New/used cars around $20,000

[B3RACER1a]

Well, I'm graduating and finally getting my degree. My trusty 94 Altima has 210,000 miles on it, and I think its time to buy something new. Lots of options in this price range....something sporty of course. Civic Si (if you can find em), Mazda 3's and the new Mazda Speed 3, Mini Cooper S, Spec-Vs if they are still available, and used BMW 3 series.

Any thoughts/experiences?

thanks! :thumbup:

[stroker]

What do you want for your Altima? I'm graduating, too. :)

[Ankf00]

VW GTI MkV.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4535071806704857494&q=volkswagen&pl=true


"Vee Dub. Holding it down on the engineering tip y'all, jaaaa" :D

[racer2c]

I hope you're not throwin' down 20K on a Civic. :thumdown:

Hmmm, if I were to spend 20K on a car...used? New? I'd first have to recommend a Miata. 20K will get you one balls out used NB (second gen). Run circles around any 3. But are you man enough to drive a Miata is the question. ;)

This one is supercharged and intercooled. :thumbup:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/123000-123999/123091_78_full.jpg

[B3RACER1a]

racer2c-Miata has crossed my mind more than once, but I need room for some cargo...lol. Cant fit all my r/c racing stuff in one....already looked at that...lol.

ank- "oh snap!" :rofl:

stroker- I'm probably gonna hang on to it for a beater. My folks dont live far away, and they have a spot for it. I just need something that I now will be turn key dependable, although I havent had a problem with the Altima yet.

Anyone that has had this generation of Altimas knows they really run great and forever. Only thing with mine is that slight oil leak around the timing chain. They all do it.

I'm going to check out a Cooper tomorrow. Also going to drop by the BMW place and look at some used 3 Series. Any thoughts, M3? :cool:

[oddlycalm]

Also going to drop by the BMW place and look at some used 3 Series. Any thoughts Around here $20K buys a 2001ish 330Ci with 100K+ miles in nice condition or a 2001-2002 325Ci w/ 55K-75K. If you are willing to go with 4 doors for that price you can find dozens of nice 2002 325i w/ around 50K miles in our area.

The E46 body style has just been superseded after long run, and they are good solid cars with no inherent squeaks, rattles or nagging issues.

Have a look on Edmunds and Kelly to get an idea before you shop both regarding the prices you should expect to pay in your area as well as what the options were that were available in those model years. A car with non-metallic paint, an automatic, no sport package and no heated seats or premium package will bring considerably less than if it had most or all of those items.

Both the 325 and 330 are good performers, in fact the 330 has the same 225hp as the previous E36 M3.

oc

[Spicoli]

those "Bee-dub" spots are cool. :D

[chop456]

those "Bee-dub" spots are cool. :D

You know who that guy is, right?

http://www.americanphoto.co.jp/photosearch/Previews/CIN00339_191.jpg

Let me hear you say "Vat?" :laugh:

[chop456]

As for the car, I dig the Mazda 3 5-door. :thumbup:

I had a '93 Altima that I had one problem with in 4 years, and that was warrantied. It's now on its 3rd owner.

[Cam]

I really love my 'duh (http://www.offcamber.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8569) ..... For all the computer crap I stuff in the hatch it works really well for me.... It handles like a skate board, I just wish it had a few more HP..... It is quick, but only once you get the revs up......

[rabbit]

As for the car, I dig the Mazda 3 5-door. :thumbup:I just drove my brother's new Mazda 3 5-door with the 5-speed. Good fun. :D:thumbup:

[rabbit]

It is quick, but only once you get the revs up......You say that like its a bad thing. Put your foot in it Nancy boy. :p

[Cam]

You say that like its a bad thing. Put your foot in it Nancy boy. :p

You think I don't?!?! You automatic driving fool! :D Some times the right arm is a little lazier at picking a gear than having it done for you.... ;)

What I meant was low end pickup just aint there like it was on the Chevy I had...

[rabbit]

You automatic driving fool! :D Some times the right arm is a little lazier at picking a gear than having it done for you.... Ooohh, that one hurt. My auto http://www.ehliauctions.com/auctions/vehicle/5910_028s.jpg was a gift to a poor college student from my sister. I miss driving a 5-speed sooooo bad. I'm in the market for one, but I'm having a hard time finding one I like in my price range, which isn't very high. :cry: At least law school is only three years. :saywhat:

[Turbodog]

Subaru WRX STi :gomer: :cool:

[Stu]

Subaru WRX STi :gomer: :cool:

Its quite a jump to go from a 94 Altima to an STi. :)

[devilmaster]

But are you man enough to drive a Miata is the question. ;)

wow. now there's a callout. :eek:

I know I'm man enough to drive one....

