Need advice on my next car purchase.

MindLib

I've been driving a 98' Honda Civic for the past 5 years. It has done me wonders, until now. It has broken down a pair of times which have both happened in the last year. Now my right CV joint is ready to break and suddenly I'm only hitting on three cylinders. My thermostat also seems to be going schitzo. It has 170k miles and I think I'm ready to move on.

I am a complete newb to the car world. I need your help. I suppose I'll just straight tell you what I think I'm looking for;

Between 9,000 and 12,000 dollars.
Used, something around 70k miles?
Automatic
Sporty but not douchebag sporty
Good on gas

jeddy lee

Why buy something that used for that much $? I would just up it by $3-$4 k and get something new.

I know it's a little beyond what you spent, but during the low point of the economy at the begining of the year I got a 2009 ford fusion for 17,000 which was a steal. It also has incredibly good reviews. I'm not really an american car guy, used to driving Toyota's, but after reading the reviews, test driving and looking at the specs, they really did well with that car. I also got an upgraded model, so there are cheaper models.

THEPAIN73

I would say a Pontiac Grand Prix. You can make it as sporty as you want and its within your price range.

The gas part not as much I think mine gets 21 mpg.

If you like Honda go with a 2003 Accord. It's pretty alright.

My money is on the Grand Prix though.

Thegreatcow

I love love LOVE!

The Nissan Altima.

For that price range you can typically find a used one, say from 2005-2006 with less milage than 70k. They're cavernous, can comfortably seat 4 adults and the 4 cylinder model practically sips gas. I can get about 400-500 miles to the tank depending on driving (though I drive a manual so ymmv) but yeah.

The engine is very torquey and has plenty of go even at the higher rpms. Plus, since they're becoming so ubiquitous, chances of finding one are pretty good!

I don't know where you live, but out here in california here are some prices of them that I came across. Usually, if you're willing to go down to manual you can shave a grand or two off the price since so much fewer people drive them.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&search_type=used&distance=100&address=91011&marketZipError=false&style_flag=1&make=NISSAN&model=ALTIMA&make2=&start_year=2006&end_year=2008&min_price=&max_price=13000&seller_type=b&transmission=Automatic&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=45000&color=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceDESC&x=22&y=11&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=y&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=y&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&systime=&rdm=1252001571015

MindLib

I know it's a little more but does anyone know anything about the Mazda RX-8?

Iceman.USAF

I drive one, what do you want to know?

DemonStacey

MindLib wrote: »

I know it's a little more but does anyone know anything about the Mazda RX-8?

You said you wanted good mileage :P

They are cool cars though.

Nova_C

You can't go wrong with getting a Civic that's a couple years old. If I hadn't of gotten an Impreza, I would've got a Civic. You could get a nice, low miles Civic Si in the last year of the good style, 2004.

Iceman.USAF

DaemonSadi wrote: »

MindLib wrote: »

I know it's a little more but does anyone know anything about the Mazda RX-8?

You said you wanted good mileage :P

They are cool cars though.

Haha, you speak the truth. I get about 20-21 or so.

TexiKen

Last Generation Honda Accord coupe models are nice looking and fun to drive. And the Honda V-6 is one of the best engines ever made.

Last Generation Mazda 6's are a good buy; the interior is a bit stupid (especially the A/C vents) but it's fun and practical as a sedan.

You can find 2003-2005 year Nissan 350 Z's for that much now. It's small, and you can't fit a lot in the back other than groceries, but fun to drive. And you get decent gas mileage.

infofcer

Iceman.USAF wrote: »

DaemonSadi wrote: »

MindLib wrote: »

I know it's a little more but does anyone know anything about the Mazda RX-8?

You said you wanted good mileage :P

They are cool cars though.

Haha, you speak the truth. I get about 20-21 or so.

Haha I can only get that in mine on highway trips :P I do love the car though.

Iceman.USAF

infofcer wrote: »

Iceman.USAF wrote: »

DaemonSadi wrote: »

MindLib wrote: »

I know it's a little more but does anyone know anything about the Mazda RX-8?

You said you wanted good mileage :P

They are cool cars though.

Haha, you speak the truth. I get about 20-21 or so.

Haha I can only get that in mine on highway trips :P I do love the car though.

I drive mostly highway to base so yeah. More like 18 or so, 16 if you're really driving it.

What year do you have? Mine is a 2006 Shinka.

Jimmy King

What do you consider good on gas and what do you consider douchebag sporty? I've been driving Mustangs most of my life. I've got a '99 Cobra right now and love it and they should be in your price/mileage range or very, very close. Mileage is moderate... better than my old 5.0 and not enough lower than most of the fun to drive 4cyl and 6cyl cars to give up the power. The 4.6L Mustangs are rated something like 17mpg city, 23 highway. City that's probably pretty accurate, highway that's way, way low. I have consistently seen 28-30 mpg doing highway stuff, that's 2-3 hours each way for Richmond, Va to Washington, D.C. and when I was working across town and had a 30-45 minute trip each direction which was almost all interstate.