Dear Oppo, I need some advice/help.

"acewin" (acewin) 03/27/2014 at 14:49 • Filed to: oppositelock

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Dear oppo,

Long time Jalopnik reader/fan/lurker for many years, oppo reader, never posted before, so here's my first time, and I need some advice (sorry if this is not the correct place - please be gentle!):

I'm moving to CT, and I'm buying my first car by myself (I've driven a family car before, but I lived in Boston for a while - so no car for many years), so I have no idea what to do. I was hoping I could ask you all for advice.

As I am a poor recent post-med school resident with loan payments for years, funds for the next few years are gonna be on the lower side, so despite my desires for a BRZ, an E36 or an E46 M3, I don't think I'll be able to get something like that considering initial purchase or long term operating/parts costs, respectively.

I'm primarily looking for a DD that's reliable - but really not a fan of the beige (unless necessary) - so looking more interesting/fun/unique, that's 10 years or newer (i.e. MY2004+). I'm a fan of wagons (note: predates my discovering of Jalopnik, but ultimately validated by you crazy buffoons), but a sedan/coupe will do. I've got just about $8-10k saved up from jobs, left overs from grants, etc.

I've been thinking about imprezas, outbacks, xc-70, Mazdas, MINI coopers, ... and yes, even a V6 mustang or two... but I need some help/advice.

Another possibility is a new cheap car, but I loathe the Versa, and the Mirage/Yaris/Fit/Fiesta might require a bit of finding a few extra funds to acquire.

So, TL;DR: What would you guys (and gals, of course), with your vast, collective automotive wisdom, suggest for a fun/interesting reliable DD under $8-10k -ish?