Need help choosing fun used car for $8000 Update: I bought it! Picture inside!

[DougoMan]

Sadly my Mazda Protege was recently in an accident, and the insurance company only valued it at $8,000. So being a poor recent college grad, I need to find a good replacement for a reasonable price.

I'm open to any ideas so long as it's fun to drive and has a manual transmission, and is in the $8,000 price range. So far I'm consider these:

2004 Mazda 3S: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2723321433.html

2003 Volkswagon GTI: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/2751479025.html

2003 Volkswagon GTI VR6 (!): http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/2745533566.html

2001 BMW 330i: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ctd/2746626509.html

1997 BMW 328i: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2740003547.html


I've always wanted a 3 series, particularly the 90s version, but something tells me it will be more trouble than it is worth. 1997 or even 2001 is getting pretty old for a daily driver.

Mazda 3 seems like a safe bet, and my last car was a Mazda and served me well. VW GTI is a little more my size and has always been well regarded among enthusiasts, and I like German cars in general. That VR6 is rare too, which is cool.

What say you guys?


update 2: See post 57 for a picture of my car!

update 3: Crashed it.

 

[alfa147x]

2004 Mazda 3s.

It's easy. You have a semi-low budget meaning that you don't want to pour money into the car. It has the least miles and it's the youngest.

Financially this is the best route.

 

[Imported]

Does it need to be a sedan/practical?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2749528916.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2751814259.html

 

[vi edit]

Coincidentally I've owned both a GTi (VR6) and a Mazda3s (5 door). They both have their high points and low points.

The high points for the VW is the exhaust warble...it's just one of the best sounding stock V6 exhausts you'll hear. Also the torque...drop that thing in 2nd or 3rd and it pulls like a bull (for it's engine size anyway). It's also very comfortable on the highway and solid feeling. Down side is 2 doors, sloppy ass clutch/gearbox and the VW reliability. The VR6 was a reliable engine. Much better than the 1.8t's. But maintenance isn't cheap. You'll want to find an independent Euro mechanic.

The 3s is like a go cart. Very crisp, almost clinical suspension and handling. Clutch and gearbox was one of the best I've ever used. Comfortable seating position and well appointed. It's slower than the GTi, and no where as grunty. Dropping into 3rd and mashing the gas when passing doesn't give that same rush that the VR6 does. But it gets better milage, is ultimately going to be more reliable, cheaper to insure, and cost less for parts.

No comment on the BMW's. They'll take the cons of the VW and expand upon that as far as cost and repairs.

 

[ballmode]

RSX-S for the sporty/cargo fuel econ

You could probably find a Mazdaspeed Miata for that price.

Do you need 4 doors?

 

[satyajitmenon]

Stay away from the BMWs if you don't have extra spare cash to spend on repairs when (not if) you need them. For their age (1997-2001), even if the previous owner spent a butt load on maintenance, you'll still have to shell out as parts wear out due to age.

They're fun to drive. And you'll definitely enjoy them. But based on your current situation, the Mazda 3S sounds like the best bang for your buck.

 

[vi edit]

Another one to look at is the WRX. If you can find one that isn't totally ragged out in that price range.

 

[ballmode]

oh yeah WRX in wagon form is usually from an adult owner who wanted cargo space.

 

[vi edit]

Yet another suggestion is the Focus ZX5. Dirt cheap, fun to drive, should be availble in a 5 speed. Decent milage & reliability once they got through the first couple model years.

 

[JCH13]

Does it need to be a sedan/practical?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2749528916.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2751814259.html

Came here to say this. Talk about inexpensive to maintain and reliable :thumbsup:

 

[DougoMan]

I'm not really into convertibles, so no Miata.

The RSX is interesting and not something I had thought of. Even the slowest, the 3, has more torque though.

WRX is cool, but I'd be concerned about the reliability of a turbo engine.

I'm increasingly thinking any one of these would be fun and age appropriate - the 3, WRX, GTI or RSX - So it might just come down to finding one that is in really good condition nearby.

That V6 is the GTI would be so awesome though. I've never had a V6 with a manual transmission.

 

[manimal]

Cost of ownership wont be that different on the 3 series you have looked at vs Volkswagen.

