Author Topic: Need some car suggestions. (Read 2681 times)

Noodle · « **on:** June 25, 2011, 11:00:37 PM »

So as you may know my car and I kinda got pwned in the face. The thing is I'm going to be commuting to college and I just got a job, so I need a car and I need it soon.

My budget is $5,000 (though I'd rather not go that high). I need a car that has at least 4 seats and is economical. I'm really looking for a manual since I was sick of fussing about with the throttle on my Camry to get it into a certain gear. Also, just 'cus I need an economical car doesn't mean I'm completely compromised with the "fun to drive" factor; my Camry was a horrid drive and I'd rather not go back to that.

If anyone can offer any suggestions, I'll be appreciative. Even if you can't I do have some cars I'm looking at ATM.

Pwnator · « **Reply #1 on:** June 25, 2011, 11:09:49 PM »

WTF O_O

That's naaaaaaasty.

Anyway, you could try 5th-6th gen Civics.

Hydro · « **Reply #2 on:** June 25, 2011, 11:19:59 PM »

http://uaz.ru/eng/models/patriot/

R1885 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 25, 2011, 11:29:52 PM »

Depends on where you are, look at http://www.autotrader.com/, type in your ZIP code and your budget, and some things should pop up.
Some suggestions: Volks Wagons get very good mileage, and the Jettas are very good. A decent Pick-Up will last you for a LONG time, and can be dirt cheap. Jeeps can also be a good consideration.

kill343gs · « **Reply #4 on:** June 25, 2011, 11:39:47 PM »

Quote from: R1885 on June 25, 2011, 11:29:52 PM

Depends on where you are, look at http://www.autotrader.com/, type in your ZIP code and your budget, and some things should pop up.
Some suggestions: Volks Wagons get very good mileage, and the Jettas are very good. A decent Pick-Up will last you for a LONG time, and can be dirt cheap. Jeeps can also be a good consideration.

Volkswagens have sh**ty transmissions.... Especially if you're driving a standard.

I'd recommend a Nissan Altima or Maxima. The maximas are faster, they came with a 3.5L.

ACAMS · « **Reply #5 on:** June 25, 2011, 11:52:17 PM »

Since you obviously can't drive for sh**.

Noodle · « **Reply #6 on:** June 26, 2011, 12:30:47 AM »

Quote from: R1885 on June 25, 2011, 11:29:52 PM

Depends on where you are, look at http://www.autotrader.com/, type in your ZIP code and your budget, and some things should pop up.

I know HOW to find a car, it's more-so WHAT car to look for.

Quote from: R1885 on June 25, 2011, 11:29:52 PM

Some suggestions: Volks Wagons get very good mileage, and the Jettas are very good.

VW's are ok, though I've heard mixed things about them. I'd still take one if need be.

Quote from: R1885 on June 25, 2011, 11:29:52 PM

A decent Pick-Up will last you for a LONG time, and can be dirt cheap.

Pickups are rugged, but they suck down gas like it's nobody's business. Besides, I really don't need to haul anything around.

Quote from: R1885 on June 25, 2011, 11:29:52 PM

Jeeps can also be a good consideration.

Jeeps are excellent off-road vehicles but again I need to save on the gas. Also, I'm not so sure a small Wrangler is a safe vehicle with such a high center of gravity.

Quote from: ACAMS on June 25, 2011, 11:52:17 PM

Since you obviously can't drive for sh**.

I'm in no mood to joke about it. If you're not going to help me then at least go be a jack-ass somewhere else.

Anyway, thanks to those of you who cared to give serious responses.

ACAMS · « **Reply #7 on:** June 26, 2011, 01:35:13 AM »

Quote from: Noodle on June 26, 2011, 12:30:47 AM

I'm in no mood to joke about it. If you're not going to help me then at least go be a jack-ass somewhere else.

You had one of the best cars you could have.......what did you go and wreck it for?

Hell, now you will have to get a Toyota Tercel!

Noodle · « **Reply #8 on:** June 26, 2011, 01:44:02 AM »

Quote from: ACAMS on June 26, 2011, 01:35:13 AM

Quote from: Noodle on June 26, 2011, 12:30:47 AM

I'm in no mood to joke about it. If you're not going to help me then at least go be a jack-ass somewhere else.

You had one of the best cars you could have.......what did you go and wreck it for?

Hell, now you will have to get a Toyota Tercel!

Yes, I totally saw the Scion hauling ass in the other direction. That's why I decided to turn in front of it in a sudden suicidal impulse.

Sparkey98 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2011, 05:35:40 AM »

Quote from: Noodle on June 26, 2011, 01:44:02 AM

Quote from: ACAMS on June 26, 2011, 01:35:13 AM
Quote from: Noodle on June 26, 2011, 12:30:47 AM

I'm in no mood to joke about it. If you're not going to help me then at least go be a jack-ass somewhere else.

