Which Car to Buy?

I need some help choosing which car to buy.

Here are the basic criteria:

-Under $12000

-Reliable - I drive 100 miles a day

-Good gas mileage

-"Fun" to drive

-Under 60k miles

-FWD

I have looked a regular MINI, a focus SVT, and a Mazda 3 (not much fun to drive).

What other cars fit this bill? I know that I'm overlooking a ton of cars.

Suzuki SX4? Used Spectra5? Used Accent SE?

NVHEngr wrote: What other cars Fit this bill? I know that I'm overlooking a ton of cars.

There you go.

Why FWD only?

There are Subarus that come to mind as well as the BMW E46 325i & xi... Audi A3/4, Volvos, Acuras & VWs out the wazoo and pretty much anything else you can name that isn't a flagship can be had for that money.

Ok, I just mean that I don't want anything that is RWD. I have a Mustang and driving in the snow is no fun in that thing, lol.

I have never driven one but looking at your criteria the Mitsubishi Lanser is something I would check out.

I strongly recommend the Chevrolet Cobalt SS. Kind of like knocking around with the cute chubby girl, It may be a little embarrassing to think of but once you hop in and drop the hammer you will love it.

V8er wrote: I have never driven one but looking at your criteria the Mitsubishi Lanser is something I would check out.

speaking of hopping onto the ugly chubby girl....

The Lancer is just what I sold. It was a good little car for me, but it was very boring and the trans was starting to go.

The Cobalt SS is a good idea. I think I might look into that.

I know that the perceived answer on this web site is Miata.... but in this case I would say HONDA

Open up the price or mileage requirements just slightly and go for a Mini Cooper S. I'd bet the improved resale makes it cheaper to own over time than the non-S anyway.

+1 on the cooper s

Cobalt SS FTW...Seriously...Or MINI Cooper S...

You also might think about the 2002-2005 Civic SI. Cheap, fun to drive, etc...

Chris

Snow tires? C'mon, unless you're in the mountains RWD in the snow isn't that bad

First off to answer your question 01-04 neon R/T http://forum.2gn.org/viewtopic.php?t=44640 ^ one of the cleanest ones Ive seen in a while and a great owner

If you are intent on spending your maximum there are a few good 04-05 SRT-4s for that money just be a little more careful when looking for one.

Dealers are also all but giving Caliber SRTs away you cant get one for 12k unless you find used.

I still dont get the appeal of minis Im sorry but they are so far overpriced its insane. I dont imagine it being much fun to work on. The clutch and shifter on every single one Ive driven(I was looking at them a while ago Ive driven 8 different ones including a non-S) was for lack of a better term stupid. The center speedo, window switches, and, the hood latch being on distinctly the wrong side all bothers me its done for no other reason than to cut production costs and they are/were the most expensive small car I can think of. They are a hoot to drive though.

Id say if you want fun fwd for $12k buy a nice (hard to find) srt-4.

BUT, thats not what i would do by a long shot. For $12k you can get damn near anything, seriously. If you care about driving in rain and snow, buy an awd!

Buy a turbo 5spd subaru baja. If you're lucky you can occasionally find them for 12k, they're pretty quick, awd, ground clearance, a truck bed, and the sti aftermarket. They're omni-awesome.

but if you want fuel efficiency and fwd id buy a late 90s civic vx hatch for 3-6 or an early 00s insight for 6-10... but not much fun there.

neon r/t is a safe bet, they're fun, cheap, and get great mileage.

I dont know how you didnt have fun in a mazda 3, honestly..

VR-4 Spyder

Or see if you can get this for ~12k.. it should hold value or go up instead of down and ive never heard anyone say a bolt-on vr-4 didnt go 12s (=fun?)

sorry by the code of the orange cone, this car must be suggested in every thead:

Miata

More in line with your original question how about a CRX si or civic si

Vigo wrote: VR-4 Spyder Or see if you can get this for ~12k.. it should hold value or go up instead of down and ive never heard anyone say a bolt-on vr-4 didnt go 12s (=fun?)

The guy says he wants something that gets good mileage and is reliable, and you come back with this? Really?

Me personally I'm starting to lean towards a ~2000 or so Civic hatchback in the best condition I can find should my Oldsmobile need replacement.

The guy says he wants something that gets good mileage and is reliable, and you come back with this? Really?

Well if he only wanted fwd, good mileage, and reliable, 10 of that 12k is basically being tossed to the wind.. if you're gonna spend the whole 12k, might as well get something thats not gonna depreciate no comment on the baja so you must hold those in a little higher esteem..

I mean, honestly, you could buy a reliable fwd good mileage AND a vr-4 EASILY.

Im selling an 04 mazda3 auto thats been dead reliable and gets 35-42 mpg on the highway.. for 5k. You could build 3-4 of my challenge car (only 250 hp and 30 mpg tho..) with the leftovers.

So buy my mazda.. ill deliver for the price of gas. If i sell it i can afford a baja..

Miata is the answer!

Ok not really.....but someone had to say it.

Miata in reverse is FWD

And rear wheel steer!

+2 on the Cobalt SS. Try the Saturn Ion Redline as well. Same powertrain with easier back seat access. (If that is a factor for you)