Clearly the answer is a Manual Mazda 5
Okay so it doesn't quite get 30 MPG highway (more like 27) but think of the practicality! Plus it's basically a Mazda 3 so it's actually pretty fun to drive.
Clearly the answer is a Manual Mazda 5
Okay so it doesn't quite get 30 MPG highway (more like 27) but think of the practicality! Plus it's basically a Mazda 3 so it's actually pretty fun to drive.
A soul-crushing late model impala? Like someone else said, for now you focus on the commute. Later you worry about fun.
Oh wait, the answer is up there. Focus.
For starters, I really like my Gen2 Priuses and consider them to be the right tool for the job.
Gen 2 ('04-09) seem to be the sweet spot for me. They sell for less than than the Gen3 and represent the right value for me.
The Gen3 ('10+) are a little bigger car with a little bigger engine and get mid 50 mpg while the Gen2 only get 44mpg (only, ha.) However, the Gen3s sell for a higher retail than the Gen2. Both are equally reliable.
So, even with that said about the Prius, the other right answer is MANUAL TRANS. I can't stress enough that non-sporty, manual trans cars are really slow to sell. This slowness to sell can also be translated to significant price savings over the same car in auto trans form. Another benefit to you is SLOW SALES. I assume you will try to line up a few cars from afar and try to make appointments to see them when you arrive in Florida. A low priced or "good value" Prius will sell quick. I would not expect the seller to still have it next week.
Non-Sporty manual trans cars will get you things like Kia Souls , Pontiac Vibe, Saturn Vue and everything else on your list above. The manual trans version will be cheaper and sell slower than the auto trans counterpart.
Go to the Tampa CL and with the filters on the left of page put in a price max of $5k and then designate manual trans only then sort through what that gives you.
Saturn Vue $1,600 Look at '05-'07 only for better timing chain tensioner. Will deliver 26 mpg all the time but is huge inside (but boring to drive.) I owned nearly the exact Manual Vue from 140k to 265k.
Kia Soul Notice that this ad was posted 2 months ago and updated 21 days ago. SLOW SALES. Not because a Kia Soul is undesirable but that not one goes looking for a non-sporty manual trans car.
Pontiac Vibe GTwith the sporty engine but over priced by about $1k too high at $3,800. Notice that the ad is 1 month old and updated 19 days ago
In reply to stanger_missle :Chevy Volt
low gas prices won’t last
In reply to John Welsh :
The mazda 5 was listed a month ago, updated 16 days ago. Seller doesn't even know what it is, has it listed as a v6.
I'd like to have it.
I remember years ago someone I knew bought a Suzuki Aerio to fix and flip and the clutch was really expensive. I am not sure if parts still cost a lot for those. I would definitely be careful of a TDI Jetta though, one for $5k will be in pretty bad shape, and they are very temperamental and take a lot of special tools to work on (and most have been worked on by people who didn't know what they are doing). I had one for a while and it ended up costing $1/mile for repairs and maintenance for the couple months I drove it, and I was very happy to get rid of it.
So, to follow up, I bought none of the recommended cars LOL
I seriously email/texted/called every for sale Prius ad in the local area and NONE of them replied.
The manual Mazda 5 that I found at least replied within 5 minutes but was sold. I found another Mazda 5 (a 2012) but was auto. It was at a shady corner lot in Oldsmar. It died 3 times while test driving it and it had 182k miles. Nope.
Then I saw a Magnum RT at another lot. The dealership got really good reviews so I stopped in. The Magnum was like $5200 which was more than I wanted to spend.
Then I saw it in the corner. It was red (my least favorite automotive color) and only a 2 door but it was manual. It was in really good shape so I drove it. It drove really nice and had some decent options. It has 139k miles.
Are ya ready?
It's a 2010 Kia Forte Koup EX. Yeah, not what you guys talked about at all haha. I paid $2900 bucks.
Sorry for the crappy pic. Its off of the dealer webpage. I'll get better pics once I get it home.
Bobzilla is about to be my new best friend 
stanger_missle said:Ford C-Max Hybrid
Find one and try it. They are very nice drivers and the electric grunt makes them surprisingly peppy. Try to find the non-Energi version unless you specifically want that. The Energi is a plug-in and weighs a couple hundred pounds more, and also loses about 3" of cargo height.
Pretty pleasant to be in, and nice looking for what they are. DD#1 has a 2013 and loves it. It's nice to drive and even without the plug-in option she knocks down 44 mpg like clockwork in heavy suburban commuting.
They seemed to be a good value in the used market, at least last year.
Hahahahah, too late on my part.
In reply to stanger_missle :
That's a $2900 car? No way. I'm impressed.
In reply to mazdeuce - Seth :
They had it listed at $4k but nobody wanted a manual. It sat on the lot for a bit.
It's not perfect by any means. The drivers side fender and bumper cover has been repainted and some of the body lines aren't perfect. The passenger side tire is worn down on the outside shoulder and there are a few small dings in the driver's side door.
