YACT: I need(want) a new one *PIC*

[WannaFly]

My car, a 1991 grand am - has 183K miles on it, the drivers window doesnt roll down, the roof and hood is peeling and rusting, it doesnt start sometimes, the radio buttons dont work, I have to use the cigarette lighter to open the fuel door, and a laundry list of other things. In other words, its about time to get a new one. I dont know much about cars and dont really know what I want. Ideally i'd spend 10-15K. I've looked at the mazda 6 and mazda 3 and absolutely love them but they are a bit out of that range. So i've come to ATOT, what car should i look into? Civic? Mustang? what year? I want something a "little" sporty, i wont be racing or anything though. For example the corrola style does not appeal to me.
I might go car hunting this weekend and i know if i goto a mazda dealer i'd drive away with a new mazda 6..haha

I'm up for suggestions.

PIC! http://tinyurl.com/43dpj <-- about a year old

 

[Scarpozzi]

Sorry to be like this, but how much of a monthly payment are you wanting? Also, are you looking for cargo space, passenger space, basically wheels? I never recommend getting a new car because you lose a LOT of money as soon as you drive it off the lot. I just bought a 2003 car with 20k miles on it that was $13000 less than it sold for last year and it's MINT.

 

[WannaFly]

i could afford a monthly of around $300 max. I'm not relaly intrested in cargo space, but it better be hella comfy (ie passenger space) and have a LITTLE pep too it. I know about not buying a new car i just need to start shopping around alot.

 

[toy4x4]

Civic. for under $300 a month..

 

[WannaFly]

Originally posted by: toy4x4
Civic. for under $300 a month..

thanks for the suggestion. I've thought about them as they have excellent resale value and relability. But one think i dont like is i have two friends that have civics (not sure what models) and they just seem "cheap" - might just be me though.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: WannaFly

Originally posted by: toy4x4
Civic. for under $300 a month..

thanks for the suggestion. I've thought about them as they have excellent resale value and relability. But one think i dont like is i have two friends that have civics (not sure what models) and they just seem "cheap" - might just be me though.

Uh, yeah, it's just you. Compare the interior of a Civic with the plasticky Cavalier/Sunfire, and it seems like a luxury car in comparision.

My 2004 Civic

- M4H

 

[WannaFly]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: WannaFly

Originally posted by: toy4x4
Civic. for under $300 a month..

thanks for the suggestion. I've thought about them as they have excellent resale value and relability. But one think i dont like is i have two friends that have civics (not sure what models) and they just seem "cheap" - might just be me though.

Uh, yeah, it's just you. Compare the interior of a Civic with the plasticky Cavalier/Sunfire, and it seems like a luxury car in comparision.

My 2004 Civic

- M4H

Well maybe i'll try test driving one tomorrow

 

[WannaFly]

any more suggestions?

 

[Actaeon]

Scion tC

Almost 17k though... but its fully loaded.

 

[Colt45]

Originally posted by: WannaFly

Originally posted by: toy4x4
Civic. for under $300 a month..

thanks for the suggestion. I've thought about them as they have excellent resale value and relability. But one think i dont like is i have two friends that have civics (not sure what models) and they just seem "cheap" - might just be me though.

It's because they are cheap. It's a fuggin econobox, not a luxury sedan

 

[sman789]

2nd gen RX-7.....i have one..buy it....instead of paying monthly for a new car set some money aside for repairs when needed

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: sman789
2nd gen RX-7.....i have one..buy it....instead of paying monthly for a new car set some money aside for repairs when needed

Good luck finding a rotary in good shape. Most people don't care for those nearly as well as they should.

- M4H

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Edit - JRun inspired DP

- M4H

 

[Wuffsunie]

You want new, used, almost new? (ie, 0, 3+, <3 years old)
You planning on paying monthly or are able to pay lump sum?
You have any friends who know cars and can help you look over private sales?
How old are you, so we can tell you what to look at to avoid insurance rape?

 

[WannaFly]

Originally posted by: Wuffsunie
You want new, used, almost new? (ie, 0, 3+, <3 years old)
You planning on paying monthly or are able to pay lump sum?
You have any friends who know cars and can help you look over private sales?
How old are you, so we can tell you what to look at to avoid insurance rape?

1) doesnt matter, 10-15K is my range, used most likeyly (<3 years old)
2) monthly, low Down payment
3) no not really
4)24 - im not really worried about insurance. I know it'll be higher then what i pay now.

 

[KokomoGST]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: sman789
2nd gen RX-7.....i have one..buy it....instead of paying monthly for a new car set some money aside for repairs when needed

Good luck finding a rotary in good shape. Most people don't care for those nearly as well as they should.

- M4H

And even then, you kinda hafta expect it to blow up in your face every so often if they didn't build the engine just right. Not too many people know how to build them properly to last... especially the boosted ones.

