"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
09/29/2015 at 16:58 • Filed to: None
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"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
09/29/2015 at 16:58 • Filed to: None | 0
| 44 |
I’m going to just list the criteria (I will not necessarily explain them) and not even mention what I’ve been shopping and driving, what I’m just waiting to turn up on Autotrader or cars.com, or what I’ve already crossed off the list. I just want to see what you come up with and more importantly WHY. Why should I choose the car you nominate?
$12k maximum
2004 or newer
Under 100k-ish miles
No salvage titles
Automatic
Four doors
Capable of hauling two small kids and their car seats
As safe, reliable and cheap to own as possible
Relatively good to drive, but certainly not hardcore sports sedan
Fuel efficient, but not at the expense of the above
Comfortable, but not a rolling sofa
Has to be for sale within 300 miles of Austin, Texas
Cannot be for sale by a shady roadside auction dump
As un-boring as is realistic given all of the above
SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:01 |
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Suzuki every joy pop turbo
Justin Hughes
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:04 |
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Two Miatas.
Hey, somebody had to.
Sam
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:07 |
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Maybe look into a 04 or newer 5 series?
PS9
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:08 |
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Dacia Sandero.
Desu-San-Desu
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:13 |
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Mazda 3.
Done.
/Thread
HammerheadFistpunch
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:14 |
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I bet you could find a nice Lexus GS in that price range.
wiffleballtony
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:15 |
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Mazda Speed 6
Tripper
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:16 |
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Here are a few:
Tohru
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:19 |
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As 4chan would say, “Buy a Civic and STFU”.
Anything GM and 3800 powered would do the job superbly but you’ll just poop on them for being rolling sofas.
BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:19 |
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Impreza: http://m.cars.com/vehicledetail/…
Or any Subaru, really.
Future next gen S2000 owner
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:21 |
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Found this MB
http://austin.craigslist.org/ctd/5244836606…
Malibu
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/5231268585…
Mazda 6 wagon
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/5244103987…
Depending on your version of fuel efficient.
CX-9
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/5230771871…
Boring choice - Camry
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/5244203795…
OPPOsaurus WRX
> Tripper
09/29/2015 at 17:22 |
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Wrx automatic? I didn’t know that existed
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Tripper
> Tripper
09/29/2015 at 17:23 |
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I forgot the why:
WRX because it’s probably the best all arounder, I’ve owned one and liked it (mine was also a silver 2005, but it was a sedan).
The Mazda because I have yet to drive a Mazda product that was not at least a little fun to drive.
The Acura because if you want something a little nicer on the inside there is this, not a fantastic driver though.
The CC because it stood out from the crowd when I ran the auto trader search for you, but I have never driven one outside of a parking lot.
Your boy, BJR
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:23 |
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2005 DTS with magneride. Boom. Search over.
not for canada - australian in disguise
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:24 |
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G35?
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…
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Tripper
> OPPOsaurus WRX
09/29/2015 at 17:24 |
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Yep, the first one I ever drove was an automatic.
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OPPOsaurus WRX
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:27 |
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Jaguar - may not be cheap to own but damn!!!!! 390hp
http://m.cars.com/vehicledetail/…
EL_ULY
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:27 |
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DrScientist
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:27 |
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why 2004?
Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:30 |
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Ilike_cougars
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:34 |
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I’m looking for something in the same price range.. And there is a very good possibility I may end up with a 2008-2012 Ford Fusion SEL or a Newer Focus Titanium.
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Chairman Kaga
> Tripper
09/29/2015 at 17:36 |
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I had an ‘05 Saab 92x Aero for several years. Manual of course. I wonder how the automatic compares just in terms of raw performance? That was a fantastic car.
dogisbadob
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:39 |
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There a few good choices
The Focus wagon seems like a good choice, being reasonably fun to drive and efficient, and most of them are automatic.
Another good choice is the Matrix/Vibe. Versatility, legendary Toyota quality, Corolla fuel economy.
Don’t overlook the Suzuki SX4 which should be available at a great price and has what you need.
If you’re lucky you can find an Astra. Nice European car that’s reasonably fun and efficient.
Hyundai has the Elantra Touring.
Small minivans are worth looking at, too. Kia Rondo and Mazda 5.
You might be able to get a Fit in your price range.
There is also the Volvo V50. Volvo is always a safe choice, right? Same platform as the Mazda 3 and 5.
