what car thread, college student edition

So several days ago one of my Cavalier's rod bearings decided that it no longer wanted to be a rod bearing thus leaving me in the search for a new car. I'm not exactly sure what direction I want to go and have two different types of car I'm debating between. I can't decide if I want to get something larger like an SUV in which case it would have to be somewhat capable off road as that's something I've always wanted to try. The other option is a mid to large size wagon or estate, in which case something quick and decent for autocross would be nice. Either way the ability to pack a decent amount of things while moving in and out of school is required. Additionally something that is comfortable on the freeway is a main priority since I go to school about 6 hours from home. I also have a summer internship with the potential for an hour commute each way and my gf lives 2 hours away when we are in school. Living in Erie whatever the car is it needs to be solid in snow since we have it for a majority of the year and our college hockey team plays 45 minutes off campus all winter. The only additional criteria would be decent reliability since I am lacking tools to fix anything at school. I won't be looking to buy for a few weeks, but my projected budget tops out at around 7K.

The in a nutshell version of the above post is whats good for long freeway trips, good for packing and moving with, reliable, and very good in the snow. Extra points for good off road or fun to drive. Budget of 7k.

Thanks for your help, Aaron

Window-less van with a Quigley lift kit.

Outback Sport would be a good choice. You can autocross it, take it on dirt roads and trails, decent gas mileage, room for hockey gear.

You want a Volvo 740/60 turbo wagon. Reliable, comfortable, lots of cargo space, take it to the autox, take it off road, etc etc. Does all the things. Buy a really nice one for 2k and spend 5k making it stupid awesome. Done.

An offroad vehicle is expensive to maintain. Just those big expensive tires will do you in, even if you watch them like a hawk to keep them from wearing in a comically uneven pattern and doing themselves in early. Of course they're not very good on fuel. Then if you take it offroad parts will start to wear out much more quickly...from a cost standpoint, which is a big deal to a college student, an offroad vehicle is like looking at a stock 4x4 and saying "Hmm how can I turn the already substantial operating and maintenance costs of this thing up to 11?"

I do both offroad rally and autocross, and autocross is cheaper BY FAR. I could run a whole autocross season on the average per-event cost of offroading. You can do it in a vehicle which is otherwise near-perfect for a college student. So look for something light, low-displacement and sporty that can still haul some people and equipment. A Civic or last-gen Celica maybe.

+1 for an Outback Sport. I'd even consider a Forester if you can find one with decent mileage in your price range. An early to mid 2000's Hyundai Elantra Hatchback might be something to consider. They handle pretty well with some suspension tweaks, tons of room, good mileage and definitely in your price range. Also take a look at Mazda 3, Mazda 5, Chevy HHR (I know some people don't care for them but they have a ton of cargo room), Dodge Caliber.

500-800 dollar XJ

Chevy Astro done up in Dajiban style

or a Dajiban http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/lowering-a-dodge-van/19431/page1/

Forester XT for Turbo Subaru goodness if you want to be a conformist and have a car that needs minimal modification other than boltons.

Consider a WRX or 2.5rs wagon as well.

(Saabaru?)

Mazda 3 hatch

Fun to drive, reliable, looks cool, good MPG, autox-able, track-able, dd-able, roomy - fits tons of crap in the hatch, insurance isn't bad, etc etc

Subies and other AWD'ers are probably better in snow and such but will not as good MPG.

ratghia wrote: The in a nutshell version of the above post is whats good for long freeway trips, good for packing and moving with, reliable, and very good in the snow. Extra points for good off road or fun to drive. Budget of 7k.

Zero off-road capability.
Zero autox capability
But, does hit your other points well and comes in so far under budget that you could still buy another vehicle.
Saturn Vue 2.2L 4 cyl with manual trans.

Plastic body very good at warding off evil PA inspectors looking for rust (does not mean it wont rust from underneath)

Buy yourself a simple, reliable, sporty FWD car - my thoughts are the Mazda 3 noted above or a Focus.

I have a WRX and I am getting 17-19 mpg around town and its sucking down premium which is an extra $20-$30 a month, an expense that a student does not need. Non-turbo Subaru's don't get great mileage either. My mom just got back from a highway trip with her 04 Legacy and she got 31 mpg.

Honda CRV?

Corolla/Prizm is the sensible(IE against everything this forum is about) option.

Alternatively: 4 banger XJ Cherokee with the 5 speed.

I was also going to suggest going with a nice sporty hatchback, the money you save in gas will buy you some bitchin snow tires. You can have fun at autox and have lots of room.

I vote Mazda3. Best one you can afford. Will do everything you want and it will get pretty good gas mileage. My second vote is Saturn Vue.

I drove an Astro in college and the only thing I could have complained about is the 17mpg city and 22mpg hwy mileage. Great for moving, outstanding for eating up hwy miles, great for taking everyone out for dinner. I'm partial to the older SWB ones, but a newer AWD one might be better for you.

I might have a lovely 120k mile '05 325xiT with an all new power steering pump, cooling system, front axles and fresh Koni SA front / bilstien HD rear dampers up for sale within your price range in the next two days. It sports only the wear and tear a wife, kids and two dogs could inflict for 7 years of daily use in PA winters (so... lots of little scuffs, dings, a bit of surface rust starting... etc...).

It kinda/sorta depends on trade-in vs tax value math at the dealer tomorrow night but... if it seems to fit the description drop me an email. You are pretty close if still in Red Lion and I am probably going to want to punch a sales guy in the throat for their "offer" so perhaps I could be vulnerable ;)

When I was in your shoes ~20 years ago, I bought a Quantum GL5 Wagon. Now that you know that...

I vote XJ or Astro/Safari.

EP3 Civic Si? What do those go for nowadays?

I think my Protege 5 would be perfect for you!

It does autocross well, rallycross is even better and has been my DD for about 2 years.

FYI i am really at looking selling soon due to an impending move, just saying....

2500 would buy you a nice xj

excellent-condition 2003 Maxima. And buy a roof cargo box for the times you need to haul a bunch of stuff. Meets all your criteria.

GMT400 Chev/GMC pickup. For your budget, you can't do better.

Late 90s early 2000 subaru. The impreza outback comes to mind as well as forester. Both can be autocrossed, off-roaded, eat up highway miles and should get close to if not more than 30 highway if it's not turboed. Plus a good one should be less than your budget.

My wrx has done all of that well except the mpg part..

fidelity101 wrote: 2500 would buy you a nice xj

And the cost of gas would mean you would never have to drive for road trips...