So here's my deal. I'm hoping to be getting a promotion by summer's end, and my celi is bumping 150,000... I want a new car because I will be able to afford it, for one, and im not down for buying new struts on my car at this point with a headgasket that could go anytime soon (compression test at 114,000 showed a leaky cylinder, and she burns oil quite a bit)... that said, I've always had a few cars on my mind, plus some new ones to consider. Ive always wanted a miata, but the second gen is a very tight squeeze for me, and the new ones are roomier, but i'd be getting a stripper model... Always liked the last preludes, but the chances of finding a nice low milage one are slim... The new civic coupe is what im leaning towards for now, but I havent driven it yet, and the last one was WAY too wheezy for my taste (dont think i'd want an Si's insurance rates, or need it's please give me tickets speedy reputation). The new honda fit has really caught my eye because at 16 G, its super cheap for what you get, fairly quick, and awsome on fuel... MR2 spyder has been coming up in my head latly, but matienece has to be no fun in a MR car... Im open to suggestions, but realistic ones. If i go used, i dont want more that 50XXX on it, and my budget I'd like to keep at about 22Gs TOPS (meaning tax, title, license)... My big thing is I like somewhat unique cars, so dont point me at a WRX, ok?

Go for the miata, the new ones are going for under msrp now. Can't go wrong with them, rwd, top down in the sun, best handling car you can buy for the money nooo brainer!

Toyota Prius, and just put rims on it. Cars are pretty sexy (not so fast tho) but 60 mpg on the highway cant be beat.

get chanh's car - for 5 g -

i agree, chanh's car for $5k. can't get much more unique than that. with that said... i know you don't want the new civic si, but there's a reason it got the car of the year award. so i'd probably go with that, and i'm really not a honda guy.

How about a low mile Acura RSX Type S?

well if you like the preludes but cant find a low mile age one, your in luck, the owner of a restaurant is selling his, original owner, 19,000 miles, 5speed SH, pearl while, clean interior, no mods, 200hp, its a REALLY nice car, he wants 12K for it. its a 98'

my friend is selling her 2001 prelude SE with 40,000ish km's on it, it's silver, manual transmission, black leather interior, and it's always been kept in amazing condidition (female driver, too). it's a great car, she's looking to get i think $16,000ish Canadian, so like a little less than $15,000 american.

mitsubishi mirage, they go for like 5 grand with 50k miles so get one with no engine for dirt cheap, swap a 4g63 from japan with 30k miles for about 2 grand, and then evo 5 body kit.. u wont see those around

audi TT, theyre not that expensive. my buddy got a used one with 20k miles on it for 18grand and the luxury in those things are awesome plus its got some power to it.

bboy

Probably at the very top of your price range but, I've always liked the Mercedes SLK 320 or the SLK 230 Kompressor.

Id agree with Jay, go for the RSX, they are fairly roomy, quick, good price and (if you decide you want to fix your car up, its a great choice if you want a unique car ima have to say stay away from a civic, cuz everyone and their mom drives a civic. Also if you like the exotics look around hard for a Supra, ive seen some for way under 20k, they had like 60-70k miles, but still.

This post has been edited by JFrost9: Apr 6, 2006 - 5:19 PM

thanks for the suggestions I've kinda forgotten about the RSX, and ive driven a few type S's, and as awsome as they are, i really dont like the styling of the car Not only that, but the insurance is prolly civic si territory, and i'd much prefer that car. The used germans are way nice cars, but I'm not going to buy anything that dosent have a good reliablity track record, and neither of the two mentioned do... the prelude is my "practical" choice (it actually has a back seat), but the certainty of finding a nice used one at summers end is up in the air- and i'd like to find one in the area... if you guys havent noticed, I usually go for coupe body styles unless its a complete box (id way rather have the wagon versions of the mazda 6 or a legacy anyday)... I take it not too many people on here have practial knowledge about miatas and what its like to live with one?

Ill agree with Jay also. The RSX is real good choice and i believe it meets all your requirements. Plus you dont have to worry about a turbo set up like Chan's choice. Or if you go w/ the Miata, I'd say got w/ the mazdaspeed version, but again, its turbo. So i dont know if you want to deal with maintaince. I like the VW 2dr GTI, but Im not familiar w/ the maintainace is on VW.

OR IF YOUR LUCKY maybe you can find a LEXUS SC300, like this. Even a Solaro, I like those too. Then there are many SUVs or trucks that fit in there too. I like the 4 door Tacoma or Frontier? But you cant go wrong with honda/acura either. Sporty, great on gas, easy to maintain, and quick enough.

David

This post has been edited by ToYCeLi8: Apr 6, 2006 - 9:44 PM

Thats cool i guess, the rsx is a pretty specific taste...My neighbor drives an older miata, well a 99 i think, and he loves it. Ive never tried to fit in it as i am 6'5, but it seems like a nice car. He always talks about the handling and how much he likes the turns on the car. Hes only had it for a couple months so we dont know much about the maintenance yet, but it seems like a nice car.

>

I'd LOVE a SC coupe like that, was thinking about buying one as a first car actually, but it would have to be a stick, and they are ultra rare...

no one has said tc...though its not rare anymore its still a very nice car and alot of options for the price.

you said no to the wrx...so thats out

the new camry is wicked nice

rsx type s but that might be over 22k.

civic coupe

dunno what else

Yes, a tC.

Ive driven a TC and its definetly not sporty enough for me- it drives like a big car...

>

I wasn't aware of the reliability issues with the SLKs... Sorry.

What about an S2000? You can find the 2000-2002s for right around $20,000.

>

Great suggestion, except for price sensitivity on the insurance.

This post has been edited by jgreening: Apr 7, 2006 - 2:51 PM

LOL
Insurance is overrated.

Audi tt or S4.

Since I see insurance is a consideration in your choice, maybe these quotes would help you:

Prices for Full Coverage every 6 months for me:
1995 Celica GT 1300
2006 Scion tC 1077
2002 Lexus IS300 1403
1999 Infiniti G20 1025
2003 Honda Civic Sedan 1154
2005 Mazda 3i Sedan 1175
2002 Acura RSX 1283
2002 Acura RSX-S 1368

Just as a fyi to whats cheaper and whats not. All of the above Ive considered for my next car.