I'm going to second the notion of a Scion. But then I'm starting to develop a Toyota bias since I've started working on their cars.

Your options expand a lot of you're willing to go with a used car of decent age. You can afford something like an Infiiniti G20 or used Toyota Celica GT. Personally, I love the versatility of a hatchback. My coupe has a big ol hatch and can fit just as much and actually sometimes more than my friend's Maxima.

 

[djheater]

To bad you said sporty or I'd say a 2002 Chevy Prizm, a Corolla twin for half the price or less. Wish I could buy one....

 

[WannaFly]

Funny someone mentioned celicas. A few years back i really liked the look of the celica, never test drove one or anything though. could get a 3-4 year old one a bit cheaper, maybe i shoudl looked at that too.

 

[homestarmy]

rsx

 

[Compton]

I got a 2002 Mustang GT for about $300 a month. Go drive one and see what you think.

 

[oogabooga]

i bought a 1993 infiniti g20 for 1400, it had 91k miles on it and was in good working condition

the G20 (99-00) p11 model might be good for you. It'll be cheap enough where you can just buy it, and also the G20 tends to be a pretty reliable car, so long as you take care of it. What's nice about infiniti is that they have crappy resale value. This is good when you're looking to buy a used one, of course if you ever want to sell it, you'll be hating the low resale

The new civics are quite nice. My dad owns one, and it even has a little 'pep' to it, though don't start stuff on the streets, it's doesn't have nearly enough pep. It's pretty comfortable, and kinda fun to drive. It's also pretty reasonably priced, especially used.

I heard the Mazda 6 is quite a gas guzzler, more so than any dealer literature informs you. It seems to be a common complaint among owners, though i suspect some just need to take better care of their car. Either way anycar should seem nicer than what you have now

Ahh and if you buy from a dealer, try to see if you can get like a 'no-lemon' guarantee. I saw something like that for a toyota dealership in norcal for their used cars. Not sure the exact details but it could promissing. And if from private buyer, before you make the final decision, get a diagnostic from a mechanic, they usually cost free to 80 bucks depending, and they'll tell you what's wrong with the car, etc.

 

[godmare]

Originally posted by: WannaFly
any more suggestions?

When you test drive the civic, take an EX trim out. 12 more horsepower and 4 more lb-ft of torque with the vtec engine

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: WannaFly

Originally posted by: toy4x4
Civic. for under $300 a month..

thanks for the suggestion. I've thought about them as they have excellent resale value and relability. But one think i dont like is i have two friends that have civics (not sure what models) and they just seem "cheap" - might just be me though.

Uh, yeah, it's just you. Compare the interior of a Civic with the plasticky Cavalier/Sunfire, and it seems like a luxury car in comparision.

My 2004 Civic

- M4H

Not knocking your car M4H, but the interior, while crafted much better than its domestic counterparts, is still cheap considering you can get a much nicer, quieter Integra for around the same money. Just IMO though

DOH - just noticed you got a new one, I thought you still had the '95 (or whatever year it is) green civic. If we're talking about new, then the Integra argument should be ignored

 

[WannaFly]

Originally posted by: geno
Not knocking your car M4H, but the interior, while crafted much better than its domestic counterparts, is still cheap considering you can get a much nicer, quieter Integra for around the same money. Just IMO though

Yah...this is what i meant when it felt "cheap", the interior just seemed cheaply designed. I'll have to take a look at an integra.

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: oogabooga
i bought a 1993 infiniti g20 for 1400, it had 91k miles on it and was in good working condition

the G20 (99-00) p11 model might be good for you. It'll be cheap enough where you can just buy it, and also the G20 tends to be a pretty reliable car, so long as you take care of it. What's nice about infiniti is that they have crappy resale value. This is good when you're looking to buy a used one, of course if you ever want to sell it, you'll be hating the low resale

The new civics are quite nice. My dad owns one, and it even has a little 'pep' to it, though don't start stuff on the streets, it's doesn't have nearly enough pep. It's pretty comfortable, and kinda fun to drive. It's also pretty reasonably priced, especially used.

I heard the Mazda 6 is quite a gas guzzler, more so than any dealer literature informs you. It seems to be a common complaint among owners, though i suspect some just need to take better care of their car. Either way anycar should seem nicer than what you have now

Ahh and if you buy from a dealer, try to see if you can get like a 'no-lemon' guarantee. I saw something like that for a toyota dealership in norcal for their used cars. Not sure the exact details but it could promissing. And if from private buyer, before you make the final decision, get a diagnostic from a mechanic, they usually cost free to 80 bucks depending, and they'll tell you what's wrong with the car, etc.

My GF just got a 2002 G20 with leather for $13500, these cars are a *steal* considering the nice options they come with. Get the G20t, it comes with an LSD!