In the early stages of looking, 6k to 8.5k

[Yowen]

First off. I do not wont a honda civic, I'm sure you all know that thread, lol.

I have been able to narrow it down somewhat:

Pontiac Firebird (TA?) mid to late nineties: I was pleasantly surprised to find they are in my price range and can be gotten at relatively low mileage and it could be a fun car to upgrade in the future. V8 Power would be fun, but not very sensible, especially in michigan...

Ford Fusion up to 2006-ish: Always liked the look of these cars, except for the razorblade theme, I was happy to see that toned down in the newer model year, but anyway, I cant have everything. I am somewhat of a ford person and these seem like good sensible cars... Being based off of the mazda six, I hear its a good handler.

Ford Five Hundred: Just because they are huge, but I hear they handle like barges, not surprisingly... I do like the interior on the upper trim levels, much like the fusion.

Chevy Cobalt Coupe: Could be a fun little car with the manual 5spd. It's rather bland though. Although the rear spoiler and addition of some metalic bits in the interior on upper trim levels helps a little.

So thats the fruits of my research so far. As you can see I am kinda into buying american, which I think would probably be the best value in my budget anyway. I am currently in college so I figure I'll spend a little more than the 1500 I did on my last car as I do plan on graduating in 12 months with a pretty high likelyhood of a job. So yeah, I am broke like any college student, but am currently a zero debt student, so I figure I can handle some at this point.

Might I add on a sidenote, I was happy with my previous car up untill now. It is a 97 Jetta, but as some of you might know the auto trannies on those suck. Its starting to go at only 109.000 miles (so dont buy it if you see it on craigslist, lol). But it served me well for like 3 yrs, I bought it at 86.000 miles for 1500 bucks.

So yeah, I am just curious what some of you guys might have to offer up in the way of wisdom, advice, my financial decision here, whatever you might be able to contribute in my making a solid purchase in the next month or so. Thankyou

edit: wow, that post turned out pretty long, enjoy the read, lol

 

[StageLeft]

Nobody cross shops a 1996 firebird with a 2006 fusion. Get back to us when you have atleast the first clue of what you're looking for in a car.

 

[Yowen]

geee thanks. I feel like a posed some pretty straightforward questions.

And you just found the person that DOES cross shop those.

I figure anyone that happens to own one of these cars may be able to attest to their pitfalls, shortcomings etc.

I do have the first clue what I want in a car, I am just a little torn between something sensible versus something fun.

Would you like me to tell you I want a fusion? I sure can if it helps.

 

[Kroze]

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm looking to get the Acura rsx though

 

[desy]

Saturn Aura, or a Focus is better than a Cobalt

 

[Yowen]

The Aura is not exactly in my price range. My dads girlfriend has a Focus it has a pretty good deal of problems...

 

[TruePaige]

I won't be fooled twice. Read my recommendations in the infamous thread if you want.

 

[desy]

hmm Auras havent come down as much as I would have thought considering its a dead brand
Focuses started off crappy and got better over time, 03 and newer good, 05 and newer very good

 

[Yowen]

I won't be fooled twice. Read my recommendations in the infamous thread if you want.

lol I was just curious on some opinions of people that might have some of these cars, I wont bore you with craigslist ads or refute any car but a civic. and no thanks, I wont read that thread because its 17 pages that still end up him wanting a civic. So anyone that might have some useful pieces of advice, please treat me like someone genuinely interested in opionions and advice and dont put me in the same boat as a 16 year old wanting his first car, err... civic...

 

[StageLeft]

geee thanks. I feel like a posed some pretty straightforward questions.

And you just found the person that DOES cross shop those.

I figure anyone that happens to own one of these cars may be able to attest to their pitfalls, shortcomings etc.

I do have the first clue what I want in a car, I am just a little torn between something sensible versus something fun.

Would you like me to tell you I want a fusion? I sure can if it helps.

My point is you are only thinking you're cross-shopping them because you are posting about them on a forum. When push comes to shove there's no way in the world you'll test drive a 15 year old firebird and a late model fusion and be up in the air as to which one you're actually getting; you're clearly way too early in this process.

 

[exdeath]

Probably not what you're looking for but I can't help but suggest a MR2 Turbo at that price range if you want something with potential that is fun to tinker with.

 

[Yowen]

My point is you are only thinking you're cross-shopping them because you are posting about them on a forum. When push comes to shove there's no way in the world you'll test drive a 15 year old firebird and a late model fusion and be up in the air as to which one you're actually getting; you're clearly way too early in this process.

maybe I should put it in a different light for you/make it more obvious. From my post I assumed some people might see that I have a problem. Fun vs. Sensible. Maybe if you look at it that way you can tell me what your opinion is?

