New Car - 10-15k, hatch, maybe AWD

[Milkman]

Hi All, I'm planning my next car purchase and would like some opinions. I'm moving to Pittsburgh for my first job out of college in a week. I've been driving a modded 98 Honda prelude for a while and love it, but it won't be the most practical in the snowy hills of Pitt or for carrying bigger stuff/camping. I also be commuting around an hour to work each day, so comfort and fuel economy are important. I still can't decide if I should stick with manual or switch to auto... I'm guessing I'll determine in my first week of commuting if the traffic is too much for my left foot. My current car is certainly not fast, but it's enough power to have fun with, so I'd like to try and maintain some level of sportiness.

I'm a car guy and have a few ideas floating around in my head, but I'd like to hear some of your opinions first.


Recap:

10-15k
Low as possible mileage
Hatch
Decent fuel economy
A little sporty
Reliable (it's a DD, and my only car)
Cheap to fix and maintain (nothing German...)


I think that's it. Thanks in advance!

Here's a pic of my car in it's hayday, it's been tamed down a good deal since...

http://i.imgur.com/ccOcPUs.jpg?1

[camopaint0707]

i'll take the prelude if you wanna sell it

[schaffer]

newer impreza, outback,forester......

[Shipman]

Heres pretty much the same thread, take a look through here. Youre about to get the exact same answers anyway.

http://www.tristatetuners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132780

[JST2KWIK]

Volvo C30. They're a lot of fun to drive

[Milkman]

Heres pretty much the same thread, take a look through here. Youre about to get the exact same answers anyway.

http://www.tristatetuners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132780

i actually did read through that thread before making this... i'm not looking for a sports sedan?................

Volvo C30. They're a lot of fun to drive

Please tell me more lol. I've loved the look of C30s for years even though everyone around me thinks they're ugly. Haven't priced them out or done research, but definitely on my list

[GolNat]

Check out:

02-05 Honda Civic Si (only manual trans)
Mazda 3 Hatchback (manual and auto)

Great looking prelude!

[camopaint0707]

that prelude would be fine in oakland with snow tires.

[Milkman]

Check out:

02-05 Honda Civic Si (only manual trans)
Mazda 3 Hatchback (manual and auto)

Great looking prelude!

been doing some research on the mazda 3, i always like the first gen sedans. and thanks!

that prelude would be fine in oakland with snow tires.

how about mt washington?

[camopaint0707]

I imagine it's very similar. You under estimate snow tires I think.

[Milkman]

you're probably right on that, never drove on snow tires before

[camopaint0707]

Put this way. I've owned an absolute garbage $100 integra that run like a beast with studded snow tires. Never got stuck. I currently own a G8 and I run snow tires on it and have yet to get stuck and I personally have seen 4wd suv's (like jukes and crv's) get stuck on small hills because they run all seasons. I've lived pittsburgh in the winter and if the snow is deep enough that you'd get stuck I would stay home. But if you get caught in the snow, nothing is better than a good set of snow tires. On ANY car.

[OVR_9000]

MILKMAN! Selling the Prelude, shame. Haha the S doesn't look like it did in its prime either...currently switching up everything so we'll see!

Sorry, nothing to contribute to the thread, except congrats on the job! Good luck! I'm livin' in Philly if you're ever out this way and need a place to crash (figuratively, please don't drive through my wall)

[jjm4life]

Abarth.

Mines still for sale but a bit out of your range. A clean low mileage 2012 is in your budget for sure. Car is a blast

[camopaint0707]

a fiat 500 is out of the $15000 price range? Right

[jjm4life]

a fiat 500 is out of the $15000 price range? Right
No a fiat 500 is in the OP's price range.
An abarth with 10,000 miles on it 200hp and 15k worth of mods is not.

[camopaint0707]

yeah, it's too cheap. 15 grand worth of mods equats to about $4 in over resale value increase.

[jjm4life]

yeah, it's too cheap. 15 grand worth of mods equats to about $4 in over resale value increase.

thanks for your professional opinion. Not my first time selling a highly modified car, but clearly you know the market.

For what it's worth, I'm looking for 18k.

For the OP.. I still say an abarth should be on your list. A stock one can be had much cheaper than mine. Should be roughly within your budget

[OVR_9000]

Not bashing, but how can you spend 15k on a car and only be putting out 200hp?

[jjm4life]

Well this is going off topic..

Body work, suspension, brakes, wheels, interior. Only area of the car I didn't touch was the stereo. So yes, a lot an be done for 15k while only making 50hp more.

My Porsche has 5 figures into the motor and trans alone.. Wanna talk about that?

[schaffer]

Not bashing, but how can you spend 15k on a car and only be putting out 200hp?

You're not from around here are you boy...

[sfd]

Honda Fit and Fiat 500 Pop come up a bunch on cars.com searches. That's at 15k and 50,000 miles or less. I think mileage comes into play here on your budget or you'll need to hop around forums like this. I didn't find much. One stray Mazda and Fiesta here and there.

If you come up in price (above that 15k mark) I started to find more Mazda3, Ford Focus, and Subbies in the 15-17 range. Even found some oddballs like a 2013 Sonic RS CPO and a local Fiat Abarth for $17k

Personally, I went auto on my DD for work. Then I went to manual on the second car. Regretted most days, LOVED it on the ones where I could really drive and I don't commute much. Obviously the Jeep is auto so you know what I ultimately decided on at the age of 30. I'll get a fun/beater car in manual if I have the itch.

