Wanting to Buy a New(er) car...need opinions.

Cherokeekid88

Cherokeekid88

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2007
Location
High Point, NC
Got some debt paid off (well in January) and will be on the hunt for a house starting in Feb. After that, I will be in the market for a car...something newer (like 2005-2009) that is good on gas, fun to drive, reliable, and just overall kinda nice. Also, must be a manual
I really want a Mazda 3 hatchback....dad had the sedan version and I loved it. I love the mazda speed, but just don't know much about how reliable those are....
I also thought about getting an older STI, but again...not sure on the reliablility. Take into account that I want something that sits pretty low to the ground (so that I don't have to dump money into coilovers) and that is already a "sporty" car. Looking to spend around 12k-15k.
Give me some good options on cars that are fun to drive, have some bit of power, easy-ish to work on, and reliable.
 
In those years you wont find an sti that is decent for that price.

In that age range civic si, golf gti, speed3. They are all reliable fun to drive hot hatches. I have owned an si and a gti in that age range. If you want low end torque easy to learn to drive fast decent handling great interior go gti. If you want a high revving great handling care with a plastic interior go si.

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I have a 2003 WRX, non-STI. It is a fun little car that is really pretty quick. Gas mileage isn't great at 22/25 but it is reliable as hell.

Only thing I don't like about it is the interior is really cheap, it's like a tin can rental car. I bought the car because it was supposed to be fun and reliable, but as far as interior and stuff, not impressed.
 
For some reason, I am not crazy about the Si..I feel it is WAY over priced for any year you get unless I go pre 2000's. I don't HAVE to have an STi, GTi, Si, or Speed....just wondering how much difference in reliability/maintenance would a regular 2.3 mazda 3 vs the Mazda speed 3.....I am not sure anymore about VW.....I had a 98 MK3 and I didn't really care for it...although I didn't have the VR6. My ideal car would be something I don't really have to do anything with....I tend to get sucked into the scene of whatever car I have and start blowing money like crazy....I would like to be able to just drop in an exhaust and some cosmetic touches and not have to go too crazy...Basically something I don't have to dump a bunch of money into.
 
Blaze said:
I have a 2003 WRX, non-STI. It is a fun little car that is really pretty quick. Gas mileage isn't great at 22/25 but it is reliable as hell.

Only thing I don't like about it is the interior is really cheap, it's like a tin can rental car. I bought the car because it was supposed to be fun and reliable, but as far as interior and stuff, not impressed.
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I would even be interested in a WRX if it is indeed reliable and long lasting...don't know too much about subarus
 
They last FOREVER. That is the reason I bought one. When I was looking for one I found some with obscene amounts of miles that never had any work done.

One of my best friends had an Si. She hated it. Bought it brand new and only had it for like 6 months before she traded it in on a Milan. She said it was the cheapest built car she ever owned and she hated it. She also has a Jetta GLi and it has all kinds of weird issues with it. Not sure on the Mazda, I have heard good things about them. That was my next choice after a Subaru.
 
MY best friend who owns an auto repair shop that literally works on everything. Always tells me, Buy Honda or Toyota. I guess he would know what has less issues and cost of repair.
 
I have never really thought about going WRX, but that def might be an option....I really want a car that I can drive and is fun and peppy that I don't have to worry about for a while. my MK3 was kinda fun to drive but it had all sorts of electrical issues... My father in law just bought a 2007 mazda 3 thats fully loaded and its nice...drove it to maryland and back, no issues and has owned for over a year now and hasn't had any problems yet.
 
HA! I have been here at work google-ing them and I really like them...I saw one on Autotrader with 72k for 13,900 I think it was an 07...looked good. Also, the other problem is...I haven't driven a Manual in probably 7 years or so..... But thats def want I want.

Any years to stay away from?
 
The 2002 and older ones had head gasket issues, but I don't know of any issues with the newer ones. Mine has right at 100k miles now, bought it back in April. Can't think of a single issue I've had with it so far. Going to have the timing belt changed here soon just got maintenance, but other than that the things rolls along great.
 
Blaze said:
The 2002 and older ones had head gasket issues, but I don't know of any issues with the newer ones. Mine has right at 100k miles now, bought it back in April. Can't think of a single issue I've had with it so far. Going to have the timing belt changed here soon just got maintenance, but other than that the things rolls along great.
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How are the clutches?
 
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