Need another car- anyone have suggestions?
 

We need another car- but because we're buying a new house, and bought the 8 six months ago, we need to keep it under $20k (most likely used). My husband will be driving it, so it can't be girly. But it also can't be something vanilla, like a Civic, because he'd go insane driving something like that.

So far, he's thinking used Mini Cooper S, RSX type S, or something like that. We're also going to test drive a (don't have a heart attack, please) used 350Z ( a bit over 20k, but we could swing it if he's in love).

Can you guys give us any more suggestions? He's said no to the WRX, the Wrangler, and the Volvo S40, so stuff like that is not going to fly. He's giving up his beloved 1993 325i, and insists he doesn't want another BMW. And no RX-8s. I already tried that, and he apparently doesn't want matching cars.

How about a New PT Cruiser?

Before the Rx-8 I had a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Great car with the 5-speed. Put on 66,000 with zero problems. I just got tired of it after 3 years. It fits your budget and looks better than a Civic

Get the Z - it will impress the heck out of your new neighbors (because you will have the Z and the 8) and keep a smile on your husbands face. :)

I hope it will be a color that matches Nordic green.

TWO WORDS:

Mazda 3.

He loves the Le Mans Sunset- would be a kind of carroty combination. We'd have to keep one in the garage at all times!

And jtimbck2- he likes the 3 too- especially since it comes in the orange too...

This shouldn't be hard- but he's picky, and doesn't know what he wants.

A Scion Tc and $4k of personalization options? ;)

Actually the Mini Cooper S sounds great - I would take one at around the $20k mark. That or a loaded Mazda 3. Could you get a used IS300 in that ballpark as well?

I don't know if you'd be able to find a Cooper S for around 20k... Keep in mind they are having lots of reliability problems with the Minis and he did say he doesn't want another BMW :p However, they are a total blast to drive.

A used A4 1.8T would be another to consider, or maybe a GTI. I think you could get close to that 20k price for a used S2K as well.
I'm actually thinking of looking at one in my area that a dealer has for 25k with only 15k on the odometer, so I'm guessing one with more miles could be had for around 20k.

You can get a Mazda 6 V6 stick for less than $20K. Check edmunds.com. There is $1,500K dealer cashback on it.

According to Edmunds, the average selling price with no options is $19,600 in my area.

Do not get the 3! Why bother when you can get the V6 6 for the same price.

MAZDA 6... awesome car... i had it for 2 days missed it when it left...

Also consider Lexus IS300 you get one under 20K used...

the NEW Volvo S40... i have a volvo and they are sweet... the new S40 is fun as heck to drive and powerful ( i read over 5 reviews which they all loved the car)... 450 Watts stereo... awesome ride... and there reliable and good gas mileg... this volvo is so sweet...

Another car to consider is the Ford Focus SVT. There is a $2.5K rebate and you can get one for $16K with no options. These cars have been assembled for over two years and are fairly reliable at this point. It is probably more reliable than the Mazda 3, which is in its first year of production. Also the Ford you can buy close to invoice BEFORE the $2.5K rebate. The 3 on the other hand you will probably have to pay close to MSRP for. Depreciation on the Ford is a non-issue. The car can be bought for so much less than MSRP that it will probably hold value. Besides, how much money can you lose on a $16K car?

I saw a loaded SVT with leather and everything (which can be had for less than $20K) and the build quality on that particular model was really good.


Edmunds.com has a comparison between the SVT and Mini Cooper. Really, it is as good as all the cars you are considering or close(Mini Cooper, 3, RSX, etc.) but so much cheaper. If I wanted a pocket rocket, that is the way I would go.

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Miata. They are a blast to drive.

dont get the mini cooper, they are made by BMW and are unreliable.. plus stupid looking.. anyway I'd recommend the mazda6, or the 3

A yellow s2k and your nordic green 8 would look nice together

That WAS going to me my suggestion. :)

Miatas (and s2k) definitely on the list- if we had a miata AND an 8 we'd be fighting over who got to drive what every morning! The volvo, lexus, and Mazda6 are all on there.

Thanks for all the suggestions- still have no idea what he'll decide (so keep them coming!), but having suggestions gives me a list of things to drag him to test drive. Nothing worse than a man who doesn't know what he wants...:D

Mazda 3 or 6. If you like the RX8's doors try a Saturn Ion Quad Sports car.

I'll give ya a Porsche 914 for $6500......

Well your list has a ton of different type of cars on it so im not sure exactly what you guys are looking for.
But here are a few cars that you can get for under 20K.

99 and before BMW M3
00 Audi S4
FD RX7 (is this going to be a daily driver? if so this might not be good for him)
300ZXTT
MazdaSpeedProtege

That's the problem- neither does he. No clue at all. If he'd just wait a year, and suck it up with the BMW, he could get what he really wants, which is a Z4 (even though he says no more BMWs) or a Boxster S. But he doesn't want to wait, so he's stuck getting something cheaper. And he's run the gamut from Wrangler to 350Z to Mazda 3 when talking about it. And yes, it would be his daily driver, or else we would be all over a 3rd gen.

