looking for replacement car - HELP!
 

My current Hyundai Elantra '96 is slowly but surely dying on me...

I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what the hell i should get while i wait to finally acquire a car i'd enjoy (like the RX-8). I'm considering several possibilities:

1) I get a used car under $8000, pay it off quickly and then start saving for an 8 or whatever i find attractive all-around at that time.

2) I get a brand new car (has to be under 17-18k) that i can plan to keep for as long as it'll last or until i get a big raise.

If i go with number 1, the need for a fun/fast car is greatly diminished, mostly because of the price range. If i go with number 2, i'd like to at least get something i'll enjoy for many years. In both cases the car has to be at least somewhat practical.

So far the Scion tC seems like the best of all worlds for me... but i've heard bad things about mpg, insurance and quality... Mazda 3 4 door, but it has very low torque figures...

HELP!!!

thanks

Raji

the mazda 3 is nice ...but not the base model.

I have a TC its not bad, I get around 25-28 mpg the only issue I have with it is that the moon roof rattles. but I did get one of the first ones made though I bought it on july 1st last year!! but I really do like the car a lot

If you really wanna save for an RX-8, then you should invest as little as possible on a used car, but get something that will last you, such as a mid 90's accord/civic/camry/corolla. If you just want a nice, sportyish car, you could check out a celica GT-S or mits. eclipse that are a year or two old.

^ You can probably get a good lease deal on the eclipse GT or celica gts since they are being changed/discountinued. Check out your local newspapers for other cars, dealers run specials all the time.

Yeah, since you seem to want a RX8 or high end sports car in the comming years I'd go with a cheap lease on a Mazda 3. Like that you can get your payment as low as possible and you don't have to pay off the by 5 years or so.

Note: Get the lease for as short a term as possible (but that gives you enough time to save and buy your dream car when the lease is up)

thanks everyone for your comments!

to answer some of the comments and stuff:

abbid, i'd get the 2.3, but my wife wants it... in an automatic... and i refuse to spend money on an automatic for myself. :) I'll buy her the 2.3 when i have some money in a few years lol.

as for the suggestions about getting a lease... i've been told time and time again to stay the hell away from leases... have i just been misinformed?

I would normally agree beucase I don't have alot of experiances with a lease, but for your purpose it would work out. It allows you to have a new car, low payment, and time to save up before you get what you REALLY want.