New Car time. What to get?

"JBurd67" (jlburi)
10/13/2014 at 15:46 • Filed to: None

Hi all, I've been looking and reading here for a while, but this is my first post...

So a little back-story: One week ago, someone turned into me and may have totaled my car. It's a 2001 Monte Carlo SS (for those haters out there, feel free to ignore this). I'll rant on an on about it, but I'll just leave you with this picture from the accident report (seriously other guy, WTF?) I was upset (and still am) but I'll get over it.

I really enjoyed that car, but apparently it's time for me to get a new one. SO. My question for you - What kind of car should I get?

Now, I very recently purchased a '99 XJ which I will be using for the winter and fun off-roading events that I'll make happen myself. I'm in MN, so that's practically necessary... But I also do a lot of highway driving and road trips. So I'm looking for a used car with low mileage, roughly $10-$15k. I want something gas efficient. I'm almost requiring a manual, and want it to be FUN. Ideally, it'll push 35-40 hwy. Also, I'd rather not have a common car. Just too plain.

I'm partial to Chevy, but I can be swayed. I've been seriously considering a certain Sonic HB, but I've also looked at a Ford Focus, Golf, and Mazda3.

Your thoughts, advice, and recommendations are welcome! Here's an E30 for your time.

TL;DR - Someone hit my car, I need a new car. Here's my desires:

Good mpg (35-40 hwy)

Reliability - Newness works due to warranties

Manual transmission

Fun to Drive

Used, $10k-$15k range

Semi-Unique - not insanely common

DISCUSSION (72)

Will with a W8 races an E30 > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 15:48

You forgot to explain why you don't want a Miata.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 15:50

Does it have to be more than two seats?

Because if not I'm gonna say a Saturn Sky Redline.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 15:52

A 2005-2008 Ford Focus ZX3/ZX5 with the 2.3L Duratec and a 5-speed, while a bit of a unicorn (especially the manual wagon variant), can be a real blast to drive. The SVT Focus suspension bolts right on. You can swap SVT seats into it as well. That 2.3 has great low-end torque for town driving, and responds very well to bolt-on mods.

It's also very reliable with routine maintenance. Runs on regular gas, unlike the SVT which requires premium.

If you want newer the BRZ/FRS should get close to your mileage numbers on the highway, but you'll have to get one with some miles on it.

For Sweden > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 15:53

Subaru WRX

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 15:55

MazdaSpeed3?

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 15:55

It probably won't get quite the mileage you're looking for, most fun cars don't get quite that mileage, but I'd say get an S2000. By far one of the best and most fun cars you can buy in that price range.

$kaycog > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 15:58

I'd just like to welcome you to Oppo! Welcome!

JBurd67 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/13/2014 at 16:02

There's actually a brand new 2013 (!) FRS for sale in town here. I talked to the salesmen, and they're dying to get rid of it. They also have a '13 xB. Not that tho.

JBurd67 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 16:03

Preferably. I'd definitely like to be able to carry at least 3 people at times

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:04

Then a Cobalt SS Turbocharged.

JBurd67 > Will with a W8 races an E30
10/13/2014 at 16:05

I'm honestly not even sure what to say. There's really no reason I shouldn't now that I have my Jeep.

I guess I'd like to be able to drive it during the winter at times for road trips, but not all the time. A Miata, while enjoyably awesomeful and Ireallyhavenogoodreason, doesn't quite fit the bill. I'd also like to be able to carry more than 2 people when necessary

JBurd67 > $kaycog
10/13/2014 at 16:06

Thank you!

JBurd67 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/13/2014 at 16:06

That's been considered as well. I should get rid of the Mazda3 and put in MazdaSpeed3.

On a side note, I never understood why they made that one word...

JBurd67 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 16:07

But that's a Cobalt...

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:07

lolmeeitheritsweirdtonotusespaces

Once you're done dissecting that lol, It's a crazy zippy little car with good mileage.

I wanted to say Ford Fusion Sport with a Manual (yes you can get it) but you'll be in the mid 20s on mileage so I don't think that works for you.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:08

Miata. Duh.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:10

That at one point held a record at the Nurburgring.

JBurd67 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/13/2014 at 16:10

They DO make those?! I'd have to search for quite some time I bet. What years did they do that?

Jeb_Hoge > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:12

Ford Fusion or Mazda 6, 2.3L 4-banger with manual transmission. It's not super-powerful but you can romp on the throttle all day long and have fun with it.

