Car recommendations, please!

"Rainbow" (rainbeaux) 07/13/2016 at 18:41 • Filed to: None

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It is with great sadness that I admit I might possibly consider replacing the Escort in the not-so-distant future. It’s a fun little car, but it’s just not the best. The transmission is slowly failing, the head gasket is slowly failing, the AC is slowly failing, the speakers are slowly failing, and the resale value is only $1500 on an extremely good day; around $1000-1200 normally. I would love to try to sell it to my girlfriend or sister for $600 (what I paid my grandpa for it) to keep it close, so hopefully that works out.

But anyway, what should I buy to replace it? I’m starting a new full-time jobon Monday with an annual pay of around $27,000. Not the greatest, but more than enough for something nice. My main desire right now is a Suzuki Kizashi - a sexy, sporty, AWD sedan that can be had for under $10k, or around $12-14k for a low-mileage example that might even still have its original warranty.

The problem is I don’t know tons about this car, other than that it flew under the radar as an affordable sports sedan and didn’t sell that well. But it’s so sexy in red.....

I’d also consider an NB Miata, but that’s mainly because I miss having a convertible; Ideally, I want something that can hypothetically last me long enough to carry my future kids, which will probably be coming no sooner than 7 or 8 years from now. That’s another possible downside to the Miata.

However, I do love the idea of a different convertible. One with back seats, even if they’re tiny.

So yeah. What other cars, in the $5,000-$15,000 range, are comparable to the Kizashi and/or a fun convertible? I’m not looking to buy it very soon (I’m only just starting to build credit anyway) so I’m just looking for ideas.

EL_ULY > Rainbow 07/13/2016 at 18:47

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what town do you live in so we could get our CL on?

Rainbow > EL_ULY 07/13/2016 at 18:49

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I’m around Atlanta. (OTP East, if you wanna get more specific there)

CRider > Rainbow 07/13/2016 at 18:50

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I think this is the first time I’ve seen the Kizashi described as “sexy”. You might also have trouble getting it serviced since Suzuki autos is dead in the US. And resale will be non existent. Maybe you should consider another Suzuki instead?

Rainbow > CRider 07/13/2016 at 18:51

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I want a bike so bad, but I have to move out first. My mom won’t let me keep one here.

Wobbles the Mind > Rainbow 07/13/2016 at 18:53

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Go cheap as hell since it’s a new job, that way you don’t feel like you have to stay if you can’t stand the management (plus you can save a bit and get yourself a BRZ or Fiesta ST for $16k in 18 months). Chrysler Crossfire Convertibles are cheap with low miles and are usually extremely clean at $7,000. Let your baby mommy get a car for the kids.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Rainbow 07/13/2016 at 18:57

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SVT Focus.

djgreenlava > Rainbow 07/13/2016 at 18:59

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You can get a Kizashi with a manual if you choose FWD.

dogisbadob > Rainbow 07/13/2016 at 18:59

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You might be able to get a Mazdaspeed 6 in your budget.

However, a still-under-warranty Kizashi isn’t that bad at all! Japanese quality at a great value.

An Astra with that huge panoramic sunroof is good too.

If you like AWD, there is the Matrix/Vibe AWD.

You may also be able to get a clearance 2016 Hyundai or Kia, which can still be sold as new with a 10-year warranty.

CRider > Rainbow 07/13/2016 at 19:00

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You need to consider switching mothers. Or at least, learning to defy them.

CRider > Wobbles the Mind 07/13/2016 at 19:03

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He said he’s looking for a cheap sports sedan, not that he can’t decide between a Plymouth Prowler and a PT Cruiser.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Rainbow 07/13/2016 at 19:05

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A Chevy Sonic with a stick is fun, economical and in your price range. If you can get the 1.4t, it’s even modifiable in the future.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Rainbow 07/13/2016 at 19:06

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Also, just throwing it out there, you can get a new Fiesta base in your range, and at 0% financing.

JR1 > Rainbow 07/13/2016 at 19:06

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SHO?

V8 and rear seats

MultiplaOrgasms > Rainbow 07/13/2016 at 19:06

7

E92M3 > Rainbow 07/13/2016 at 19:16

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I need more time to think about other possibilities, but I will first suggest a bugeye WRX. You like to rally cross, it seats 4 comfortably. Forget any Suzuki. Don’t make a bad decision just because a car still has a small amount of warranty left. Also don’t think too far into the future. 7-8 years is a longtime. You’ll probably have gone thru 3 cars in that time frame. No since getting a kid hauler now.

Telumektar > MultiplaOrgasms 07/13/2016 at 19:37

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The bestest.

boxrocket > Rainbow 07/13/2016 at 20:53

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Kizashi SLSs are high on my list of potential cars if the 6 were ever to fail on my. The SX4 is also up there, but has been pushed down with the improved availability of SkyActive Mazdas.

boxrocket > Wobbles the Mind 07/13/2016 at 20:55

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.y..did you seriously suggest a Crossfire to someone who would be making less than the base price of the cheapest new Mercedes?

boxrocket > Aaron M - MasoFiST 07/13/2016 at 20:59

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I’d rather have a Mirage or a Mazda2 than a Sonic. Less power and less fancy features, but better reliability and cost-of-ownership. GM doesn't seem to remember how to make a decent I4 since they axed the j-bodies.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > boxrocket 07/13/2016 at 21:07

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The Mirage is aggressively mediocre, even compared to the Sonic. The Mazda2 isn’t a terrible suggestion, but the Fiesta would be better, especially with the 1.0t...100hp is not really usable on the highway, especially given the Mazda’s torque curve. The Sonic has more usable power and is generally more livable for the price range.

