[letmelogin]

Ok, here's my situation... I currently own a '93 3.4L V6 Camaro, and a 1996 Suzuki Bandit 600 (motorcycle). The Camaro's been a bit of a maintenance pig, and it's just not a great car for me, uncomfortable to get in and out of, low mileage (around 15 city, even worse in the winter), and rear wheel drive is pretty nasty in the winter as well.

The motorcycle I've had for 2 years, and have enjoyed. No problems with it beyond normal maintenance. That said, I do have ~$400-600 worth of maintenance I have to do on it if I'm going to keep it.

Basically, I'm leaning towards selling both, hoping to get ~$4,000 for both of them combined, and throw in another $1,000 for a down payment for a $5,000 total down payment on a new(to me) vehicle, and save money for payments.

I'd like to keep it around the $15,000 mark or so. I'm also thinking I'd probably be keeping this car for a decent amount of time, maybe 10+ years. So, I'd like to get something that's at least fairly practical, and gets decent mileage, and has low maintenance needs/costs. However I find myself struggling between practicality, and getting something I want/that's fun... I realize right now, I probably *should* go for pure practicality as I'll be going into my last year of college next year, and I'll be able to get another "fun" vehicle later on down the line, whether it's another motorcycle, car, or both. This will actually be the first car I've purchased as the Camaro was handed down through the family, although the bike I bought myself.


At earliest, I'll be making the move at the end of summer/beginning of fall, when they're trying to get rid of of the 2010 models to make room for the 2011's. I *might* also wait until I graduate next year, but I'm thinking it really would be nice to have something besides the Camaro in the winter, especially for my bi-weekly 30 mile each way commutes.


So, here's the list I've currently thrown together of the vehicles I'm considering:

Cars under consideration (trying to stay around $15,000):

New, or used later than 2007:

Honda Accord (coupe, maybe V6 if used)
Honda Civic (coupe, maybe Si if used)
Honda Fit (most practical, but probably ugliest)
Ford Focus (newer, less ugly model, maybe coupe)
Ford Fusion
Mazda 3
Nissan Sentra
Subaru Impreza (base model)

VW Jetta



Older(~2002-2006), higher end used:
Acura RSX (I've heard these have transmission issues)

Acura TL
Acura TSX
Audi A4 Quattro (probably just 1.8 V4)
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (2004-2005)

Subaru WRX STi (2004-2005)(Both this and the Evo are probably moderately maintenance heavy/costly, and don't get good mileage, I've also heard about gas leaks in the STI's in very cold whether around 20-30 F, which is definitely does get down to here in the winter)


The logical/ration part of my brain says "get the Honda Fit" as it's the most practical, good storage capacity highest mileage, etc and I've heard they're very well balanced and actually fun to drive and it would be a good beater/winter car when I get something nicer down the line... However, my ego says, "Hell no, that's a mini mini-van right there, you'll be giving up your man-card if you get one."


My parents did get a very good deal on a new Honda Accord back in 2007 at a dealer around us... Got it brand new for $15,000 (MSRP was $21,000) because someone else backed out on it... The same salesperson is still around and might be able to cut me a decent deal on a Honda there.


I think I'd have to say, if I were to narrow it down more, it'd be between the Fit, Civic (coupe), Accord (coupe), and Impreza... The Impreza largely due to AWD, and their safety reputation.

[NewYorkDoctorD]

me id get the ford focus they dint take the government bail out.and there a decent car

[letmelogin]

me id get the ford focus they dint take the government bail out.and there a decent car

Yeah, I'm actually looking at them online right now... A dealer near my has brand new 2010's coupes for $13,500.

[Abaanto]

i'de opt for the fusion from your list

[education]

Acura TSX - a good blend of sport/luxury/economy. It's based on the Civic frame but it has a bigger engine and drives a lot nicer.

[VogsHoock]

I think the 2008 Malibu LTZ would be a good used car for that price range.

[Saduyre9de]

I would really consider a newer Malibu or Impala. I have a 06 Impala and it gets great gas mileage, it's roomy, considerably cheap to maintain and purchase. I'm at 109k now and ive only replaced the tires and water pump. Not too bad if you ask me!

[KellyLynchIV]

Older(~2002-2006), higher end used:
Acura RSX (I've heard these have transmission issues)

Acura TL
Acura TSX
Audi A4 Quattro (probably just 1.8 V4)
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (2004-2005)

Acura TSX - a good blend of sport/luxury/economy. It's based on the Civic frame but it has a bigger engine and drives a lot nicer.

I have a 2006 Acura TSX. I would take it any day over a new Honda Accord.

It's a very different class of vehicle.

P.S. It's not based on the Civic frame. It's based on the Euro Accord.

[iodillalm]

P.S. It's not based on the Civic frame. It is the Euro Accord.

fixed. I mean all they really did was slap the A on the grill and called it a day.

DO NOT buy a used STi or Evo. Trust me, they are nothing but trouble, and from what I see on the NASIOC forums on a daily basis, it's probably been overboosted, improperly run, and decontented to sell as "stock, never been tracked, daily driver" nonsense.

