Trying to find a good car for 10k has been disappointing.

What do you guys suggest?I haven't been able to find any good deals besides a WRX that sold very quickly before I even had the change to test drive. Here's what I've found in my area:

2001 Acura CL 3.2 Type S - $10,000
(103k miles from a Acura Dealer, but worried of transmission problems)

2001 Acura TL 3.2 - $8,000
(130,000 miles from same dealership, once again transmission problems?)

2001 Acura Integra LS - $7,000
(103,000 miles)

2000 Toyota Celica GTS - $9,000
(84,000 miles)

2001 Subaru Impreza RS - $10,000
(105,000 miles, put on here for awd in the New England winter)

What would you guys go with? Or is there another good car I'm not thinking of?

 

high miles on everything cept the toyota.

 

Skip the 01 CL and TL because of the tranny issues....

Can you drive a manual ?

There are CL 6spds out there with similar mileage for about the same price...

Like Mr. Steve's for example:

https://acurazine.com/forums/member-cars-sale-49/fs-2003-cl-type-s-6-speed-110k-miles-%247-250-a-386156/

Check on the BM here for more examples:

https://acurazine.com/forums/member-cars-sale-49/

 

look for a 2000-2001 nissan maxima
real good reliable, powerful cars

 

I can't drive manual, unfortunately. There are RSX's, TSX's, and TL's with 30k to 40k miles, but they run about $18,000 to $20,000.

 

learn to drive manual

 

it's not that hard.

 

impreza RS is hot stuff. blue coupe FTW

avoid the CL and TL, or lower your budget to 8k so you have an additional 2k to spend on the new tranny.

 

Doubt this is what you're looking for, but plenty of LS1 F-Bodys are out there for under $10,000. 98+ Camaro Z28s and Firebird Formulas/Trans Ams. And nothing to worry about transmission related unless you're looking to really mod it. With just some pretty good shocks it'll outhandle and outperform all the cars you have in mind.... and thats exactly what I had in mind. Not to mention funner to drive also.

It it matters, in October 2007 I got an 02 Z28 with 71,000 miles on it, with full service records, pretty much one owner car (2nd owner had it for 2 months, got a wagon instead) and in great condition for only $11,500. The automatic ones cost even less and are easier to find, so if you're looking for that,

But since you live in NE apparently, the Integra is a good choice too. IMO I would go for an older GSR if anything though, and set aside money for security mods.... trust me.

 

It'll be extraordinarily tough to find a used vehicle for $10,000 or less, unless you are looking to purchase a Civic, which you can find in relatively good condition for that price.

I'm just curious are you putting the $10,000 price because you're looking to buy the car outright or are you looking for $200 or less monthly payments. If you are looking to purchase the car outright, may I suggest financing the vehicle. It assuredly be a thousand or two more expensive, but I will say that if you were able to spend a couple thousand dollars more you can find yourself a great car.

Nevertheless I will try to search on autotrader for a vehicle that is suitable for $10,000, I'm assuming you're looking for something with low maintenance costs as well, as I can find a used 100K mi Audi A4 for $7,000.

 

Here you are, a few vehicles I found suitable for the Northeast.

2000 Toyota 4Runner

2002 Nissan Altima

2001 Toyota Camry

I'm pretty confident that the Toyota Camry will offer the least problems, make sure if you purchase a used SUV that the 4WD system is in good working order. Many people forget to change the differential fluid and blow out the gears on the RWD system, leaving them with a costly $1500 bill to fix the AWD/4WD system.

 

Hell, I would stay away from all the cars you posted.

I think Greenie's idea about Steve's car is good. I would consider buying it if I had the cash. Manual is not that tough to learn.

Aside from that, the Maxima idea is a good one. They are reliable and fun to drive. If you want something a bit more classy, the I30 or I35 is a good option. I have an I35. Most comfortable car I have owned. And even at 101K miles, it's running as good as the day I got it. There are a couple I30's on ebay for less than $10K.

I think the Maxima will be the best all round car for you.