I also know I'm man enough to not fit in it either. ;)

[Sean O'Gorman]

I still don't understand how Miatas can be considered chick cars. They are a blast to drive, and I like feeling like I'm on the ground when I'm driving one.

Still, I'd never own one, its a chick car, y'know? :laugh:

[racer2c]

wow. now there's a callout. :eek:

I know I'm man enough to drive one....

I also know I'm man enough to not fit in it either. ;)

You kinda pull a Miata on like a pair of pants. :)

[devilmaster]

You kinda pull a Miata on like a pair of pants. :)

Guess that rules out asking Mappy his opinion ;)

[Insomniac]

I hope you're not throwin' down 20K on a Civic. :thumdown:

Hmmm, if I were to spend 20K on a car...used? New? I'd first have to recommend a Miata. 20K will get you one balls out used NB (second gen). Run circles around any 3. But are you man enough to drive a Miata is the question. ;)

This one is supercharged and intercooled. :thumbup:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/123000-123999/123091_78_full.jpg

I never understood why anyone would want to drive a power wheels. Especially a guy.

[racer2c]

I never understood why anyone would want to drive a power wheels. Especially a guy.


I guess 50/50 balance means nothing to you. :gomer:

Lemme guess, you drive a puller?

[Sean O'Gorman]

Plus you can drift a Miata :gomer:

http://www.nopinationals.com/2004/gallery/Drift/images/JZ%20Digital%2008.jpg

[mapguy]

Guess that rules out asking Mappy his opinion ;)

If it's leather, I'm game.

[Cam]

If it's leather, I'm game.
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[B3RACER1a]

Haha. Test drove a Mini Cooper S, and really like it a lot.

[Insomniac]

I guess 50/50 balance means nothing to you. :gomer:

Lemme guess, you drive a puller?

Not when the car looks like that. :P

I ride around in a Legacy Wagon. Nothing fancy, or really sporty. Cars aren't something I'm really willing to spend too much on. I was only commenting on the looks of a Miata. If it looks like a car you can buy at Toys R Us, I'm not too big of a fan. :)

[Rogue Leader]

I just bought a 2000 Corvette for $22k, is that sporty enough for ya?? :)

My Girlfriend has a Mini Cooper (not the S) and it is a fun little car, very sporty and decently roomy!

[devilmaster]

My Girlfriend has a Mini Cooper (not the S) and it is decently roomy!

Really! Do tell! ;)

[Robstar]

Miata's (MX5's in Aus) are known as hairdresser's cars... :laugh:

Having said that, I've driven one & it was seriously fun to drive... :thumbup:

[devilmaster]

Miata's (MX5's in Aus) are known as hairdresser's cars... :laugh:

So who's the hairdresser? nrc or Racegrrl? ;)

[Robstar]

I thought they had an RX8 ?

[RichK]

For $20k, you can get a really nice E36 M3:

Roadfly For Sale page (http://www.roadfly.com/bmw/classifieds/cars/listads.php?cat=207)

[oddlycalm]

Haha. Test drove a Mini Cooper S, and really like it a lot. Fun car isn't it? Drives like a kart and is a great car for making in town driving fun. My only bitch is the run-flat tires which run a bit rough. It could use a bit more power, but that's easily done with the John Cooper kit as well as other aftermarket stuff.

oc

[nrc]

I thought they had an RX8 ?

We've got both. They got a one car per household rule down under? :)

Miatas are a blast. They're the most fun you can get for the money. They beg to be taken out and thrashed on a twisty road and then come back begging for more. Having a hair dresser buy one and never twist it past 4 grand would be like forcing a thoroughbred to haul a haywagon.

Interestingly, only about 10% of Miatas are sold with automatics. So I guess most of the hair dresser know how to drive a stick.

[Rogue Leader]

Really! Do tell! ;)

hehe well we can have fun even in the vette... shes very bendy :) hehehe

[dando]

Used Bimmer. :thumbup: Mine is a '98 328is (E36), Shark injected courtesy TMS.

