Rep Power: 296

Hey Guys my girlfriend just sold her 01 Toyota Rav4 and is in the market for a car. We've been looking all over and just can't find one that she likes. She drove the Jetta/Passat, the Mazda 3 and 6, as well as the 05 Civic. They're all nice...but a little too much for her budget. Can you guys suggest a nice car for that price??? She sold her Rav because it was dedicated 4wd and it was a biatch on gas on the freeway. She's lookin for something with a little "get up and go" and something with good gas milage. Any suggestions would help

PS. I already told her to let me put the money into my civi and I would let her borrow it...she didn't like the idea too much

 
Rep Power: 380

1. Miata (Extreamly Fun to drive, and girls love Convertables)
2. Older Toyota Pickup (They run Forever and get decent gas milage)
3. Older Civic (run forever, Good gas milage)
4. Older Celica (Run forever, good milage)

 
Rep Power: 320

Instead of an 05 civic, how about like an 02-03 Civic EX?

Or if she liked the size of her Rav4, what about a CRV?

For good gas mileage she will almost have to stay import...Not sure what type of car she is looking for though so kinda hard to help.

 
Rep Power: 277

They are somewhat hard to find, but I would recommend the Protege5. I had a similar budget when I got a new car and that is what I wanted, but I couldnt find any with the options I wanted. They are quick, great handling, reliable, and have a decent amount of storage space.

 
Rep Power: 333

not sure, but with a little more, a scion TC, very sporty and nice.
theirs also a toyota corolla (not xrs model nor S though).

is she mainly looking for brand new or used?

 
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why the **** buy a new civic.. buy a 01-02 and u can get a nice one... 004'05 suck anyways. lol i hate the center console..

or have her buy mine...?? ill sell 18k fuly loaded.lol

 
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Honda or Toyota all the way. Check out a celica or another civic. DONT GET A VW!

 
Rep Power: 296

Miata? i dunno, never driven one, but its RWD, thats gotta be fun around corners...It just reminds me of Corky Romano. I dunno, I will look into them for sure, can anyone tell me what the differences are between the STD, the LS, and the special edition?

 
Rep Power: 296

she's looking for something good on gas, "cute" and something with a little bit of power. she took her mom out and drove the lancer, she laughed and said she could run faster. lol.

 
Rep Power: 296

Ahh..one more post...

we drove the Mazda 3 with the tiptronic shifting...man, that thing is niiiiice. I liked it a lot - and the Mazda 6 has more power! She really likes the styling of these cars..but they're a little much for her budget. Maybe that would help in considering suggestions for her....

BTW - THANKS GUYS!!! we're really strugglin on finding a nice car.

 
Rep Power: 289

you can get those cars used. it would be cheaper

 
Rep Power: 380

Depending on the year they came with either a 1.6 or 1.8L engine.

Basic overview of the Years of Miatas and their options
http://www.miata.net/faq/miatachanges.html


The 94-97 were the last of the older (Lighter) body style with the 1.8L engine. the 94-95s had the OBD-1 engine with 128HP and the 96-97 have the OBD-2 engine @ 133Hp. the OBD-1 is apparently easier to tweak.


More info
http://www.miata.net/faq/features.html

and a great place to learn about Miatas
http://www.miata.net/

 
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i would personally go with a older honda or toyota

 
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i will sell her my 01 lx coupe for 12k with everythnig on it! only 37k miles!

 
Rep Power: 296

anybody else?

 
Rep Power: 296

dang. everybody lost interest in this thread?

 
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You can pick up a used RSX around here for a little over 13k. Not a type-S though.

 
Rep Power: 288

tell her to get a older civic or corolla, but i personally say get a older civic liek 01-02 or a little older

 
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i'd definitely recommend used also...and someone mentioned the Protege 5...my friend has owned one (a 2002...bought used) for about a year, and she loves it...it's a 5-speed, it has enough power stock to meet just about any daily driver's needs (and enough for just some tire-smoking gear-slamming fun...hope she doesn't read this...), and it has plenty of room for the kids/groceries/system, etc...one of the few "wagons" in the world that anyone under 40 can drive without being laughed at....anyway, good luck!

 
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99 Civic LX is a great choice, certified 2nd hand, very low monthly payment, great gas mileage, very low maintenance, good feedbacks= less headache

EPA Mileage Estimates*/Fuel Capacity LX HX EX Si

City/Highway (5-Speed Manual) 32/37 35/43 29/35 26/31

City/Highway (4-Speed Automatic) 28/35 28/35

City/Highway (CVT) 34/38

Fuel (gal.) 11.9 11.9 11.9 11.9

car=6-7

 
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used SRT-4!!!!!

 
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240sx and swap engine and turbo upgrades plus better suspension. drift bitches.

 
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You can buy my car and have enough to put in a turbo. There you have a nice car with good gas miles and get up.

 
Rep Power: 296

what kinda car?

 
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supra

 
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what about nissan. no one has mentioned them yet. those run forever too

 
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turbocharged mazda speed miata

 
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if you can wait and save up few more grand, she can buy either of those mazda's. like 3k more? i'd wait if she really wants those cars. if she buys a different car that doesnt suit her needs/wants to the fullest, shes gonna treat that car not as good as if it were the mazda. just my .02

 
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duh 05 rl

 
Rep Power: 583

i concur. i just bought a 99 for under 10k, so you can easilly get a 2001/2002 for around 13ish...

ill let you know how the girls love it after i pick it up. hahaha