I'm pretty done with driving my car to work/school everyday. Also its nice to have a backup when one car breaks, peace of mind, etc etc. Especially when its going to see track time.

A list of wants:
>less than $4000
>I would seriously prefer manual, but for the right car i could live with an auto.
>preferably not a fwd econobox. i would kill myself if i had to drive an appliance car like a camry or anything of the like. But needs vs wants, I'll do what I have to do.
>Hatchbacks are for kings and bosses.
>Isn't as small as a Miata.

I know its asking for a lot when you're trying to stay under 4k, but any suggestions?

I was leaning towards a mid 90's LS400 for ballermobile status, but the pricing seems a little steep. Suggestions I've heard so far are a crown vic, Lexus Sc300, some kind of subaru, or a 240sx. (I hate 240's.)

Toyotas would be nice, I work at a Toyota dealer = parts at cost.

Rape van for towing the Miata would be awesome, but I think DDing a van would make me cry a little bit.

 

EG hatch, Cherokee, Volvo 240, older Impreza, brostang, F bodys, Celica GT-S maybe.

 

I'm all about pimping a Lexus down the block. I bought an LS430 a few years ago and it was solid - super comfortable, plenty of power, and is still one of the most aerodynamic cars ever designed. I traded that for the IS300, so I bought a GS300 as a replacement daily. You should be able to get an early LS400 for $3500-4000.

 

Old ES300. All the reliability of a Camry...with leather!

 

For ---- ------- ---- ---- -------- ---- sake!

Sweet baby Jesus in a tuxedo shirt.... the answer to this question is always Volvo 240 series turbo. I don't give a crap how cool you think you are, if a lowered and tinted 240 wagon doesn't give you a boner, you probably sit down to pee.

Honestly Admins, we really a separate forum for "What should I buy" and the sticky needs to be just one post and locked and contain these pics:

 

^I'd have the black one.

Not to mention they do well in the snow, very well in my experience.

 

For 4K I'd buy a honda and enjoy the car for the next 15 years with little to no maintence.

 

THIS.

Integra LS, EG civic hatch?

Fun to drive, modify, and own. Good mpg, looks aight.

 

I'm going to jump on the Volvo bandwagon. Turbo 850 with a 5 speed swap. They're cheap. Parts are cheap. Wrecks are everywhere. If you can break one, then you shouldn't be operating heavy machinery. They look crappy... but none of the other options are appealing. And with a chip, those things move pretty well; at least for a car that's made specifically for middle class women to get in accidents.

 

Some Honda or Impreza. I recently picked up a '96 Outback sport with a roof rack for $800 with 160k on it. Replaced timing belt, WP, main and cam seals and the sucker runs like a champ. I picked up some used STi wheels and tires off craigslist for 500, some used sways off ebay for $150 and it's honestly the most useful/fun daily I've ever had, gotta love the size and wagon nature of it, dang near perfect. Mileage isn't super stellar at ~25 average (about 30 on the highway 22 in town) but it's really fun and great in the snow.

EG hatch or Accord would be my next choice. My wife has a 99 Accord she bought new in 99, it now has 220k on it and beyond factory scheduled maintenance, nothing has ever broken or shown signs of breaking.

 

Hmm, I'll keep the ls4xx in mind. Ballermobile would be cash.

Sure volvo 240s are ok. I just don't want one. At all. Not even a little. Sorry.

Subaru owners...what am I looking for here, and what should I absolutely stay away from? I don't know much about the models themselves other than the Impreza/wrx/whatever. I would love a Subie actually.

 

5 spd 2003+ Ford Focus with 2.3L motor and $230 SVT suspension.
With good tires the steering is quick and precise, and it hustles on mountain roads.

 

Some of the late '90s legacy wagons/sedans (like 98+) are known to blow head gaskets more often than the rest. Other than that, the valve cover gaskets, main seals and cam seals leak a lot because a lot of oil stays in the engine when it's off so the seals break down. You'll want to check between the block and timing cover for signs of oil leaking out. If there is some you'll want to replace the belt and seals quickly as with oil leaking on it, it's deteriorating rapidly and is a ticking time bomb.

Other than that, they're pretty solid little cars, the Imprezas tend to be a little tougher and way more fun to drive, I'd probably stick to those if I were you. The utility of the wagons is fantastic, the coupe is the lightest and stiffest of the bunch though with the sedan falling somewhere between. If you need the sedan space, I'd just get a wagon.

Also, don't get a 1.8, they're just as reliable as the others but they have 0 power. Also, stick the manuals, the auto tends to be a bit finicky.

 

Mercedes 300D. Cheap, incredibly reliable, nice contract to the Miata (land yacht with a very comfortable ride). Love the diesel engine.

 

If this turns into another ------- "buy a subaru" thread I swear to christ I'm going to write up a ------- petition for a shitaru section of mt.net

I'll only say this once, because it'll be quickly dismissed and I don't feel like arguing. But try a '94 or newer Saab 900. Turbo power, plenty luxurious interior, HUGE space in the back of a hatch, and they depreciate like crazy. You can get a '99-'00 9-3 for $3-$4k. Just avoid the convertibles and autos.

Decent example, but like I said avoid autos like this:
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/2829937609.html

 

Dodge Viper /thread

 

Hmm what about just doing payments, dealer car, whatever? I could pay it off within the year and it gives me a lot more options, nicer more well taken care of options. Or a loan, whatever.

I've found nothing but overpriced trash on the local Craigslist.

Feel free to tell me why this is a bad idea. I've never done any business with a dealership so im ignorant on this topic. Im going to see if there's any kind of employee hookup at my job, but I doubt it.

 

If CA is at all like the East Coast, this is a really carppy time to be buying a used car from a regular dealer, at least for something less than 5 or 6 years old. Seems that from 07 on, the number of leases fell, and took the supply of off-lease cars with it, so now used prices are inflated. My local off-lease wholesaler has gone insane - I might as well buy new.

 

it's a good time to buy new if you can haggle and get super cheap financing...

 

I'm looking for something older than that anyway. It would be unwise to put myself in that much debt right now as well.

I have an urge to check out the local Subaru dealer.