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What car should I buy?

millertime021

millertime021

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 28, 2010
640
0
AZ
So, I currently own a 1989 Jeep Wrangler with 4" lift on 35's. I love it to death and I'll never sell it. However, I now drive over 22 miles a day for work and school and what have you. The only problem with that is I get 8-12 miles per gallon.

I don't mind the cost too much as its always fun to drive, but I'm thinking about purchasing a second car for commuting. It would basically be a car to drive to work and school on weekdays and I'd end up selling it in a year or two.

Price range is about $8000 USD down. Preferably $5000 USD or under.
Looking for about 20mpg or better.

Any suggestions?

Also, I prefer American made cars and, being 19, something a little "cooler" or different. I don't care about mileage or year.

Furthermore, smart assery is enjoyed as long as there are some real suggestions as well.


Thanks guys!

tl;dr Fuel efficient vehicle under $5000
 
millertime021 said:
Price range is about $8000 down.
Click to expand...

Sorry. I'm not an American, and have absolutely no idea what this means.

Do you want to spend $8000, or $5000? You're probably not going to find many fuel efficient American cars for $5000, which would probably get you a 10-15 year old American car. A budget of $8000 would give you a few good options, I think.
 
EDIT: Shame on me for not reading your post and only the title... sorry.

Kia Forte Koup... VERY NICE. Decked out at about 19K. VERY sporty and civic SI -ish. Kia is trying to make a big name for themselves and they are progressing very nicely.

Not the best photo as far as showing the car off but I'm at work so just a quick google. :rolleyes:


112_2009_new_york_02l+2010_kia_forte_koup+front_three_quarters_view.jpg
 
iMJustAGuy said:
EDIT: Shame on me for not reading your post and only the title... sorry.

Kia Forte Koup... VERY NICE. Decked out at about 19K. VERY sporty and civic SI -ish. Kia is trying to make a big name for themselves and they are progressing very nicely.

Not the best photo as far as showing the car off but I'm at work so just a quick google. :rolleyes:


112_2009_new_york_02l+2010_kia_forte_koup+front_three_quarters_view.jpg
Click to expand...

his tl;dr states he wants a car for $5000. Don't think that'll do it.
 
2000 Honda Civic. Not a car to fall in love with but it should do the trick for mileage, reliability and cost.
 
Abstract said:
Sorry. I'm not an American, and have absolutely no idea what this means.
Click to expand...

"$8,000 down", in general car buying parlance means he has to pay a minimum of eight grand at the date of purchase. Short for "down payment."

In this case, he's simply saying he's looking for something under $8,000. "$8k and under..." et al.. :)
 
Buy a Civic or Accord if you want fuel efficient and reliable. I know you like American cars, but there is a reason they depreciate so fast.

I ride an 09 ZX6R most days, but on the other days I drive a 1987 BMW 325is that I paid $2k for. It has 400k miles and is in immaculate condition. My girlfriend drives my 2001 BMW 325ix sedan with 160k miles on it as her daily. There are a lot of 'cool' cars you can get for under $5k as a daily, but unless you are really familiar with them it's going to be a nightmare for you... which is why I recommend the dead reliable Civics and Accords to people that are asking this question.
 
Older model Totyota Corollas, Honda Civics. I know you said you want American but I can't seem to think of any cars that fit your description with a cool factor. Maybe an older model Chevrolet Cavalier ?
 
The New Ford Fiesta is $13K. That would be at your top end. Honestly, Ford makes the best American cars you can buy right now. Great quality, engines (Eco-Boost) and Sync. No other American car company comes close in my opinion and I've never like American cars before.
 
millertime021 said:
However, I now drive over 22 miles a day for work and school and what have you. The only problem with that is I get 8-12 miles per gallon.

Also, I prefer American made cars and, being 19, something a little "cooler" or different. I don't care about mileage or year.

TL.DR Fuel efficient vehicle under $5000
Click to expand...

Is this city or highway commuting? I had a Ford Ranger 2WD that got 25 MPG highway, but, the city mileage was quite embarrassing. In my experience, Rangers are cheap and reliable, but, not for city driving.

(I'm looking for a good used Ford Escape Hybrid myself. I do a lot of city driving, but, still need a vehicle that can haul stuff on primitive roads.)
 
RedReplicant said:
I know you like American cars, but there is a reason they depreciate so fast.
Click to expand...

I've had excellent experience with Fords myself, and, GM seems to make some pretty good intermediate-sized sedans. I've owned a couple of Toyotas, and, the Fords I've owned were just as reliable. I wouldn't buy a Chrysler - I have driven quite a few as rental cars and did not like them at all. YMMV.
 
Hey sorry, I probably should have stated that I was looking for a used car.

Hence the price range. Thanks for all the feedback, I'm taking suggestions and actually thinking about what you guys have to say.


(Also, 500th post)
 
Nugget said:
What does "American Built?" mean? Does a Ford Fiesta built in Mexico qualify? How about a BMW Z3 built in South Carolina?
Click to expand...

Ford and what not. I think you know what I meant. :rolleyes:

jnpy!$4g3cwk said:
Is this city or highway commuting? I had a Ford Ranger 2WD that got 25 MPG highway, but, the city mileage was quite embarrassing. In my experience, Rangers are cheap and reliable, but, not for city driving.

(I'm looking for a good used Ford Escape Hybrid myself. I do a lot of city driving, but, still need a vehicle that can haul stuff on primitive roads.)
Click to expand...

Actually, I have looked at Ford Rangers and other small trucks. Basically, I drive on the freeway to work, but some days traffic makes it seem like I'm doing city driving. So basically, I'm looking for a 20 MPG average.

And I don't care how old it is either. Reliability is always good, but I can fix a lot of things myself after owning a Jeep for almost 2 years and counting. :D
 
Abstract said:
Sorry. I'm not an American, and have absolutely no idea what this means.

Do you want to spend $8000, or $5000? You're probably not going to find many fuel efficient American cars for $5000, which would probably get you a 10-15 year old American car. A budget of $8000 would give you a few good options, I think.
Click to expand...

i think he is talking about down payment. You need to pay a certain amount of money in order to get ownership of the car. any cost above what you payed as down payment will be your monthly payment + interest etc.

EDIT: Melrose beat me to it.
 
Melrose said:
"$8,000 down", in general car buying parlance means he has to pay a minimum of eight grand at the date of purchase. Short for "down payment."

In this case, he's simply saying he's looking for something under $8,000. "$8k and under..." et al.. :)
Click to expand...

That's what I thought, but the next part of what he says, and the very last line of his post ("tl;dr Fuel efficient vehicle under $5000") kind of implied that he could put $8000 downpayment on a $5000 car. :p I thought I misread it, and he was using a slangy way of saying his budget was "under $8000".


Anyway, Ned Flanders drove a Geo Metro. :p Great fuel efficiency from a time when Americans didn't care much about fuel economy.
 
millertime021 said:
Actually, I have looked at Ford Rangers and other small trucks. Basically, I drive on the freeway to work, but some days traffic makes it seem like I'm doing city driving. So basically, I'm looking for a 20 MPG average.

And I don't care how old it is either. Reliability is always good, but I can fix a lot of things myself after owning a Jeep for almost 2 years and counting. :D
Click to expand...

I wish I still had my Ranger. I would go for a 4 cyl + 5 speed manual and maybe get 20 MPG overall. Manual transmissions are a drag in stop and go driving, but, the Ranger has a very nice manual. Lowest TCO I ever had in a vehicle.
 
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