For a brand new car in the price range, a Mazda3 or Focus would do quite nicely. If the rebates are right, you might even be able to pick up a sporty Focus SES model. Sentras are reliable but meh on the styling. A slightly used SE-R would be within your price point, but it's still doesn't work well on hiding the boxiness of the car (I had a '02 Spec V and loved it), and a Civic Si would probably be a better choice between the two anyways.

The new Fiesta's look real good, but the size might not be to your liking.

AWD is very nice, but if you're not getting any appreciable snow (and by that I mean 10" on the ground or more at a time), FWD combined with real good all-season tires and ABS is more than fine for light snow and wet driving. The gas economy hit from driving in AWD all the time if it really isn't necessary needs to be considered.

[Mr Andrews]

Friends do not let friends drive rice burners.

You really only have three options: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRgr0DHVKuo

[letmelogin]

AWD is very nice, but if you're not getting any appreciable snow (and by that I mean 10" on the ground or more at a time), FWD combined with real good all-season tires and ABS is more than fine for light snow and wet driving. The gas economy hit from driving in AWD all the time if it really isn't necessary needs to be considered.

I live in Ohio, we get plenty of snow in the winter.. I think we got 18" in a 2 day period this year, may have been 12" in one snowfall....

Ok, well you said no about the STi or Evo, what about a WRX? I'm pretty sure they're basically the same as the STi, just minus some engine enhancements (different headers? not sure what else), and they're def turboed, so maybe not so great reliability, but the regular Impreza's are ok?

[iodillalm]

I live in Ohio, we get plenty of snow in the winter.. I think we got 18" in a 2 day period this year, may have been 12" in one snowfall....

Ok, well you said no about the STi or Evo, what about a WRX? I'm pretty sure they're basically the same as the STi, just minus some engine enhancements (different headers? not sure what else), and they're def turboed, so maybe not so great reliability, but the regular Impreza's are ok?

Any turbocharged car (WRX, STi, Evo, etc) are more statistically likely to have been thrashed heavily and modded by its previous owner than an N/A car. I'm not saying to not buy a used one, but be really careful. I've seen many stories of people claiming to be selling non-modded cars that had previously had bad stage 2 tunes and were throwing CEL's left and right because of cracked ringlands, head gaskets, even cracked pistons (due to detonation at higher pressures and lower octane fuels). These sorry people would take all the modded parts off, use an AccessPort to clear the CEL's and then sell it knowing it had some problem. It's part of the reason why I bought a 2010 WRX vs. a 3-4 year old STi. If you see one you like, you better make sure a mechanic thoroughly, and I mean thoroughly checks it out, checks the compression in each cylinder, etc.

Differences between the STi and WRX vary with model years, but the largest difference is the 5MT in the WRX and the 6MT in the STi. The WRX gearbox does not take large amounts of torque well and has been historically susceptible to breaking gears (another reason to be wary of WRX's). STi's 6MT gearbox is a brick and has been known to take well over 600 HP. Also, the STi has a larger turbo, DCCD, better suspension, interior, larger intercooler, HID's, etc.

[chuecalovers]

The Imprezza,safe,reliable,can take a beating without any problems and wont leave you stranded in bad weather.

Plus they're just nice cars to drive.

[LkEHaduy]

Wow, only 15mpg from the V6 camaro? My 5.7L v8 gets 19mpg at the worst, usually 24mpg or so avg with slightly higher on superlong highway trips. Be even better once the 6spd is in there to drop the engine speed at cruise too. Even when 4th gear didn't work and it was cruising at 3700 to 4000rpm on the highways it still got 20mpg, over drive is nice to have.

As for the 15k range, there are a few not on your list. Its possible to get G8's for around there, as well as the Cadillac CTS models too. I've seen a few 2004 CTS-Vs in that price range.

Of the ones you listed though, honestly I'd be looking at the Acura TLs or the Fusion. However, I am looking more at a mid-size car for a daily driver than a compact.

[letmelogin]

Sounds logical, and how I was generally thinking... A used STi or similar I was thinking would probably be likely to be abused, but my friend who has an '04 STi (that he bought new back then, mind you), keeps egging me to get a used '04-'06 WRX, Evo, or similar, but it's really not what I need, and I'll get a more performance oriented car down the line when I can afford it. To be honest, for fun vehicles, I'm a lot more into motorcycles than cars in general, and would probably get a bike to take to the track before a car.

[lipitrRrxX]

I would definitely go for an Acura TSX/TL

[BqTyG9eS]

I would really consider a newer Malibu

[herawaq]

I have a 2006 Acura TSX. I would take it any day over a new Honda Accord.

It's a very different class of vehicle.

P.S. It's not based on the Civic frame. It's based on the Euro Accord.

So is Acura basically Euro Honda's? What does the US Honda Accord look like then?

[addifttiest]

depend on what you are really looking for.
most of the car you mentioned are from different categories
if you want a practical car, reliable and fuel efficiency well the Honda fit is the safest bet you mentioned its ugly but make sure you check the 3 model since they look all different

i do think the base model is ugly as hell but the sports model look kinda cute, that's what i drive and i love it. i was able to carry my Panasonic 54inch screen without removing the box in that car

also if you decide to go used make sure to get something cheap to repair cuz you want to hold it for 10yrs and something will break for sure
anyway gl w the purchase

[KellyLynchIV]

So is Acura basically Euro Honda's? What does the US Honda Accord look like then?

ugly. very ugly.