Topic: Looking for a car

[eigenvector]

Yes I know, a car.

Having owned my Ranger for almost 17 years now, I am beginning to realize that I need something more civilized.  Something I can put around town in, commute to work in the winter, drive over the passes on the holidays.  The Ranger has served me well, and will continue to do so, but it's just too banged up to be the primary car.  Plus it's just horrid in the snow.

Trouble is - I've been poking around the various dealers and I don't see anything I like.  I've ridden motorcycles so long I just am not a car guy.
Ford was my first stop - they don't have anything right now that I care about.  Either it's a cheapo or super expensive.  I'd love a Fusion - but Jesus Ford, I'm not a multi-millionare!
Toyota - basically Prius or nothing
Lexus - I don't have that much money
Subaru - maybe???
Chevy - haven't looked yet
Honda - haven't looked but I'm guessing I don't have that much money.

Basically looking for a 2 or 4 door sedan that I can take another few human's along with.

[Gene]

Honda Fit.  It's small but roomy inside.  Truth be told I don't know how it would handle in the snow but I loved mine - and they're fairly inexpensive.

[colvinry]

01 Honda Accord. 5-speed. 800 bucks, nicest, easiest to fix car I have owned!


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[Retro Rocket]

Do you guys get the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6... Small and medium sized cars that are ultra reliable, drive well and look good too...

[BomberMann650]

I'm a mopar fan.

But for snow, an awd subaru is capable.  Saw vw's and yota's chaining up or turning back on the road to the ski resort.  The scooby's just kept truckin.

[Retro Rocket]

I'm a mopar fan.

But for snow, an awd subaru is capable.  Saw vw's and yota's chaining up or turning back on the road to the ski resort.  The scooby's just kept truckin.

Pfffft   Snow, whats snow....?   

[BomberMann650]

I'm a mopar fan.

But for snow, an awd subaru is capable.  Saw vw's and yota's chaining up or turning back on the road to the ski resort.  The scooby's just kept truckin.

Pfffft   Snow, whats snow....?   

Crystallized molecules of h2o

[Gene]

I have a friend who swears by Subaru - a nice, sturdy, reliable vehicle. 

Re: the Mazda 3's - yeah, we have those here.  I've never driven one.

[Retro Rocket]

I have a friend who swears by Subaru - a nice, sturdy, reliable vehicle. 

Re: the Mazda 3's - yeah, we have those here.  I've never driven one.

Look into the subaru's engine problems, excessive oil consumption, I'm not up to date with this but I have heard of certain model engines being problematic...  My son has a Mazda 6 wagon , its a very nice car drives and handles great, I drove it to Sydney{1000K's} a couple of months back, It loved it. My friend has just bought {well I bought it for her} her second Mazda 3 and i've driven both, great little cars.... The 3 is smaller than the 6...

[eigenvector]

I'm looking at the Impreza's right now. They don't seem to be too bad.

Maybe a Civic Coupe.

I can swing 25k max.

[Mantree]

I think Subarus are fantastic in the snow but I don't fit in them I had a 4runner that was OK in the snow and I just bought a 00 xterra with a 5 speed and limited slip rear 4x4, I haven't had it in the snow yet but I got in to some mud loaded down for camping in a state forest and it handled well.

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[Mantree]

I have a friend who swears by Subaru - a nice, sturdy, reliable vehicle. 

Re: the Mazda 3's - yeah, we have those here.  I've never driven one.

Look into the subaru's engine problems, excessive oil consumption, I'm not up to date with this but I have heard of certain model engines being problematic...  My son has a Mazda 6 wagon , its a very nice car drives and handles great, I drove it to Sydney{1000K's} a couple of months back, It loved it. My friend has just bought {well I bought it for her} her second Mazda 3 and i've driven both, great little cars.... The 3 is smaller than the 6...

I haven't had much experience with subaru models but my legacy was one of my best cars. The 2.2 ej22 was a fantastic engine... it burnt some oil but it was at 320k on the original engine when I got rid of it but the front dif was blown out causing it to drive in rear wheel drive

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[Lostboy Steve]

Subaru is far too often overlooked. They are probably one of the best Japanese cars right now. Yes I am a mechanic, and no I don't own one but if I ever buy a new vehicle again I might. Other than that... Mid to late 90s Hondas. Old toyota but no 00's corollas. New Chevy and ford are both pretty nice. Stay away from Nissan (sorry Nissan guys) they are junk. I have put more engines in due to valve train damage lately than I'd like to remember. Just my .02, Hyundai and Kia have come a long way as well.


