Used car selection advice

[NMBurb02]

I'm in the market for a used car (company car is being taken away due to a promotion) and am having a heck of a time deciding on what to get.

The car I'm losing is a 2008 Chevy Impala, which worked well for what it was: a commuter car that would see 20,000+ miles per year. I expect to put 10,000-12,000 on the next car (new position requires much less local travel, hence the revocation of my company car) and I would like to get something a bit more fun.

Here are my basic parameters:
-$8,000 budget
-Two doors
-Four seats (child #4 is on the way and the Burb in my sig is the kid hauler, but I'd need to throw a car seat in the back from time to time)
-V6 (don't want a gas guzzler, but want some pep)
-Preferably a 2003 or later model year (want the LATCH system to make it easier with the car seats)
-Don't want to go much above 100,000 miles
-Automatic transmission (wife will be driving it as well)

So far I've considered a Mustang (wife says I'd need to start wearing V-neck t-shirts or have a sex change), Mini (too expensive to maintain), CLK (maintenance expense, again), and an RX-8 (wife likes the styling, but doesn't want a stick, which I have read is needed in order to put the engine through its paces regularly to keep it from failing; also am wary due to CR's reliability rating and engine failure reports online).

Am I forgetting a gem, or should I just go with the Mustang and stock up on V-necks?

 

[sasilverbullet]

I don't understand the Mustang/V-neck thing...but...

I'd go with the Mustang.

 

[RamFan]

Hyundai Tiburon

 

[NMBurb02]

Originally Posted By: sasilverbullet
I don't understand the Mustang/V-neck thing...but...

I'd go with the Mustang.

I'm thinking it's a hipster thing.

Originally Posted By: RamFan
Hyundai Tiburon

There don't seem to be many around here. Are they as fun to drive as a Mustang (not that a Mustang is the height of driving enjoyment).

 

[HM12460]

8 bills really limits your choices. Maybe a front wheel drive GM car with a 3800 engine?

 

[bourne]

Honda Accord V6 Coupe

2003 Toyota Solara

2003 Toyota Solara SLE V6

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Originally Posted By: bourne


2003 Toyota Solara





This.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: Chris Meutsch
Originally Posted By: bourne


2003 Toyota Solara





This.


Instead of v-necks, he'll need to carry an AARP card.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: Chris Meutsch
Originally Posted By: bourne


2003 Toyota Solara





This.


Instead of v-necks, he'll need to carry an AARP card.


Fair enough.....older people are fairly reliable in the choices however, just like this car.

 

[jimbrewer]

With the average car in this country nearly 11 years old, its a pretty bad time to be in the used car market. At least that was my experience. I got chased into the new market although I'm an inveterate used car buyer.

Don't know, but my general approach is to make depreciation work for you. I'd have a look at the uncool car--say a Mitsu. Ideally a car in brown. Someone suggested a Toyota Solara. A two door Toyota like that would be a good choice. I'd figure out what the Mitsu or GM competitor to that was and have a look too. It looks like a 2005 Solara is in your price range. That's not too bad, but its still a car with 100K miles.

Its an unusual situation we are in, but you can buy a little hatchback thingy like a Mazda 3 or a Ford Fiesta for 14K to 17K put $3,500 down, make payments in the $235 range at rock bottom interest and have 2 years use and 25K miles on it before you get up to the $8,000 you were talking about. You still have a year to go before you run out the warranty. One minor repair on the Toyota during that three year period = three month's payments on the hatchback.

Ford allows its dealers to sell extended factory warranties over the internet on the cheap to any Ford buyer, so you could bump up the warranty to 100K 7yrs for about $750 bucks or so for the "basic" warranty. Not a lot of risk in a deal like that.

P.S. if it were me, I would teach my wife to shift. Its not that hard and it makes a car like that much more fun to drive. Besides, these days a stick shift is a real impediment to car theft.

 

[Zaedock]

2 door Accord. Done.

 

[Dave Hess]

Maybe your wife is calling you a poser for wanting a Mustang ?

I would choose a Camry, Corolla, Civic or Accord.

 

[VicVinegar]

I thought that Accord would go for more, but apparently that is even a little high when compared to KBB Private Party.

I always liked that model Solara too.

I don't have a listing for you, but the Acura 3.2 CL might be around that price. 2003 was the last year for them. Not sure if they have the auto transmission issues though.

