What car would you get with $8,000?

[cadfaeltex]

General question growing out of a specific one that I asked a week ago. Title says it all:

What car would you buy with $8,000?

Think it's interesting what drive your decisions. Apparently I'm a bit off my rocker wanting something more than basic transportation (inserts tongue in cheeck). Would it be for economy, looks, family, reliability, brand loyalty? Why would you get what you chose?

 

[xxch4osxx]

$8,000 or $80,000?

 

[cadfaeltex]

Meant both but I think I'll limit it to one to limit confusion?

 

[xxch4osxx]

Ah, ok, cool

 

[oilmaven]

I haven't been in the market for a used car in awhile...would have to take a look at what $8,000 buys anymore (used car prices have increased so much I can't imagine $8,000 buys nearly as much car as a few years ago).

 

[Spazdog]

Could probably get a nice N/A 3800 Monte Carlo or 4th gen Camaro.

Nice 4.2 5-speed Heritage F-150 STX. Or a 4.7 Dakota Crew Cab. Probably a decent Silverado regular cab.

Any number of Civics and Corollas. Little bit later model on a Lancer. Decent Miata. Higher mileage C-Class or 3-series.

 

[4ever4d]

Ford Fusion!Been thinking of selling the old GMQ and looking at the Fusion for replacement.I personally like them a great deal,just don't know if i can let the old reliable GMQ go she's still running great and 21mpg to boot.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: oilmaven
I haven't been in the market for a used car in awhile...would have to take a look at what $8,000 buys anymore (used car prices have increased so much I can't imagine $8,000 buys nearly as much car as a few years ago).



It doesn't.

I just saw 2003 Cavalier w/101k going for 7999......

 

[sciphi]

Another Buick LeSabre or other H-body GM car. It'll get 30 mpg highway, be reliable, and be a very comfy car for around town or around the country.

 

[dparm]

Well if it was for a "second" car, or one that I wouldn't drive much, this:

Had one a few years ago. Sucks as an only car, but so fun for the weekends.

 

[odie]

2005 Scion XA w/ auto and 2002 Chevy Prizm 5 speed manual . Both with low mileage .

 

[Patman]

I'm getting a second car this fall and my budget is around $8000 actually, and my plan is to get an 06 or 07 Honda Civic coupe, 5 speed auto, preferably in either LX or EX trim. It should get over 40 MPG highway (with the cruise set to 60) but yet is still a fun car to drive and is quite stylish too (IMHO)

 

[FL_Rob]

Ok,Ultimate reliability...'96 F150 4.9L6 longbed,5-speed stick or A4OD auto both are reliable,drivers choice on that one.Crewcabs are rare but I'd try to find one.

Reason:The 4.9 300ci. straight 6 will outlast two trucks.
the clutch was a manual clutch (no hydraulics to go)that was easily adjusted.The auto trans was a real sweet no brainer ,I never worried about it.

To clarify,my '80 F-250 had the 4speed with that granny 1st,the F-150 had the auto,it also had the shell for the dry stuffs,
the 250 just worktruck,but it did have a radio and heat+.

All this was before gas went crazy ,we needed more kid room ,etc
She agreed to sell her Jeep YJ if I sold the F250,so we did.and bought a family car.Now, lookin' back I shoulda' kept the F-250
and just bought a family car.There's always those pesky trade off's.but thats just my

 

[Hokiefyd]

If I were buying a primary car for me with $8,000, it'd be an older Camry, probably a 2000 or so, or whatever $8,000 would buy in terms of age/condition/miles. If I were buying a secondary car for me with $8,000, it'd be any of the following:

1) Older Miata
2) 280ZX
3) early '80s Toyota Supra
4) 240SX

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: FL_Rob
Ok,Ultimate reliability...'96 F150 4.9L6 longbed,5-speed stick or A4OD auto both are reliable,drivers choice on that one.Crewcabs are rare but I'd try to find one.

Reason:The 4.9 300ci. straight 6 will outlast two trucks.
the clutch was a manual clutch (no hydraulics to go)that was easily adjusted.The auto trans was a real sweet no brainer ,I never worried about it.

To clarify,my '80 F-250 had the 4speed with that granny 1st,the F-150 had the auto,it also had the shell for the dry stuffs,
the 250 just worktruck,but it did have a radio and heat+.

All this was before gas went crazy ,we needed more kid room ,etc
She agreed to sell her Jeep YJ if I sold the F250,so we did.and bought a family car.Now, lookin' back I shoulda' kept the F-250
and just bought a family car.There's always those pesky trade off's.but thats just my

I'd get a 95 or lower if getting this truck/motor as the 96 has a lot of one off OBD-II stuff hanging off it.... and my state exempts 95 and prior from the emissions inspection.

But i'd pay max $3500. An 11 year old toyota for $8k is nuts. In five more years it would be rusted out.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
An 11 year old toyota for $8k is nuts. In five more years it would be rusted out.


Not down here. Bodies last forever in the south.

 

[meep]

Jeep grand cherokee. ZJ (gen 1). 4.0L inline six. Preferably '96-98 (newer dash, disc brakes).

I'd save the other $4k for whatever was broken, like the A/C, axle...

 

[Dave Hess]

Civic with 5 speed trans. You can find them all the time on Craigslist dirt cheap.

 

[01rangerxl]

Another Ranger, but probably 4WD and with a manual transmission, just to change things up a little.

I'd consider other trucks too I guess, I just have a bit of a small Ford truck habit.

 

[morris]

i would get a late model dodge Dakota. ok ok dont beat me up i know i bad mouth my dodges. but iam use to them.