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[TomsK8resto]

I'm looking at the Impreza's right now. They don't seem to be too bad.

Maybe a Civic Coupe.

I can swing 25k max.

I think the Civic Coupe would be a great choice and I think you could swing one for that amount.  Good luck.

Tom

[BomberMann650]

Hell with a 25k budget you could get a fully loaded kia brand new!  Haha

[eigenvector]

We'll see how it goes.  I'm just about to refinance the house, was thinking I might slip a car in there while I'm at it.

That Coupe does look like the right car, and I am a pretty solid Honda fan.

[krusty]

Yep, Subaru Forester or Outback would be my suggestion.
We've had quite a few over the years (since 1976) and they've never given any trouble. Reliable as heck. We now have a 2010 diesel Forester, eldest son has a 2.5 Forester and younger son has a 2006 2.5 Forester XT turbo. We once had a 1984 Auto Touring Wagon which was great in snow (some parts of Oz do get snow) when we used to go skiing. Never had to fit chains but we carried them anyway.

[NobleHops]

Family and friends have had bad experiences with Subaru head gaskets and excessive oil consumption at sub-100K miles. A friend recently got the engine replaced under warranty, but my brother was told "too bad". I personally would not own a Subaru.

[Lostboy Steve]

Diesel?!?!? #$%* man, the USA never gets stuff like that.

[DH]

We'll see how it goes.  I'm just about to refinance the house, was thinking I might slip a car in there while I'm at it.

That Coupe does look like the right car, and I am a pretty solid Honda fan.

My 96 hatch with 5 speed serves as a third car. 700 bucks (thru family member). 221,000 and still goes good, especially in snow with very little fuel.
Parts availability very good in salvage yards, and cheap too. Common as dirt, but excellent transportation.

[70CB750]

My oldest got a Volvo for college - she is 3rd year in Morgantown - nice space but european cars are trouble and pain in the a ss to work on.

I would go diesel anytime, diesel and station wagon, haha.

[flybox1]

My V70 wagon was a btich to work on.  Fun car to drive, but never again. 
Loved my 98Subaru Outback Ltd (240k mi), and would definitely get another. 

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Just bought a new 2016 Subaru Impreza with 16 miles for my daughter. $12781 with what those of us in Colorado Springs would consider mild hail damage. Warranty included. Roof and hood only. Dentless will take care of it. List was $19860. They have a few more. The cars here have been decimated by hail this season. Golf ball and larger sized multiple times. Her Mini Cooper S was totaled. My 07 Subie Outback is close to being totaled from an earlier storm. I've had the Outback since 12/14. After driving my loyal Acura Legend with one wheel front drive for 25 years this Subaru makes me almost feel invincible when it snows. It was rated at 26mpg (I think) and my recent 150 mile drive to work netted 35.1mpg when I arrived. Averaged out at 30+ after returning and regaining the 2000+ ft in elevation.

Just read Noble's. Yeah Subies have been noted with oil consumption and head gaskets. I bought mine at 148,000 miles. I wouldn't have bought it had the Honda dealer not done the head gaskets, water pump and timing belt. I wouldn't buy any used interference engine car at or near 100K without verifying maintenance. It like my daughters previous 07 Subie Impreza both do 1000 miles/qt usually. After owning the Acura I had to learn to check oil levels. It supposedly has been addressed by Subaru so I'm hoping the new Impreza is better. Helluva deal as the used car pickings here are just as expensive as her new one was plus very limited with the MANY thousands of cars that were totaled.

[flybox1]

Hey Jerry 

[Bankerdanny]

$25k should give you a lot of options.

Consider certified used too. Record new car sales means that there are a LOT of used cars out there, so prices are low. Certified typically gets you a longer warranty and you get the advantage of the depreciation already being factored in.

I've been considering replacing my '02 Saab 9-3 with 120k miles. Things are starting to need repair regularly and I drive for Uber on weekends, so a Saturday spent in the garage = $200 in lost income plus the cost of parts, almost a car payment.

I am seeing a lot of 2014-2015 cars with 15k-20k miles for $15k and under. Push to $20k and you can get some really nice cars.