairly inexpensive tuning box, you can really make this thing move. The Diesel engine by nature will last longer than the gasoline engines, and it gets awesome gas milage.

 

[lupohki]

Neither. Add another 2Gs and get an Impreza WRX - AWD, 227HP turbo.

 

[Watson]

I'm a big VW fan -- I own two.

If cost is the primary concern, look for leftover 2000 models. Amazing deals can be had. I found a Jetta VR6 for under $20K brand new. IMHO, it is the best of the VWs. If you like the Golf body better, it is essentially the same car with a hatch (slightly lighter).

The 2000/1 VR6 is 174hp, and the 1.8t is 150hp. The turbo gets slightly better mileage, and can be tuned more, but you are likely looking at reducing the turbo's life span.

If mileage is the primary concern, buy a TDI. My TDI has over 100K on it and it still runs like new. 50+mpg isn't bad either.

Good luck.

 

[Mister T]

subaru 2.5rs

 

[Thegonagle]

If you want a great value, you can get a base Maxima GXE 5 spd for about $20,000. It has the same 222 HP engine as all rest (except the Special Edition SE, it has 227) with power windows, locks, cruise, keyless entry, and A/C. That's basicly everything you need. You can upgrade the wheels and the stereo later on, when you save some more money. I'd probably upgrade the taillights with the SE lights because, IMHO, they look better.

Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Subaru are the most consistently reliable (ie, fewest "lemons&quot cars on the market. I've seen too many European cars nickel and dime their owners for all sorts of little stupid problems. No offense to VW fans, but c'mon, they're built in Mexico! No offense to Mexicans either, they work hard. But when a company uses dollar a day labor to increase their bottom line, it doesn't make me think highly of them. Get a Japanese car made here or in Japan if you want a reliable car.

 

[SiliconVandal]

Get a Golf. Those cars are pretty tight. Right now I'm looking at getting a used Integra or a used Accord. Possibly a Toyota Camry.

 

[RossMAN]

I was about to recommend a Honda Accord LX which goes for $16,500 here (check your Fri/Sat/Sun newspaper and look for the loss leaders teaser ads).

Then I read your "peppy and fun to drive" comment (hehe sure does help to read the ENTIRE post, eh?) go for the VW Jetta.

 

[KiLLaZ]

Looks like the general consensus here for a fun-driving car would be a VW. I just have a concern regarding maintenance though, I've heard that german cars are the most expensive to maintain and that the bumper-to-bumper isn't that great. Any comments on that?

Also, is it true that with a boost chip, you can get the 1.8T engine up to almost 200HP!?!?? I would love to see some specs about the engine w/ the boost chip in!

 

[thedarkwolf]

The ford Contour atleast since I think 97 are suppost to be real reliable and fit your needs. The zx2 and mercury cougar are not bad either.

Somebody has to suggest something besides imports.

Might even be able to get into a mustang GT for a little bit more and the 4.6l is pretty reliable. We have one in a t-bird with 240k miles on it.

 

[gcliv]

Something not American made

 

[geno]

<< Something not American made >>


There's an intelligent blanket-statement

 

[gcliv]

Maybe it is blanket, but it's just my experience. Every American-made car that I or my parents have owned has been a total POS. The last 3 of them all blew head gaskets around 60,000 miles. And my grandmother's car, a Buick, just totally crapped at 50,000. It needs a whole new engine. We've had a pretty much equal mix of the Japanese cars, which have lasted forever without any major problems. Maybe we've just had bad luck, but the comment is from experience, not having my head up my @$$.

EDIT: Spelling

 

[Emos]

<< Also, is it true that with a boost chip, you can get the 1.8T engine up to almost 200HP!?!?? I would love to see some specs about the engine w/ the boost chip in! >>



I have an Audi A4 1.8T that I have chipped....it's a definite must-have mod if you enjoy spirited driving AT ALL! There are several chip manufacturers; I went with the APR chip and really enjoy the increase in performance.
When you have time, go do a search on the VWvortex or Audiworld site and forums. Good Luck!

EDIT: As mentioned before, if you can squeeze several more thousand in your finances, consider the Subaru Impreza WRX.

 

[Dunbar]

You might be able to snag base 2000 model Prelude for $21k out the door. It spanked the Golf GTI VR6, GSR and Celica GTS in a Car&amp;Driver comparison. I think it's a great car - refined, well built, and fun to drive. And yes, for about $500 you can boost (literally) the 1.8T to 190-200HP.

 

[geno]

<< but the comment is from experience, not having my head up my @$$. >>


That's good, but that doesn't mean they all suck and that no one should drive them.

 

[urbantechie]

'93 Lexus SC400
'01 Mitsubishi Eclipse

 

[Valhalla1]

none of the cars in this thread would be as fun to drive as a Z28 Camaro which fits all your criteria, plus has 330+ hp

 

[gcliv]

It all sums up to this: How many Fords do you see from the early 80s still going strong? A few. How many Hondas? Alot more.

 

[beer]

If you get a contour, for the love of god go with the Duratec (V6) engine. The Zetec (l4) engine is awful

The handling is good though, and it's not a bad car, but the Jetta is so far in a different class it isn't even funny.

If you compare a contour to a jetta, make sure you are comparing a new SVT.