JBurd67 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 16:13

I was not aware of that. Duly noted. And considered.

Kinja'd!!!

Mercedes Streeter > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:14

- Good MPG (I'm averaging 46-47 MPG and I drive like a pissed off teen).

- Reliability (Either lots of small things will break, or nothing at all ).

- Manual Transmission (Though, there is a computer overlord controlling the clutch).

- Fun to Drive (If you don't mind the transmission and compare it to a go-kart).

- Used, $5k-$13k

- Really unique (In the USA. And with a rear engine, rear drive, and flappy paddle gearbox, it's a few hundred horses from being a Porsche 911).

Kinja'd!!!

TL;DR - Take this with as much seriousness as you want. :)

Hooker > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:17

I know they're common but I owned a 2011 Cruze Eco 6MT and it was pretty decent. Awesome mileage, good quality, quiet, quicker than I thought it would be, semi-fun to drive. It's possible to find one with a fair amount of power train warranty left.
http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/…

That one is reasonable. Don't take any shit from dealers. These have tanked in value due to rental fleets/leases dumping them at the auctions. They should be cheap right now.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:21

For fuel economy that is reasonably fun to drive, semi-Unique, available with a manual, in the $10-$15K range and good MPG, I suggest the 2010+ Golf or Jetta with the 2L TDI engine... preferably in wagon form.

Kinja'd!!!

JBurd67 > Hooker
10/13/2014 at 16:23

I looked at one of those a while back, and almost bought one about a year ago. I decided not to and to keep my car, which apparently was supposed to get hit. Not a manual, but it was a nice Cruze. Most of the Eco's are driven to hell and back tho, aren't they? The mileage on that one is pretty good...

Edit: I actually had "Cruze" on the list too, but decided to take it off because they're everywhere and it's only gonna get worse. I know that's awesome for insurance, but it's just so plain.

JBurd67 > Mercedes Streeter
10/13/2014 at 16:28

Full seriousness - You nailed it. Home run on all the requirements.

Also full seriousness: I cannot see myself driving one of those. I just can't...

ly2v8-Brian > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:28

indeed welcome fellow MN Oppo.

JBurd67 > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
10/13/2014 at 16:29

Those would be neat. Tough to find though. I'll bring it back into serious consideration, especially for the diesel. I'll start a-looking.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:29

Kinja'd!!!

this happened to me a few years ago, just months after getting a brand new 350Z...luckily it wasn't as bad as yours sounds like it was...sorry for you loss

Civic SI

VW CC

one of these won't be as fun to drive and won't hit your mpg, and the other is fairly common but they're what I could think of

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:34

It doesn't hit your mileage requirement......but..... 2008 C300 mercedes . You can have a dirt simple benz, nothing to break, might not be the best handler, but incredibly composed and very solid. The 6-speed is very tough and the engine is a detuned, destroked 3.5 so the engine is VERY unstressed. Sounds good with an exhaust.

JBurd67 > For Sweden
10/13/2014 at 16:38

I've thought about that. I'd love one... I'll bring it back into consideration. Any info on mileage? Sure, I can just look it up, but what's the fun in that?

JBurd67 > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)
10/13/2014 at 16:43

It honestly wasn't too bad. Stupid? Absolutely. It'll be borderline totaled. The worst part is it's out of alignment. Messing with the suspension messes with cost a lot...

Kinja'd!!!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:44

I'm not positive, 09-12?

JBurd67 > ly2v8-Brian
10/13/2014 at 16:44

How many MN Opponauts are there? I can't imagine it's a lot...

JBurd67 > Will with a W8 races an E30
10/13/2014 at 16:47

I also don't have a garage for the winter... I wouldn't want it to suffer a harsh MN winter without any possible protection

Mercedes Streeter > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:48

Indeed! It's a car you can't be serious while driving. I got laughed out of the last car show I went to (the same one I won an award at the year before) for this "upgrade":

Kinja'd!!!

JBurd67 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/13/2014 at 16:49

A quick Google Search: Indeed, sir. At least one of those years, anyway... I'll do my due diligence and research.

