Suggest me a car

"Jetstreamer" (jetstreamer) 10/21/2016 at 09:14 • Filed to: car shopping

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Considering the comments on this post:

http://jalopnik.com/germanys-version-of-craigslist-is-filled-with-your-wild-1787809043

I thought you guys might have some more fun on another car site a bit further East. Especially for people not accustomed to Euro models.

So, at the ripe old age of 27, I am finally considering buying my first car. I have never really needed a car of my own before now. Since age 21 I have been working as a pilot, mostly living out of a suitcase in hotels and company-rented apartments. Anytime transport was needed there was either a company-owned or rented car, and for personal use I rented a car when needed. Before that, I drove the cars my parents own (Honda Jazz/Fit hybrid and second-gen Citroën C1).

Since May this year I have started working for a new company though, and it has allowed me to settle down a bit. Got my own apartment, 95% of my flights are point A-B-A flights so I almost always end up back home. My current apartment has no parking included though, and it’s expensive as f*** to park anywhere within walking distance.

I plan to move in the beginning of next year and will try to find an apartment with parking, so I can buy a car and be freed from the shackles of public transportation or rental cars :).

Help me find something or give some completely useless but fun suggestions by checking out this site:

http://eng.auto24.ee/main/mainindex.php

You will find a lot of the same types of cars as the site in the post mentioned in the beginning, but also some more distinctly East Bloc cars.

Upper budget limit preferably €5000, but it’s for fun as well so show me your finds!

For useful suggestions, consider that this country (Estonia) has maybe 30-40% of it’s roads paved, winters can get as cold as -30C (-22F) and with lots of snow and ice. Roads will be salted a lot. Also, I’m not the most technically apt and experienced person. I could do work on the car myself after trial and error and learning, but would prefer not to have a black hole that sucks away my free time and money.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 09:20

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Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 09:23

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Import one of these

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 09:26

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...And here’s one actually close to your price bracket.

http://eng.auto24.ee/used/2358475

Though if I’m honest I’d stretch a little further and get this:

http://eng.auto24.ee/used/2360687

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 09:27

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Fiat Panda.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 09:34

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Miata, duh.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 09:39

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A bit over the limit, but here’s an Integra Type R for €6600.

http://eng.auto24.ee/used/2259959

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 09:44

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As I reply on almost all of these ‘suggest me’ posts: have you considered my lord and savior, the Toyota MR2 Roadster?

Joking aside, it might fit the bill: it’s reliable, economical, and should handle winter and offroad conditions reasonably competently, as it’s got its engine on top of its drive wheels, and the post-facelift (03+) cars had their ride height raised to near SUV levels. Short overhangs as well.
Not sure about those temperatures, but the heater is incredible and the hardtop has decent insulation.
Biggest problem will be finding one, and not paying through the nose for it.

Otherwise: Dacia Duster, Fiat Panda 4x4, Lada Niva.

Jetstreamer > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 10/21/2016 at 09:46

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Would be absolutely awesome, not enough free space around here to be drifting it in the snow though, and too many concrete poles lining the city streets. Cool video though!

Reminds me a bit of sliding around on frozen lakes in Sweden :).

Jetstreamer > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 10/21/2016 at 09:48

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Oh damn, I might need to secure two parking spots for one of those... Cool pickups, but they would barely fit on some of the roads here I think, let alone city parking.

Jetstreamer > Out, but with a W - has found the answer 10/21/2016 at 09:51

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I like the MR2 (all versions) but the only 03+ model is at the top of the budget and looks kind of rough. Also, my inner adult common sense is saying a two-seater is not the best idea, but I can always override that notion :P.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 09:52

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Disagree. The big ‘un yeah, but the the S10 is the same width as my truck... which is 2" narrower than a Golf.

That said it IS a crew cab, so length may be an issue...

Jetstreamer > interstate366, now In The Industry 10/21/2016 at 09:52

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Oooh, I like it. But yeah, over budget.