 

I drove my brother over to pick up a 1997 Civic LX sedan for $4000 w/ 100K miles yesterday for my 18 y/o niece. One owner from CA... so there are deals to be found out there...

 

96 or newer prelude

 

+1.

 

+1!!!!

You could even look at 02-03 Maxima SE's, you may find one with 80k miles for under 10k....these cars are fast, reliable and fun to drive (if you get 6spd)

 

^

if you can find a 5.5g with decent miles, then even better.

the HIDs and extra hp is bonus.

 

i'm slightly biased, but i'm sure u could find 6 speed 3.2 cl-s's for under 10k.

that is unless you need 4 doors

 

 

I'm feeling Mr Steve's car. That's a lot of car for less than 10k.

 

I don't wanna learn manual on a car and ruin the clutch. Do you guys buy cheap beaters and learn? Or do you rent a car with manual transmission for a day?

I drove manual in a wal-mart parking and on the road for a bit with my ex gf once but that was awhile ago and I didn't have it completely down.

If the transmissions are replaced on the automatic CLs and TLs are they set for the remainder of the car's life, or will they keep going bad and need replacing?

I'll look into the preludes and maximas. My friend has a honda prelude. I saw two a few days ago that were around 7k, not sure the mileage. But my gf said they had been on that lot for a very long time, since she had moved here several months ago.

 

I bought a manual transmission Integra and had my buddy drive it home for me, next day he showed me the basics and I drove it to the gym with a car full of people 2 days later. Its not hard, after driving it daily for a month or two it'll almost become natural to you. Just don't ride out the clutch, its better to stall. Learn the catch point by just letting out the clutch without the gas and making the car move without using the throttle, then its easier after that.

As far as TL and CL trannys being replaced, there are TL and CL owners out there who have had trannys replaced multiple times, as in 3+ times, even after the alleged Feb. 2005 or so "fix" that guaranteed protection against future failures. If you really want to try your luck, then go ahead

 

It's just not that hard to drive a MT car. If you have any sort of physical coordination, you'll be fine in a day. You might stall a few times but, so what. Give it a try, you'll like it. Unless your commute is loaded with heavy, stop and go traffic.

 

I think day to day stop and go driving would be my breaking point for keeping an MT, I love driving MT but I don't think I could handle it everyday.

 

Yeah. It really does suck. That's the reason I had to stop buying MT.

 

I've driven mt my whole life and just now switched to an auto. I love the auto. Finally I can talk on the phone, eat a burger, drink my soda, fiddle with the radio, shave and smoke a cig at the same time while driving.

Looking for a used car? Go with the accord, maxima or camry. Those are all going to be reliable with good gas mileage. If you want to spend a little more then maybe start to look at the luxury versions of these like the tl, g or es. I just looked at all these cars on ebay and can be had for around 10k for used 98-02s.

On a side note, a car with 100k miles on it is not alot of miles. I had a 99 accord 5mt that I just got rid of for 4k. It was only a 4 cylinder but it had 220k+ on it when I sold it and I never had a problem out of it ever(except the paint). Still ran like the day I got it, especially after seafoaming it.

 

Here's what I'm looking at in that price range for my next ride. The plan is to seel the 06 G35, and have Zero car payments! Then I can mod away on this baby:
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Cars-Tru...sZ6000QQ_sopZ1

 

Get RSX-S with about 50k miles.

With current market, you can get one for 10k.

 

I'd get a 98-00 GS400. You can get them for under $10K with right around 95-110K miles. Throw a set of winter tires on it and you'll be fine for snow. Those cars are very reliable and are really fun to drive

 

I've seen Integra GSRs with under 100k for well under $10k. Just learn to drive manual.

 

For your location I say RS

 

I don't know what else to offer you, but I will suggest NOT to get the auto CL or TL with problems trannies. Steer real clear of those.

 

2001 Subaru Impreza RS - $10,000
(105,000 miles, put on here for awd in the New England winter)

 

I would also get the Impreza because that is a car I would get as my winter car.