help me pick a car

[TURBO2GO]

A friend of mine, a girl in her late 20's is looking to buy her first nice car. She has a budget of around $25K, max.

She drives about 35K miles a year, is single, no kids. She can drive a stick and prefers something sporty.

I recommended these new cars to look at:

Acura TSX
Minicooper S.
MX5 Miata w/retractable hardtop.
Civic Si.
Scion TC.

For used I recommended these:

S2000
Infiniti G35 coupe
Nissan 350Z
RX8

Right now in my mind top contender is the used S2000. I think you can get a 2005 for around 25K. Still under warranty.

I don't want something high maintenance, unreliable, or something that loses a lot of value. That ruled out the Sky and Solstice, or anything German. A WRX or the new Mazdaspeed 3 is not her style.

Did I forget anything good?

 

[KooLaid]

S2k or for a larger car, 350Z. Those Z's are going CHEAP used for a nice touring model and even less for the base model. TSX is nice too in the less sporty class along with the civic. Scion TC is nice too and I think cheap enough for a new one along with the civic.

Everything else would just have alot more miles on them and be quite a bit older than those two. I'm just not much a RX8 fan, hate the car really...

 

[kilika89]

I would recommend the Honda Fit. It's cute, sporty, compact, affordable, and a gas saver. In addition, it is offered in manual, VTEC-i engine standard, can carry 4 passengers, and comes with the accessory package if she wants that extra spice to it.

I'll give you a direct link
http://automobiles.honda.com/models/model_overview.asp?ModelName=Fit

 

[JDMnsxR]

the new civics are great.... the CIVIC si is an awesome car. i think the new bdy civics are one of the better designed cars out there, and the cars are pretty zippy....

 

[eNeSeX 95T]

I THINK I FOUND IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




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[eNeSeX 95T]

if she says no on that then id go with the s2000:smile:

 

[ETLMD]

I would recommend the S2000 if she doesn't need to carry much stuff and the TSX if she does.

Since reliability and low maintenance is paramount, you have to stick with completely Japanese made and assembled cars from Honda/Acura and Toyota/Lexus (opposed to Japanese cars assembled in the United States for example).

 

[NeoNSX]

TSX TSX TSX!!!


Otherwise I'd suggest this... even comes in a girl's colour:

<IMG SRC="http://www.doggs.com.ar/lowrider/low_03g.gif">

 

[John Corbitt]

If she is willing to run the RX-8 hard, I would recommend it. Otherwise I would not. They have issues if they are not ran hard, at once in a while. I have one and have had no problems with it. I have 43000 miles on it. Loaded 04s with 30000 miles on them are selling for about $18k.

John

 

[pvmike]

A friend of mine, a girl in her late 20's is looking to buy her first nice car. She has a budget of around $25K, max.

She drives about 35K miles a year, is single, no kids. She can drive a stick and prefers something sporty.

I recommended these new cars to look at:

Acura TSX
Minicooper S.
MX5 Miata w/retractable hardtop.
Civic Si.
Scion TC.

For used I recommended these:

S2000
Infiniti G35 coupe
Nissan 350Z
RX8

Right now in my mind top contender is the used S2000. I think you can get a 2005 for around 25K. Still under warranty.

I don't want something high maintenance, unreliable, or something that loses a lot of value. That ruled out the Sky and Solstice, or anything German. A WRX or the new Mazdaspeed 3 is not her style.

Did I forget anything good?

35k miles a year is a lot in a small car like the Mini, S2k or Miata. Do her a favor and recommend a sporty car that can also function well as a highway cruiser. I say a used, low mileage G35 with navi. Since she wants a "nice" car, the G offers a bit more cachet than the Civic/Scion/TSX. And though it's a common car, it'll probably hold its value better than the RX-8.

 

[Matt_337]

Dave

Does she live in Ma like you?
If so, then I wouldn't recommend the S2000 and recommend something with AWD.

If not, then definitely the S2000. Keep in mind the S2000 came with some sort of traction control in the 2006 models.

 

[TURBO2GO]

Yes, lives in MA. I don't know of any all wheel drive cars that fit that bill. Its going to wind up being an unreliable audi or a boring car like a CRV that won't be her style. I did recommend a dedicated set of wheels and snow tires for the winter. 2005 S2000 has no traction control?!

I like the Fit, I will have her take a look. But I better do that before she sees an S2K, or else the fit won't fit. I think she will pass on the fit as it not being sporty enough. Whats she really wants is an NSX. When I mentioned a used one can be had for $30K she flipped out. But I don't think its the right car for her now. She looked at a TSX and liked it a lot... but said she wished it was a bit more sporty.