But the A/C is ice cold, the suspension made zero noise and the clutch seems OK. It drove pretty dang nice.
Dusterbd13-michael said:How about an e39 wagon for 3k obo?
Its mine. Fly and drive ready.
This car was what immediately came to mind after reading the first post. It almost got me to jump from the e36 to an e39 for how well sorted it is for the $.
edit: I see i'm too late. I leased a koup ex new for city commuting duties. It wasn't bad. clutch delay took a bit to get used to (dampening valve). something would happen in the steering with too quick inputs, like it would boil or cavitate or something. shouldn't be an issue for your intended use. I'd rock one again, but would make sure it's a hatch. Oh, the paint was fairly soft, so protect it.
In reply to bluej :
Yeah, the damn clutch delay valve. I think the kid from the dealership was starting to think I lied about how to drive a manual. That is getting removed as soon as I have time.
It seems like a fun little booger. Maybe not as refined as say, a Civic but it also doesn't suffer from the Honda tax either.
frenchyd said:In reply to stanger_missle :Chevy Volt
low gas prices won’t last
He's already bought something, but from my observations, you won't find a Volt anywhere near his price range.
NGTD said:frenchyd said:In reply to stanger_missle :Chevy Volt
low gas prices won’t last
He's already bought something, but from my observations, you won't find a Volt anywhere near his price range.
Price range? Why is the car one price and the next 3-5 10 years of gas not counted? Can’t have one without the other.
Sure electricity costs something. But pennies compared to dollars. Plus I like the idea that if I’m out of cash I can still get to and from work or anywhere in that 35 mile range.
My farming friend has one and his wind generator charges it most nights free. To and from town and most places he goes Cost him nothing. When he comes to visit me is about the only time he buys gas.
frenchyd said:Price range? Why is the car one price and the next 3-5 10 years of gas not counted? Can’t have one without the other.
Sorry, but that sounds really, really out of touch with reality. Sometimes people have $x to spend. $x+$5000 does not magically appear because they'll save money in the future.
dculberson said:frenchyd said:Price range? Why is the car one price and the next 3-5 10 years of gas not counted? Can’t have one without the other.
Sorry, but that sounds really, really out of touch with reality. Sometimes people have $x to spend. $x+$5000 does not magically appear because they'll save money in the future.
Edit: Removed comment that was in poor taste.
In any case, yes, Dculberson has it right.
The Kia Forte Koup is a decent econo-sport-compact, not too slow or boring and easy on the eyes for a modern car.
In reply to GameboyRMH :
I agree about the styling. I was looking at it in my garage this evening. It's styled very well without being overdone *cough* Honda *cough*.
Here are some crappy pics of the car in my garage:
Stuff I have noticed do far:
The recirc door clicks when you turn recirc on.
The TCS light came on for some reason but was gone the next time I started the car.
The car has been repainted. I initially thought just the front bumper cover and fenders were done but I found mask lines/overspray on the mirrors, the roof and trunk lid.
The front passenger's side tire is bad. Like scary bad. I didn't notice it until I got home:
That is worrisome because my commute is 35 miles each way. So I just bought 4 new BF Goodrich Advantage T/A Sports tonight.
The CDV is the work of the devil. I still can't get the hang of the clutch. It's either slip the clutch or bog it terribly. It's impossible to drive smoothly.
dculberson said:frenchyd said:Price range? Why is the car one price and the next 3-5 10 years of gas not counted? Can’t have one without the other.
Sorry, but that sounds really, really out of touch with reality. Sometimes people have $x to spend. $x+$5000 does not magically appear because they'll save money in the future.
I’ve lived my life looking to save for the future. It seems straightforward to do a little basic math. Transportation is a modern day requirement. Buy transportation for a few years or a decade or more. Then do the calculation of fuel costs and compare that to the cost of interest.
Spending $5000 on a vehicle that is likely past its prime is somewhat like buying a used Apple, hopefully there is enough of the Apple left that it’s worth the price you pay for it. At a minimum There is every likelihood that maintenance has been deferred and there is a high probability of future unknown expense. Indeed few people are likely to spend serious money on a car only to turn around and sell it.
I buy new vehicles and use them for decades. That way The annual costs are trivial and it’s life and maintenance is in your hands rather than unknown others in the past.
Yes there is some interest cost in buying new and of course depreciation. Except if you own it long enough it’s called the cost of ownership. In my last vehicle it cost me $1000 a year. That plus I spent slightly over $1000 on repairs not covered by warranty. So add $5 more dollars per year.
That plus I spent slightly over $1000 on repairs not covered by warranty. So add $5 more dollars per year.
So... you owned your last car for 200 years? I guess you did say decades.
dculberson said:Sorry, but that sounds really, really out of touch with reality.
That’s the frenchy way.
You'll need to log in to post.