Hoppy's bimmer:

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/khopkins/kevin_lg.jpg

:)

RDS wheels were added later, but I don't have pics uploaded presently.

-Kevin

[RacinM3]

Cars aren't something I'm really willing to spend too much on.

Yeah, me too. :laugh:

I like the E36 M3 idea as well, lotsa bang for the buck. For the record, they had 240 HP, not 225.

[oddlycalm]

I like the E36 M3 idea as well, lotsa bang for the buck. For the record, they had 240 HP, not 225. You're right, my bad.

oc

[Hard Driver]

2000 or 2001 Audi S4.

Twin turbo V6. Put several hundred bucks into a chip to over boost the turbos and you have 318hp, 382 fl/lb torque speed machine.
http://www.goapr.com/Audi/products/ecu_upgrade_s4.html

Well, at least that is what I choose to do. Haul the family. Haul stuff in large trunk. Haul ass

[devilmaster]

So I guess most of the hair dresser know how to drive a stick.

I bet. :D

[Ankf00]

You can join Crapus & Spickly's Vespa gang. You'll also have 15K left over :gomer:

[Opposite Lock]

15k would buy a lot of rad tatts and a custom yellow paint job for the bike.

1%-ers coming soon to an Applebees parking lot near you.

[nz_climber]

well i can't give any comment on cars that can carry stuff, but I know miata's (mx-5's down here) are well known as a girl car, but I never driven one, but I don't like the looks that much

but my lotus 7 replica is a blast and only $10k NZD, just put a new dash board in it, will post pic's soon

[RacinM3]

but my lotus 7 replica is a blast and only $10k NZD, just put a new dash board in it, will post pic's soon

Let's see it! :thumbup:

[Dirty Sanchez]

if you don't like torque... by all means, buy a mazda :laugh:

probably out of your price range but I would probably only consider a MAZDASPEED6... although the MAZDASPEED3 is meant to be pretty sweet if/when it arrives (haven't read up on that one lately). the Miata and RX-8 are both chick cars, imo. both of these chick cars (they totally are :laugh: )handle great (zero torque) but the RX-8 in particular might be one of the least attractive cars on the road. there are much better options at that price point.

Cooper S for example. get the JCW package. its expensive but man is it worth it. really transforms the car. attractive styling and very impressive performance. I am a big fan.

Hard Driver mentioned a B5 S4 (2000-2001). I have seen, driven, rode in some mindblowing (modded) examples of this car. read up if you decide to go this route however. if not properly understood you will blow the passenger side turbo 100% of the time due to the way that twin-turbo 2.7L engine is packaged/designed as a oil supply line was designed to run only about a half inch away from the exhaust manifold. oil temperature needs to be watched closely... I'm sure Hard Driver could elaborate if you are serious about this car.

I have nothing bad to say about the E36 M3... very solid choice. finding a used example that has not had the piss beaten out of it will be the challenge.

[nissan gtp]

I feel obliged to stand up for the WRX. Not much in the torque categrory, but that's what gears and revs are for. 60mph way under 6 sec is good. Can't get a brand-new one for $20K, but you can get a low mileage one.

Or mine, it's yours for $18K :D

[Hard Driver]

Hard Driver mentioned a B5 S4 (2000-2001). I have seen, driven, rode in some mindblowing (modded) examples of this car. read up if you decide to go this route however. if not properly understood you will blow the passenger side turbo 100% of the time due to the way that twin-turbo 2.7L engine is packaged/designed as a oil supply line was designed to run only about a half inch away from the exhaust manifold. oil temperature needs to be watched closely... I'm sure Hard Driver could elaborate if you are serious about this car.

True. The turbos can blow and it is a huge (expensive) job if they do. But if you always use synthetic oil, perform a couple of part replacements to prevent boost leaks and aren't tracking it, they can be reliable, even chipped. But it may not be the lowest risk of maintenance costs you can choose. Although, knock on wood, mine has been very reliable, and I have been chipped for 30,000 miles after buying it used at 27,000 miles. And the balance of fun, power, handling and praticality is hard to beat.

And if the K03 turbos do go, I'll put in K04's and go even faster. ;)

[B3RACER1a]

Update:

Was hired for a really nice company that pays well, so I bought a brand new jet black RX-8. My choice was down between a Cooper S and the RX-8. They the RX-8 marked down $6,000 because it is a 2005, but its new. Love it. :thumbup: