• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

YACT: Its just about that time to look for a better car

MetalMat

MetalMat

Diamond Member
Current situation: I drive a 93 Honda accord I got for $1,000 in August 2005. Currently has 155k miles on it. Runs pretty good, except that the rear main seal is starting leak (ahhhh, the smell of burnt oil). Looks pretty ghetto, has a good sound system, not very fun to drive (save the fact that it a 5-speed manual and has a sunroof).

I currently drive a bunch for my job, lets say average of 1500-2000 a month for business purposes. Recent rate hike in mileage is a plus (48.5 cents per mile). Basically I am just milking my car. This looks like a highschool class car, and I have a real job out of college now.

This past week I drove an 06 convertible mustang and loved it, really got me back to looking at some cars again.

Looking for something that is fun to drive, looks good, kind of fast (not extremely fast), gets decent gas milage, under 20k. If you could throw out some suggestions I would love it. I do not want to buy a new car, looking for used.

Current pic of car (I posted this in the forums before) : http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/Metalmat/STA70488.jpg
 
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Given the amount you drive, I'd say get another beater and drive it into the ground - after you do the same to the current one.

- M4H
Click to expand...


I could just do that with mine, but I get sick of driving around beaters. I have been doing that since I got my DL when I was 16 (save my 91 RX7 which I drove for a little while).
 
1500-2000 miles per month = no reason to buy a new car. Buy another used car (maybe an 02 Accord Coupe to "sport" things up a bit?) and don't buy a new one at this point.
 
if you arent opposed to VWs like the rest of ATOT, id say look into a low mileage used VW GTI. I have a 2000 VR6 and its still a blast to drive. But if you want good mileage, you'd wanna go with a 1.8T. User purbeast0 recently got a 20th anniversary GTI for a decent price. PM him for more info
 
Get a low mileage 1990 - 1996 Subaru Legacy. Look for something under 100,000 miles and it'll be good for 150,000 miles or so without to much trouble (maybe a clutch. timing belt, seals, etc)
 
in all honesty, get another honda. i dont drive a honda at all but damn those things last forever. my mom's 95 civic went all the way up to 250k miles with no rebuild. try looking for a cheap used civic or accord. you know they get good mileage.
 
Go ahead and buy it... Just keep the beater for your commute. Save yourself the money of having your nicer car as your second vehicle and as personal use, no commuting with it. Both will lower your rates for it. I do not think you will get much for a car worth 1k a couple of years ago and no reason to beat up your new one.
 
Whats decent gas mileage to you? I have no idea what the 05 mustang v6 verts are going for but it might be worth looking into. I'd rather go a year or two older and get a GT convertible though. The v8s get around 25mpg highway on regular which I think is decent. If you just liked the convertible maybe a miata?. They don't do much better highway with gas because of the gearing but do alot better around the city. My dad's work car in an 02 mustang GT with around 200k miles on it.
 
Originally posted by: MetalMat
Current situation: I drive a 93 Honda accord I got for $1,000 in August 2005. Currently has 155k miles on it. Runs pretty good, except that the rear main seal is starting leak (ahhhh, the smell of burnt oil). Looks pretty ghetto, has a good sound system, not very fun to drive (save the fact that it a 5-speed manual and has a sunroof).

I currently drive a bunch for my job, lets say average of 1500-2000 a month for business purposes. Recent rate hike in mileage is a plus (48.5 cents per mile). Basically I am just milking my car. This looks like a highschool class car, and I have a real job out of college now.

This past week I drove an 06 convertible mustang and loved it, really got me back to looking at some cars again.

Looking for something that is fun to drive, looks good, kind of fast (not extremely fast), gets decent gas milage, under 20k. If you could throw out some suggestions I would love it. I do not want to buy a new car, looking for used.

Current pic of car (I posted this in the forums before) : http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/Metalmat/STA70488.jpg
Click to expand...


that doesn't look that beat, the panels and bumpers all look straight.
 
A pretty decent used car is the Scion tC.
You can find one easily for under $15K and its a nice car all around.
Its a nice looking coupe that can haul alot of stuff if you need the room.
Fun to drive too.
 
Originally posted by: radioouman
I say keep the Honda for another couple years....
Click to expand...

