$10,000, 4 Seats, Automatic, 08+ - go!

Kinja'd!!! "MentalJuggernot" (MentalJuggernot)
12/11/2013 at 22:54 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!0 Kinja'd!!! 12

Dad needs a new commuter car; he drives a 2005 Mercedes C230K Coupe around 100 miles a day (round trip). Now that cars getting up in the miles (242k), we're selling it ($3200) and he wants to switch it for a younger car. Specs he wants are fairly simple, he wants an 08 or newer (for reliability, if there's a nice premium car that is a little older he's open to it), $8-10k, Automatic, 4 seats (for the occasional times he carpools), and something nice/fun to drive (coming from a german coupe). Oh, and if we could swing it, a convertible...

Mom doesn't like VWs or Fords or many cars with a 3/36k warranty; if you guys can make a strong case for the reliability of these brands we could talk...

Thank you fellow Jalops!


DISCUSSION (12)


Kinja'd!!! Ian Duer (320b) > MentalJuggernot
12/11/2013 at 23:01

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Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger both tick those boxes depending on one's definition of fun.

Edit: Just for the heck of it, I put 08-up, 10k max, convertible into autotrader's advanced search and it returned an interesting spread.


Kinja'd!!! dogisbadob > MentalJuggernot
12/11/2013 at 23:04

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How about a Saturn Astra? Cool cute Belgian sporty compact, available with a huge panoramic sunroof

How was the C230 coupe in terms of reliability? I really liked them and thought they were cool until I heard the horror stories of Mercedes' New Malaise Era woes (New Malaise is the shitty German cars between ca 1998-2005)


Kinja'd!!! Long Live the Longdoor > MentalJuggernot
12/11/2013 at 23:26

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Saab 9-3 Convertible?

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Kinja'd!!! Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > MentalJuggernot
12/11/2013 at 23:36

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ANSWER IS ALWAYS CAMRY.

I don't know. They just seem like good utility cars.


Kinja'd!!! DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > MentalJuggernot
12/12/2013 at 00:54

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Two Miatas?

In all seriousness, I'd pick the Charger/300 for fun and room for passengers. That's just me, though.


Kinja'd!!! MentalJuggernot > MentalJuggernot
12/12/2013 at 04:46

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OH forgot he wants under 40,000 miles...


Kinja'd!!! MentalJuggernot > Long Live the Longdoor
12/12/2013 at 04:47

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What year? Under 10k??


Kinja'd!!! MentalJuggernot > Ian Duer (320b)
12/12/2013 at 04:47

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The only thing on that spread I saw was smart convertibles loll


Kinja'd!!! MentalJuggernot > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
12/12/2013 at 04:47

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Meh. Fun to drive?


Kinja'd!!! MentalJuggernot > dogisbadob
12/12/2013 at 04:49

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The coupe was surprisingly good...the only issue I've had in the 240K is the valve cover that just went out....


Kinja'd!!! MentalJuggernot > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
12/12/2013 at 04:49

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One for me, one for him? Lol i love it


Kinja'd!!! Ian Duer (320b) > MentalJuggernot
12/12/2013 at 04:56

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Guess it depends on area searched and what you define as small. Saw Sebrings, VW Eoses a Volvo or two. I mainly searched just to see what would happen. I'm out of my element anyhow when an automatic comes into play. Hence my relatively predictable answer of 300/Charger.