Best cars for about 8k?

"Nymphicus Hollandicus" (nymhicus-hollandicus)
03/10/2016 at 08:16 • Filed to: Car search

I’ve been looking for cars that cost about 8k to replace my Pilot.

Requirements

Manual

Practical (4/5 door)

Less than 100,000 miles

Fun to drive

At least 30mpg highway

Reliable

Should be newer than 2007

Ideas?

DISCUSSION (46)

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 08:18

Mazda 3.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
03/10/2016 at 08:20

Found a few first/second gen 3's near me. I would definitely consider them.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 08:21

It’s a really nice car, all said and done. And it drives wonderfully. Also with no turbos or fancy electronics, it is pretty reliable too. At least on par with the likes of nissan and honda and toyota’s standard options. Parts are cheap and readily available. Nice aftermarket too.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 08:25

Also, toyota matrix/corolla XRS. Don’t let the mileage scare you, this one is going to be fine for a few more years if services are up to date.- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Mat…

Flavien Vidal > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 08:26

If you were in Japan, I’d answer by Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3,4,5,6 or even 7, Subaru Impreza STI don’t know what version but you can get some for this price here, E36 M3, the 3.0L engine ones, 3.2L are a bit more expensive (but either are more powerful than what you got in the US)... All those cars will require you to drive very carefuly to reach 30mpg, but it will be close.

EDIT: skipped the “newer than 2007", so... sorry I got nothing for you :)

Thomas Donohue > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 08:29

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Kinja'd!!!

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5476727619…

Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

+1 on the Mazda 3. Or a VW Golf that was well cared for.

RiceOwl > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 08:30

I couldn’t find any of these for under $8k, but if you can stretch the budget just a little bit to $9-10k, there are a plethora of awesome Volvo V50s. Here’s a blue one:

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

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 08:34

5-door Astra

Nymphicus Hollandicus > RiceOwl
03/10/2016 at 08:35

I love those cars, the only thing is I’d be worried more about maintenance costs for those which is an automatic deal breaker. Also it’s an automatic which I won’t settle for.

Stapleface > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 08:37

If you can find one, Suzuki Kizashi. A nationwide AutoTrader search netted me 7 results.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
03/10/2016 at 08:38

Not bad but I saw one like that with 40k fewer miles on it. I’d even consider the first gen too.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Thomas Donohue
03/10/2016 at 08:40

I saw a low-mileage Rabbit near on my search. I’ve been doing lots of research and I’m still worried about reliability.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 08:41

The stock AW11 MR2 motor’s good for 9k when you remove the limiter, but the limiter’s still at 8k, so meets your requirement.

JustJim > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 08:42

Golf GTI? I don’t know about 30 mpg but I think it will fill your needs.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Flavien Vidal
03/10/2016 at 08:43

Are they really that cheap in Japan? Here in the states any evo or STi would be overpriced.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > JustJim
03/10/2016 at 08:46

I’m not sure those would be reliable enough for me. I would consider a standard Golf/Rabbit though.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Stapleface
03/10/2016 at 08:47

I’d be worried about parts more than anything.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 08:47

Well I was gonna shout E36 M3 sedan until I saw the 2007+ requirement...

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/10/2016 at 08:48

There aren’t any near me.

Brian Silvestro > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 08:48

ML55 AMG

Nibby > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 08:49

used Versa

what do I win?

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/10/2016 at 08:49

Even if I wanted one, I wouldn’t buy it.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Nibby
03/10/2016 at 08:50

Kinja'd!!!

I don’t like the Versa though

Nibby > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 08:51

mmm cookies

thanks! Actually, I’d rather have cookies than a Versa anyways.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 09:02

As a first gen Pontiac Vibe owner, I say give it consideration. Huge inside, plenty of hatch space, 30 mpgs.

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 09:02

You lost me at practical.
Seriously though, from the cars I have owned, a Mazda 6 with a hatch was probably the most practical car I had, I put some 17" wheels on it to get a better feedback from the road, from then on, it was quite fun to drive. It was a 2.0 turbo diesel with a 170HP tune up. It was quite economical. 2004 model though, but even newer models are well under 8k.

Flavien Vidal > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 09:09

Yes, they are... Lancer Evo 4, with basic insurance and road/safety test included for 2 years:

http://www.goo-net.com/usedcar/spread…

75000 miles: 4500$

Captain of the Enterprise > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 09:14

Are adults riding in the back?

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 09:28

I’m surprised nobody has mentioned 8th gen Civic Si Sedan yet.

Seems like a solid bet if you ask me!

http://swmi.craigslist.org/cto/5473822560…

shift monkey > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 09:30

the 2.5 in the rabbit is a pretty damn reliable engine. the only issue I've heard of is a oil leak from vacuum pump on auto equipped cars, and timing chain failures on the first two years of production.

RiceOwl > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 09:40

Yeah, they definitely wouldn’t be as reliable as the Mazda 3 someone else suggested. That’s probably what I would actually go with. Hard to think of an overall better $8k car.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Captain of the Enterprise
03/10/2016 at 09:59

Sometimes, but as long as it's a useable back seat it shouldn't matter

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Flavien Vidal
03/10/2016 at 10:00

Wow, that's a steal

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
03/10/2016 at 10:02

Thought about it, but I've heard you need premium gas in them and most are high mileage

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 10:04

Ah, gotchya.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction
03/10/2016 at 10:04

If I found a first gen 6 with the 4 cylinder I'd jump on it, haven't found any yet

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 11:59

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/5459465572…

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/545329…

http://toledo.craigslist.org/cto/5471988576…

Nymphicus Hollandicus > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/10/2016 at 12:09

All solid choices, now it’s time for me to look up craigslist

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 12:11

Don’t be afraid to look for a Milan in your market instead of a Fusion, some were even available with SIX SPEED MANUALS

LongbowMkII > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 12:12

+1 on mazda3 and Corolla XRS

Also Mazda2 and non st fiesta. check out a Cruze or sonic with the 1.4t and 6 speed. Decent value there.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > LongbowMkII
03/10/2016 at 12:31

I’ve found a couple of good Fiestas. The two chevys are decent but I’m not sure if I can find a decent example with the 1.4 and manual.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/10/2016 at 12:32

I know there’s an older Vibe GT that has been at the same dealer for over a year.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 12:37

You’re not going to get the greatest fuel economy on the GT (2ZZ engine) though, just to warn you...

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/10/2016 at 12:38

That’s why I’m not going to look at it. It would seem like a fun car though.

MUSASHI66 > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/10/2016 at 21:24

All but last - used CR-V with 5 sp stick? We sold my wife’2 2004 2-3 years ago with 90k miles or so for 8000 or so.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > MUSASHI66
03/11/2016 at 04:56

Gas mileage wouldn’t be much better than my Pilot, plus I don’t really want an SUV