Any problems with these used G's and Z's?

Thanks for the input so far guys... wow some of you actually know what you are talking about...

 

[sjones]

I would recommend the TSX... I don't think it will fall within her $25K max price though for a new one.

 

[TURBO2GO]

I would recommend the TSX... I don't think it will fall within her $25K max price though for a new one.

No, she did look at it and did like it. Is willing to stretch the budget to 28K since its new. It is a contender so far.

 

[rickysals]

If you ruled out the Sky/Solstice based on reliability - rule out the Mini as well. American and German cars are nearly equally unreliable (study about a year ago, i'll search if someone wants to see it). I would also lose the RX8. It's worlds more reliable than the RX7, but still not enough to be considered a candidate for 35K a year duty.

Civic SI Coupe/Sedan
Acura RSX would fit the price range if the TSX won't.
The S2000 isn't gonna work in the snow. Atleast I personally wouldn't expect it to.
Maybe a WRX? They don't have the obnoxious riceboy wing like the STi and does fit the AWD, funfactor & budget.

You should spot her like $4,000 and get her into a 91 NSX

 

[Matt_337]

I forgot about the Mini (get the S version).

It is a blast to drive (as long as she hasn't driven faster cars first). It is also FWD so it won't be as bad in the winter time as an S2000 would be.

As for the S2000 and winter, many people drive theirs in the winter with snow tires.

 

[KooLaid]

Yep S2000 would be NUTS in the snow. I drove one around Colorado once in a while. Evo? 35k miles is ALOT in a year for almost any sports car that will handle winter weather well.... I dunno, TSX or Civic seems to be the best option.

 

[minervoflorida]

I recommend anything Acura or Honda, she will be hooked for life.
Probably a Civic, but make sure she drives them to see if she likes it more than the first drive.

S2000 is wonderful car but maybe not for her everyday car, especially if snow is involved or rough roads.

 

[DocL]

Don't forget about the new VW GTI. They are quick, good looking, sporty, and winter friendly.

 

[DV8]

Any problems with these used G's and Z's?

I test drove a 350 a while back and although it was fun to drive (not as nibble as the NSX though), I didn't like the seating position. I felt too sunk down in the seats especially when you rest your elbow on the window. It felt like it was made for much taller people, but then again I'm on the small side (5'7") so depending on the size of your friend, she may not like it as well. The G35 was much better IMO, much more refined, comfortable and luxurious. I'd pick the G35 over the 350 for her. Both are very heavy cars though.

S2000 would definitely be the way to go but I'd recommend she test drive the new Civic SI. A little laid back on power but the handling was very decent. Looks are subjective but I actually love the way it looks. Might want to check out the RXS as well. Identical engine with the SI, just a matter of exterior preference. Either way you can't go wrong with Honda reliability.

 

[Scin]

I vote S2000.

She should also check out the Pontiac Solstice, or Saturn Sky. They are fun little cars with some slick styling.

 

[ediddynsx]

If she can put up with just having a two seater than get the s2000.....otherwise I would recommend:


new civic si coupe
tsx
2 door accord coupe v6

other cars to look at used or discontinued if shes willing
rsx-s
type-r integra
integra gs-r
prelude SH
used M3 1995
used is300 or gs models


Theres a lot of nice used cars for sale now a days. Good luck.

 

[blackna1]

I vote for an '06 S2000 with TCS, along w/ some nice snow tires then she is good to go.

Second to that I would vote the Civic SI, it is definitely sporty.

By the time these cars hit 100k+ miles, she can get an '02+ nsx in her early thirties. This way she is not missing out on anything.

 

[KooLaid]

350z Has a HUGE blind spot looking towards the passenger outside mirror. I couldn't judge how from from the curb I was on the right when trying to pull in close so I had a hard time parking into places when turning to the right to get in. The doors are massively huge and the doors have this textured cheap looking black plastic for as far as the eye can see. Thats the worst thing about the car. Other than that, it was a BLAST to drive and has a great feeling of torque and power. The G35 has a more muted muffled feel of power. Very squishy soft feeling... Didn't like that at all.

 

[NSXLuvr]

35K a year. If she cares about MPG then Mini cooper S or Civic Si. Otherwise, TSX or 350Z.

I would never buy a RX-8 - 15 MPG, FUGLY and with poor engine quality.