Help Me Find a Car for my Friend: Update

Kinja'd!!! "AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)" (alecmets2011)
04/14/2015 at 22:09 • Filed to: None

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So a buddy of mine is looking for some cheap wheels. The Pontiac Aztek (kill it with fire) that he's been borrowing from his parents is on its last legs. His parents have agreed to pitch in some money.

Budget: $5000

Can be sporty, but not a sports car (i.e GTI and Cobalt SS, but not Mustang)

Preferably under 125k miles, but depending on condition maybe more, but definitely not over 150k

No wagons (he has yet to see the light), no trucks, and only maybe an SUV

Must be within 50 miles of ZIP 08026

No BMWs, Mercedes, Jaguar, but Lexus is fine

Preferably a stick shift, but depends on how good it is

So far I've found this

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

It's got a few too many miles for the liking, but considering it's overall condition I'd definitely consider it. It's got minor mods, but not bad ones. Most cobalts in this price range are riced the f**k out, but this one isn't bad at all.

He's also found some 1986 Cadillac on craigslist he loves, but I'm trying to explain to him that dealing with the owner of an 86 Caddy on craiglist who lives near Camden, NJ isn't the world's greatest idea. Also 80s Cadillacs are mostly piles of $h1t.

Let's see what OPPO can find...

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

So my friend and I have found three possible cars.

They are a 2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

A 2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

A 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Each has its fair share of problems. The first one (non Spec-V) is on craigslist and we don't have the carfax on it yet

The Spec-V has an accident history

The Eclipse has mileage accuracy problems

Suggestions are still welcome


DISCUSSION (36)


Kinja'd!!! Bairclaw > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/13/2015 at 16:52

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I'm going to guess if no mustang then no bmw either? And what about a jeep? You could find a clean xj within that budget.


Kinja'd!!! sellphones2493 > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/13/2015 at 16:55

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Tranny?


Kinja'd!!! AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) > Bairclaw
04/13/2015 at 16:56

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Absolutely no Jeeps, probably should've added that.


Kinja'd!!! AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) > sellphones2493
04/13/2015 at 16:57

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Either


Kinja'd!!! For Sweden > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/13/2015 at 17:10

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Here's a Mazda 6 http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/4896878163…


Kinja'd!!! No Prius Needed > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/13/2015 at 17:12

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Or...

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Kinja'd!!! Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/13/2015 at 17:16

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Whats your local Craigslist?

A quick search did bring up some decent options. Make sure to do your research to see what problem areas for these cars would be.

2003 Acura RSX . My personal favorite.

2005 Scion tC

2004 Mazda6

Also, think about looking into W bodys. Sure Grand Prixs arent the most interesting thing in the world but they take one hell of a beating.


Kinja'd!!! AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) > For Sweden
04/13/2015 at 17:19

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Not half bad, but the motor swap scares me a little

I found this on autotrader

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

...but could need quite a bit of haggling


Kinja'd!!! AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) > No Prius Needed
04/13/2015 at 17:22

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I've borderline pleaded him to consider one of those, but getting his parents to help pitch in money for BMW isn't really possible


Kinja'd!!! AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
04/13/2015 at 17:27

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RSX has a little too many miles, but it's still good

I don't like that TC. Color's not helping

The Mazda6 is my favorite of the group. Will be suggested

Thanks


Kinja'd!!! sm70- why not Duesenberg? > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/13/2015 at 17:31

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Other than sub-5k, sub 135k mile "car", any other qualifiers? That's a fairly enormous range.


Kinja'd!!! AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
04/13/2015 at 17:35

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No BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar

Lexus is fine though, as is Acura

Eliminate all Corollas, Camrys, Civics, and Accords (nothing "beige")

It's not enormous when you consider he's not willing to travel that far


Kinja'd!!! Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/13/2015 at 17:38

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This is so horrible I can't help but desire to have it.


Kinja'd!!! AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
04/13/2015 at 17:53

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Kinja'd!!! R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > No Prius Needed
04/14/2015 at 22:12

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DO IT!

\Elvis says, "Mercy!"


Kinja'd!!! Alex from Toronto > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/14/2015 at 22:19

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Hyundai Tiburon?