Jetstreamer > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 10/21/2016 at 09:53

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My experiences with Fiat have been less than favorable, so that would not be my first choice. But I haven’t really looked at the Panda, so who knows.

Pacer Racer > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 09:54

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This:
http://eng.auto24.ee/used/2249196

It will be both the best and worst decision you ever make.

Jetstreamer > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/21/2016 at 09:54

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I’m going to be cursing in church here, but I’m not a big fan of the Miata (purely based on looks though, I’ve never driven one but am sure it’s a blast).

Berang > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 09:55

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http://eng.auto24.ee/used/2353681

Pacer Racer > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 09:55

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I present to you the Kremlin’s K5:

http://eng.auto24.ee/used/2276875

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 09:55

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James May likes his haha. Maybe look at a Land Cruiser but I don’t know what they run in Eastern Europe. They are quite expensive here in the US

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 10:01

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1st and 2nd generation cars should be fine/fun as well I think, but I haven’t got any personal experience with them (rust might be an issue?).
Price and availability are indeed an issue, I can’t imagine strong convertible sales in the Baltics.

And hey, as long as you don’t need four seats and/or a practical car, you should just buy what you want, it’s easy enough to switch cars when the need arises.

Jetstreamer > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 10/21/2016 at 10:01

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Really? Listed width is almost 20cm (8" give or take) wider than for example a 2008 Golf Variant (wagon). And nearly 2 feet longer.

Either way, it’s probably a bit too big for my use and I would almost never need to haul stuff so the bed will go unused.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 10:02

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I would suggest a Prelude, but the only 2.2VTi was an automatic, and the autos have a habit of breaking easily.

Jetstreamer > Pacer Racer 10/21/2016 at 10:02

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Hehe, I kind of want to now...

Jetstreamer > Pacer Racer 10/21/2016 at 10:04

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Yeah, now imagine those canvas (?) doors and roof with -30 degrees Celsius and a feet or two of snow on top :).

Jetstreamer > Berang 10/21/2016 at 10:06

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I really like some of those GAZs, but I might be mistaken for a Russian mobster in that though :).

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 10:16

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This would be my choice. Although in fairness I know nothing about half these cars!

  http://eng.auto24.ee/used/2371019

American Jalop wetdream. Because janky commie stuff is cool, apparently.

http://eng.auto24.ee/used/1877879

Impratical, but “fun” ride. Rear wheel drive and electric!

http://eng.auto24.ee/used/2029176

Wait! here’s a legit fun car for your consideration.

http://eng.auto24.ee/used/2347506

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 10:22

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It’s fun. I think it’s a bit overrated personally, but it’s a damn good “learn how to drive fast safely” car. Made alot more sense when you could get one in good shape for a couple of grand, but they’re just too expensive for what they are these days.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 10:31

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http://www.car-dimensions.com/dimensions/Chevrolet_S-10/

http://www.car-dimensions.com/dimensions/Volkswagen_Golf/

They’re wrong. The 4x4 did have a little wider wheel track, but the 2wd version tucked the wheels well inside the fenders so the overall width didn’t change. To put it in perspective, the new Colorado is only 6" wider than the one it replaces... which would be 2" narrower than what the ad lists for the S10. So yeah, no way they’ve got the right measurement there.

Invinciblejets > Jetstreamer 10/21/2016 at 10:52

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https://m.mobile.de/auto-inserat/mazda-rx-7-turbo-nidderau/225789530.html

DynamicWeight > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/21/2016 at 11:54

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Yeah, the days of the 2k perfect miata are gone. But in all seriousness, has anything replaced it? I still think the miata is the cheapest fun you can have.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > DynamicWeight 10/21/2016 at 12:10

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Picked up my AW11 for like $900. I think it’s more fun even though they’re pricey now too. They’re more likely to kill you than a Miata though.

DynamicWeight > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/21/2016 at 12:13

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I have always found MR2s to be pricier than miatas, at least in my area.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > DynamicWeight 10/21/2016 at 12:13

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They are. They’re also better.

DynamicWeight > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/21/2016 at 12:28

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So... we’re right back where we started.