Hooker > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:50

Yeah, I think the looks grow on you. I know they did for me. I find is rather classy these days. The proportions and overall design just jive. I had a Cruze on the yard that was a 2011 with 87K on it (manual). The clutch was never replaced, the interior (and everything else) was beat to shit. It was painfully obvious that the car was brutally abused. It drove and shifted just as good as my 2011 Cruze 6MT with 60K less miles on it that had been pampered. Food for thought. I think they are pretty stout. Oil changes are a breeze too. The manual is a reasonably short throw for what it is. It's no Miata but it's certainly far from a Corolla either.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:51

I wanted one so bad when I was buying the Milan. Of course the Milan is the only one out of the triplets (fusion/milan/mkz) that DIDN'T get the 3.5L duratec.

It's available in Fusion Sport and Lincoln MKZ (all trims, standard, nothing smaller or bigger available)

sellphones2493 > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 16:51

Try to find a 2007ish Acura TSX.

You're probably not gonna get 35-40mpg, but they're super reliable, safe, relatively feature heavy, and are a blast to drive. Not super fast, but the engine loves to rev and the shifter is perfectly weighted.

I almost traded in my 300hp Volvo for this Euro-Accord.

JBurd67 > Hooker
10/13/2014 at 16:54

Good to know they're great and reliable. That definitely helps my consideration of the Sonic. Those 1.4L's are really peppy engines. The looks grew on me fairly quickly, but I'm glad I didn't get the one I was looking at.

I drove the Sonic this last weekend, and boy was it fun. The interior is simple, surprisingly roomy, and elegant. The car itself was quick, easy to shift, and just wanted me to enjoy every bit of it. It was hard to walk away, but I don't have the insurance money yet...

punkgoose17 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2014 at 16:57

How are the SS seats? The Saturn Ion has horrible seats. They cause a lot of back pain on long drives and road trips. I have been thinking about looking into SS or Redline seats hoping they are more comfortable.

JBurd67 > Mercedes Streeter
10/13/2014 at 16:58

That is... just... *speechless*.

It's so awesome and weird at the same time. Bold. Very bold. I'm honestly not even sure what to say.. I have so many things I could say, but it's just... It's weird and awesome and I love it but I'd never put it in my car (unless it was a smart, in which case, congrats, you have balls sir)

bob and john > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 17:00

TDI golf wagon with a stick.

in brown

where is my prize?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > punkgoose17
10/13/2014 at 17:00

I know the Supercharged Cobalt SS had optional Recaros, but they killed those when they went turbo. I dunno honestly.

Hooker > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 17:05

Yeah, I like the Sonic. We never see them in the shop (Cruze's either). Mostly oil changes. Something to put on the radar, Cruze's (some) blow water pumps some where around the 50K mark. It's covered under the Power Train warranty. I've seen a few so I wanted you to know.

The Sonic is a hoot. Direct and precise steering and the 1.4 (if you can find one) is awesome with about 400 lbs taken off it from the Cruze.

Where there is one, there is likely more.

JBurd67 > bob and john
10/13/2014 at 17:06

Unfortunately, +1's are all I have due to the lack of an efficient vehicle...

Here ya go!

Kinja'd!!!

punkgoose17 > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 17:08

For something different you could get a Golf and it should get you the desired fuel economy. I would go for a 2008+ Saab 9-3 2.0T but that would not get you the fuel economy.

JBurd67 > Hooker
10/13/2014 at 17:09

Here's the one I drove. They're actually very hard to find like this. The manual+hatch is difficult to come by if it's not an RS.

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/…

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 17:14

I did some checking. It seems VW TDIs are not very popular in MN. Did manage to find this one for a tick over $15K in Little Falls, MN:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

Failing that, it looks like you'll have to do some travelling if you want a VW TDI. They seem to be more popular in the northeast... and also Florida.

In the Toronto area, there are 26 manual 2010+ VW TDIs in that price range... 12 of them wagons.

I guess I'm spoiled.

Hooker > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 17:25

I was "this close" to picking up a brand new LTZ (silver) with the turbo and manual. So close. I decided I just wanted another Cruze. I like them. A lot. Probably more than I should.

Also, 1.4 and low miles AND black granite paint? Buy it. What are you waiting for?

JBurd67 > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
10/13/2014 at 17:27

They sure aren't. That one's about 2 hours from me, which is what I plan on driving to get a car anyway. I looked around before, and they're pretty hard to find in the right places. Possibly because it gets super cold here (there were weeks last winter where the average temp was 0F. (Yeah)). I'd really like a diesel though. Massively efficient.

