What would you buy?

[Fox2k]

Hey all

I was hoping to get some opinions and see what others would recommend. Here are the criteria:

Budget: 20k
Location: Canada or US (if US, warranty must be valid in Canada)
Requirements: Sedan, somewhat sporty, reliable, low maintenance / repair costs, new or used (if used, must have mileage under 30000 km), somewhat unique

Some of the cars that came to mind were '05 - '07 Mazda 6 series, '05 - '06 Subaru WRX

I would also recommend Civic / Corolla but everybody and their grandmother has one and they are found on every corner!

Any other thoughts? I'm curious to see what people think.

[pandaharo]

The 2008 Lancer is from 16500-22000, you get a new design and a long warranty.

[VivienM]

Hey all

I was hoping to get some opinions and see what others would recommend. Here are the criteria:

Budget: 20k
Location: Canada or US (if US, warranty must be valid in Canada)
Requirements: Sedan, somewhat sporty, reliable, low maintenance / repair costs, new or used (if used, must have mileage under 30000 km), somewhat unique

Some of the cars that came to mind were '05 - '07 Mazda 6 series, '05 - '06 Subaru WRX

I would also recommend Civic / Corolla but everybody and their grandmother has one and they are found on every corner!

Any other thoughts? I'm curious to see what people think.

"somewhat sporty" and "somewhat unique"? Does that mean I can't suggest the usual GM W body? :confused:

[Fox2k]

"somewhat sporty" and "somewhat unique"? Does that mean I can't suggest the usual GM W body? :confused:

well no, but I also mentioned reliability which means you cant suggest a GM car..... :D

[MrDisco]

op: get a corolla sport model and be done with it. there's a reason why they're the top selling models in that segment year after year. for 20k no matter what you buy its going to involve compromise.

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

No, it just means you need a V8.

[Fox2k]

hey MrDisco thanks for the suggestion. I saw that the base base model of the sport is just over $21k. to make get it with any decent options would be another few grand, and taxes would bring it close to 30 which is out of range unfortunately. Of course perhaps if I learned to haggle really well it would be an option. But a used one would be an option for sure. :)

[baboo]

Hey all

I was hoping to get some opinions and see what others would recommend. Here are the criteria:

Budget: 20k
Location: Canada or US (if US, warranty must be valid in Canada)
Requirements: Sedan, somewhat sporty, reliable, low maintenance / repair costs, new or used (if used, must have mileage under 30000 km), somewhat unique

Some of the cars that came to mind were '05 - '07 Mazda 6 series, '05 - '06 Subaru WRX

I would also recommend Civic / Corolla but everybody and their grandmother has one and they are found on every corner!

Any other thoughts? I'm curious to see what people think.

Want to take over my finance on a 06 Lancer Ralliart?...;)

It is a somewhat sporty sedan, with 24000 km and still have 4 years new car and 9 years power train warranty on it :)

[GoiNGPoSTaL]

You're not going to find 2005-2006 WRX's with 30,000km or less for $20,000, unless you are looking at rebuilt's or maybe a used one from the States.

You're either going to have to get an '05+ with high mileage for that price or '04 or earlier with fair amount of km's for $20,000.

[VivienM]

well no, but I also mentioned reliability which means you cant suggest a GM car..... :D

*sigh*

There's nothing unreliable about the BIG GM cars!

[jappaswat]

2008 lancer FTW. but i think the price rances from 16~28K (16k if you get DE model manual, 28K if you get GTS with CVT)

corolla are... ugly and they are at the last of their production years..they've been using the same model for over 4 years.

if yout want a car THIS YEAR, go for 2008 lancers.
if you can wait for 3~4 months, GET THE NEW 2009 COROLLA. newly designed, waaaay better looking; i highly recommand it for a high reliable budget car. (good on gas too)

http://www.motortrend.com/photo_gallery/112_0801_2009_toyota_corolla_gallery

[kleptodathief]

im thinking u can get a nice 2003 - 2004 acura tl type s for under 20gs?:?: dunno how old u wanna go

[Polaren]

*sigh*

There's nothing unreliable about the BIG GM cars!

