• 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: More vehicle indecisiveness

R

Red

Diamond Member
Hey fellers, still confused on what I really want from a vehicle. Originally, I was considering semi-sporty, semi-luxury, used car in the $10k range (98 Grand Prix GTP, 97 Subaru SVX Lsi, etc) but I need highly valued Anandtech advice.

I am 20 years old, I'll be 21 in October... my fiancee is the same age. We both drive boring '02 Civics and plan on getting new cars down the road a little bit. As referenced above, I originally wanted something sporty that wouldn't kill my insurance or gas mileage. But I'm starting to plan for our future, and I've had different things in mind. Things like a small, reliable truck (ie, Tacoma). In the past six months, I've had to borrow my father's Durango four times to ship larger items through Anandtech/ebay (monitors, etc) because they absolutely did not fit in my Civic, trunk or otherwise. At those time I really wanted a truck. Mainly because my father would be at works, just as I work/go to school/work two jobs/real estate/fiancee/etc.... and I would have to wait until the weekend to ship anything because I don't have a truck. Moreover, down the road when I need to buy things like ovens and big screen TVs and all, a small car won't be able to handle it. And then I think I would enjoy a car much more because of the luxury / speed, and just use someone elses truck when you need. Just help me figure out what I need people, pleeease! $10k limit.

Cliff's notes: Need a car or truck for $5-10k and my priorities keep pushing each other out of the way.

*Insurance / fuel cost / reliability are important.
*Occasionally need the bed of a truck / back of an SUV to ship things, etc. and down the road the bed of a truck would be nice for hauling applicances, wood for decks, etc. when we're married in two years.
*Live in Northern Kentucky... hot summers, cold winters with icy roads.

Should I just suffer now and buy a neverending 95 Tercel, pay it off, and have more money to save for a downpayment, honeymoon, and buy a sports car down the road?

Should I spend more money on a sporty GTP / SVX and enjoy my youth, but worry about insurance, icy roads, and not being able to haul anything?

Should I spend money on a small truck and worry about gas mileage, not having a sun roof, not being able to go fast, etc?

A buddy of mine drove me around in his '95 TT Supra, pulled some burnouts and just went insanely fast and I convinved myself I wanted a car like that. However, I must realize that I am young and stupid and probably shouldn't be driving something like that, considering icy weather and the fact I would prolly want to burn out / race someone at every red light (just like he does), and my insurance would suck, on top of that. Boy does it seem like it is worth it though, going that fast 😉

If I get a truck I'd want four doors a moon roof (flip up sunroof doesn't count) and the only smaller truck I know of that has this is a Ford Sport Trac and I don't know if those run at $10k for a used one yet.

Help figure out what the fvck I want. See up there? That is how I talk to myself all day long! Do I want a truck? A fast car? A crappy car and save for the future? How about a Jeep? I see all the pros and cons and its hard for me to decide.
 
I would just keep the Civic. Its fairly new and should be very reliable in the future. I'm sure it gets great gas mileage too...
 
usually when people want sporty they dont go looking at GTPs or SVXs 😉

Are you keeping your civic and buying another vehicle, or selling the civic?

If you are keeping the civic, buy a early 90's Cherokee. They are very strong vehicles that will hold a ton of stuff. Insurance is dirt cheap, vehicle itself is dirt cheap, however it gets average gas mileage.

If you are not keeping the civic, get a subaru baja 😀
 
Not an option to keep the Civic. It sucks and I pay $340 a month for 60 months. I won't be upside-down in about a year and I'm going to sell it and get a car I life. A Baja is actually really cool to me but too expensive. Good idea though, that is a vehicle that would work with everything I need.
 
Yep :/ I see some '01 Sport Tracs with like 80k miles for $10-11k. Those must be entirely highway miles but that is still a decent load of miles.
 
Sounds like you should go the more "practical" route and save your money for all the life events you have coming up...wedding, honeymoon, house down payment, kids, nest egg, etc. Do what gives your upcoming marriage the best chance at success...don't put an "unnecessary" financial strain on yourself at this young age.

My vote would be to stay with your existing car until you are no longer upside down on it. Then get a good used vehicle with an extended warranty...maybe something like a Maxima (which would give you some practicality and performance in the same package without costing you an arm and a leg in insurance premiums like a sports car would). Or get a reliable small truck if you absolutely need the ability to haul things. Then once you're more established financially, go out and get yourself the sports car/toy you've always wanted. 😀

Whatever you decide...good luck.

-Wolverine
 
Countour SVT 5-spd. Cheap on insurance, sporty, decent on gas. Although if you drive any car 'sportyily', gas mileage will suffer.
 
fwd?

EDIT: Found a video on Kazaa of a GTP vs. SVT Contour.... GTP edged it out by a cars length after about 10 seconds, but I won't street race anyway. So it must be decently quick =) (faster than my 0-60 in 10 seconds Civc!)
 
i'm a big fan of the 2 older vehicle theory, myself. You can buy one cheap econobox and one jeep for $10k, get PLPD on both of them and pay very little in insurance. Gas is less because you are driving an econobox most of the time, and you have 4wd in the winter and space to haul things.
 
semi-sport semi-luxury? Unless you got at least $20k it's either one or the other... DSM powa... actually, as much as I love my DSM, (we showed up a lot of Supras at Englishtown last weekend) they're a PITA to keep in good shape. But since they're all hatches, it'd be pretty good for your needs. AWD + pretty nice interior & turbo power. I'd try to get into a Galant VR4 if possible... that might just hit the spot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top