Funktheduck > Rainbow 07/13/2016 at 21:34

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I’ll go ahead and throw out the easy civic/Corolla. Both can be had in manual or auto. Civic has better aftermarket if you wanna modify.

I can vouch for the Skyactiv 3's but I don’t know if they’d be in your price range. They started in 2012.

Mustangs and camaros can be had in convertibles with back seats.

Other interesting options: wrx, Acura TSX, Isuzu Vehicross, and Celica

I wouldn’t worry too much about 7-8 years in the future with a car. So many things can change in that time. Stick with immediate and near future needs and desires. Hopefully your wages will go up and by the time you have kids you’ll want something newer, safer, and more reliable.

My aunt’s 99 explorer is still for sale I believe. 2 door, 5 speed, sport. Paint could be a little better but interior is near perfect.

If you need someone to look at a car with you I'll help assuming my schedule allows.

boxrocket > Aaron M - MasoFiST 07/13/2016 at 22:13

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I’m aware of the lack of power and amenities, and, yeah, a Fiesta, Focus, 3, Forte, Rio, Elantra, Accent, Fit, and Yaris would be arguably more livable, but the point was that the cars with arguably the least mass appeal are still more appealing to me than the sonic - and by extension the spark, tax, and encore. The Mirage and 2 are more fun to drive at 9/10 than the others at 6/10, comparatively.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 07/13/2016 at 23:33

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Awesome cars. But, no. Maintenance nightmare if not upkept properly and most aren’t anymore.

I had one for around 10 years. They are amazing to drive when well sorted. Few are anymore.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Rainbow 07/13/2016 at 23:37

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AWD seems like a waste of money in a place as warm as Georgia. A used Chevy or Mazda will be perfectly dependable and still fun to drive.

Rainbow > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 07/14/2016 at 00:29

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But... But... Rallycross!

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Rainbow 07/14/2016 at 05:16

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I’d actually suggest getting an NB or an MR-S and replacing it when you get kids (or keeping it as a second/third car if your financials allow it). They’re pretty reliable and (almost) at the bottom of the depreciation curve, so you wouldn’t be losing a lot of money on them, while still having a lot of fun. Realistically, if you get a car now, you’d probably be looking for another one in 7 to 8 years anyway.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > boxrocket 07/14/2016 at 08:28

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I don’t know what roads you’re driving that can only get a 140hp Sonic or 125hp Fiesta to 6/10...

I can see the subjective qualities of the 2, but it, the Mirage, and the Nissan Versa are three cars I’d never give as a general recommendation...they’re really the three last remaining penalty box cars on the road, with the Yaris being borderline. I would have recommended the Fit before the Sonic, but the Sonic is cheaper and more modifiable, as well as having a tad more power. If you can’t find a Sonic with the 1.4t, though, it’s worth it to go Honda.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Rainbow 07/14/2016 at 09:19

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That makes it even easier, a used Mazda 3 (or speed 3) that you can find at a good price and put mud tires on it!

boxrocket > Aaron M - MasoFiST 07/14/2016 at 09:22

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I have roads that I can get most cars to 8-9/10, but wringing a basic, light, low-power car can be more entertaining and engaging than one with more power and designed for more aggressive driving, the whole “more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow” ideology.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > boxrocket 07/14/2016 at 09:35

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I’m familiar. But considering the Mazda3 is the most powerful of the bunch at 180hp and the ones I recommended top out at 140, the dynamic differences are going to be...minor. It’s not exactly like I’m recommending a Mustang, here. Every single car on the broader list is under 3000lbs. I get that the 2 is lighter but for a daily driver it a) isn’t noticeable and b) you give up way too much. I drove my friend’s Geo Metro in college and even though it was 500 lbs lighter than my Celica it was still a hateful POS.

Brian Silvestro > Rainbow 07/14/2016 at 16:35

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Doesn’t seem necessary to buy a family car if your family is 7 years down the road.

Nowadays you won’t really lose value on any running Miata you buy, so why not get one?

For Sweden > MultiplaOrgasms 07/14/2016 at 17:09

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We’re gonna build a wall, we’re gonna build a wall and make Volkswagen pay for it

MultiplaOrgasms > For Sweden 07/14/2016 at 17:20

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Better yet, Volvo. They know a thing or two about bricks.

For Sweden > MultiplaOrgasms 07/14/2016 at 17:21

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But the Germans are so good at walls! Much better than the French.

MultiplaOrgasms > For Sweden 07/14/2016 at 17:33

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But not as good as the Mongols!?

For Sweden > MultiplaOrgasms 07/14/2016 at 17:38

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Mongols, under their leader Ronald Reagan, tore down many walls.

MultiplaOrgasms > For Sweden 07/14/2016 at 17:58

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But did you forget about the great wall of northeast Idaho they built under Reagans successor George W. Stalin the conqueror?

Brian Silvestro > Rainbow 07/14/2016 at 20:29

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Trust me when I say RWD is much more fun for rallycross.

Also, if you want to do rallyx, cross convertibles off your list unless they have both a roll bar and a separate hardtop piece.

E90M3 > Rainbow 07/17/2016 at 10:25

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Get a civic, and get one with a stick. I’ve been impressed with all the civics I’ve driven. They actually drive really well. I’d recommend a BMW or something, but those CAN be expensive. My M3 has been more reliable than my explorer ever was. I have very strong negative emotions associated with VWs so it’s too much for me to ever recommend one of those.