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Chairman Kaga
> Ilike_cougars
09/29/2015 at 17:41 |
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I’m looking hard at an SEL as well as a Milan, which is actually several hundred cheaper but with fewer miles and arguably nicer interior.
TrueDelta shows them to be extremely reliable, so that’s a major plus.
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DrScientist
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:44 |
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a few years older than your criteria... but hits all of the others.
but 7k under budget. use the difference for a modern bluetooth stereo, gas and a warranty.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…
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Chairman Kaga
> dogisbadob
09/29/2015 at 17:44 |
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I was looking at a Volvo V50 T5 but the reliability is not great, at least according to TrueDelta. Seem to have VW levels of electrical issues as well as some poor quality control with regard to materials. Lots of broken latches, switches, and buttons reported.
The Mazda3 S hatchback is on my list though.
I forgot about the Astra, as well as the Aura. With the dissolution of Saturn what is GM’s responsibility for parts?
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Tripper
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 17:45 |
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Love those saabarus! My 05 was also a manual. I was still in high school the last time I drove an automatic WRX so I can’t really speak to how it drove.
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Chairman Kaga
> DrScientist
09/29/2015 at 17:56 |
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My mechanic really scared me off that engine though, particularly with regard to the plastic timing chain guides that are prone to disaster. I was looking at something with the straight 6 though, both 5- and 3-Series from the same era.
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Chairman Kaga
> Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)
09/29/2015 at 17:57 |
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Looking at a Mazda 6 (‘09-’12) but the 4-banger was pretty sluggish. The S models with the V6 are significantly more oomphy but for some reason are as rare as hen’s teeth.
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Chairman Kaga
> DrScientist
09/29/2015 at 17:58 |
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Just to keep it within the two most current generations. Seems most cars cycled in 2004-05.
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Chairman Kaga
> wiffleballtony
09/29/2015 at 17:59 |
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Manual only though.
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Chairman Kaga
> Future next gen S2000 owner
09/29/2015 at 18:00 |
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Mazda6 wagon... Hmm. Forgot they even made those!
My citroen won't start
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 18:01 |
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Get either the LS or a GS, I’d also consider the 1st gen Cadenza.
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Chairman Kaga
> BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
09/29/2015 at 18:02 |
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I’d love a Legacy GT, but within the safe range for head gasket explosion. Post 2006 for the 2.5, right?
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Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 18:03 |
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I was looking for a sixer but didn’t find one.
ZHP Sparky, the 5th
> Ilike_cougars
09/29/2015 at 18:12 |
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Looking for a similar car - the Focus titanium hatches seem like a great value to me too...but doing some online research (and a recent rental car experience) they seem to have some pretty serious issues with the dual clutch transmission? Have you looked into this at all? In fact leaning towards an Escape at this point if we decide to go with a Ford because it uses a traditional slushbox over the DCT.
TrickJos
> Tripper
09/29/2015 at 18:26 |
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I want a CC So bad! When I get a new daily driver in a couple years...
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dogisbadob
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 18:48 |
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I think they still have to supply through 2018 (10 years), but they are quite common in Europe, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
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BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 19:15 |
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The turbos *generally* did not have HG issues because they used a different and more robust gasket.
Any 2.5l EJ has the potential of HG leaks; my wife’s 08 non-turbo developed a very slight leak around 80k miles. But for some reason I’ve always owned cars prone to gasket issues, so we prepared for it. About a $2k dealer job, much much much cheaper if you can DIY.
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Ilike_cougars
> ZHP Sparky, the 5th
09/29/2015 at 20:01 |
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Yep, I did hear about them, but I read somewhere that the 2013 and above models had the problem fixed, but the issue it self was a result of bad driver habits, like mashing the throtle when the lights turned green.. It may still be a good buy I think..
Frenchlicker
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 20:55 |
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I don’t have time to look but I can bet almost anything there is an amazing Subaru wagon that ticks all of the boxes.
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Frenchlicker
> Chairman Kaga
09/29/2015 at 20:58 |
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I know a company that rebuilds them and gives a three year warranty to go with them. I would mention them but I’m not allowed to since I work there.
pip bip - choose Corrour
> Chairman Kaga
09/30/2015 at 05:33 |
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Pontiac G6?
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ZHP Sparky, the 5th
> Ilike_cougars
09/30/2015 at 12:02 |
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Yeah, I definitely want to test drive a few and check it out. Good price for a great car on a finally wonderful chassis. Hopefully the transmission doesn’t ruin it for the non-manuals.