Looking for a car around $4000, thoughts?

Blaze

Blaze

The Jeeper Reaper
Joined
Aug 9, 2005
Location
Wake Forest, NC
Well, the transmission in my van bit it on the way home from work today. Really pissed and kind of sad, this thing has been in my family for a long time. I just can't see spending any more money on the thing, it needs new axles and front suspension too, and it is a 95 Voyager. Lee is going to hate to see this too because he just helped me put an engine in it about 5 months ago. :(

Anyway, I'm thinking I'm going to buy a new car. Not a new car, but something affordable.

We've been looking at cars, trying to find something reliable and safe, along with being fairly comfortable for my tall self.

I've driven the small cars - Corolla, Saturns, Cavalier, etc. I just don't fit that comfortably.

We've been looking at turbo Volvo wagons and Subarus. I really want a 5-spd, and I like the turbo 4-banger in both of them. I know I fit ok in a Volvo, and my cousin who is maybe an inch or two shorter than me just bought a WRX and he said he fits really well.

Looking for something on the lower side of 100k and looking to drop about $4000, preferably less. I thought about a Jeep, but we have the Trailblazer so don't really need another SUV. I really want 4-doors for the kiddies.

So what do you guys think?

Oh, no Hondas/Toyotas/Nissans. I know a Subie is a foreign car too, but I really don't want to own one of the other ones.
 
subarus can't be beat for long term maintenance, but for a run around I'd stay clear of the wrx's. they seem higher end and more prone for breakage. the downfall to the whole brand is all of them are more expensive to fix . if I had a wrx I probably flog it all to often and break it from abuse! I got a friend with a four door five speed standard car subaru with almost 300k and no maintenance .
 
Yeah, I can't afford a WRX. I'd rather have an Impreza GT wagon anyway.

It would be a wagon or a hatch if I got one, not a WRX. The WRXs I always see are driven by guys who drive like douchebags. My cousin being one of them. :lol:
 
smaller cars - is it a problem w/ your fit, or need more space for family etc?
I DD an '02 Mazda Protege5 and love it. Its really fun to drive and gas efficient, maintenance is easy and very reliable. I have 2 friends that are big guys that drive Proteges also, and for some unexpected reason they are quite comfortable in them. Its something about how low the seats sit relative to the roofline. Personally I like the P5 "wagon" better for the extra space in back.
As w/ any Mazda, the key is the 5spd.
 
A little of both. I really would like a wagon for hauling crap around, and space for two car seats.

A girl I used to work with had a Protege5 and she loved it too. Took a hell of a beating in an accident she had too, tough little car.

HERe is the car that has piqued my interest in Subies. A guy I worked with in Greensboro had one and loved it, looked just like this. I loved the thing.
http://www.knoxautosalesinc.com/inventory/?f[make]=63
 
I found the Subies too be somewhat cramped for me. I was interested in an Outback until I got one in the shop for timing belt and cam seals, I could barely fit seat all the way back knees were in the dash, head was pretty much in the roof.

Funny that you posted that sub at Knox auto, I was about to point you at the 4Runner for $3500, it's were I got my current Runner
 
The wife and split up, and I have something you may be interested in.
'06 Kia spectra 5 has around 109K on the clock, runs great
2.2L I think, 5 speed, Very peppy, Had it several years and no issues.
Fairly new tires, filled with nitrogen.
Replaced head unit with a pioneer unit, has amp, but no speaker box. Sounds good as is though.
KBB value is over 6K, I'll take $4700 for it.
 
DO NOT BUY A VOLVO :flipoff:
if you do i will not work on it(ok i will, but i will be mad about it)
subaru's are good cars, and relatively easy to work on

kevin, no offense but there probably aren't many cars you are comfortable in (you are a big boy)
 
*cough cough* http://www.nc4x4.com/forum/index.ph...ack-sport-142k-miles-2-5l-5speed-3000.117571/

:D ^^n/a car so Insurance won't be as much as a turbo car, but you can turbo it later with factory wrx/sti parts

I was/am a Volvo owner before I was into Toyota's and this Subaru. Volvo's are good road trip cars/daily drivers. Subaru is a good car to get in and beat around daily. at about 80mp on the highway it humm's at 3k rpm +/- not to good on gas at 80mph. turbo volvo's are epicly fun, honda ricers never see it coming! but they get a good look at the rear
 
If you can find one I'd get a nice 92 or 93 Accord. I had one as my first car and loved it. There easy to work on and very reliable plus they can get 25-30 mpg. Along with tht a nice one is a little less than 4 prob in the 3200-3500 range.
 