Its tempting, due to the fact that what I am making off the car is pretty much profit right now. My insurance is low, it is reliable, no car payments, and good gas milage. At 48.5 cents per gallon I am making at least 300 net profit per month.

However its just old, not very fast, and when I go on sales calls I would be scared of it suddenly breaking down on me in the middle of nowhere.
 
American cars depriciate like a rock. Good used car values. You can score an excellent newer Buick that is very reliable for cheap. Same for Caddy's if you want to go upscale.

Toyota's & Honda's are great cars, no doubt, but make terrible used car choices unless you are willing to go closer to the beater class. Their resale value is so high they make little sense compared to new.

Go to Edmunds.com and lurk around on the forums, and you will find a wealth of good advice.

Good luck.
 
interesting thread, since my accord is the same boat, though with about 75K more miles. rear main seal, stinks me out at stoplights. i think it drips oil on the exhaust. anyway, i'm considering:

1. Honda Fit
2. Honda Civic Si Sedan
3. Honda Accord EX-L V6 MT
4. Used Acura TL 6-speed
5. Fit (commuter) + used S2000 (weekend car)
6. used Accord (commuter) + used S2000.

i honestly can't decide between these options. they all have significant advantages. i've been beating my head against the wall and writing down projected costs for weeks and am no closer. i love all these cars, and none of them perfectly meet my needs, but meet most of them (obviously different needs from different cars). the mazdaspeed 3 is out of the picture based on its GM-quality interior and questionable reliability.
 
i say just go with a civic ex sedan, si's are marked-up too much, with the ex you get fuel economy with some room in the back if you ever need it
 
Originally posted by: kevbot
American cars depriciate like a rock. Good used car values. You can score an excellent newer Buick that is very reliable for cheap. Same for Caddy's if you want to go upscale.

Toyota's & Honda's are great cars, no doubt, but make terrible used car choices unless you are willing to go closer to the beater class. Their resale value is so high they make little sense compared to new.

Go to Edmunds.com and lurk around on the forums, and you will find a wealth of good advice.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Good advice. :thumbsup:
 
Its a 93?

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
interesting thread, since my accord is the same boat, though with about 75K more miles. rear main seal, stinks me out at stoplights. i think it drips oil on the exhaust. anyway, i'm considering:

1. Honda Fit
2. Honda Civic Si Sedan
3. Honda Accord EX-L V6 MT
4. Used Acura TL 6-speed
5. Fit (commuter) + used S2000 (weekend car)
6. used Accord (commuter) + used S2000.

i honestly can't decide between these options. they all have significant advantages. i've been beating my head against the wall and writing down projected costs for weeks and am no closer. i love all these cars, and none of them perfectly meet my needs, but meet most of them (obviously different needs from different cars). the mazdaspeed 3 is out of the picture based on its GM-quality interior and questionable reliability.
Click to expand...

 
Originally posted by: Xyclone
Originally posted by: kevbot
American cars depriciate like a rock. Good used car values. You can score an excellent newer Buick that is very reliable for cheap. Same for Caddy's if you want to go upscale.

Toyota's & Honda's are great cars, no doubt, but make terrible used car choices unless you are willing to go closer to the beater class. Their resale value is so high they make little sense compared to new.

Go to Edmunds.com and lurk around on the forums, and you will find a wealth of good advice.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Good advice. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I feel the same way about Honda and Toyota. The resale value is just too high, which is why I stick with Nissan. Why not go for a 4th gen Maxima... 97-99 are awesome years, they are cheap, reliable, and gonna be a lot quicker than the Accord. Also available in manual 🙂

 
Originally posted by: Xyclone
Originally posted by: kevbot
American cars depriciate like a rock. Good used car values. You can score an excellent newer Buick that is very reliable for cheap. Same for Caddy's if you want to go upscale.

Toyota's & Honda's are great cars, no doubt, but make terrible used car choices unless you are willing to go closer to the beater class. Their resale value is so high they make little sense compared to new.

Go to Edmunds.com and lurk around on the forums, and you will find a wealth of good advice.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Good advice. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Excellent suggestion. And you are not just limited to boring buicks, there are some good choices for fun to drive cars also. Ex. Mercury Marauder. Good fuel economy, reliable, and when equipped properly, looks like the po-po and will run 12-13's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top