Mazdaspeed Miata

just a few dollars more!

you need this

Baller's suggestion would probably put a smile on your face, if not your bank accounts.
I say keep it in the family, buy either a new, optionfilled 3, or a year old 6 with the sporty options (v6 especially) or the Miata (maybe a year or two old). The 3 or 6 would especially fit the bill.
Save your pennies and nickels and pick up an FD as weekender. They are a tad bit of fun.

FYI, my fran owns an Audi A4 1.8T 03" and its having some engine problem already... and the reliability of Audi isnt that good from what i know.

here are my suggestions:
350Z (yeah, its a good one)
S2k(most prefered)
Mazda 3(but the creash test results are disappointing)
Subaru WRX (pretty fast or something like this:
http://www.drivein24.ch/fotoauto/Sub...D%20Bianco.jpg
Miata ( cheap and can spend the rest of $ on modding)
toyota Matrix?(lol)
mini S is also good, but too much problems...and a cute looking car for a man?
RX7 (!)
RSX (looks good too)
Mazda 6 (reliable and safe, got good ratings at the crash tests)
Scion (the new one)
etc... lots of choices!

Buy an S2000. *runs for cover*

Depending on you needs, you might want to look into a slightly used Maxima. They have a great engine and are pretty fast. The down side is that they are front wheel drive and have a solid rear axle.

The reason why I am suggesting this is you guys might need a car with some space in in. The Maxima is pretty roomy and not a slouch speed wise.

There area other cars people have mentioned that seem like a better choice, but you said you wanted options, so I thought I'd toss you another one.:)

Scion tC, TRD supercharged 200 hp for under $20,000. I know base price is about 16,500 (160 hp, 163 ft/lbs) nicely equipped but Im not sure how much the supercharger package is but Im guessing this car tops out around $18,7xx. It has a cool panoramic glass roof and lots of features for the price, not to mention toyota quality, reliability, and resale. I think I am one day going to talk my girlfriend into getting one (supercharged of course). The only thing questionable about it is the styling, its derivitive (headlights straight off the new bimmers, nose that reminds me of a wrx) but I like it and Im sure your opinion will vary. They don't go on sale until about the middle of June. I think you can get factory 19'' wheels on it (!)

Have you considered a small pickup? They make a great second vehicle and can be very handy for home owners. I have a full size GMC that I put about 8K miles a year on. It is also very manly especially if you install a gunrack in the cab.

Used Prelude.

The 350Z would be great but I would anticipate nagging stuff like heavy and tiresome shifter and more serious problems like front tire feathering and an interior that is falling apart.

OKay, we're back to the drawing board on this- the same guy who says he doesn't want another BMW loses it when an M3 drove by us the other day. So maybe he will wait a bit and get what he really wants. Not that I have any idea what that is yet....

I'd love to have something utilitarian like a truck, but I doubt he'd drive it, at least not without complaining most of the time.

What's a SRT-4 go for? I don't recall if they are under $20k or not.. probably not now that I spend a couple more seconds thinking about it.

PT cruisers are kinda cool for.. uh.. cruising around - I wonder if you could get a second hand turbo PT for under 20k? Does the turbo come in the drop-top? Convertibles have always been cool IMO.

If space wasn't an issue, I would consider a Miata - they are definately fun and tossable.

Srt-4's are about $21,000 now that they added the LSD. They also seem to be having relatively high number of engine problems with idle and hesitation. They are also based on a crappy, ugly car with a crap interior and no feel whatsoever so I would skip that one and leave it for the 16 year olds who only care about 0-60. As for the PT that one is for the soccer moms who think they drive a "cool" car.

KC, you should drive one, they handle really well for a FWD car, I'll probably never own one but part of me wishes I did. They are fun as hell, take very well to mods, you can get factory warranty on stage packages, the engine is tough as nails. I have not heard of any sort of engine problems other than some tuning issues with modded ones from 2003 since when you mod you need upgraded injectors, that was taken care of in 2004. Also for that slight increase in price you're getting stage 1 with it, and just getting the same LSD after market would put you above the old price. In case you're not aware the 04s are making 230-240 at the wheels which is more than they are rated at the crank, Mazda should take notes...

I have seen 4 Srt-4s today alone. Yesterday, I saw three. Popular car...

There are far far fewer on the roads than the RX-8, I think the production for 03 was below 5k and closer to 3k if I remember correctly.