Kinja'd!!! Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/14/2015 at 22:20

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First Generation GTI?


Kinja'd!!! bob and john > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/14/2015 at 22:21

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can you find a 1st gen IS300?


Kinja'd!!! No Prius Needed > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/14/2015 at 22:24

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If he is willing to go like $1.5-2k over budget then I highly suggest the 2nd gen Acura RL.

They run forever (my moms has 100k+ and we have only had to get the timing belt done), they have 300hp, AWD, don't have transmission issues like most Hondas at the time, and are good in the snow.


Kinja'd!!! desertdog5051 > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/14/2015 at 22:27

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Walter wishes to have a talk with you.

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Kinja'd!!! Funktheduck > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
04/14/2015 at 22:31

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4 speed manual?


Kinja'd!!! jvirgs drives a Subaru > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/14/2015 at 22:32

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I would stay away from Sentras with the QR25DE (2.5L) engine. The way they are designed, the precat which is located on the exhaust manifold is known to deteriorate and cause damage to the cylinder wall. This will increase your oil consumption up to 1qt every 1K miles or so. I'm currently going through that with my 04 SE-R which only has 125K on it. At that mileage, I would run far away. Other than that flaw it was a good car, just not worth the headache.

http://www.b15sentra.net/forums/showthr…


Kinja'd!!! AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) > bob and john
04/14/2015 at 22:34

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i've seen one in my search. Had too many miles. I know they last forever, but still it was 170k


Kinja'd!!! AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
04/14/2015 at 22:34

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Considered. Couldn't find one near us


Kinja'd!!! Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/14/2015 at 22:35

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Here are a few other cars I've come across that are at least worth considering.

1993 Toyota Celica : Its old but the miles work and the price is low.

2000 Infiniti G20

1998 Toyota Camry : Sure its boring, but it got hella low miles, and a V6.

2005 Toyota Matrix

Also: Dont get the Eclipse. I wouldnt recommend an Eclipse in the first place let alone one with mileage issues.


Kinja'd!!! AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) > Alex from Toronto
04/14/2015 at 22:36

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Definitely in the running. But the ones I've seen are a little pricey for the budget


Kinja'd!!! bob and john > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/14/2015 at 22:40

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Sorry, I'm just hearing 2JZ-GTE build....(or swap)


Kinja'd!!! AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
04/14/2015 at 22:43

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Celica was a winner until i saw it was an automatic. Same with the G20

No Camry. Not happening. Ever

mehhh on the Matrix


Kinja'd!!! AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) > bob and john
04/14/2015 at 22:48

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Better idea: he also has a 66 mustang he wants to retore eventually

could we do it f&f tokyo drift style??

;)


Kinja'd!!! Alex from Toronto > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/14/2015 at 22:49

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Looked on auto trader and second gens have held their value. Lowest I saw was $6500 and $12k at the highest. I thought they might have been a bit less by now.


Kinja'd!!! Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/14/2015 at 23:31

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If you look on you local CL I can almost guarantee you will be able to find a decent Celica with a manual. G20's are a more uncommon so it would be harder to find a manual with that, be still very possible.


Kinja'd!!! bob and john > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/15/2015 at 00:08

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BRUH HAS TO BE A MURICAN ENGINE BRUH


Kinja'd!!! boxrocket > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/15/2015 at 00:25

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The Sentras aren't too too bad. The Eclipse, aside from other issues, is relatively heavy and flimsy. I bought a 2003 Mazda6 a week and a half ago and love it, though I miss RWD.

Lexus GS? Infiniti G35? Mazda Protégé?


Kinja'd!!! Hi there > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011)
04/15/2015 at 05:24

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Your friend wants a reliable car. An Accord with a stick tends to run indefinitely.


Kinja'd!!! AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) > boxrocket
04/15/2015 at 07:13

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mazda6s are definitely an option

GS and G35 haven't gotten that low in price. Mehhh to the Protege


Kinja'd!!! AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) > Hi there
04/15/2015 at 07:21

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Maybe a requirement should be to make it at least somewhat interesting. Our group currently includes:

1959 Ford Wagon

Merkur XR4Ti

2011 Ford Mustang GT

2003 Subaru WRX

An Accord coupe doesn't really fit. An Eclipse does though