2003-04 3-Series might fall in there too, but probably the same league as the CLK as far as maintenance/repairs.

G35 Coupe might be in that range.

On of my "I may be the only one who really likes this car" list is the '02 Volvo C70 Coupe. Probably the toughest to find though.

 

[randomhero439]

03-07 Accord V6. The V6 in that is probably the best V6 (other than the C32 NSX engine) Honda has built. Around 250hp with premium fuel. I normally get 26-27mpg with mixed driving.

I love mine, i opted for the 6-speed manual over the 5-speed auto though. I autocross and drag race mine hehe.

Other options would be:
Late model Acura CL/CL-S
Toyota Solara
Infiniti G35
Some American 2-door.
Euro cars would likely be out of the $8k price range with your specifications.

 

[bretfraz]

The coupe requirement is really going to limit your choices. Why can't it be a nice sedan?

You can find a 03-07 Accord coupe with 100,000+ on it in your price range.

Solaras were never made in large numbers but are very nice, if rather boring, cars. Find a private seller who has taken care of it and you'll have something that can do 200K miles easy.

I hear nothing but problems with Acura CL's. The fact they don't hold their value like a comparable Accord is proof in the marketplace. Better get one from an owner who dumped massive $$$$$$$ into maintenance and has records to prove it. Otherwise, pass.

No German stuff unless you have the tools and skills to work on it yourself, and know the weak points upon inspection. A 10+ yr old Euro sled is nothing but a money pit.

You might find an 03 Infiniti G35 coupe just barely within your budget. It's going to have 100k on it but would be a great car if you don't have to dump money into it. Certainly a better choice than a CLK.

If it were me, I'd get a Camry V6 XLE or an Accord EXL V6 and be done with it.

 

[Spazdog]

Monte Carlo

you are already familiar with the powertrain.

Unless you get the 3.8 Supercharged or 5.3 SS.(assuming you had a 3.5 or 3.9) Fuel economy? That'll take a hit...about 3 or 4 mpg freeway. But the 5.3 sounds pretty cool even if it is a front driver. Closest you can get to a modern Toronado.

and you won't worry about that kid in the Civic EX with the big exhaust can getting the best of you on the on-ramp. He will get an earful of LS 5.3 and see your taillights disappear on the horizon

 

[KitaCam]

Having just bought an 05 Camry LE STICK with 98k miles...
....I would say it is a great buy.

...okay it has 4 doors...but it's smaller than midsize cars made since

...okay it is boring...but its first owner was attracted to boring because he/she did NOT WANT AN ENTHUSIAST car...so drove it boring, drove it easy...the perfect kind of driver for OWNER2...me...and YOU

...stick shifts are not boring...even a stick-shift 4-cyl.Cam is fun...

...I'm getting 24-25 mpg around town with the 4 banger

...it is very reliable...Kitacam (albeit with a new clutch because owner1 apparently didn't know how to drive it...and because the indie mechanic had no clue how to fix it, the dealer replaced it ALL before putting it on the lot) rides is tight as a drum and drives like it just came off the showroom...

...and manual transmission Cams go for a lot less than the AT...a LOT less...

 

[Lyman]

Get the Mustang. You know it's what you want. The V-6 models are great on gas.

 

[SLCraig]

You are in 350Z territory... I'm not sure what I'd rather have more in that price range.. I can think of some cars but they're earlier than 2003. The only thing that is a negative about that car for you is the back seat.

Could get a G35 sedan too, which would be a fun car as well, but has 4 doors.

If it were me, I'd be saying "Might as well get a 4 door" you can get a car that is just as fun, but has 4 useful doors and practicality as well.

Good luck on your search!

 

[Clevy]

If your looking at mustangs the new edge body style has the pretty much bulletproof 3.8 liter V6.
There is a guy in one of the mustang forums I'm in that has over 600000 miles on his 3.8. He uses it as a commuter and iirc he uses Quaker state or castrol gtx 10w30. He is in Michigan too and the 10w30 seems to be treating him well.
I can tell you that my former 2v engine,with 3.90 gears got 26 mpg on the highway which is roughly what the 6er gets,but city mileage is better with the sixxer.
Go with the mustang,and stock up on the shirts you're wife suggested