Car Suggestions

sktllmdrhmz
sktllmdrhmz Posts: 1,799 Member
edited December 21 in Chit-Chat
I'm car shopping, and I'm looking for makes and models I might have forgotten about. I'm a car nut, so yes, I absolutely would, for example, cross shop a '95 Miata and a '03 Range Rover. Not looking for anything really specific, just what you think is awesome.

So, what's your favorite car that is:

a.) Under $17k, new or used
b.) RWD or AWD
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Replies

  • runfatmanrun
    runfatmanrun Posts: 1,090 Member
    05-06 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon
  • mslack01
    mslack01 Posts: 823 Member
    Love our Mazda CX7. I think it was right about $17k new.
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    If I was buying a car now with those constraints I would get a used 4dr jeep.......But I have a family and have to continue to drive my mini van for now.
  • kgprice11
    kgprice11 Posts: 749 Member
    08 Mazda 6 speed
  • digitalbill
    digitalbill Posts: 1,410 Member
    Get a 1970 Bronco for 5 grand and then dump another 10 grand into it to make it absolutly perfect.
  • Skeena4
    Skeena4 Posts: 209 Member
    Dodge is coming out with their new re-invented Dodge Dart soon! Haven't seen it, but it's supposed to compete with the smaller Hondas etc.
    Only heard about it while getting my car's oil changed yesterday :-) ... I would suggest my car, 2010 Dodge Challenger :-) heart it sooo much!
  • Cliffslosinit
    Cliffslosinit Posts: 5,044 Member
    71 Plymouth satellite sebring was my first car....oh the memories!
  • sktllmdrhmz
    sktllmdrhmz Posts: 1,799 Member
    05-06 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon

    That's a good one.
  • sktllmdrhmz
    sktllmdrhmz Posts: 1,799 Member
    Dodge is coming out with their new re-invented Dodge Dart soon! Haven't seen it, but it's supposed to compete with the smaller Hondas etc.
    Only heard about it while getting my car's oil changed yesterday :-) ... I would suggest my car, 2010 Dodge Challenger :-) heart it sooo much!

    I like the Challenger, but I can't find an R/T for less than around $24k.
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I have a 2004 Honda Pilot EX-L, and I love it. It's huge, lots of space for passengers, and has 4500 lb towing capacity. Rides really well for trips too.

    If I had $17k to spend, I'd get a newer Pilot.

    Some of the Pilots are AWD. Mine is FWD though.
  • auntv77
    auntv77 Posts: 24 Member
    07 VW Touraeg! LOVE my baby and the certified pre-owned gets you a warrant!
  • zenchild
    zenchild Posts: 680 Member
    SUBARU! Impreza. WRX if you can afford it, 2.5i if not. Love the hatchback. You'd be amazed what you can fit in there. I have a 2.5i, husband has a WRX. Neither has given us a minute of trouble. The WRX is our 4th Suby. The Legacy is fun too.
  • Cindylou321
    Cindylou321 Posts: 66
    Go with the Miata; best go karts ever built...

    A go Kart with ac and stereo that's street legal ... awesome little cars..

    I have owned a few in my time..
  • sktllmdrhmz
    sktllmdrhmz Posts: 1,799 Member
    07 VW Touraeg! LOVE my baby and the certified pre-owned gets you a warrant!

    Dang, it seems like there was something that knocked that one off my list a while back, but now I can't think of what it is.
  • zenchild
    zenchild Posts: 680 Member
    Or just get a used Miata for less and spend the difference making it into a little beast. They're Lego cars. Parts are cheap and plentiful and they're easy to work on.
  • callmeBAM
    callmeBAM Posts: 445 Member
    I have owned a lot of cars and don't have allegiance to any manufacturers... that said...

    You can get a nice Mazda Rx-8, maybe an 05 or 06 in that price range.
    Maybe my most fav car ever was a 03 Tahoe. It's like driving a Lazy Boy. Great for long trips.
    Miata's make good secondary cars. Space is too limited for primary. Much like my 85 Rx-7, sweet ride, no room.
    Acura sedans are sweet. You can get a loaded TL under 17k.
    For something newer, the Kia Forte Coupe is bad *kitten*. A friend has a 2011 manual trans and it is a sweet ride. You can prob get a 2010 or 11 for around 17k.
    You could be a real badass and get a 1966-69 muscle car. You can get a nice flipped mustang, charger, barracuda, or the like for 10-15k.
  • callmeBAM
    callmeBAM Posts: 445 Member
    I have a 2004 Honda Pilot EX-L, and I love it. It's huge, lots of space for passengers, and has 4500 lb towing capacity. Rides really well for trips too.

    If I had $17k to spend, I'd get a newer Pilot.

    Some of the Pilots are AWD. Mine is FWD though.

    Why not get a Acura MDX instead?
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I have a 2004 Honda Pilot EX-L, and I love it. It's huge, lots of space for passengers, and has 4500 lb towing capacity. Rides really well for trips too.

    If I had $17k to spend, I'd get a newer Pilot.

    Some of the Pilots are AWD. Mine is FWD though.

    Why not get a Acura MDX instead?

