YACT: Car noob needs help choosing

[OulOat]

I'm a lower 20ish guy who knows very little about cars, except for maintenance work, which I do myself. I care little about the tech details like RPMs, torque, V-tech, etc. However, I still want to drive something nice. I read the YACT I stumbled upon and appreciated all the good advice offered here. Thus, I have come here humbly to bask in your collective wisdom.

I would like to hit $15k, with my max being $20k. The most important factors for a used car to me are, from highest down:
1) Looks - both the car's (presentable) and how I look driving it (usually dress casual to business casual)
2) Reliability - dependable, I'm going to be driving this to work
3) Safety - don't want to die yet
4) Pep - fun to drive
5) Comfortable - road trip worthy
6) Price - This one is tricky. I'm not terribly picky about price, but I'm frugal enough that I won't buy anything more expensive that I can't justify.
7) Everything else - I don't really care about the accessories and stuff. I can always upgrade my car with items I retrieve from a junk yard.

I have played around with the depreciation and reliability numbers, and figured that a 2003 used car would probably be my best bet. I went through www.kbb.com and picked the best looking cars I could find. Other than that, I have no idea about these cars. I have listed their second handed excellent condition prices for the lowest class below:

Coupe 2D - 2003
Infiniti G35 $20,350
Audi TT $17,045
Nissan 350z $16,760
Mazda RX-8 $16,070
Toyota Celica GT Liftback $11,940
Mitsubishi Eclipse RS $9,080

Convertible - 2003
Mazda Miata MX-5 $12,170
Toyota MR2 Spyder $14,345
Mitsubishi Eclipse GS Spyder $11,835

I'm leaning towards an Eclipse GT Spyder because of the low price, but I'm not sure about its value in the other areas. Doesn't look sophisticated enough to take to a business dinner, more like an eight year old's gunship with fins and lasers (which has its advantages). I know I didn't list any American cars; I actually prefer American, but nothing in my price range impressed me with its looks. But feel free to recommend something, or point out which car you prefer. An explanation would help. Thanks.

 

[natto fire]

Ok, you have made a great list about what you want from your car and even gave some options.

As far as looks, your number one priority, this is strictly opinion, which varies widely on this forum. Obviously, this will ultimately will have to be judged by you, but others can offer their opinion. Reliability, this is a good thing to look for, but again will be clouded by opinion here. The rest are pretty standard.

From your list, I can tell you the G35 will be the most comfortable, reliability will pretty much be equal to the 350Z. The TT, is decent enough, but has a stigmata of being a woman's car, not to mention the wimpy torque band of the 1.8T for such a heavy car. The 350Z is a great car with plenty of pep, and you get a lot of car for the price, but comfort is a bit more lacking than the G35, which is built on the same platform. The RX-8 is more of a drivers car, and is damn fun, but you do have to rev it up a bit to get the power out. The reliability is still questionable as it is such a new engine, but previous rotary engines prove to be very reliable with just a few tweaks, namely the apex seals, which I am assuming Mazda addressed in it's newest Renesis engine). Celicas have always been and probably always will be, tweaked econo-sport cars. Not that it is a bad thing, but that is just pretty much where they sit. Ride will be harsher, and you will pretty much have to go for the GT-S to match the pep of these other cars (sans the Eclipse RS).

I hate driving convertibles, so someone else will have to help you there, and keep in mind I am no expert, not to mention you should be test driving, all of these if you are interested. It is quite easy and only a mild hassle to get a dealer to take you on a test drive, especially with cars so new.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Well I have a miata so I am a tad biased but go with that . They don't really have any reliability issues and are a blast to drive but if you need a lot of room to carry stuff they aren't for you. I really hate how the MR2 spyders look but thats just personal opinion. They are probably fun little cars to drive and reliable.

 

[OulOat]

Originally posted by: Captain Howdy
From your list, I can tell you the G35 will be the most comfortable, reliability will pretty much be equal to the 350Z. The TT, is decent enough, but has a stigmata of being a woman's car, not to mention the wimpy torque band of the 1.8T for such a heavy car. The 350Z is a great car with plenty of pep, and you get a lot of car for the price, but comfort is a bit more lacking than the G35, which is built on the same platform. The RX-8 is more of a drivers car, and is damn fun, but you do have to rev it up a bit to get the power out. The reliability is still questionable as it is such a new engine, but previous rotary engines prove to be very reliable with just a few tweaks, namely the apex seals, which I am assuming Mazda addressed in it's newest Renesis engine). Celicas have always been and probably always will be, tweaked econo-sport cars. Not that it is a bad thing, but that is just pretty much where they sit. Ride will be harsher, and you will pretty much have to go for the GT-S to match the pep of these other cars (sans the Eclipse RS).