JBurd67 > Hooker
10/13/2014 at 17:29

AND A MANUAL! Gawd it was hard to walk away on Saturday. I'm waiting for my money! I honestly plan on getting it this weekend, just thought I'd find out what the rest of the Oppo-community had to say.

Ya know, it's really too bad the new clean diesel Cruzes don't have manuals. That'd be a home run on mileage, fun, and awesome.

ly2v8-Brian > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 17:59

a few, but I have no hard number.

Jayhawk Jake > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 19:08

C5 Corvette

Okay, so it's a little stretch on the mileage. I've heard 30mpg is fairly common on the highway.

Reliable? Check. Manual? Check. Fun to drive? Check. $10-$15k? You may need to hunt to find the right one, but it shouldn't be too hard. The values are there, so check. Semi-unique? Okay, it's a Corvette. Around here they are fairly common, but it's a Corvette, it's no Camry, so check.

Jayhawk Jake > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 19:10

Psst. You can get a tune for the 1.4 for 25 more HP and 30+ more lb-ft of torque for $200. Just thought you should know.

Jayhawk Jake > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 19:18

That's a pretty damn good deal. Black granite metallic is a great color too. That one has the wing off the RS somehow.

Kinja'd!!!

^^^My black granite metallic RS. The longer I own this car, the more I realize I'm never going to want to get rid of it. That should give you an idea of my satisfaction level.

JBurd67 > Jayhawk Jake
10/13/2014 at 19:27

Now I just wanna go get it tonight! I'm itching to get back into it. Thankfully it's a hard sell for the dealership because it's a manual. All I can do is hope it lasts

Ever drive it in the snow? I don't plan to much, just curious.

Jayhawk Jake > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 19:54

Yeah, it sees some snow here. It's no worse than any other small FWD car. Winter tires would help, I just use the stock all seasons

Hooker > JBurd67
10/13/2014 at 22:19

Yeah, they are awesome. I took one for a week and averaged about 50 mpg mostly highway. I was impressed. Don't let the dealer talk you into any extended warranties. It's got plenty. Gap coverage would be good if you can get it for under 400.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/14/2014 at 01:39

was it for the fastest Cobalt?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
10/14/2014 at 06:12

I'm pretty sure it was the fastest FWD car to lap the ring at one point.

punkgoose17 > JBurd67
10/14/2014 at 09:05

The had the manual option up through 2014.

RazoE > JBurd67
10/14/2014 at 09:53

2002-2005 IS300 5-speed. Expect to pay around 8-11k for one, but you can't get any more reliable.

Keep in mind no 2005 manuals had LSDs, so if that's a must (for me it was), then go for 2002-2004's.

BrainForest > JBurd67
10/14/2014 at 10:07

How about MN ex-pats?

twochevrons > Mercedes Streeter
10/14/2014 at 10:08

Having driven a ForTwo when using Car2Go, I wholeheartedly agree. It's hilarious, and I'm pretty sure that there is no other way to drive it than, as you say, like an angry teen. A Smart simply wouldn't be practical for me, but I love driving them.

twochevrons > JBurd67
10/14/2014 at 10:12

MN Oppos represent!

I moved here from New Zealand a few years ago (married a local, so I'm stuck here now). Still can't entirely cope with winter, but at least from the automotive side of things, I've gone full Swede and bought a Volvo.

Mercedes Streeter > JBurd67
10/14/2014 at 10:59

Thanks! That's the reaction from most people, actually! My favourite was a McDonald's employee. He said it was "The dumbest and the most awesome thing I've ever seen!"

That...sums it up well considering what I've done to it!

Mercedes Streeter > twochevrons
10/14/2014 at 11:03

Even better, is when you put wide tyres on them. Understeer becomes Oversteer and in a car this tiny, it's hilarious and awesome!

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > JBurd67
10/14/2014 at 11:30

Metro, either kind.

Captain of the Enterprise > Jayhawk Jake
10/14/2014 at 14:07

My brother has a sonic lt 1.4 and has been looking for a tune, can you recommend that tune you where talking about? Also love the look of your sonic

Jayhawk Jake > Captain of the Enterprise
10/14/2014 at 15:13

Trifecta tune. Bought it from Bad News Racing, they've been really good to me.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/14/2014 at 18:53

I do know it was faster than the NSX, by 12ish seconds.