What car for $10-12K?

[beer]

There is a chance that in the next few weeks I may be able to get $9K for my problem-plauged 98 Contour, since after 32 days and MSRP $9,000 worth of parts and about 120 hours of labor, Ford has failed to solve my problem.

So if someone told you you could have a car for between $10-12K, what would it be? Consider the most important things:

1) Image
2) Reliability
3) Speed
4) Handling

What would you suggest? I would like to learn to drive a 5 speed, since I want to get away from a slushbox...I know the concept and have driven sticks on occasion but not on a regular basis.

So what car would you recommend? I DON'T want something like a 88 BMW, like the late UrbanTechie would recommend, always. Something 96+ is a requirement.

BTW I'm not a grease monkey. I have no interest in modding my car. I can change oil, maintain the engine, and do basic, basic work on it, and that's it. I'm not a mechanic - my interests like in HT and IT/programming, etc. - while I of course like nice and fast cars I'm not going to spend my saturdays replacing headers and exhaust systems.

 

[RossMAN]

So what car would you recommend? I DON'T want something like a 88 BMW, like the late UrbanTechie would recommend, always.

LMAO I wonder if he lurks here and read that?

I would suggest getting a very late 90's with low miles, the perfect match would be a hard to find 1998 Honda Accord LX or maybe a Maxima since they don't hold their resale value as much.

Or *gasp* consider getting a brand new 2001 Hyundai Sonata although it's slightly over your budget it would be brand new with a good warranty.

 

A nice gti vr6, 97-98 depending on what you can find.

 

[beer]

Don't think the GTI VR6s go down that low in price.

The Sonata would be a decent choice except that I'm not quite loooking for that kind of car. Image is important for me, in a school full of late-model BMWs and stangs and WS6s it wouldn't fit in. I'd rather get a decent, older car that projects a better image than a Hyundai, sorry. I don't have much respect for Korean cars yet, though they are getting better.

I'm looking for something that fits a teenager well. Something along the lines of an impracticle sport couple is what I'm trying to get at.

 

[RossMAN]

Ah ok I didn't realize that image was that important of a factor. How about a Nissan Altima or Sentra?

 

[beer]

Altima would be decent...they handle nicely and I see quite a few of them around the lot. They blend nicely. I haven't actually looked into Sentras, nor have I been in one, so I'd need more info.

 

[RossMAN]

If I had to choose between a Sentra and Altima, I'd probably get the Altima it's one class up although it's kind of small.

 

[Kelvrick]

A 5 speed? A 99 or 98 civic is good. Of course, its pretty common. Its a good car though.

edit: integra is good too. Nice acceleration.

 

[beer]

Common is what I want. I DON'T want to stand out - because the only way I'd stand out would be in a negative light. The only way I'd stand out in a positive light was if I got something along the lines of a 540i or an M3 - and even then there are a few already around my school. And that's just not in the cards.

I am looking at civics now. I am looking at older preludes (97) too.

 

[SKC]

if you're lucky, a civic Si in that price range would project an understated but still good image.

 

[snakesnfrogs]

Miata---you should be able to find a '96-'98 model in that price range

 

[Kelvrick]

Personally I think miatas stand out. Plus, they're too small. Hey, preludes are nice. Celicas are pretty good too. I don't like the new design though . I also like eclipses, although I'm not so sure on their reliability.

 

[beer]

A Civic Si would be pretty nice, I agree. I can't seem to find any preludes in my price range

 

[Pastore]

You could get a nice 97-98 Mustang GT with low miles...

 

[beer]

Don't think my parents would foot that insurnace, and I'm sure as hell not paying for it...

 

[Pastore]

Are you limited to sporty cars, or would you look at pickups?

You could get a decked out 99 ranger XLT (new body styling) that has the V6 in it...

 

[beer]

I don't think I'm really in the market for "sports cars" since I'm trying to keep the insruance to a minimum. What I am looking for is a decent speed car that's sporty. A stang GT for example would rape a 17 year old on insurance...civic Si, not as bad. You catch my drift?

I really want to keep to cars. I don't like trucks at all.

 

[Rent]

Well, I was about to say a used Contour SVT... but since your moms Contour has had so many problems, I don't think that would go over too well even tho it is a MUCH nicer version of your moms.

I would say something along the lines of a 95+ Jetta VR6 (not like the currnet Jettas). If you can find one I think it would fit nicely in your budget and they're a nice car overall.

 

[JACKHAMMER]

Although I don't agree with your attitude of follow the masses, I must fit in. I would look for a used maxima if I were you, it would be much nicere than a civic or accord.

 

[beer]

eh it was my contour, not my moms An SVT would be nice though...but I don't think my dad would be cool with that. Although they are very, very nice.

I looked at the Jettas, the only problem I was reading about was that mid-90s ones had pretty serious electrical issues...

 

[geno]

Early 90's 300ZX Twin Turbo

 

[beer]

I love Maximas. They are really nice cars - fast as hell too. This is of course because they cost $30K+ loaded new. I can't imagine getting a upper-mid to late 90s maxima with my price range

The Miata actually does sound cool. I hadn't thought of that. There are some nice ones at the dealerships I checked online in my price range...maybe I should go test drive one next week since Ford still has my car, and see how I like it.

Even though there are a few around my school a lot of people think it's a chick car...I'm wondering how that would factor in...

 

[Rent]

I know the early 90s Passats and Jettas had some electrical problems... however, my friends 93 didn't have any electrical problems, just other stuff (he replaced the tranny twice, brakes were a total PITA!!!)

If you can find a Maxima SE for a good price, I'd jump on it.

 

[Rent]

Another car you might consider- a Nissan 240SX. They aren't that quick stock(Civic SI speed if your a good driver), but they're awesome looking and don't require lots of maintenece. They're just hard to find in 5spd

 

[Linh]

any used honda/acura, they last forever

civic/integra/accord