|
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4 |
<ignores above comment>
I saw the GSX today, nice car, clean but I have reservations about reliability.
I also drove the following cars:
Mazda 6 w/ 5 speed
Mazda 3 w/ 5 speed
Nissan Altima SE V6 slushbox
VW Jetta 1.8-T w/ 5 speed
Hyundai Tiburon V6 w/ 6 speed
All brand new. Still confused about what to get. All had good and bad points, some were too expensive once I got the options I liked, etc.
Anyway, much research will be done tonight and tomorrow. Whee... <wags exhausted finger in air>
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,580
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,580 |
Mazda6, Mazda4, or Altima. I say.  I had a 97 Contour, was nice until 70K and had a few things go bad. But my '00 (double naught) has been great.
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8 SE, Code Red. '00 Tropic Green Ford Escort SE [Contour's little cousin]
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 771
Veteran CEG\'er
|
|
Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 771 |
The Mazda's and the Nissan will probably be best choices for dependability. The Jetta will likely be more troublesome than the Japanese cars, but it will have that German driving experience, and will most likely be the most fun to drive and have the most supportive seats.
Hyundai is improving in quality, and a few years ago, I would have recommended you avoid them, but the newest models seem to be on par with the best Japanese cars for quality. The Tiburan is a distinctly different car from the others you've suggested, its a two door sporty coupe, while the others are four door sedans. Resale value on the Hyundai will probably be worse than the other cars.
-Mark-
'99 Mystique LS, totally original (including the original water pump and the premium stereo)! Bought new in December 1998 for $21,000.
208,000 miles
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 109
CEG\'er
|
|
CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 109 |
Well, we need a lot more information about your driving habits to give a meaningful reply. Do you have a family? Four doors required? Do you value performance over reliability or utliity? Will the car be modded?
The Mazda 3 is quite a nice car for around 20K, but without more info, I'm afraid we're all just shooting in the dark.
Lee K
Lee K
98 SVT Contour, silver (sold after 7 years and 100K miles)
03 Lancer Evolution, red
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,166
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,166 |
Just some advice. In terms of research for used cars, definately go to the Library and get the Consumer Reports Annual Used Car magazine. It has a good overview for comparison parts.
As mentioned above, we would need to know your driving habits, price range, and also if you're willing to do any work on your car. I've found that this car can have some things go wrong with it, but parts aren't that bad (except for some things), and with this site you're able to do almost anything. That alone has saved me a ton of money.
I'm interested to know your opinion of the cars you've testdriven.
Also, I know a bunch of people with absolute horror stories with the VWs. Its been enough to scare me away from them for a while. Plus their repair costs are through the roof!
- Zack
WANTED: T-Red HEATED Side Mirrors
FOR SALE: 4 14" Alum Alloys and Nearly New Avid H4s Tires w/ Center Caps
2000 T-Red SVT
1995 LX V6 MTX (RIP)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,116
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,116 |
My Talon is up to 180,000 miles on it with no problems at all. Just don't hammer on the thing day in and day out, upgrade to huge amounts of horsepower, change oil and you will be fine. I live in Northern Mn and I only have the FWD, and it handles GREAT! Aftermarket parts are very easy to come by also. That is just my two cents on the situation...I would go for it.
95 SE MTX
svt exhaust
intake
deer killer
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,016
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,016 |
You can get a used Subie WRX for under $20k. Stick, quick, and all-wheel drive for those winters. Sounds like a winner to me. 
2006 Mazdaspeed6
1997 Yamaha YZF1000R Thunderace
1996 Volvo 850-R
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,431
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,431 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,117
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,117 |
From 5/14/2004: "I plan to buy by Monday (5/17) so quick responses are most welcome!!!1/5/05 Originally posted by Kokopellian:
You can get a used Subie WRX for under $20k. Stick, quick, and all-wheel drive for those winters. Sounds like a winner to me.
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 709
Veteran CEG\'er
|
|
Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 709 |
I wasn't sure why he didn't try fixing the tour. If he got it for cheap because of hail damage and doesn't want a car payment and there was only 40k on the clock seems like fixing the tranny would have been warranted. I guess we'll never know!
|
|
|
|
|
