What car to get?

[oceania]

I think by next year I'll need to buy another car, my current one feels like it'll die on me soon (but I hope I'm wrong) so I'd like to keep my eyes open for good deals.

My preferences:

• used car
• $10-12k, max $15k
• prefer Japanese or German
• want to get manual stick, not automatic
• environmentally friendly/fuel efficient

Any ideas what kind of car to consider - please include year, model and blue book price.

Thanks for any help.

[SkylineR34X]

2002-2004 BMW 3 series
Get the RWD if you wanna have fun, or get the AWD if you want more traction in the winter.

[afretes]

2003 or 2004 A4 1.8t quattro. Easy to mod and lots of fun in the snow!!!

[oceania]

I don't know what you guys mean "fun". I don't drive to have fun, just to get from point A to point B.

I don't want anything fancy or all the bells and whistle. All I hope it's a solid car that gives me the least amount of headaches and costs.

I'd also like to get a car that's newer than 2005

[fooit]

Toyota Yaris or Corolla, Honda Fit or Civic, VW Golf or Rabbit, Smart, just to name a few...

[c_snapper]

I don't know what you guys mean "fun". I don't drive to have fun, just to get from point A to point B.

I don't want anything fancy or all the bells and whistle. All I hope it's a solid car that gives me the least amount of headaches and costs.

I'd also like to get a car that's newer than 2005

based on these additional requirements, get a civic.

what 2005+ used german do you think you can get with 15k?

[KevC]

Hyundai Sonata

Oh wait .. you wanted manual. Hm. Civic or Corolla .. can't go wrong. Since you don't really want/need any creature comforts/styling ... you can also look at less popular brands to save a bit of money. Sentra, Protege, Lancer. Should be just as reliable if taken care of well.

[Quiggie]

what 2005+ used german do you think you can get with 15k?

Only a Golf or a Jetta.

[Piro21]

Buy an Astra. They're European, they're decent cars with good fuel efficiency, and the massive depreciation they suffer means you can almost get one brand new for 15k.

[afretes]

If you don't have fun while driving, it's because you never drove the right car. Do you really think you can find an '05 or newer German car for under $15k? Good luck!

I don't know what you guys mean "fun". I don't drive to have fun, just to get from point A to point B.

I don't want anything fancy or all the bells and whistle. All I hope it's a solid car that gives me the least amount of headaches and costs.

I'd also like to get a car that's newer than 2005

[boyoflondon]

2002-2004 BMW 3 series
Get the RWD if you wanna have fun, or get the AWD if you want more traction in the winter.

2003 or 2004 A4 1.8t quattro. Easy to mod and lots of fun in the snow!!!

OP never said he had thousands to spend on servicing the newly purchased car, so your suggestions would go out the window

If you don't have fun while driving, it's because you never drove the right car. Do you really think you can find an '05 or newer German car for under $15k? Good luck!

Out of all the people, I thought you would've known better ... CLICK

[oceania]

Thanks to everyone - Toyota, Honda and VV are all reputable car makers so I should be "safe" getting one of those.

My main concern is having something reliable that isn't known to break-down often. I have Nissan right now and I've generally been happy with it but it has some really weird problems that doesn't really affect the driving but it's a pain nonetheless.

Jetta, Civic or Yaris is what I was thinking of as well...

[UrbanPoet]

Thanks to everyone - Toyota, Honda and VV are all reputable car makers so I should be "safe" getting one of those.

My main concern is having something reliable that isn't known to break-down often. I have Nissan right now and I've generally been happy with it but it has some really weird problems that doesn't really affect the driving but it's a pain nonetheless.

Jetta, Civic or Yaris is what I was thinking of as well...

how about hyundai elantra ? for just under $15k you could get one thats practically new. In fact.... theres a deal i saw in the paper.. $11,995 for a Hyundai Elantra. Its most likely the bare bones model with manual... Out the door it'll probably be $15k.
It'll be brand spanking new, so you'll avoid a lot of head aches. They usually have a 5 year warranty, so that'll definately save you tons of headaches and give you piece of mind.

[onecoolloser]

If you don't have fun while driving, it's because you never drove the right car. Do you really think you can find an '05 or newer German car for under $15k? Good luck!

Out of all the people, I thought you would've known better ... CLICK

Haha he's too used to those ridiculous dealer markups

VWs are generally known for their reliability, but Jettas/Golfs are a better drive than a base civic or corolla. However, if you want reliability and no headaches, Civic or Corolla seems to fit your needs best.

[oceania]

Out of curiosity, year model/year of Acura could I get for under $15k? I've always wanted an Acura but they're probably out of my budget.

I'd also like my new car to last long as possible.

My Nissan is 11 years old, I've had it for 9. It has 300k (I bought it with 100k on) and it's given me minimal problems/cost but it's bad on gas, bunch of things don't work and looks like **** (still love it as it's my first car). I'm hoping I can get another year out of it, or at least the winter.