I went to the srt forums for a laugh a few weeks ago (its funny to hear them bash on the "slow azz" 8) and at that time at least 5 different owners were complaining about similar idle problems in their brand new cars but as we know that doesn't reflect the real world very accurately so take it for what it is. Obviously any car that fast will be pretty fun but it says Dodge on the back and I could never get over that. Everytime I look at it all I can think about is where they blatantly cut costs (crappy orange-peel paint, interior sucks, lame shifter, crap wheels). I know its unfair to takes global shots at manufacturers but every experience I have ever had with Dodge and most US manufacturers in general (minus a Viper) has left me terribly dissapointed. They simply do not know how (or refuse) to style a car well or make it reliable. When I judge a car it is as a package and not just based on the engine or 0-60. I would rather have a MS protege. Slower but it has a way better chassis and is 100 times better in every aspect besides power (interior, stereo, wheels, "feel" etc). The dodge does offer incredible hp/dollar though esp with the stage 1 and 2 stuff. They remind me of the DSM's, good performance/value but they are bland and there are millions of them on the road. I like to be a little unique I guess even if Im not the fastest thing on the road. Im glad they are so much faster than the imports because maybe that will inspire the japanese to close the power gap (probably not). I have a feeling that if Elara's hubby is pining for an M3 he wouldn't be caught dead in a Neon even if it blows the doors of an 8 but what do I know.

But nothing really sets the srt-4 apart from the billions of base model and sxt (or whatever) neons with wings. Here at a large college campus I see a lot of neons every day and I have never seen an srt-4 here. Almost as many neons as DSM's.

I never said it would be good for Elara's husband, and it's not a car for most people, but I think it's great that Dodge has the guts to make it. I also disagree with your points about styling, I think Chrysler is leaps and bounds ahead of the other US automakers, but that's just one guys opinion.

You are right about dodge having guts to make this car, the other US manufacturers gave up (i.e. ford using the mazda 3). The srt-4 is the only american subcompact worth a crap besides the svt focus (which although it is a well built car, I don't like). At least you can count on Dodge to give their car more hp/torque than any competitors by a long shot even if everything else is lacking (imo).

Elara, has he test driven anything yet?

My vote is for the Mazda 3! It's a very sweet ride! Overall much improved over the Protege.

I own a 2003 mp5 ... which I ended up getting because my last car was totaled out before the RX-8 came out — and if I don't trade it in 2006 for the RX-8 (...but as of my resent test drive of the Mazda 3), I'm very much thinking about going with a 3 instead!

Unless there is a 2+2 fastback that is also a hatchback that I love better...

As a side note, before I got my mp5, I was looking at a Celica or RSX. I was leaning very strongly with the RSX because it had more safety features standard and in my area I couldn't order the options I wanted without waiting a year...but after driving the mp5 I was sold! True, the RSX has more power, but the mp5 handles on the road much better IMHO.

Good luck and have fun driving!

;)

A used Boxster

Mazdaspeed Miata

and then turn up the boost, whoa mama

Still haven't test driven anything- we're in the process of moving (closed on our first house yesterday- yay!) but as soon as we're a little more organzied we'll get out and start driving.

I would suggest the Mini Cooper, or a used 350Z. The Mini Cooper has the same build quality of BMW, yet at and affordable price and no one else with have it because they are rare in most areas. The Z-car is great also, V8-like thrust and affordable; plus Nissan is another great car company. You can't lose with either cars. Just don't buy anything american, or a Benz-those are junk.

Troy J.

Actually, most people report that the Mini Cooper does NOT have BMW's build quality. There have been a lot off problems with the Mini. Too bad, I'd love to have one (not in place of my 8 though!)

Way to make general sweeping statements. I get so sick of kids, and even some adults, coming on car forums not knowing what the hell they are talking about and bashing american cars or some other car brand or even singing the praises of another car that they have probably never even driven. In some cases a lot of these kids have never even driven a freaking car.

The minis are great little cars from a fun to drive standpoint. But, they are probably having more problems than most newer american cars on the road.

Tell it Ike. Mini's are great cars from a drivers standpoint (especially with cooper works package etc) but I find the styling too cutesy and they are a bit pricey, don't know anything about their reliability. I don't think you can really call mini's "rare" anymore. I see at least 3-4 a day in the middle of nowhere in the midwest.

I vote S2K. Hate to say it, but they are a lot nicer/better looking than the miata. Not to mention a lot faster.

mini's are not exactly rare. they are all over the place here. as for stooks being faster than miatas- i dont think elara cares. scoobies are faster than both and i dont see here jumping into one of them anytime soon.

make that 2 guys' opinions, ike. chrysler is making some nice looking cars now. have you seen the new 300c? everytime the commercial comes on for them i tell my wife- there's your dads new car." and the wagon version for dodge i keep suggesting for the wife. nice looking all wheel drive and you can get it with a hemi!

elara could you describe again what you're looking for? just give us the bullet points so we know if we are staying in your ball park.