I don't want a Honda, no offense to anyone who owns or likes them. I am just very anti-Honda.

That Legacy GT was rusted, just looked at it. I got out of my car, saw the rust, got back in my car and left. I went a drove an 02 Impreza after that. FUN car to drive. Guy wanted waaaaaay too much for it though.
 
83yota4x4 said:
*cough cough* http://www.nc4x4.com/forum/index.ph...ack-sport-142k-miles-2-5l-5speed-3000.117571/

:D ^^n/a car so Insurance won't be as much as a turbo car, but you can turbo it later with factory wrx/sti parts

I was/am a Volvo owner before I was into Toyota's and this Subaru. Volvo's are good road trip cars/daily drivers. Subaru is a good car to get in and beat around daily. at about 80mp on the highway it humm's at 3k rpm +/- not to good on gas at 80mph. turbo volvo's are epicly fun, honda ricers never see it coming! but they get a good look at the rear
Click to expand...

I saw that, but I plan on taking a loan on it through my credit union. Can't do that on a salvage vehicle. Plus I want something I can get in and drive, my wife doesn't want me dragging home any more projects. :lol:
 
not a salvage title. it's a "total loss claim" title. but yeah. can't get loans for either. also, it's a driver not a trailer queen lol
 
Blaze said:
I don't want a Honda, no offense to anyone who owns or likes them. I am just very anti-Honda.

That Legacy GT was rusted, just looked at it. I got out of my car, saw the rust, got back in my car and left. I went a drove an 02 Impreza after that. FUN car to drive. Guy wanted waaaaaay too much for it though.
Click to expand...

I understand, I just know that they have enough room for the driver. I'm 6' 4" and fit fine in the one I had. I'm not sure how older subby's are but we just got a new outback and they are extremely nice.
 
I daily drive an '04 Chevy Blazer 4 door, 2wd, 4.3/4l60e with 130K miles I bought for about 4k. Very good car.
 
RatLabGuy said:
smaller cars - is it a problem w/ your fit, or need more space for family etc?
I DD an '02 Mazda Protege5 and love it. Its really fun to drive and gas efficient, maintenance is easy and very reliable. I have 2 friends that are big guys that drive Proteges also, and for some unexpected reason they are quite comfortable in them. Its something about how low the seats sit relative to the roofline. Personally I like the P5 "wagon" better for the extra space in back.
As w/ any Mazda, the key is the 5spd.
Click to expand...

x2 - has more space than it looks also, would get my vote.
 
Well, I made a preliminary deal on a 2003 Outback tonight. 2.5L 5-spd car. Really nice car. The lady says it needs a new cat, but I'm taking it over to Lee to see if that's what he thinks the issue is. $150 fix if that is the problem. If it is something more major then we'll see what happens.
 
4k will buy you a very sweet XJ... 20 mpg highway, stupid reliable, able to haul a small trailer or load down with the family.

Forget the suburus and such, get a jeep.
 
upnover said:
The wife and split up, and I have something you may be interested in.
'06 Kia spectra 5 has around 109K on the clock, runs great
2.2L I think, 5 speed, Very peppy, Had it several years and no issues.
Fairly new tires, filled with nitrogen.
Replaced head unit with a pioneer unit, has amp, but no speaker box. Sounds good as is though.
KBB value is over 6K, I'll take $4700 for it.
Click to expand...

yeah wish I could have kept it....
 
i got a 00 volvo cross country wagon with third row ,leather,and every other imagineable options. awd turbo super nice with new michelins for 3200.if interested
 
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