More Car Opinions (20k limit this time)

[mason55]

I just moved to DC and live 30 minutes from work. Living in upstate new york, my Nissan Pathfinder was a god send. I pulled people out of the snow on a daily basis. Driving 60 miles/day, the car is now a burden.

So I'm looking to trade to something that gets much better gas milage. I would like to buy used and stay under 20k.

So far I've looked at:
2003-2004 Jetta
2002-2003 Gti VR6
1998-2000 BWM 3-series (convertible and sedan)
Late model Subaru WRX Sti
I've also looked at used S4's and found a few in my price range.

Anyone have more ideas about good choices? You can get ideas about what type of vehicle I'm looking for from the choices I have listed.

[Mr_Gordon]

honda civic si, cheaper than the ones you have listed and really fun to drive.

[mason55]

[ QUOTE ]
honda civic si, cheaper than the ones you have listed and really fun to drive.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh yeah i had actually looked at the Si too.

[KidPokerX]

No way, Gti 100% Those cars are much better than the Si

[mason55]

[ QUOTE ]
No way, Gti 100% Those cars are much better than the Si

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm definitely more of a fan of the German engineering. I've never drive an Si though so I don't have an opinion. They ARE cheaper though, which is a bonus.

The one problem is that I'm having trouble finding VR6's, which is the only Gti worth owning.

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

The WRX STI is definitely the best car you have listed there, but there are two problems. First, I have a hard time believing you'll have much luck finding one under $20k. Second, they aren't thrifty - they take premium gas and your MPG will be in the low 20's. I'm not much a fan of Jettas. I do like GTIs, but they're not exactly at the top of the economy scale either. I'm not sure how well a 3-series performs in this area. What are you really going for here?

[mason55]

[ QUOTE ]
The WRX STI is definitely the best car you have listed there, but there are two problems. First, I have a hard time believing you'll have much luck finding one under $20k. Second, they aren't thrifty - they take premium gas and your MPG will be in the low 20's. I'm not much a fan of Jettas. I do like GTIs, but they're not exactly at the top of the economy scale either. I'm not sure how well a 3-series performs in this area. What are you really going for here?

[/ QUOTE ]

I've founda few Sti's <20k but yes they're hard to find.

I'm going for something that gets better milage than my SUV. 12MPG when I drive 60+ miles/day is not good. I'll be happy if I get up to 20. I want something that I'll enjoy driving and won't eat gas like a fat kid eats cake.

[astroglide]

i think you're confusing the sti and a regular wrx

[shadow29]

S4.

[mason55]

[ QUOTE ]
i think you're confusing the sti and a regular wrx

[/ QUOTE ]

god i hate ebay

"Impreza WRX ONE OWNER LOW MILES not STI"

yeah, nm, no Sti's. So strike that. Any other ideas?

[mmbt0ne]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">En réponse à:</font><hr />
S4.

[/ QUOTE ]

[ChoicestHops]

I'd say BMW if it was the newer body styles, but the pre-2000's look pretty plain on both exterior and interior.

20k? I'd go with a newer Maxima or Altima myself.

[mason55]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd say BMW if it was the newer body styles, but the pre-2000's look pretty plain on both exterior and interior.

20k? I'd go with a newer Maxima or Altima myself.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh nice, didn't think about those. The Max is a sweet car.

[someguy2]

Have you considered a BMW M3? You could easily get a 96-99 M3 in good condition for $20k.

I'd also recommend a 2002 Lexus IS300 and the new Nissan Altima.

[mason55]

[ QUOTE ]
Have you considered a BMW M3? You could easily get a 96-99 M3 in good condition for $20k.

I'd also recommend a 2002 Lexus IS300 and the new Nissan Altima.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't really like lexus'. The M3 was going to be my next car 100%, didn't realize what a 1996-1999 could be had for. I think I just made a decision.

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Have you considered a BMW M3? You could easily get a 96-99 M3 in good condition for $20k.

I'd also recommend a 2002 Lexus IS300 and the new Nissan Altima.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't really like lexus'. The M3 was going to be my next car 100%, didn't realize what a 1996-1999 could be had for. I think I just made a decision.

[/ QUOTE ]
Do you really want a 7-10 year old car? I don't care if it is a BMW, it's still old.

[mason55]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Have you considered a BMW M3? You could easily get a 96-99 M3 in good condition for $20k.

I'd also recommend a 2002 Lexus IS300 and the new Nissan Altima.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't really like lexus'. The M3 was going to be my next car 100%, didn't realize what a 1996-1999 could be had for. I think I just made a decision.

[/ QUOTE ]
Do you really want a 7-10 year old car? I don't care if it is a BMW, it's still old.

[/ QUOTE ]

My car has 70k miles on it right now. KBB says 9k i put it at 7k sael to an individual. if i can find a m3 with &lt;70k miles that is 1998 or 1999 i'll be happy. and i see a few on ebay right now.

[shant]

Scion TC.

[someguy2]

Great choice! I drove a e36 M3 for two years while I was in college and I absolutely loved it. Going from a Nissan Pathfinder to a BMW will be like discovering electricity after years of living in the dark.

Just keep in mind that insurance and maintenance costs will be a bit high, but M3's are fun as hell to drive and it'll stay classic forever.

Good luck with your search, and be sure to check out www.bimmerforums.com (http://www.bimmerforums.com) for tons of good BMW info.

[casinogosain]

I have a 2000 BMW 328 that I have had no problems with. $20k for a 2000 may put you into a fairly high mileage car. Also, maintainence is expensive unless you can do a fair amount yourself. Great car though.

-Ash

[kenberman]

there are exactly two types of cars I will drive:

Honda's and Toyota's.

I don't like when cars break down.

[Emmitt2222]

[ QUOTE ]
Scion TC

[/ QUOTE ]
I have an under 20k budget and am definitly considering this car, top of my list right now. Not everyone has one, good looking interior and exterior, good acceleration, very customizable especially if you are willing to spend over the 16k base price. Like the poor man's BMW but with a different look and brand new.

[mason55]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Scion TC

[/ QUOTE ]
I have an under 20k budget and am definitly considering this car, top of my list right now. Not everyone has one, good looking interior and exterior, good acceleration, very customizable especially if you are willing to spend over the 16k base price. Like the poor man's BMW but with a different look and brand new.

[/ QUOTE ]

My best friend got one a few months ago, up in Minneapolis. I haven't really looked into them just because the Scion advertising campaign kind of turns me off. But I've heard so many good things I"ll ahve to check it out. I would like to get a used car though just because new isn't that important to me and you save a lot in depreciation.

[lucas9000]

scion tc

i love mine.

[mostsmooth]

three words:
toyota corolla

[zephed56]

Something completely different.

http://thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/medium/695346.jpg