Audi a4 or a6 with under 100k can be had for this price as well. If your not handy at all though stay away from European imports altogether.

With 8k for a fun DD thats practical you could always go with a slightly older civic si manual and do some mods.

 

[kornphlake]

How 'bout a Cobalt SS or SRT-4, I don't think they'd be any more problematic than the German vehicles you're looking at, although not quite as refined.

Cobalt ss
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/2752259443.html

SRT-4
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2751885626.html
lots of mods, may not be a good daily driver - http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/2711841864.html
Spoiler if you're into that kind of thing - http://stockton.craigslist.org/cto/2732614766.html

 

[sniperruff]

If I have to pick from that list, probably the GTI 1.8T. You can probably talk down to low $5k's vs. the mid $8k's for the VR6.

If I can pick anything - I'd look for a post-2002 Ford Focus, maybe even an SVT.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-F...5604175?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3cbfc82acf

And if you want a conservative mid-size, you should be able to pick up a mid-2000's V6 Accord/Altima/Camry/Maxima for that money.

 

[jlee]

If you can stretch the budget a little above 8k, I might be persuaded to sell a 13 second Forester..

 

[senseamp]

Mazda3. That is all

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

I think the saying "Only a rich man buys a used BMW" applies...

 

[NutBucket]

If you can stretch the budget a little above 8k, I might be persuaded to sell a 13 second Forester..

Sure, just get it smog legal for CA first

But I too will suggest a WRX. Hell, we've got two!

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I think the saying "Only a rich man buys a used BMW" applies...

This and the VW's will be just as bad.

 

[DougoMan]

A WRX would be pretty sweet. I would be looking at an '02 with around 100,000 miles in my price range though. Do you think upkeep would be bad on that?

 

[ballmode]

as long as the tranny hasn't been abused, and the turbo is in good shape the engines are good.

not legendary like a supra, but if you mod it make sure it gets a good tune. I'm at 60k miles with a stage 1 tune/sti turbo, and no hiccups... mine runs rich

 

[Arkaign]

If you search, you can find the Saab 9-2X Aero, which was made for two years ('04/'05 I think, or thereabouts). It's a WRX in Saab clothing with an improved interior and even a parts from the STI bin. I've seen them pop up from time to time in Autotrader for very good prices, probably because almost nobody has even heard of them before.

Worth a shot in any case.

Example :

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...=b&num_records=25&cardist=1000&standard=false

Another good thing is a Saab is about 100x less likely to have been hot-rodded by a 20-something than a WRX.

 

[halik]

Sadly my Mazda Protege was recently in an accident, and the insurance company only valued it at $8,000. So being a poor recent college grad, I need to find a good replacement for a reasonable price.

I'm open to any ideas so long as it's fun to drive and has a manual transmission, and is in the $8,000 price range. So far I'm consider these:

2004 Mazda 3S: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2723321433.html

2003 Volkswagon GTI: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/2751479025.html

2003 Volkswagon GTI VR6 (!): http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/2745533566.html

2001 BMW 330i: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ctd/2746626509.html

1997 BMW 328i: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2740003547.html


I've always wanted a 3 series, particularly the 90s version, but something tells me it will be more trouble than it is worth. 1997 or even 2001 is getting pretty old for a daily driver.

Mazda 3 seems like a safe bet, and my last car was a Mazda and served me well. VW GTI is a little more my size and has always been well regarded among enthusiasts, and I like German cars in general. That VR6 is rare too, which is cool.

What say you guys?

You can get a far better deal on an E46 4 series in that price range. My brother has had a 2000 325 coupe for going on 6 years /70K with zero issues. Only maintenance items were ball joints and bushings.

 

[halik]

I think the saying "Only a rich man buys a used BMW" applies...

If you're mechanically inept or can't afford scheduled maintenance. Reliability is a function of the latter.

But more generally, those sayings are propagated by people that lease camrys, think turbos expire exactly at 100K miles, proper oil interval is 3K miles and have their mid life crisis sedans serviced at firestone.

 

[ballmode]

what STI parts came on this saabs, I've heard and seen them. Seats look a little funky, but the lights, and plastics look better.