which car should i get?

integralsmatic

integralsmatic

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So I have about 1,000-5,000 to spend or put down on a car. My Integra has officially kicked the bucket and now its time to start looking for a new toy. or atleast a semi-new toy. So i was looking at these cars and was hoping to get your feedback on them from you knowlegable CAGs.

Here is what im looking at

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT
2000 Toyota Celica GT-S
2003 Mazda6 s
2003 Hyundai Tiburon v6

any other suggestions are welcomed..im really open to anything thats in a compact or sedan. These are some i was looking at but maybe you guys had some good experiences with other cars that i might not like. thanks alot
 
I like both:
2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT
2000 Toyota Celica GT-S.

They should be in your price range. I don't think the Mazda is in there. And I hate Hyundai's too.
 
[quote name='dude2003']2006 honda accord ex
2006 scion tc
2007 toyota camry xle[/QUOTE]

I don't think you could get those within 1-5K ;)
 
[quote name='Moxio']I don't think you could get those within 1-5K ;)[/QUOTE]

agreed..but nice choices though...i just came back from a multi car test drive.i test drove a 2001 celica GT-s and a Nissan Sentra SE-R. The Celica was really nice. it felt low,sleek...the seats were comfortable..and the VVTI really opened up with i i hit 5500 rpms. I hated the Nissan. what a waste of a car. doesnt brake well...it felt slow...it was like driving a nasty honda civic...no pick up..utter blah! well the celica is good so far..thanks for the reccomendations keep em coming...
 
I say the Mazda 6. If you can't afford it that, look into a Mazda 3. Thats pretty much what I've decided on when ever I can get a new car. At least I can get a discount, as my father used to work for Ford, and they own Mazda. Not rubbing that in or anything, just making a statement
 
[quote name='HumanSnatcher']I say the Mazda 6. If you can't afford it that, look into a Mazda 3. Thats pretty much what I've decided on when ever I can get a new car. At least I can get a discount, as my father used to work for Ford, and they own Mazda. Not rubbing that in or anything, just making a statement[/QUOTE]

wow i wish my dad work for them. my friend was telling me that mazda will release the new mazda 3 speed..a 256 bhp car for no less than 19,900..thats a deal in its self..
 
I love celicas and all but the new model ones (which the 2000 is) have a LOT of problems. Toyotas are usually great but these Celicas arent even designed by Toyota.

Go with the Mazda.
 
[quote name='musha666']I love celicas and all but the new model ones (which the 2000 is) have a LOT of problems. Toyotas are usually great but these Celicas arent even designed by Toyota.

Go with the Mazda.[/QUOTE]

ah i see wow i didnt even know that...well thats one car im staying away from. i just came back from another search and i tested a 04 Tiburon GT ,a 03 Altima ,and a s2000 for shits and giggles...i really really really want the S2000....that car has great handlng, low,sleek,light and fast for a roadster...the tiburon i feel is underpowered. running a V6 and only to be able to pump 172 bhp is a little too weak..and there is so much noise and the car isnt that stable at all..the altima was solid. nice sized sedan,vevry comfy ride, handles well and picks up well...i am leaning towards the six but the 3 speed is looking nice too.
 
[quote name='jPoD']You like the Altima? I have an 05 and I love it. Drives so well for an I.[/QUOTE]

yeah for a sedan it was really comfy and roomy on the inside...it performed really solid....it really surprised me because i thought it was going to be not good like the previous models but it was...thats one car that will make me think about it...like the mazada6.
 
[quote name='GrimNecroWizard']Honda Accord EX.[/quote]

that's what i drive...2002 honda accord ex 2-door

960536538_l.jpg
 
Blah, too many import cars in this thread. Not interested in a domestic?

Sorry, it's just me. I'm not a fan of imports.
 
[quote name='btw1217']Blah, too many import cars in this thread. Not interested in a domestic?

Sorry, it's just me. I'm not a fan of imports.[/QUOTE]

domestics just dont do it for me. Dont get me wrong...a Dodge Neon SRT-4 is really freakin fast at about 260bhp but it wears down really fast. the cobalt SS just doesnt look like something i would like to drive.. the pontiac solstice is nice looking but its really under powered for what its engine size is and that turns me off. the only domestic in my price range or in a remote price range i would like to try would be the Saturn Sky and the SRT-4.anything else doesnt do it for me.
 
[quote name='btw1217']Blah, too many import cars in this thread. Not interested in a domestic?

Sorry, it's just me. I'm not a fan of imports.[/QUOTE]

I like paying just the same for cars that last barely over half as long too.
 
[quote name='integralsmatic']yeah for a sedan it was really comfy and roomy on the inside...it performed really solid....it really surprised me because i thought it was going to be not good like the previous models but it was...thats one car that will make me think about it...like the mazada6.[/QUOTE]

I think the 02 remodeling of the Nissan made them better. I'm also interested in an Altima.
 
