Reasonably fun, reliable car for $20,000 or less

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 2:16 am

If you're going to spend that much, get a decent interior. All GM would be out, then (Solstace looks cheap). My boss has a new STS and even that isn't that great. Cobalt is utter trash. Rent one and see. They don't even get good gas mileage (21 mpg vs. the Mazda's 25-27 under the same conditions and while delivering better performance with the exception of some low-end grunt). Calibers can be tough to get with the demand (!) and 172 HP probably doesn't feel like much with the weight it must have. Doubt it handles so hot either.

What about a regular used 3-series or G35? They may be around the $25 range. Mileage probably won't be great.

Maybe a Volvo S40 AWD?

Murphy · Post by **Murphy** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 2:46 am

a G35S (sedan) starts at $31k
G35C starts at $33k
if you get the 6MT its 3.5L 298HP V6
for the 6AT its 280hp

but thats $6-8k out of your price range

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 5:14 am

That's for a new G35. I've seen used sedans in the mid teens, but it's an unsuitable car in terms of mileage anyway.

Murphy · Post by **Murphy** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:08 am

what about an Audi A3, 2.0L turbo, 200hp $25k

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:21 am

Keep in mind I consider anything above 24mpg to be good

wiscon_mark · Post by **wiscon_mark** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:33 am

Splinter wrote:Keep in mind I consider anything above 24mpg to be good

Meanwhile, I'm trying to get you up to 35 at least...

monty's legacy · Post by **monty's legacy** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:27 am

caliber srt is FWD. I like the idea of a LEgacy GT. Solstice is a nice looking car, mazdaspeed 6 has some decent incentives on it rihgt now. Mazda rx-8 torqueless freak but still cool looking. then theres always used rex's

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:30 am

So Im thinking about the Legacy GT, 04 RS, or some sort of light truck

It'd be nice to have something to haul around all my car parts in

monty's legacy · Post by **monty's legacy** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:34 am

toyota pickup. they are awesome and you always have TRD parts

Murphy · Post by **Murphy** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:45 am

monty's legacy wrote:caliber srt is FWD
Mazda rx-8 torqueless freak but still cool looking.

the R/T Caliber is AWD, im not sure how much it wieghs but they arent that big realy, like a wagon

ive heard many complaints about horrible mpg and oil consumption from the RX-8, people getting 20mpg and burning over a quart of oil a month
i think it was Road & Track (or Motor Trend) that had to stop while duing a review on it to add some oil
alot of eletrical problems too

ive never heard a complaint or problem from any Toyota owner, if you want reliable and long lasting, go with a Toyota

monty's legacy · Post by **monty's legacy** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:54 am

Murphy wrote:
monty's legacy wrote:caliber srt is FWD
Mazda rx-8 torqueless freak but still cool looking.
the R/T Caliber is AWD, im not sure how much it wieghs but they arent that big realy, like a wagon

ive heard many complaints about horrible mpg and oil consumption from the RX-8, people getting 20mpg and burning over a quart of oil a month
i think it was Road & Track (or Motor Trend) that had to stop while duing a review on it to add some oil
alot of eletrical problems too

ive never heard a complaint or problem from any Toyota owner, if you want reliable and long lasting, go with a Toyota

ohhhh the r/t caliber, sorryt I thought you were talking about the 300hp Srt-4. yeah I have also heard that about a few Rx8's. also there are scion Tc's. I know about 5 different people with them

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:55 am

Dude. RX-8 = rotary engine. Rotary engine = drinks oil like gas.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 2:00 am

Under no circumstances will I buy a neon.

I dont care if its 600hp with a drivers-side ass scratcher. It's still a neon.

206er · Post by **206er** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 2:44 am

would 20k buy an 04 wrx? that or a 2.5RS would be my pick.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 2:46 am

I think a WRX might be too much fun

wiscon_mark · Post by **wiscon_mark** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 3:15 am

And not very economical. 24mpg would be hard to achieve, if Splinter is worried about having too much fun...

Imprezive · Post by **Imprezive** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:18 am

I am dumb, but I just wanna say that in my experience with cars:

Japanese > US in car making.

For example: My brother's ex-girlfriend had a 2005 Ford Escape, brand ne when they bought it off the lot. Several months later they had to take it to the shop for some kind of engine repair (cant remember exactly what but it wasnt just "maintenance" work)

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:26 am

You have to consider the insurance costs too. The hotter the car, the more they stick it in.

If you have any friends that work at dealerships, have them keep an eye out. A friend of mine just got an "04 5 series with 82,000 miles for a little under 10 grand. He has a habit of finding steal deals with their trade ins. His last car was an '02 Maxima that he picked up for a little over 7. He sold it after the suspension went to shit and still made money on it.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:48 am

I work at a dealership

Im looking at trucks now... Maybe a Tacoma. It'd be nice to have something to tow my Scooby with.

azn2nr · Post by **azn2nr** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:12 am

soltice!!!!!!

evolution, go take another look at it. it may be plasticy but its alot better than they were before.

wiscon_mark · Post by **wiscon_mark** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 10:36 am

A Tacoma wouldn't be a terrible idea, but mileage would suck with a V6.

206er · Post by **206er** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:32 pm

and its not exactly a pull rig.

wiscon_mark · Post by **wiscon_mark** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:01 pm

Bah, towing ratings have very little to do with Horsepower, no matter what those idiots with Dodge Rams tell you. It'd do fine for what I think he's talking about.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:14 pm

Towing capacity is listed at 3500
My car weighed in at 2900 with all the interior and everything in

A trailer isnt gonna weight THAT much.

wiscon_mark · Post by **wiscon_mark** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:16 pm

Splinter wrote:Towing capacity is listed at 3500
My car weighed in at 2900 with all the interior and everything in

A trailer isnt gonna weight THAT much.

precisely

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A forum for 89-94 BC-BF(BJ) Legacy Owners and Fans

Reasonably fun, reliable car for $20,000 or less