New car search!

"Thunderface" (thunderface)
06/07/2016 at 16:51 • Filed to: new car

Our little old (1998) Acura 1.6el (picture stolen from Google) seems about ready to bit the dust. The transmission slips bad in 1st (when hot), it makes weird noises, plenty of sensors are broken, the exterior has more paint chips and cracks than, um, I don’t know. It has a lot, okay.

We’ve begun the search for a replacement, and the criteria are as follows:

-4 doors

-under $4000 Canadian (so about $3100 USD)

-good on gas

-reliable

Also, my dad has an irrational (actually probably rational, because Canada) want for heated seats. We’ll call that a bonus. I know Mr Regular would recommend a Corolla, and we’re currently looking at a lot of 2004ish Civics. As wonderful as I’m sure those cars are, I’m pushing something a little more interesting. My requests for a Crown Victoria are mostly unrequited, because V-8.

Oh yeah, and a manual would be cool. I’d like to learn, even though my dad hasnt driven stick since his first car (a ‘70-something Datsun)

So, Oppo, what do you think? Mazda3? Civic? Yaris? Focus? Aztec? 488GTB?

DISCUSSION (20)

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Thunderface
06/07/2016 at 16:58

Where in Canada are you?

My citroen won't start > Thunderface
06/07/2016 at 16:59

Kinja'd!!!

The cleanest two-tone ES300 you can find.

Thunderface > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
06/07/2016 at 17:01

I probably should’ve mentioned haha. Ottawa.

jkm7680 > Thunderface
06/07/2016 at 17:01

CVPI

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Thunderface
06/07/2016 at 17:01

I will second a Corolla. It’s simply the car if you need an A-to-B commuter with 4 doors, reliability, and efficiency.

For a slightly more interesting options: Toyota Matrix or Suzuki SX4

Party-vi > Thunderface
06/07/2016 at 17:02

Jeep Cherokee XJ. They’re cheap, probably only 78% rust at this point, and when new the 4.0L with the manual transmission got good gas mileage. Also short of a .44 magnum the 4.0L engine will never die.

CB > Thunderface
06/07/2016 at 17:04

Woot woot! Ottawa represent!

Thunderface > jkm7680
06/07/2016 at 17:04

wow great idea why didnt i think of that :P

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Thunderface
06/07/2016 at 17:07

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

CB > Thunderface
06/07/2016 at 17:07

There are a lot of Mazda 3s on Autotrader for under $4000 and plenty with under 180,000 kilometres. Or a Mazda 5 would be neat, because minivan with a manual.

Thunderface > CB
06/07/2016 at 17:08

Oooh yeah I forgot about those 5's

Thunderface > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
06/07/2016 at 17:10

Maybe his one just for the wheels haha

Kinja'd!!!

Also, at one point my dad looked at a ‘90s V-8 BMW. I do not remember the specifics.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
06/07/2016 at 17:13

Also, 4Runner

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Thunderface
06/07/2016 at 17:20

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

S65 > Thunderface
06/07/2016 at 17:24

Monte Carlo.

https://toronto.craigslist.ca/tor/cto/562421…

Kinja'd!!!

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Thunderface
06/07/2016 at 17:24

Why not get a newer EL? I’ve always liked them. Probably the forbidden fruit factor since I can’t get one here in the USA.

Kinja'd!!!

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Thunderface
06/07/2016 at 17:25

6-speed Manual, 180-horse, 8500-rpm... Toyota?

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

Thunderface > S65
06/07/2016 at 17:43

at least it meets the price range...

Stapleface > Thunderface
06/07/2016 at 19:47

If you want good on gas and reliable, you already said the best two options, those being the Civic and Corolla

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Thunderface
06/07/2016 at 21:50

I would recommend a used Yaris/Echo hatchback - incredibly reliable, small and tossable, not FAST, but quite peppy, manuals were an option a la cheap econobox, and I would imagine they came with heated seats...not sure though!

I was considering one before I found the deal on my Accent.