Need ideas for possible (new-to-me) used car

[suprachica79]

Hey guys. As much as I want the FR-S, I need to get real with myself and realize that my gigantic student debt isn't going anywhere. Therefore, buying a brand new car is probably not the most sound financial decision to make right now, knowing how much debt I have and how much I actually make at my job. So, it looks like I may be in the market for a used car and I'm looking for some help on some models I should be looking at. I have the following requirements-

1. Lower mileage -

• I drive 150 miles a day, which equates to around 35k a year. I need to start off with a car that has relatively low miles, probably something under 70k, preferably under 50k.

2. Reliable -

• Like I said above, I drive a ton. Hopefully I can move closer to my job in the next couple of years but right now I need to stay where I'm at (its cheap living with your folks ) So I need a car that's going to last at least 3 or 4 years so we're talking 200k.

3. Fun to drive

• I don't require it to be a speed demon, but it's got to be fun to drive, something with a little power behind it.

4. Body Style - preferably coupe but will consider a 4-door.
5. Good MPG - I'm shooting for 30mpg highway.
6. Price - Under $15k, preferably closer to $10k as I only plan to keep it a few years.
7. Must be manual transmission - I'm freakin' sick of auto.
8. Something decent in snow would be nice, but I plan to keep the elantra for winter driving.
9. I prefer honda, toyota, and nissan and their subsidiaries, but will consider others. I will not buy Hyundai, Subaru, or pretty much any American car, period.



So far, the cars I've been looking at consist of-

• Acura RSX Type-S
• Honda Accord Coupe
• Honda S2000
• Nissan Altima Coupe
• Nissan 350z
• Nissan Sentra Spec-V

I love creature comforts like leather, auto climate control, and heated seats, but I can live without them. What I need most is a car that brings me at least a little enjoyment, is reliable as all hell, and can take a beating and keep coming back for more. So guys, any other cars you can think of that I have missed?

[Exage]

Have you considered a 2ZZ-GE like the final generation Celica GT-S or the first gen XRS models (Corolla and Matrix)?

[MannyO]

1st gen Audi TT?

[suprachica79]

Originally Posted by Exage

Have you considered a 2ZZ-GE like the final generation Celica GT-S or the first gen XRS models (Corolla and Matrix)?

Yes, I have considered and looked at the Celica GT-S, just haven't found anything with decently lower mileage. I'm definitely not a hatchback kind of girl so the matrix is out, and idk, the corolla feels a little too cheap for me but I could check it out. Thanks!

Originally Posted by MannyO

1st gen Audi TT?

Manny, I said reliable haha. One of the last cars I would consider is an Audi TT, the first gen was a complete mess in terms of reliability. Also, as much as I like them, german cars repair bills scare me.

[Guff]

Perhaps this S2000?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...#ht_735wt_1182

or this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...#ht_500wt_1182

or even this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-...#ht_879wt_1182

[blur]

WRX, TL type S, CL type S, Integra Type R, E36 M3

Those would be my top choices. My two good friends drive drive both the WRX and TL, both very quick and fun.

[SteelReign]

Reliable to me means assembled in Japan, 2WD, naturally aspirated, piston engine. That cuts down the choices by a lot. Here's a few I'd add to your list:

Acura TSX
Honda Fit
Honda Prelude
Infiniti G20
Infiniti G35
Lexus IS300 (hard to find manuals)
Lexus SC300 (hard to find manuals)
Mazda MX-5 and Miata
Mazda Protege and Mazda3
Scion tC
Toyota Celica GT and GT-S
Toyota MR-2 Spyder

[MannyO]

Originally Posted by Guff

Perhaps this S2000?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...#ht_735wt_1182

Wow that's freaky...I was looking at that same car earlier today...

...along with a Laguna Seca Blue E46 M3

[Guff]

Originally Posted by MannyO

Wow that's freaky...I was looking at that same car earlier today...

...along with a Laguna Seca Blue E46 M3

lol, I just searched S2000 in eBay...


and WRB>LSB

[MannyO]

Originally Posted by Guff

WRB>LSB

RSP>WRB...if you can find one of the 19 or so ever made lol

Sorry for thread jacking Suprachica...

[Guff]

Originally Posted by MannyO

RSP>WRB...if you can find one of the 19 or so ever made lol

Sorry for thread jacking Suprachica...

I won't argue that! AMEN!


But yeah... I think S2000's fit the bill perfectly and the ones I posted are pretty damn affordable with pretty low miles!

[NastyNate]

Miata.

[suprachica79]

Originally Posted by Guff

Perhaps this S2000?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...#ht_735wt_1182

or this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...#ht_500wt_1182

or even this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-...#ht_879wt_1182

Thanks Guff. I definitely want to stay under $15k but s2000's are at the top of my list for sure and they are some of the cheaper insurance options!

Originally Posted by blur

WRX, TL type S, CL type S, Integra Type R, E36 M3

Those would be my top choices. My two good friends drive drive both the WRX and TL, both very quick and fun.

I drove a TL for a couple years and while I love that car, it's a bit of a boat and not good on gas. I'd love to find an ITR but finding one with low miles is really tough. The M3 is a possibility, I'm just concerned about maintanence costs. Thanks for the ideas!

Originally Posted by SteelReign

Reliable to me means assembled in Japan, 2WD, naturally aspirated, piston engine. That cuts down the choices by a lot. Here's a few I'd add to your list:

Acura TSX - out of my price range
Honda Fit - hate hatchbacks
Honda Prelude -possibility if low mileage
Infiniti G20 - possibility if low mileage
Infiniti G35 - would love it but bad MPG
Lexus IS300 (hard to find manuals) - would love it but bad MPG
Lexus SC300 (hard to find manuals) - would love it but bad MPG
Mazda MX-5 and Miata - good idea
Mazda Protege and Mazda3 - possibly
Scion tC - not a big fan
Toyota Celica GT and GT-S - possibly
Toyota MR-2 Spyder - possibly but sort of underpowered/hard to find

Thanks for the suggestions!

Originally Posted by MannyO

RSP>WRB...if you can find one of the 19 or so ever made lol

Sorry for thread jacking Suprachica...

Originally Posted by NastyNate

Miata.

Haha, no problem MannyO, you were my first friend on here, no way I could get mad at you lol

Thanks everyone for the ideas!

[suprachica79]

And I'm coming to realize the s2000 doesn't have great gas mileage either...