Please help me find a car, Oppo!

"Viggen" (viggen37) 01/14/2017 at 16:37 • Filed to: None

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I’m looking for something for around $7,000. Reliability is key, but I still want it to be a car that’s fun and has some character. I’ve a bad back so I’d prefer but won’t demand a comfortable car. Must be an automatic and no convertibles. I don’t care if it’s FWD, AWD, or RWD. If you want to look locally for me, use Manhattan Kansas and about 250 miles around it for a radius.

TheHondaBro > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 16:45

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Corolla/Matrix XRS

Steve in Manhattan > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 16:48

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Imprezza.

You’re welcome.

S65 > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 16:49

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Honda Civic, can be an Si

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 16:52

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Crown Vic. Because if your going to get an auto it’ll need to be something big and torquey. Because small four cylinders suffer the most from autos.

dogisbadob > TheHondaBro 01/14/2017 at 16:52

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The Matrix XRS automatic doesn’t seem like a good performer. It was only available in 2003 (and even then, only the Matrix, not the Vibe GT), and the automatic is only 4 speeds, not enough to keep it in the power band. Redline is 7800 instead of 8200 rpm.

Viggen > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 01/14/2017 at 16:56

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I had one. Never again.

TheHondaBro > S65 01/14/2017 at 16:57

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The Si has always been manual only.

Viggen > Steve in Manhattan 01/14/2017 at 16:57

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Aren’t those CVTs?

Although, maybe I can find a WRX.

dogisbadob > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 16:58

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Mazda 5

Kia Rondo

Infiniti G35/7

Accord/TSX

2000-01 Catera (the final years were good)

Saturn Astra

02-06 Camry SE (the sporty version)

The Fit isn’t too bad either in terms of fun

Suzuki Aerio SX (awesome digital dash)

Scion XA

Infiniti M45 (03-04)

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 16:58

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Viggen > TheHondaBro 01/14/2017 at 16:59

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I’ve a life long irrational hatred of Hondas anyway. 

Land_Yacht_225 > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 17:04

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Crown Victoria LX Sport. It’s a big, comfortable V8 american sedan but the Sport models have the police interceptor suspension, dual exhaust, and bucket seats with a shifter in the console like a Mercury Marauder.

Viggen > Land_Yacht_225 01/14/2017 at 17:06

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I’ve already done the Crown Vic life. I’ll never own a two valve 4.6 again.

Steve in Manhattan > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 17:10

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Not sure, but if you’re spending 7 grand it’ll be a bit older and thus likely to be a non-CVT.

traitor joe > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 17:24

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fun, cheap, automatic - pick two

just kidding, I’m sure you’ll find something worthwhile.

SVTyler > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 17:26

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Man your Craigslist is barren as hell, an S60R and Millenia were the only vaguely interesting cars besides a few old 60's and 70's mechanic’s specials:

https://ksu.craigslist.org/cto/5954493521.html

https://ksu.craigslist.org/cto/5945482150.html

Viggen > SVTyler 01/14/2017 at 17:28

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Tell me about it.

LOREM IPSUM > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 17:45

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Howabout a Cadillac? CTS perhaps? Probably checks all of the boxes.

Die-Trying > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 17:58

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https://ksu.craigslist.org/cto/5957930124.html

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 18:14

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Why?

Die-Trying > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 18:19

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https://ksu.craigslist.org/cto/5933733711.html

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Land_Yacht_225 > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 18:22

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Then a real Marauder perhaps?

https://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/5959387982.html

TheBlacktopExperiment > Steve in Manhattan 01/14/2017 at 19:13

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Not sure about the US, but in Canada, I believe a $7,000 ($9,000) Impreza will be old, high mileage, and very rough. I’m talking early 2000s, over 100k miles, and probably need some work within 2 yrs of ownership. My friend just bought a 2010 impreza wrx for under blue book- it was $18,000 US....

Steve in Manhattan > TheBlacktopExperiment 01/14/2017 at 19:17

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The answer here might then be Corolla or Civic. Corollas have a non-interference engine so that’s good. Any used small Nissans? Avoid VW, but check out Kia and Hyundai - their cars are up to Japanese quality standards at this point.

TheBlacktopExperiment > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 19:21

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I can help you Viggen. I actually had almost this same criteria when buying a car in Dec 2015. Under $14,000 CDN (~$10,800 US), reliable, but something simple and different that you don’t see much of.

I wound up getting a 2013 Dodge Avenger SE Blacktop, which isn’t bad but is a little frowned upon because base models were used as rental cars and it’s a little slow, but I’m fine with it.

If you want a bit more oomph, a ~2010 Charger might be an option?

Not sure if you can find one cheap enough, but I find the 2008 Cadillac CTS pretty cool. My next daily could be a Cadillac CTS. The new ones are also fast.

Aside from that, there’s so few choices.

I respect not getting a Honda or Toyota too. I’m not a fan and they often turn out dull, dreary vehicles.  

TheBlacktopExperiment > Steve in Manhattan 01/14/2017 at 19:58

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It has to be fun and have character. No civic or corolla in the world built after 1985 is fun or has character. I don’t think Honda designers even know what the word “fun” means.

TheBlacktopExperiment > LOREM IPSUM 01/14/2017 at 20:00

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I said that too. Could maybe find a 2008 for under $7,000 US? That’s the re-design year when they looked better/great imo. Also peppy.

MyJeepGetsStuckInTheSnow > Viggen 01/14/2017 at 21:43

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Sounds like you’re looking for a Camry with a dent for a little character.

QCGoose > Viggen 01/15/2017 at 13:50

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What about the Ford Fusion (and Mercury Milan/Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ)? For $7k, you should be able to find a clean 1st gen. They’re relatively fun to drive, practical, reliable, and they’re everywhere so parts are plentiful when needed.

For your price point and specifics, IMO the Fusion meets the criteria perfectly.

Viggen > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 01/16/2017 at 00:08

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I’m eternally triggered by one little piece of plastic costing me $800 in repairs.

Viggen > TheBlacktopExperiment 01/16/2017 at 00:14

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If I can find a decent CTS I might look into it.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > Viggen 01/16/2017 at 00:31

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?

Viggen > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 01/16/2017 at 00:45

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I’ve forgotten what it was. Happened almost four years ago, but it was a piece of plastic at the end of a line in the engine cooling that broke. Caused a bunch of other issues.