[quote name='Unfounded Trout']I'd suggest a Volkswagen GTi, but only because my father sells VW's.;)[/QUOTE]

:rofl:

A shameless plug if I ever saw one.
 
[quote name='Moxio']I think the 02 remodeling of the Nissan made them better. I'm also interested in an Altima.[/QUOTE]

Lemme just say I love mine. It handles soooo well. Very quality interior. Only had a few stupid minor problems thus far. 7K+ miles strong!
 
[quote name='jPoD']Lemme just say I love mine. It handles soooo well. Very quality interior. Only had a few stupid minor problems thus far. 7K+ miles strong![/QUOTE]

Minor problems? Quality interior?

Right now I'm looking at an '02 with ~80K. It's priced at $11995. I like it because it looks nice + it has leather seats. Does that sound okay? Any tips?
 
[quote name='integralsmatic']dude i would sell my left leg for a 2003 WRX Sti.[/QUOTE]

how do you plan to operate the clutch without a left leg??


Mazda has had some problems with safety lately so I would stay away from them. If you get the Mazda3 make sure you get the curtain airbags, without it, the car got a Poor rating in IIHS side-crash tests.

If it was me, I'd stick with a honda civic or a toyota camry. You might pay more, but they're well worh it. 80k on a japanese car is ok,(on a domestic it's about dead), but you should be able to do a bit better than that price.
 
[quote name='Moxio']Minor problems? Quality interior?

Right now I'm looking at an '02 with ~80K. It's priced at $11995. I like it because it looks nice + it has leather seats. Does that sound okay? Any tips?[/QUOTE]

What's with the question marks? You dont know what quality interior is? I'm confused....
 
[quote name='jPoD']What's with the question marks? You dont know what quality interior is? I'm confused....[/QUOTE]

What kind of intererior is what I meant. ;)

I was just asking based on your experience with an Altima. Pros and cons?
 
[quote name='jPoD']What's with the question marks? You dont know what quality interior is? I'm confused....[/quote]


What minor problems?
 
[quote name='Moxio']What kind of intererior is what I meant. ;)

I was just asking based on your experience with an Altima. Pros and cons?[/QUOTE]

ooo gotcha. Well, It's the 2.5SL and the L stands for leather, so.....:p

Pros? Very very very very peppy for an i4. Drive is very smooth. Nice interior, GREAT sound system (Bose). I get really good gas milege.

Cons? I wish my parents paid the extra $6K for an 05 G35x :p
Might feel like a wimp driving an i4? Doesnt bother me personally, idk about you.

Can't think of much else.
 
[quote name='Pookymeister']What minor problems?[/QUOTE]

umm the wheel thingy that turns where the AC shoots out jammed and we need to replace it.
The liner that holds the door in place, the glue dried up and it came off the track. Not really a big deal.

No problems with the car itself.
 
I'm in a similar situation as the OP, and I'm looking at my local craig's list for a car.

I found a '92 Mazda MX 3, 5 speed stick, ~100,000 miles, for ~$1500.

what do you guys think, should I go for it?
 
[quote name='Moxio']How much was it, jPod?[/QUOTE]

Parents got it for me brand new last summer. It was around $27.5K.
 
[quote name='jPoD']Parents got it for me brand new last summer. It was around $27.5K.[/QUOTE]

o_o

Damn I wish my folks gave me that kind of budget. xD
 
The cars listed by the OP I would stay far away from, real far. The Celica seems decent, but for $5k, I would expect a former teenager beater, high mileage, or something (previously) wrong with it.

OP, why don't you just look for something that you can actually afford? A car is not something to be investing in. They depreciate in value the moment you get inside it before even driving it off the lot. I know it sounds boring, lame, and no fun, but why not look at something more affordable such as a Corolla, Civic, or Focus. These are generally more reliable, get great gas mileage, and have few complaints. Forget about looks, power, ... for now. Stick with something that drives well, is reliable, and has a proven track record and if used, good history.

As you move up in the world, get promotion/new jobs that pay more, etc... you can upgrade your car if you care too. The money you save now will buy you that MazdaSpeed 3/6, M3/5, or maybe even Diablo/Enzo later (or a very nice house).

Well, that's what I would do.

If you want my opinion, financing a car is dumb. Pay cash only if you can. Finance as little as possible if you must (which sounds like you do). And frankly, for $5k, I would be leery of anything. I'd be afraid of the steering wheel falling off when I sneeze (not really, but you get the idea).

I wouldn't go lower then $10k on a used/new car. You get what you pay for, and from experience, you save more by putting a little more down upfront.

Currently, I drive a Nissan Altima I inherited, I don't like it. It's a 1999, just crossed 100,000 miles, no problems, ever I don't think. It's got leather and all the goodies, but accelerates slower then anything I have ever ridden or driven. Oh well, It reliably gets me from A to B and cost me $0.00, so I won't complain.


Sorry for the long post. I rambled.
 
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