You had one of the best cars you could have.......what did you go and wreck it for?

Hell, now you will have to get a Toyota Tercel!

Yes, I totally saw the Scion hauling ass in the other direction. That's why I decided to turn in front of it in a sudden suicidal impulse.

He got jealous and decided to Jihad the thing.

Anyway
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Grand_Am
fourth gen.

Jack Daniels · « **Reply #10 on:** June 26, 2011, 08:02:55 AM »

Four doors, economical, good on gas, useful... hmmm

Pontiac Vibe. Great car, it is a re-badged Toyota Matrix and can be had cheaper than the Matrix because most people don't know any better.

Chevy Prism. Once again, another rebadged Toyota (Corolla) Bullet proof and cheap.

Scion XB. Very useful & built by Toyota (seeing a trend here?) First Gens can be had for less than 5k used.

Nissan Sentra. 1st and 2nd gen. Very Reliable. Good fuel economy. Prone to rust in the Northeast though. Be sure to check the undercarriage.

Mazda Protege. Once again, reliable and good on fuel. Really fun to drive too! I love the dashboard layout on these cars.

Try to stay away from:

Most Cheap Subarus... Cool cars, but have had chronic engine problems over the years (mostly head gasket problems) If you get a Subie, be sure to do a ton of research on the year and model first... some are great (WRX and some Legacies) Some are really bad (Some Outbacks, Forresters, etc etc.)

All Saturns. Saturns are rebadged Opels (which are not too bad) But the kick is that they have Plastic body panels that make the car look nicer than it really is. A nice looking Saturn might have tons of rust or potential problems. Saturns are only good if they are incredibly low mileage. Save yourself the trouble and just avoid them altogether.

Volkswagon Beetles. Unfortunately, are pretty high maintenance.

Chevy Cavaliers. Fortunately, are pretty high maintenance.

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Final verdict: I think you would be realy happy with a 4 door, 4cyl, Standard Trans, Mazda Protege.

ACAMS · « **Reply #11 on:** July 16, 2011, 02:28:38 PM »

Here Noodles......I found your car!

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/man-builds-own-million-dollar-bugatti-supercar-hand-211223675.html

Sparkey98 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2011, 02:29:32 PM »

Noodle is dead.

HurricaneAndrew · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2011, 03:46:01 PM »

Early to mid 90s Buick Century.

I had one. I totalled that sucker 3 times and it was still driveable.

Somebody · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2011, 09:03:28 PM »

My friend has a '91 Century. God its a PoS...

The seatbelts are on the doors!!! So if the door falls off you fall out, and it'll be hard to remember to always take off the seatbelt first.

ACAMS · « **Reply #15 on:** July 17, 2011, 07:12:39 AM »

Quote from: Somebody on July 16, 2011, 09:03:28 PM

My friend has a '91 Century. God its a PoS...

Maybe he needs to make a Bugatti Veyron out of it!

Somebody · « **Reply #16 on:** July 17, 2011, 09:01:34 PM »

I can see it now...

nope, still a PoS

Noodle · « **Reply #17 on:** July 17, 2011, 10:39:18 PM »

I've actually got an arrangement to get a 2001 Oldmobile (I've yet to been informed of what model it is but I hope it's at least an Aurora) from someone in the family. I've been told that it's in excellent shape as it was one of those car's babied by a mechanic owner. I don't really like Oldsmobiles or the idea of getting a four-door, or having it in automatic, or having a 6-cyl engine, or owning an American yacht in general but at this point I just needed a car.

I should be able to get it Friday.

Anyway I think I ought to keep the thread because upon getting some money together I'm gonna look for a small project car. I kinda just want to get working on something cheap and fast to use in place of the Oldsmanmobile.

Meganerdbomb · « **Reply #18 on:** July 19, 2011, 11:54:18 PM »

Hey, a 4-door automatic is practical!

Noodle · « **Reply #19 on:** July 20, 2011, 08:48:57 PM »

Quote from: Meganerdbomb on July 19, 2011, 11:54:18 PM

Hey, a 4-door automatic is practical!

Well when you consider the V6 engine, it's not all that practical. Besides, stick shifts get better mileage.

By the way, I was told lately that it was a Cutlass Supreme, which doesn't make a great deal of sense considering the fact that they stopped making those in the late 90's. If that's true then I'm probably not going to like it that much. I mean, it's a 90's GM product (aka one of the reasons GM ended up on the verge of bankruptcy).

I hate to sound like an ingrate, especially when you consider the facts that I'm getting this car for dirt cheap and the great condition it's in, but I'm going to start my search for a project car as soon as I can.

BTW, I had the crazy idea of selling the olds, getting this, and using the extra money for a project car.
Granted, it would probably never happen due to an overwhelming number of extenuating circumstances, but I still wish I could try it.