[jjm4life]

If you found an abarth at 17, mine at 18 is a ****ing steal.

[camopaint0707]

Well this is going off topic..

Body work, suspension, brakes, wheels, interior. Only area of the car I didn't touch was the stereo. So yes, a lot an be done for 15k while only making 50hp more.

My Porsche has 5 figures into the motor and trans alone.. Wanna talk about that?

you must be over compensating for something else you lack then. 15 grand and you can't even beat a v6 mustang. You should stick to a scooter or something.

[Bates]

Not bashing, but how can you spend 15k on a car and only be putting out 200hp?

You realize brand new BRZs/FRS' start at over 25k and only put out 200hp, right? Same with Jukes (Nismo versions anyway), Turbo Velosters, MX-5s (167hp). So I am not sure what you were trying to get at with that comment.

[jjm4life]

you must be over compensating for something else you lack then. 15 grand and you can't even beat a v6 mustang. You should stick to a scooter or something.

lol. who is this guy?

this thread is about someone trying to find a car on at a specific budget. if you'd like to discuss my choices on modifications for my cars, feel free to post in my thread. over the years I've had several cars that were plenty fast. sometimes thats just not the goal.

as for scooters, you'd hate my motorcycle. but that slow old thing just made it to its third magazine. currently waiting to hear back on a fourth mag in France actually. It couldn't beat a v6 mustang either.

clearly I'm doing it wrong. after all, if you're not first, you're last. right?

[Bates]

lol. who is this guy?

this thread is about someone trying to find a car on at a specific budget. if you'd like to discuss my choices on modifications for my cars, feel free to post in my thread. over the years I've had several cars that were plenty fast. sometimes thats just not the goal.

as for scooters, you'd hate my motorcycle. but that slow old thing just made it to its third magazine. currently waiting to hear back on a fourth mag in France actually. It couldn't beat a v6 mustang either.

clearly I'm doing it wrong. after all, if you're not first, you're last. right?

Camo reminds me of someone...

http://www.focusst.org/forum/attachments/focus-st-vs-competition/48882d1400292618-spyshots-hyundai-veloster-turbo-getting-facelift-his-face-when-he-lets-go-uses-his-hips-_31ad32e5b00d63430152966557c94ee9.jpg

[300zx_tt]

lol. who is this guy?

this thread is about someone trying to find a car on at a specific budget. if you'd like to discuss my choices on modifications for my cars, feel free to post in my thread. over the years I've had several cars that were plenty fast. sometimes thats just not the goal.

as for scooters, you'd hate my motorcycle. but that slow old thing just made it to its third magazine. currently waiting to hear back on a fourth mag in France actually. It couldn't beat a v6 mustang either.

clearly I'm doing it wrong. after all, if you're not first, you're last. right?


Clearly he is just jealous, look at your past rides and look at his. Nothing he says is relevant.


Different strokes for different folks, if that was a bagged cambered out vw that had 15k in the suspension, bodywork and wheels nobody would think twice.

[Bates]

Clearly he is just jealous, look at your past rides and look at his. Nothing he says is relevant.


Different strokes for different folks, if that was a bagged cambered out vw that had 15k in the suspension, bodywork and wheels nobody would think twice.

This post is full of truth and win. Well said.

[camopaint0707]

Clearly he is just jealous, look at your past rides and look at his. Nothing he says is relevant.


Different strokes for different folks, if that was a bagged cambered out vw that had 15k in the suspension, bodywork and wheels nobody would think twice.

lol, that's gotta be it.

[camopaint0707]

lol. who is this guy?

this thread is about someone trying to find a car on at a specific budget. if you'd like to discuss my choices on modifications for my cars, feel free to post in my thread. over the years I've had several cars that were plenty fast. sometimes thats just not the goal.

as for scooters, you'd hate my motorcycle. but that slow old thing just made it to its third magazine. currently waiting to hear back on a fourth mag in France actually. It couldn't beat a v6 mustang either.

clearly I'm doing it wrong. after all, if you're not first, you're last. right?

dude i'm just ****ing with you, it's a joke not a dick, don't take it so hard. I couldn't care less about your fiat or past rides or motorcycle or whatever you have. It's an internet forum, don't talk it all so personally.

[O2SpecV]

ill help you OP Mazdaspeed 3. The power is there and its an absolute blast to drive i have had mine since 2010 and ****ing love it you could find a good one at that price too make sure fuel pump internals are upgraded if it has any mods. /thread

[c7scayman]

10-15k
Low as possible mileage
Hatch
Decent fuel economy
A little sporty
Reliable (it's a DD, and my only car)
Cheap to fix and maintain (nothing German...)

Suzuki SX4 meets everything including AWD, except for sportiness.
Subaru Impreza WRX 5 door meets everything except fuel economy and mileage for that price range.
Mazdaspeed 3 meets everything except fuel economy and AWD
Volvo C30 meets everything except price and AWD. It's tough to find them under $18,000.
Or try out something different like a used Honda CRZ or Chevy Sonic Turbo. They are about $14-15k used with low mileage and they are somewhat sporty and very fuel efficient. Just throw some snow tires on them for the winter.
If you think about it, an Acura RSX is considered a 3 door hatch. The rear window opens with the trunk and you can fit a large flat screen TV in there. But most RSX's are high mileage.

[Bad Sedan]

Subaru forester

Awd, turbo, some sti take off parts fit.