I was hoping for some people that may be able to attest to the (un)reliability of some of these cars to help me decide. I also am thankful for the post that gives me some ideas of Fusion model years that could be good. Gives me another option for me to research. Thanks

 

[Yowen]

Probably not what you're looking for but I can't help but suggest a MR2 Turbo at that price range if you want something with potential that is fun to tinker with.

hmm, I looked it up, does look like a fun car. But I honestly probably wouldn't look at it seriously. I'd like to stay under 100,000 miles. The ones I found in my area were at least 30,000 passed that. Which may not be so bad on a toyota. But then there also isn't a rear seat, I realize the firebird doesnt have much of one, but its still room to throw some bags and stuff.

 

[iGas]

IMHO, Fusion or 500/Taurus are great cars for the price.

I had a 89 Taurus SHO that I ran it into the ground (retired @ 180K miles) with very little trouble beside the regular maintenance.

My 01 Windstar so far haven't give me any trouble at 96K miles.

The only reason I got an 07 Camry SE a month a go is that I wanted a car that take less fuel and more fun on my commutes than the Windstar.

 

[alfa147x]

Look at the civic the seem to be what your looking for

 

[alimoalem]

I would go with a sedan. Imo, they're a lot more practical than a coupe (I have one now :/ ), and WAY more practical than a 2 passenger vehicle. And assuming this will be your only car, I would definitely stick with a sedan.

I don't know much about the cars you listed, but I would go with a newer car (2003+). To add a car to the list, what about a 2002+ Nissan Maxima? I think the 2000-2001 was the same body style, but a weaker V6 (3.0 vs 3.5). I think the 2004+ body style is out of your price range.

Actually, you mentioned the Fusion is based off the Mazda 6. Do you like either the Mazda 3/5/6?

 

[Yowen]

hah yeah, a coupe also means people are less likely to zero in on your car when its road trip time are time to choose a DD, lol. My old roommate had a Mazda 3, it was kinda cool. But I suppose I'd still be in favor of the fusion.

Also, those cobalts are available at stupid low mileages, something about those I dont know?

 

[PricklyPete]

Newer Ford Focus would be the best deal if you can deal with the looks (I'm not a fan). If you want something utilitarian...have you looked at used Hyundai offerings. Late model Hyundai's are surprisingly decent (if not boring) cars and reliable.

 

[Yowen]

I can't stand the way the foci look inside and am not a huge fan of the exterior, the newest models are ok, but out of my range. Also just not a fan of driving an econobox.

A fusion (manual might be more fun?) or a fivehundred seems like the ticket really.

Its just my roommate and I keep fantasizing about all the cool shit you can do with f-bodies for cheap. Gas isn't really an issue right now as a drive around 8,000 - 12,000 miles a year... Just the winter in an f-body is probably not so fun... Also when I do have people in my car, its usually short distances. On top of that, do I care about my rear passengers? Not really... They decided to need a ride, lol. But then again with gas prices on the inevitable rise, insurance going up...

I am just such a car nut that I can't shake the idea easily, my brain certainly tells me to though, haha.

Do you guys know how much more in insurance such a car would be over a fusion or similar sedan.

 

[chin311]

I drove some Ford 500's, the limited are very nice, esp inside. they drive as you'd expect. but its nice and quiet cruiser, i've heard mostly good things about them except for some tranny problems here and there but that varies.

im sure you could pick one up for around 8~k

 

[Yowen]

tranny problems as in not shifting when you want it to? Or as in breaking down?

 

[scorp00]

Get the fbody you will love it. I had a 95 and have a 00 now, definitely get a 98+ with an LS1 if you can. I'm only paying 62/month for full coverage for a single guy. You can do a lot to them and those corvette engines are amazing. You will save gas because no one want's to be crammed into the back seat so they offer to drive. You should be fine on snow tires if you know how to drive in the snow.

 

[Bignate603]

Are you financing or paying cash? Many banks will rape you on a loan for a 10 year old car. Also, the f body will probably have more little issues but will be easier to work on.

 

[Knavish]

If you don't mind the barge-type car you can always look at things like the Chevy / Buick / Pontiac / Olds type cars. (Impala, Malibu, Lesabre, Park Ave, Lacrosse, Lucerne, Bonneville, G6, Aurora, etc...)

I'm not sure which are more reliable than others, but I've seen the 3800 V6 go for 200-300k miles. I bet they're also significantly cheaper to work on than your current VW

 

[Zargon]

Probably not what you're looking for but I can't help but suggest a MR2 Turbo at that price range if you want something with potential that is fun to tinker with.

or lots of potential to have to constantly tinker with.

I would think the LT1 fbodys would be the same way however.


and a shitty ONLY car to own in Michigan. I have driven my dads Camaro in the snow, but never to try and get anywhere, it would be horrendous