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[Bboy AJ]

GAF, I'm looking for a car and since I know this forum is pretty knowledgeable about them, I figured I'd ask here.

I'm looking for a car to learn how to drive manual in. Now, I do know how to drive a stick, but I am certainly not highly adept at it (I don't know how to heel toe, for example). Thus, I'm looking for a car at $5000 max, preferably cheaper, to gain skill in. I would like a reliable car, as I will probably pass it onto my sister, that is sporty. I want a two door sports coupe within my price range.

Let's hear it! Thanks.

 

[Chony]

This is exactly what I am looking for as well.

I have been looking at the Toyota Celica, Subaru Impreza RS, Nissan 240 SX, and perhaps a Golf.

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

I don't have any specific suggestions, but i will say learning to drive a stick in these more modern cars is far easier than in the old days. The clutch is easier to press, it's easier to find the gears, etc. Buy something made in the 90's, and especially in the last 10 years, and you'll be good.

 

[JPRaup]

Also looking for a car, but an automatic one

my price range is the 5,000 - 10,000 range though, any ideas?

 

[Bboy AJ]

3 replies, 2 hijacks, haha.

I'm sure we'll all get some help from GAF.

 

[fart]

early 90s tercel 2door. way cheaper than 5 grand, and you'll be able to flog the crap out of it and drive 10/10s everywhere without ever breaking the law. dump it when you're done.

1st get (94-97 pref.) miata. good for the summer, or places (eg, california) where it doesn't rain or snow all that often. tons of fun, bulletproof, greatest gearbox known to man, cheap insurance! should be able to pick one up with ridiculously low miles (thanks old men with midlife crises!) for around 3. they're mostly red though, and certain judgemental people will think you play for the other team.

late 90s protege 4dr. cheap, torquey, reliable.

and there's always the civic.

please don't buy a nissan. it sounds like you're going to ruin the thing

for the auto, get a toyota or something. honda auto transmissions are not the greatest when it comes to reliability. it's ok if you buy a nissan. there are too many damn autos out there as it is.

 

[teh_pwn]

Also looking for a car, but an automatic one

my price range is the 5,000 - 10,000 range though, any ideas?

Honda Civic
Honda Accord (faster and more powerful than civic. Eats a little more gas. More expensive)
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Camery (faster and more powerful than teh Corolla. More gas, more expensive).

Reliability wise they are about all equal.

Accord > Camery IMO.


I'd guess 94-98 with about 100-150k miles. Don't worry, that's less than half what these cars can take. My 92 Accord works perfectly at 130k. Many people sell it before it dies. The ones that don't sell have gotten past 400k.




As for the OP, I'd recommend about the same. My sister has a 92 Accord as well. A manual (mine's auto). She is going to get a new one because she goes in a lot of stop and go traffic in Atlanta and hates using a stick now.

 

[fart]

400k is unusual for a japanese car (less unusual for a volvo or similar) without a rebuild. figure on it lasting 200k with regular maintenance. that said, any one of these cars can be killed by an irresponsible owner pretty quickly. my friend just bought a 5th gen civic with 100k and blew the headgasket within 300 miles. the mother of another friend of mine has an early 90s 4cyl camry they bought new with 250k that has had no unexpected repairs or maintenance and the tranny is only starting to go now.

keep in mind if you need anything other than a reliable 2wd commuter sedan, you may have to look elsewhere.

 

[teh_pwn]

Yeah, 400k is unusual. I was under the impression that 250k-300k was average with proper care such as regular oil changes.

I guess I wrote that wrong. SOME of the ones that people keep have gotten past 400k.

 

[fart]

even 250-300k is stretching it. japanese engines don't tend to last that long because of the way they're built

if you want an engine that will run to 400k+, an 80s brick-type volvo should do you well

 

[Tarazet]

GAF, I'm looking for a car and since I know this forum is pretty knowledgeable about them, I figured I'd ask here.

I'm looking for a car to learn how to drive manual in. Now, I do know how to drive a stick, but I am certainly not highly adept at it (I don't know how to heel toe, for example). Thus, I'm looking for a car at $5000 max, preferably cheaper, to gain skill in. I would like a reliable car, as I will probably pass it onto my sister, that is sporty. I want a two door sports coupe within my price range.

Let's hear it! Thanks.

How old are you? If you're under 21, talk to your insurance agent. There's no mistake you could make that will be more costly than getting a car that's too expensive to insure. You could finance your car at 50% interest and that would still not be as bad.

For that reason, I will HIGHLY recommend that you get a four-door and not a two-door. A late-'90s Mazda Protege should be in your price range.

 

[Nerevar]

I have been looking at the Toyota Celica, Subaru Impreza RS, Nissan 240 SX, and perhaps a Golf.

don't know about the others, but I drive a subaru impreza outback sport, and the RS is a more sporty verison of that (outback is hatchback). I love it, but a big factor of that is where I live (Boston). Perfect small car for inner-city driving in the winter although YMMV depending on where you live.

 

[pxleyes]

I got an '04 Saturn L300 for 11.000 out the door not 2 months ago.

You could get an '02 saturn for a great price aroun 8-9 grand. I would HIGHLY recommend them, especially with their gas milage.

 

[Jewbacca]

I got a 2000 Camry Solara with 70k miles for $8000

mine looks like that without the cool ground eeefecxvts... or whatever its called. Body kit.

 

[Bboy AJ]

Thanks for the advice. I'll be looking for one and then upgrading to a Scion tC.

 

[FeedMeAStrayCat]

I got an '04 Saturn L300 for 11.000 out the door not 2 months ago.

You could get an '02 saturn for a great price aroun 8-9 grand. I would HIGHLY recommend them, especially with their gas milage.

I'm considering a '05 Saturn ION (around $13,000, I think).. we have a '94 Saturn SL2 and it's great. Not too slow ( ), gets around 28-35 miles to the gallon on average (sometimes a little more, usually not less), etc.