New car

[jfox21]

I have around $10k that i am willing to spend on a car. I want something that gets decent gas mileage but is also fun to drive. preferably manual transmission. What would you suggest?

 

[AdL33]

2gen DSM.

 

[seanyb505]

depends what you are looking for and what you need it for...mazda miatas are small and fun to drive, but unfortunately gay factor is high. put 10k into your jeep and make it fun to drive. i would personally look into a mid 90s bmw m3. 275 hp i think, 0-60 in 5ish. I dont think you could get a better car for the money which is fun to drive.

 

[swbooking]

American: Corvette, (cant think of anything else)
Euro: Something VW Golf, Jetta 1.8T, R32 (doubtful for 10G though)
Jap: Rx7, IS300, RSX, S2K, 300ZX Dont get a DSM poorly made crap.

 

[Kittrell]

Lets start with the basics here. Sedan or Coupe?

 

[matt6669]

American: Corvette, (cant think of anything else)

Where you getting a corvette for 10g's that isn't a broken down hunk of crap b/c if you can I wanna know where b/c im buying them ALL and bringing them back to Jersey with me and cashing in.

 

[SeanP]

x2 on the miata. yes, the gayness is strong, but they are fun little go-carts that handle awesome and a rev-happy 4 banger that doesn't (easily) float the valves. great aftermarket. 8-10K will get you a nice 99+ with a little more power.

 

[Patriot4x4]

any generation integra... last gen prelude.

Or if you want a sedan, some of the older nissans or mazdas can be pretty fun...

 

[swbooking]

Where you getting a corvette for 10g's that isn't a broken down hunk of crap b/c if you can I wanna know where b/c im buying them ALL and bringing them back to Jersey with me and cashing in.

haha im not talking brand new here... I remember a couple years ago my dad was gonna pick up like an 80s one for like 12G at a dealer and it ran, had nice interior, and even had a car phone WOW!!! so im sure by now theyre a little cheaper.

 

[YELLAHEEP]

I have around $10k that i am willing to spend on a car. I want something that gets decent gas mileage but is also fun to drive. preferably manual transmission. What would you suggest?

You must have one helluvan XJ if that $10K isn't going to it.....

Ya know, the Gen III Camaros, Firebirds with 5.7's can be had for under $10K and the 5/6 speeds do get pretty good mileage (21 to 28 mpg depending on how you drive 'em) and they are fun to drive.

Nice car:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/292218568.html

Cool looking with power mods:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/car/294764417.html

 

[98XJSport]

If you are looking at a car that is a quick manual, gets 30 mpg, and is a blast to drive, look into the Toyota Celica gts. Has a chick car rep, but drive one if you get the chance, quite fun. 180hp, 2400lbs, 1.8L, 6 speed. Another comparable car would be the Acura RSX type S.

Both are quicker than the other imports of thier caliber (tibbys and newer eclipses stock)

Comparable non imports would be cobalt ss(supercharged version) the saturn version of the same car. Or if you look into spending a bit more look out for SRT-4 neons. Bordering on fast, not sure of mpg though.

If you had more money/less care about gas milage then the fun starts...

 

[white_elephant]

any generation integra... last gen prelude.

Or if you want a sedan, some of the older nissans or mazdas can be pretty fun...

get anything but a front wheel drive!!!!

i will go with the bmw like said before...

 

[IXNAYXJ]

i would personally look into a mid 90s bmw m3. 275 hp i think, 0-60 in 5ish. I dont think you could get a better car for the money which is fun to drive.

Good luck finding a decent E36 M3 for that kind of money. 240 hp, BTW.

Don't touch a DSM!

I'd seriously consider a Miata; you won't find more fun per dollar, and 30 mpg is not hard to do.

I'd steer clear of a $10k Corvette; pretty miserable cars to drive (C4 body style) and not even that fast.

Not sure where people are seeing $10k S2000s or IS300s either. :dunno:

-----Matt-----

 

[jfox21]

thanks for all the ideas guys. i really want something rwd or awd. i just cant stand the understeer of fwd cars. I was lookin at e30 m3's which arent too hard to find for under 10g's but my buddy had one, and maintenance costs are rediculous. I was able to find some e36 m3's for about 12g's but any cheaper and they all have around 200k miles on them.

I definently don't want a vette, especially one from the 80's.

a miata would be cool, but as has been said. . .the gayness factor is high. maybe if i got a black one with some dark grey wheels. slap on a turbo and have some real fun.

i was lookin at 93+ rx-7's, is300's and the like but they are for the most part out of my range.

I think a nice 2000ish wrx or 2.5rs would be fun. i might be able to find one for under 10k.

 

[swbooking]

Yeah a GC8 would be sweet. Maybe a supra?
If you really want an RX7 check out www.rx7club.com Im sure you can find one on the forms in your price range. I have two, ones an NA and the other is my Turbo II auto X project. Rotary's the way to go! good luck on the search.

 

[IXNAYXJ]

I think a nice 2000ish wrx or 2.5rs would be fun. i might be able to find one for under 10k.

First year for the WRX was 2002, and probably just out of your price range. Still a nice 2.5 RS would be a sweet car, even if it only has 165 hp. That's my vote!

-----Matt-----

 

[jfox21]

I know a guy that has a license to go to all the auctions (not public auctions) around here. i'm gonna talk to him on monday and see if he can find any special deals on wrx's if not i think i might go for a 2.5 rs.

 

[Ray H]

Get a brand new Kia Rio for around $12000. 10 yr/100000 warranty, real good MPG, cheap insurance, new car smell. The fun factor isnt high, but fun and economy usually dont mesh well in any car.

 

[IXNAYXJ]

I know a guy that has a license to go to all the auctions (not public auctions) around here. i'm gonna talk to him on monday and see if he can find any special deals on wrx's if not i think i might go for a 2.5 rs.

That's funny; that's what I do for a living. BE CAREFUL of buying a car at a dealer auction.

-----Matt-----

 

[jfox21]

That's funny; that's what I do for a living. BE CAREFUL of buying a car at a dealer auction.

-----Matt-----

thanks for the heads up. the guy that has the license is a professional mechanic who owns his own shop, so i think it should be fairly safe.