timhill78

iTrader: (3)

Here's the deal I have my car that I love so now it's time to get the wife a newer car. I have $7000 to spend and would like not to have to finance it. The only real restiction is that she likes automatics . Something in a wagon would nice but ideally it would be somewhat fun to drive. Any suggestions would be great. I was thinking a subaru but since it got icy here a month or so ago they are way to pricy for what they are. She likes the scion xb but we would have to finance it and it's a little..... .

FSTASNTZ

Not sure of current resale values, but the Protege 5 would be a nice one. Sporty, decent room and FWD.

TurboTim

iTrader: (9)

I love my '97 Subaru Outback Sport (Impreza wagon with 1" more ground clearance, two tone, etc). Kicks *** in the snow and it was just a turbo away from being fun. I bought it last year with 98xxx miles for $4000 at a dealer. I know when i was looking there were plenty of automatics. I looked at Protege 5's too but they seemed to be around $9000, out of my price range.

Arkmage

iTrader: (3)

you can never go wrong with subaru, but I also agree with FSTASNTZ... the P5 is a great little car and should be in your price range by now if you shop around a little.

timhill78

iTrader: (3)

I never thought about the p5. humm....

jayc72

iTrader: (14)

I owned a P5 for about 3 years. Great car, never had any problems with it at all. I had the automatic and it worked ok, well as well as an automatic can. The only big issues I've seen are surface rust on the hatchback under the Mazda and Protege5 emblems, issues with siezed calipers and the early 02's having problems with the flywheel and clutch chattering.

Don't think you could really go wrong with one, and on the plus side they are fun to drive if you find yourself behind the wheel.

Jay

thepope540

I have an MP3 that cannot be beat for DD duties (5 spd. though) So I would recomend the P5 or my wife drives a Focus ZX3 and I have to say that it is a great little car. Cheap on gas, will carry anything and everything, four guys and all of there camping gear can go to the track for weekend with no problem. I have stolen the Focus twice now for weekend trips to mid-ohio.

disturbedfan121

iTrader: (5)

um...you could always look at the imprezza 2.5TS...um...P5 is a great choice...cant realy think of anything to recomend lol

Arkmage

iTrader: (3)

my wife likes her taurus... I just don't like the whole buying a new tranny every 75-80K miles thing.

FSTASNTZ

A-MEN


Disturbedfan121, the 2.5 Impreza, I agree, also a good choice. They have been made for a few years, so that price range should not be hard to meet.

cueball1

iTrader: (13)

This is a sleeper cheap car. No one will know you spent under 10K.

Saab 9-5 wagon. You can find really nice ones around year 2000 for well under 10K. Loaded, luxury, AT, Turbo, reliable and a great looking wagon. The nice thing about Saabs is most owners are really good with keeping up on maintainance.

I'm in OR also. My wife drives a 9-5 Aero sedan. For less than a similar mileage Accord, Camry or Subie, you can have a distinctive car everyone will assume cost a bunch of mullah. Cooled glove box, heated and ventilated seats, power everything, great fit and finish. Check ebay, craigslist, traderonline, etc. Guaranteed she will love the way they drive.

cueball1

iTrader: (13)

Tim,

Where are you at in Oregon. I'm just starting to aquire parts for my turbo build. Be interesting to see what you've done if you're in my area.

Jefe

iTrader: (7)

pssst...You know you drive a miata...right??? :gay: :gay:

I have a 03 P5. Which currently is set up better then my miata...
Issues: Clutch shatter (more annoying then anything else) (turning the flywheel fixes it though)..
OEM brake pads only good for 35K
@50K miles both front wheel bearings needed replacement (TSB-- screw up at plant)
Don't ever seperate the lower ball joint, unbolt the lower control arm, the ball joint is only replaced as a unit ~$200 bucks..
Not the greatest gas mileage compared to a Honda or Toyota...
Aftermarket community is very small compared to others..

How much coin are you planning to drop into a used car for R&R? or does the 7K include that? A good used Corolla can be had for 5 or 6K, then use the extra for new suspension and timing belt.

SamS

iTrader: (2)

My dad had a '03 Subaru Impreza 2.5TS which we installed an AVO turbo kit into. Very fun at only 6psi and total sleeper. We put on a Cobb exhaust before we did the turbo install, sounded great. Last summer he removed the turbo after he couldn't pass emissions and traded the Subie in on an '07 Passat Wagon.

timhill78

iTrader: (3)

[QUOTE=Jefe;82792]


pssst...You know you drive a miata...right??? :gay: :gay:

Oh yeah.


I'm in depoe Bay,
Or

akaryrye

iTrader: (5)

If you can get it, try to go for a saab 92x aero/linear. It is based upon the subaru impreza chasis and you might be able to score one for cheaper than an impreza. I owned a 92x aero wagon for about a year and it was an awesome car because it was a wrx wagon in disguise. check my cardomain page for pictures.

rotaryjunky

iTrader: (3)

My wife wanted a P5 but I found her a 98 accord for $5K and is an excellent car. Great for trips and handles well. The P5 is sportier and they sure handle nice. Get a sube if you live in the crap, though.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

auto in a daily driver > *