Unfortunately GM is on the fail boat for most people:

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/9702/failboatpu5.th.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/my.php?image=failboatpu5.jpg)

[ElvaSoShexai]

i think u can find a corolla xrs for < 20k in the states. it's a corolla but it'll b unique w/ a high revving engine wen u want sportiness... fuel economy when u wanna save gas... low maintenance since it's a corolla

[mechanic]

Camry, Corolla, used Lexus?
Tacoma, Tundra.
these cars will do 400-500,000 without any major expenses.
200K is nothing for a Camry

[gheart008]

corolla are... ugly


so is the back of the lancer... :lol:

[mechanic]

How about a Matrix?
Bottom line is that a Toyota or a Honda will retain allot of it's vlue, unlike anything North American
www.ricksrepair.ca

[Fox2k]

You're not going to find 2005-2006 WRX's with 30,000km or less for $20,000, unless you are looking at rebuilt's or maybe a used one from the States.

You're either going to have to get an '05+ with high mileage for that price or '04 or earlier with fair amount of km's for $20,000.

Yep I am quite aware of the prices, but I have been looking at used cars from the states and to be honest right now I am leaning towards it (used WRX). It still blows my mind how toyota and Honda have more or less adjusted their prices to compete with their american coounterparts but Subaru is still way the hell out there. A WRX for $9k more than in the states? come on!! I'm sure its SoC's fault, not the actual dealers. but its still sad. At least SoA honors warranty on vehicles brought to Canada.

For everyone suggesting Corollas - I like that car very much, we have one now as the family car. It's great and I agree on reliability - ours is at 300k and the only 'repairs' we have done to it as far as I can remember were to change some of the tailight bulbs and fix one of the cylinders that had seized or something (mechanic said car was running on 3 cylinders...lol). I just....its a corolla and it would be nice to get something a bit more unique, thats all. :confused:

As for the lancer, I remember working at Hertz for a summer a few years back as a summer job. We had brand new lancers come in and they quickly became oneof the most popular rentals. But, when driving them they honestly felt like they were going to fall apart. They were a rattly, uncomfortable ride, and the motor sounded like it would struggle to go over a speedbump at 5km/h. Have things changed? I sure as hell wouldn't have bought a mitsubishi back then..Don't know anything about the current ones.

[GoiNGPoSTaL]

Yeah but even with $20,000 in the US you're pushing it. I haven't checked them out but those in your range look suspect. I'd CarFax them and just about anything else to check them out. But with the Impreza you'd have to add 20% tax, you'd be better off with a Legacy if you import.

[nerdonsite]

how about a new 2007 hyundai sonata GLS imported from the US? Turns out to be around 16K after the $2500 rebate they are offering. Much much better car than a corolla/mazda3/matrix imo plus 5 yr warranty in Canada. Can't go wrong with that.

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2007/hyundai/sonata/100751612/optionsresults.html?action=2

select a color and click on tvm pricing.

[tmpz]

I'm in a similar position...

Car I'm considering:
2006-2008 Mazda 3 Sedan GX/GS
2006-2008 Mazda 6 Sedan
2008 Pontiac Wave Sedan
2007-2008 Mitsubishi Lancer DE/ES
Toyota Matrix / Pontiac Vibe

Automatic transmission with power options and A/C.

Is it true that Japanese cars costs more to fix than American cars?

[malaco0219]

Lancer FTW if you're looking at Brand new.
Used cars theres a lot more options.

[MrDisco]

But a used one would be an option for sure. :)

Yes I was under the assumption you were looking at used.

[VivienM]

I'm in a similar position...

Car I'm considering:
2006-2008 Mazda 3 Sedan GX/GS
2006-2008 Mazda 6 Sedan
2008 Pontiac Wave Sedan
2007-2008 Mitsubishi Lancer DE/ES
Toyota Matrix / Pontiac Vibe

Automatic transmission with power options and A/C.

Is it true that Japanese cars costs more to fix than American cars?

FYI, there are no American cars on your list. :) The Pontiac Vibe is a rebadged Matrix, and the Pontiac Wave is a Daewoo...

As for "costs more to fix" generally, who knows. The usual thought is that parts for common American cars/engines are cheaper than those for Japanese models, I think...

If you're looking at used Mazda 6s, try adding the Pontiac Grand Prix to your list. A 2006 GP is probably a very good deal $$$$-wise... and unlike the smaller domestics, actually a decent quality product.