    For me, at the time, I got a better price on the Pilot. I did look at the MDX though. They are very nice as well.
  • BigDaddyBRC
    BigDaddyBRC Posts: 2,395 Member
    Depends on where you live and if you get extreme weather. Here in Northern NV, if you dont have AWD or 4x4, you're an idiot. But if you're in SoCal and never go to the mountains/off-raoding, owning AWD or 4x4 is just stupid...your MPG drops.

    I would suggest Ford or Chevy/GM.
  • sktllmdrhmz
    sktllmdrhmz Posts: 1,799 Member
    Depends on where you live and if you get extreme weather. Here in Northern NV, if you dont have AWD or 4x4, you're an idiot. But if you're in SoCal and never go to the mountains/off-raoding, owning AWD or 4x4 is just stupid...your MPG drops.

    I would suggest Ford or Chevy/GM.

    I'm in the midwest. The weather sucks, but not so much that you can't get around most of the time.
  • thatawesomechick82
    thatawesomechick82 Posts: 132 Member
    I still love my very first car, a 1979 toyota Celica ... not the lift back. *sigh* got that bad dog for 400 bucks!!
  • bionicrooster
    bionicrooster Posts: 353 Member
    I don't know why anyone would buy anything other than a Jeep Wrangler (unless you have kids) :-)
  • guardian419
    guardian419 Posts: 391 Member
    I LOVE my 2009 Mazda RX-8, should be able to buy a used one for around 17k, but they take a lot of work. It really depends on what you will be using it for the most, and if you already have another vehicle. First and only car I'd recommend something like a used Mazda 6, Nissan Altima... early 2000s midsized foreign sedan. If you want to go new, look at Hyundai or Kia, they are stepping up bigtime with their new vehicles, and are taking the place of (what used to be) cheap Hondas and Toyotas.


    If you're looking at something like a miata (mx-5) go for one of the newer ones. Mazdaspeed 3 is a lot of fun, a used Honda S2000 is a nice little car with no practicality, (same with miata). I'll say RX-8 again because its such a fun car to drive (near redline at 120 in 4th, with 5th and 6th to go...) and I can use it to go grocery shopping (with that said, I'm a god at tetris).
  • tamsinwhitfield
    tamsinwhitfield Posts: 135 Member
    I have no idea how much cars cost over there, but since you can't get a great deal with the GBP equivalent of $17k over here, I'm guessing that they're cheaper. So I will weigh in with: Mini Countryman. Got one recently, and it is a delight to drive.
  • calvert6183
    calvert6183 Posts: 539 Member
    A used Mercedes C-class, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mini Cooper, with extended warranties are great buys (more bang for the buck) over the higher resale value cars like Honda, Toyotas, and Nissan. Car auctions are the way to go.
  • kyrstin__1188
    kyrstin__1188 Posts: 170 Member
    If you want to go new, look at Hyundai or Kia, they are stepping up bigtime with their new vehicles, and are taking the place of (what used to be) cheap Hondas and Toyotas.

    Yes. I have a new Hyundai Elantra and I absolutely love it.
  • manderann
    manderann Posts: 189
    I'm partial to Subaru. I've known a few people who've had a Legacy wagon and love it. I couldn't do a wagon or anything hatchback, but that's just me. The 2.5i would be cheaper than the WRX, but the latter would be more fun to drive. I suppose it depends on if you're more concerned about miles per gallon or smiles per gallon.

    I'd be driving a WRX right now if I could... but I'd have the STi, and that would definitely not be under $17k. :bigsmile:
  • Roadie2000
    Roadie2000 Posts: 1,801 Member
    Cadillac CTS
    Audi A4
    BMW 3-Series
    Chrysler 300
    I do like the Mini Coopers and Countryman also.
  • sktllmdrhmz
    sktllmdrhmz Posts: 1,799 Member
    I'm partial to Subaru. I've known a few people who've had a Legacy wagon and love it. I couldn't do a wagon or anything hatchback, but that's just me. The 2.5i would be cheaper than the WRX, but the latter would be more fun to drive. I suppose it depends on if you're more concerned about miles per gallon or smiles per gallon.

    I'd be driving a WRX right now if I could... but I'd have the STi, and that would definitely not be under $17k. :bigsmile:

    Smiles per gallon, definitely.
  • speedracer2007
    speedracer2007 Posts: 53 Member
    I have no idea how much cars cost over there, but since you can't get a great deal with the GBP equivalent of $17k over here, I'm guessing that they're cheaper. So I will weigh in with: Mini Countryman. Got one recently, and it is a delight to drive.

    All MINIs are great fun cars...but in the US they will cost (new) $25-$30 k for a new one. Everyone I know that has a Miata absolutely loves them...Honda S2000 great fun car, as are Mustang GT's ....older used Porsche Boxsters are in your price range but can be problimatic and very $$$ to repair.....VW's are also costly to repair and not real reliable, but fun cars. Might consider a pre-owned BMW 3 series...those also are costly to repair out of warranty. If you want a small, under $20k used car, with go-kart like fun to drive can't wipe the smile off your face type, it's got to be a MIATA or MINI.
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