I have been in a 350Z before, and have been scared stiff of the power in that thing (which is a good thing). I definitely would like the G35, but it is at the very limit of what I'm willing to pay for this car. I'm also planning to get a manual version of the car (my first), so I don't want to trash the tranny learning on an expensive G35. I actually haven't seen much of the RX-8 or the Celica at all around here, which is disappointing since they look great.

not to mention you should be test driving, all of these if you are interested. It is quite easy and only a mild hassle to get a dealer to take you on a test drive, especially with cars so new.

I will be test driving, after I narrow the lists a bit. Since I'm looking for used cars, I doubt a dealer will have all these cars in stock.

 

[OulOat]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Well I have a miata so I am a tad biased but go with that . They don't really have any reliability issues and are a blast to drive but if you need a lot of room to carry stuff they aren't for you. I really hate how the MR2 spyders look but thats just personal opinion. They are probably fun little cars to drive and reliable.

I like the look of the Miata as a roadster. How does it fare in daily driving?

 

[DougK62]

IMO, the G35 is definitely the best bet of your list. It's reliable and fun to drive, has great power, and will look right at home pulling up to a valet at a swanky restaurant.

 

[Rallispec]

you should be able to grab an '02 or '03 Honda S2000 (convertible)

I'd either go with the honda or the infiniti...

the eclipse and celica have the teenage boy ricer stigmata with them... the 350z is really nice, but the G35 is just better. Audi TT = slow girls car.

are you set on a coupe / 2 seater? Some really nice sporty sedans out there in your price range that will easily be as much fun to drive, or more fun, than what you've narrowed it down to so far.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: OulOat

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Well I have a miata so I am a tad biased but go with that . They don't really have any reliability issues and are a blast to drive but if you need a lot of room to carry stuff they aren't for you. I really hate how the MR2 spyders look but thats just personal opinion. They are probably fun little cars to drive and reliable.

I like the look of the Miata as a roadster. How does it fare in daily driving?

Fine. Mines an older 94 model but I was really surprised at how well the top is made. There isn't much wind noise while its up and it doesn't leak even when I hit it full blast with a water hose. I don't have the top up much now that it summer though . I have a hard top for winter. The ride is a little stiff but I prefer that so it doesn't bother me.

Not sure I'd want a RX-8 if reliability was high up on your list. The rotary engine keeps getting better but it is still finiky.

 

[sniperruff]

the G35 coupe. the G35 sedan if you want to save a couple of thousand.

 

[OulOat]

Originally posted by: Rallispec
you should be able to grab an '02 or '03 Honda S2000 (convertible)

I'd either go with the honda or the infiniti...

the eclipse and celica have the teenage boy ricer stigmata with them... the 350z is really nice, but the G35 is just better. Audi TT = slow girls car.

are you set on a coupe / 2 seater? Some really nice sporty sedans out there in your price range that will easily be as much fun to drive, or more fun, than what you've narrowed it down to so far.

I am open to a sedan. I just found out the G35 sedan is 3k less than the coupe, and they basically have the same specs. So yes, what do you suggest?

 

[Fenixgoon]

i'm going to say the TT just for the shameless audi fanboy plug, but i think you'll be happy with any of those cars

 

[Rallispec]

Originally posted by: OulOat

Originally posted by: Rallispec
you should be able to grab an '02 or '03 Honda S2000 (convertible)

I'd either go with the honda or the infiniti...

the eclipse and celica have the teenage boy ricer stigmata with them... the 350z is really nice, but the G35 is just better. Audi TT = slow girls car.

are you set on a coupe / 2 seater? Some really nice sporty sedans out there in your price range that will easily be as much fun to drive, or more fun, than what you've narrowed it down to so far.

I am open to a sedan. I just found out the G35 sedan is 3k less than the coupe, and they basically have the same specs. So yes, what do you suggest?

maybe some slight bias here (becuase I own one) - but check out an '05 or '06 Subaru Legacy GT... Essentially the same engine that's in the WRX STi (so you know it's got a ton of 'pep') - but in a very classy and refined looking car with with all the bells and whistles. Performance wise - it's on par with the G35 with the added benifet of AWD.