Looking to spend around 12k on a used car and the biggest requirement is manual (and little fun, no Kia's haha). Also since I'm in new england I need something that can handle my commute in winters too, wouldn't mind RWD but nothing that i'm going to feel like I'm going to die in if there is some snow on the ground. What do you guys suggest?

 

Try to find a Civic SI that hasn't been riced out.

 

well here are some options

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-...QQcmdZViewItem
i'm not sure if you can find a decent one for 12k

or any civic si like this. but i wouldn't pay more than $10k though
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-...QQcmdZViewItem

decent subaru imprezas
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/REALL...QQcmdZViewItem

or if you like roadsters z3
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-BM...QQcmdZViewItem

if you want luxury 5 series
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-...QQcmdZViewItem

e36 m3
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-...QQcmdZViewItem

e36 convert
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-3...QQcmdZViewItem



or just get a low mile mazda 3 with no worries.

 

I would highly recommend a last-gen Civic Si, a Mazda 3S, or a Mazda Protege or Protege5. They're all fun cars to drive, should require minimal maintenance, and should be easy to find at the $12k price you're looking for.

I would stay away from BMWs because they tend to get expensive to maintain and repair once out of warranty.

 

3000gt
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3000G...QQcmdZViewItem

saab 9-3
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-9-...QQcmdZViewItem

altima se v6
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-...QQcmdZViewItem

mazda 6
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...QQcmdZViewItem

scion tc
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NO-RE...QQcmdZViewItem

2001 cls
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...QQcmdZViewItem


but then my choice would be mazda 3. man, this one only has 9000 miles. noice
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Like-...QQcmdZViewItem

 

definitely. i like these SI's.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda...03336791QQrdZ1

 

Integra GS-R sedan

 

Honestly, for as much bitching as people did about the last gen Si not being quite up to snuff, it was still a fun car to drive. Plus, with a couple of grand thrown into the wheels and tires and a couple of quick bolt-ons, they were sufficiently quick.

Plus, I have a real soft-spot for hatchbacks and wagons.

 

anybody knows anything about subaru (sp)? I've been thinking about getting a subby, but im scared that it will break down on me at like 5-60000 miles and i will have to have major moola on repairs. so, my question is that, are subbies up to par with other japanese cars, like, i know for a fact that honda and toyota can go up to 120000-130000 with no problem. btw.. sorry for the thread hijacking. lol

 

What year? The most recent models have been pretty good in terms of reliability, but some of the older (early to mid 90's) models seem to have suffered from quality issues from batch to batch.

 

95' LS legend Coupe 6-sp
SC300 5sp

both would be hard to find with low milage, but might be worth a little searching

 

post-2000's, possible 2002-2005. so, i guess my "targeted item" is out of the dangerous ear? lol

 

Audi A4
Honda Prelude
Integra GSR
Subaru 2.5 RS (nice when modded)
325i, is, (e36)
VW Passat (with or without 4Motion)
VW Jetta/GTI VR6 or 1.8t

 

Subarus these days are reliable and highly recommended by Consumer Reports

 

another vote for the lexus sc300 5 speed- perfect candidate for a supra tt swap!!

 

Yeah I like the last gen SI a lot, my friend has one but it doesn't seem like it would be a nice highway cruiser (I'm going to have a decent 30 mile each way commute on the highway). I've been looking at 00-01 Solara V6's and like 99 Maxima's but just looking to expand my search so I might be able to buy without any buyers remorse this time though I know I'll never stop car shopping. Keep the suggestions coming, thanks!

 

Prelude if you can find one. My

 

Wow I just found a 94 SC300 5spd with 59k on it. I may drop by and try to test drive this afternoon. It was the first car I remember being in love with when I was a kid, my uncles friend had one and I thought he was so rich and cool haha

 

Guy in my neighborhood did one. TT Supra swap. Man that thing is a sleeper.

 

What about the last Ford SVT Focus... I always heard good things about it. Although its engine does not have that big of a punch, but its handling is top notch, better than Civic Si, MP3, Sentra SE-R and GTI (I remember that from a comparion in Car and Driver some time ago).

But I am not sure about quality though.

 

My bosses friend had the same prob, 12k budget and wanted manual. Suggestea bike or a car from the newspaper that fit the price.

 

Dude, LAST GEN Prelude... Non SH. H22, 5 spd manual, lotsa upgrades (+ boost)... Or Integra GSR...

 

2001 prelude

 

Stick shift 06 Cobalt

 

3000gt vr4. I miss mine, but everything is for sale at the right price!

 

2003 Nissan Sentra SER spec V 175 hp and 180 torque

 

ya better go with the lexus...

 

don't you ever say that again :troutslap

the hell is wrong with you?

 

 

last gen lude

 

2000 Trans Am WS6 6 speed. Almost bought a 22k mile one for about $12.5 a few weeks back. That T56 is mean.

 

I'd love to rock that but I think insurance might run a little high on that as well as not being winter friendly at all.

 

03 Wrx.

 

Winter friendly, nope. But neither is any rear wheel drive car. Some blizzacs and careful driving will go a long way. Also. Geico charged me less for the Trans Am than they did for the TL.

 

Integra type R. early model.

 

Geo Tracker

lifted with tires so big that they touch....

 

look at my sig...that's what I did and I got it for $12k exactly w/ 57k miles on it.