Need new car $13-16K

[LondonBroil]

My 96 Galant (bought back in 98 for $9,000) is up around 145,000 miles and I don't know if it will make it through the winter. I'm paying cash for it since I hate payments and I'm looking for something used (2002-2004) that I can drive for 6-7 years.

I'm not in college and I don't need to impress any girls (married), but I do want:
/images/graemlins/spade.gif Something that looks nice that won't feel outdated in 3 years
/images/graemlins/spade.gif Relatively cheap maintenance
/images/graemlins/spade.gif Decent gas mileage
/images/graemlins/spade.gif Something that won't make my insurance skyrocket (I pay $300 every 6 months)


EDIT: If someone could tell me how to upload a picture, I'll be sure to link a few ladies. I went to imageshack but I couldn't find out where to upload.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jc/images/02acura_tl-1.jpg

dollar for dollar one of the best buys in vehicles.

[J-Lo]

i have an '02 sentra SE w/ 30k miles i'd sell for ~$6k... i'm in the chicagoland area-- i haven't put any "ads" out, but if you're interest PM me.

Any econo box (civic, corolla, sentra) can be had brand new for the price in your OP. Just pick whatever it is u like-- go and test drive a BUNCH of cars. Personal preference beats all preferences of OOT. checkout carpoint.msn.com for reviews and research-- excelent source.

[wonderwes]

It should be known the new Honda Civic got named Motor Trend 2005 Car of the Year.

image1 (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/wonderwes/gallery7.jpg)
image2 (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/wonderwes/gallery0.jpg)

[pokergrader]

99-01 Infiniti G20

[PoBoy321]

Damn, the new Civics look real nice.

[Bigdaddydvo]

After the wife's '96 Neon she had since high school died, we got an '05 Chevy Malibu during the employee discount promotion with trade etc, for $13,500. Not a chick magnet car, but practical as all hell.


http://www.northwestchevydealers.com/assets/992_05_chevy_malibu_1.jpg

[edfurlong]

I guess I'm slow, but why would anyone buy anything but a civic or camry if they are looking in that price range. The resale value alone seems like it makes it a lock.

[mostsmooth]

toyota corolla, thread over

[WDC]

I believe you can pick up a used Saab sedan for abpout 15-16k.

[obsidian]

I picked up a 2006 Mazda3 for 16k last month (about 17.3k after taxes, etc). Great car. It is an auto i-touring model. I think msrp is around $17.5k but you should be able to haggle it down some. Invoice is around $16.3.

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/images/vehicles/gallery/M3S/pho_gallery_M3S_ext15.jpg

[AncientPC]

Second the Mazda 3.

[Al P]

Scion TC

[DrSavage]

I'd recommend Mazda too, but I don't think they fall into high MPG category. Mine sure doesn't.

If you can hold out, the honda fit is coming out soon...looks cool, like the scion Xa...supposed to be peppy, good gas mileage, good reliability, nice handling...get the new car perks and don't have to worry about which hurricane the car was saved from.

Starts at 13K, at 16K it's loaded.

A drawback might be if you like to cruise down the road at 80+ mph. It might not be geared to go that fast.

[obsidian]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd recommend Mazda too, but I don't think they fall into high MPG category. Mine sure doesn't.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, being that mine is the i model I only have the 2.0L engine. I think highway I get around 28 mpg. City more like 20-24. The 2.3L on the s series is probably quite worse.

[Hiding]

My girlfriend just bought the 06 civic EX, its a damn nice car with plenty of go, plus 38MPG highway. out the door at around 18.5K But the DX and LX are cheaper (16 and 14K?)

[Hiding]

And on the Mazda (its a ford) I just traded in my 00 B4000 truck and it was a POS. I will never buy another mazda/ford product as long as i live, but others seem to have had good luck with them.

[theben]

[ QUOTE ]
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jc/images/02acura_tl-1.jpg

dollar for dollar one of the best buys in vehicles.

[/ QUOTE ]


I second this. This car is loaded with good features and comes at a much lower price relative to its competitors in the same class. You should be able to grab a used TL in the upper end of your price range and I think i'll be both a reliable car and a great one to drive.

If you dont like acuras, I think honda civics and accords are great cars if you seek something that won't break down on you

[DrSavage]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'd recommend Mazda too, but I don't think they fall into high MPG category. Mine sure doesn't.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, being that mine is the i model I only have the 2.0L engine. I think highway I get around 28 mpg. City more like 20-24. The 2.3L on the s series is probably quite worse.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a 3.0 mazda 6 and it eats through gasoline like there's no tomorrow. It's a good thing Daver always pays for my gas.

[obsidian]

[ QUOTE ]
And on the Mazda (its a ford) I just traded in my 00 B4000 truck and it was a POS. I will never buy another mazda/ford product as long as i live, but others seem to have had good luck with them.

[/ QUOTE ]
I could be wrong but I am pretty sure Mazda cars are almost entirely japanese engineered and constructed even if Ford owns a large part of them.

[Yobz]

I got a new Subaru Impreza 2.5RS for 17k and love it...the AWD system is amazing and the car hauls butt (and it is reliable)

[Hiding]

obsidian,

Some maybe, but the trucks are made in jersey on the ford line, mine even said ford under the hood. The tribute is a ford escape and the MPV is the ford windstar thingy. The rest I have no real idea about.

[kurosh]

I don't want to make a new thread, but I need something cheap and reliable for a few months. Here are the listings I've found. I know absolutely nothing about cars. Some quick advice would be nice. Thanks.

1992 Honda Accord EX, 4-dr, 4-cyl, auto, sunroof, CD, runs great, $2200
'89 Toyota, Sun roof, dk tan, body good, runs great $500 obo
94 Honda Accord EX, 4dr, auto, sunroof, all power
1993 Honda Accord LX, 4-dr, auto, AM/FM/CD player, green, runs great, 150K miles, $1750 OBO
1997 Honda Accord EX, 4-dr, green, automatic, 156K, drives great
95 HONDA CIVIC EX, 1 Owner 55K miles,sunroof, auto, PW/PL, Spoiler ? $4250.
1989 Honda Prelude Si, white, 5-sp, 2.0 DOHC, good condition, $1500 OBO