Fun Used Car for $11k
11-29-2011, 03:00 PM
#1
I drive a Subata.
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Fun Used Car for $11k
My friend's trying to purchase a fun used car. His budget is $11k.
He says any coupe or sedan with a manual transmission is good. He wants to have fun modding. He used to have modded RSX-S for 4 years but sold it before he joined army.
Any recommendations?
Btw, we are located in Los Angeles!
Thank you guys!
He says any coupe or sedan with a manual transmission is good. He wants to have fun modding. He used to have modded RSX-S for 4 years but sold it before he joined army.
Any recommendations?
Btw, we are located in Los Angeles!
Thank you guys!
11-29-2011, 03:24 PM
#3
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
Beat me to it: Miata and a 1st gen Boxster.
11-29-2011, 05:02 PM
#5
Registered but harmless
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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"Coupe or sedan"-- not convertibles, you schmucks! 
Mazda RX-8
Lexus IS300
BMW 3 series-- NOT M3.
2005+ Mustang GT (if those are @ $11K? Better clutch/shifter than the current-gen BMWs)
Accord Coupe, if he can live with an I-4.
Any Saab with a manual trans -- likely 9-3
Last edited by Will Y.; 11-29-2011 at 05:05 PM.
11-29-2011, 05:06 PM
#6
In the Mid-South meow
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Maxima or Altima with the 3.5L V6
11-29-2011, 05:07 PM
#7
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Dunno if you can get a GT for $11k yet, but if you can it wouldn't be in the best condition.
And you can get a V6 6MT Accord coupe for pretty cheap nowadays, only heard good things about them.
TSX?
And plus eight thousand for the RX-8.
And you can get a V6 6MT Accord coupe for pretty cheap nowadays, only heard good things about them.
TSX?
And plus eight thousand for the RX-8.
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11-29-2011, 05:25 PM
#9
In the Mid-South meow
iTrader: (2)
I sold my modded AV6 6mt for under $10k so that's a great choice. It did have 100k+ miles on it though.
11-29-2011, 05:25 PM
#10
I drive a Subata.
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Can he get the 1st gen TSX with 6MT within his budget? That seems like a great car for him.
11-29-2011, 08:21 PM
#14
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Even 3G TLs are selling for less than $10K nowadays, it should follow that TSXs sell for even less.
11-29-2011, 08:42 PM
#15
I drive a Subata.
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iTrader: (1)
hmm
11-29-2011, 09:32 PM
#17
mmmmmm....
11-30-2011, 07:00 AM
#18
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A TSX can be found with a 6MT at that price but they are few and far between.
I was able to find one in all of Cali period for less than 11k.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
Edit: Just found this one in LA actually. However for a 6MT with Navi it is still 11k and has 150k miles on it.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national
The TSX has proved to hold its value much better than the TL has. I attribute this a bit for it being pretty much an upgraded Accord. Also the rareness of a 6MT in one helps those ones hold there value a little more than the the others.
The 6MT definitely increases the fun factor in the TSX though by a good bit. I couldn't believe how much quicker it was.
I was able to find one in all of Cali period for less than 11k.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
Edit: Just found this one in LA actually. However for a 6MT with Navi it is still 11k and has 150k miles on it.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national
The TSX has proved to hold its value much better than the TL has. I attribute this a bit for it being pretty much an upgraded Accord. Also the rareness of a 6MT in one helps those ones hold there value a little more than the the others.
The 6MT definitely increases the fun factor in the TSX though by a good bit. I couldn't believe how much quicker it was.
Last edited by CCColtsicehockey; 11-30-2011 at 07:10 AM.
11-30-2011, 10:57 AM
#19
I drive a Subata.
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Thanks for your post. How about Civic Si sedan?
11-30-2011, 12:10 PM
#20
Fahrvergnügen'd
I'd rather punch myself in the head
Seriously though, there are two options that come to mind if he's patient and thorough ...
E36 M3 and a 1st Gen Audi TT 225Q
Very different cars but both can be had for about $11k and in good shape. You can get the TT into the 270hp range with a Stage II APR kit and the M3 is a good driver's car.
Having owned an E36 for seven months now, I would say that finding a good M3 that has had someone obviously take care of it with maintenance and records is key to getting a good car.
You made it sound like he's got some skill with a wrench, which if true should make owning an E36 not as big a deal. They will often need a lot of work to replace 13-15 year old parts but if he can do the labor it cuts the costs by 50-70% I would think.
The TT would require less work generally.
I'm considering selling my '98 328i and getting a TT. Not because the BMW isn't good but rather I just realized I am not a "classic" car guy and the TT is a more modern car.
Seriously though, there are two options that come to mind if he's patient and thorough ...
E36 M3 and a 1st Gen Audi TT 225Q
Very different cars but both can be had for about $11k and in good shape. You can get the TT into the 270hp range with a Stage II APR kit and the M3 is a good driver's car.
Having owned an E36 for seven months now, I would say that finding a good M3 that has had someone obviously take care of it with maintenance and records is key to getting a good car.
You made it sound like he's got some skill with a wrench, which if true should make owning an E36 not as big a deal. They will often need a lot of work to replace 13-15 year old parts but if he can do the labor it cuts the costs by 50-70% I would think.
The TT would require less work generally.
I'm considering selling my '98 328i and getting a TT. Not because the BMW isn't good but rather I just realized I am not a "classic" car guy and the TT is a more modern car.
11-30-2011, 12:58 PM
#23
mmmmmm....
A TSX can be found with a 6MT at that price but they are few and far between.
I was able to find one in all of Cali period for less than 11k.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
Edit: Just found this one in LA actually. However for a 6MT with Navi it is still 11k and has 150k miles on it.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national
The TSX has proved to hold its value much better than the TL has. I attribute this a bit for it being pretty much an upgraded Accord. Also the rareness of a 6MT in one helps those ones hold there value a little more than the the others.
The 6MT definitely increases the fun factor in the TSX though by a good bit. I couldn't believe how much quicker it was.
I was able to find one in all of Cali period for less than 11k.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
Edit: Just found this one in LA actually. However for a 6MT with Navi it is still 11k and has 150k miles on it.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national
The TSX has proved to hold its value much better than the TL has. I attribute this a bit for it being pretty much an upgraded Accord. Also the rareness of a 6MT in one helps those ones hold there value a little more than the the others.
The 6MT definitely increases the fun factor in the TSX though by a good bit. I couldn't believe how much quicker it was.
I don't care how reliable Honda/Acura cars are... with 150k miles, it's going require lot of replacement on parts.
I didn't know that TSX holds better value than TL... learn something new everyday.
Now you can truly experience the MT vs. AT on TSX. When I drove my buddy's AT, I was shocked how slower it was compares to my MT. The way TSX MT are built to be much more aggressive gearing, but didn't it was that much of differences.
11-30-2011, 12:59 PM
#24
mmmmmm....
I'd rather punch myself in the head
Seriously though, there are two options that come to mind if he's patient and thorough ...
E36 M3 and a 1st Gen Audi TT 225Q
Very different cars but both can be had for about $11k and in good shape. You can get the TT into the 270hp range with a Stage II APR kit and the M3 is a good driver's car.
Having owned an E36 for seven months now, I would say that finding a good M3 that has had someone obviously take care of it with maintenance and records is key to getting a good car.
You made it sound like he's got some skill with a wrench, which if true should make owning an E36 not as big a deal. They will often need a lot of work to replace 13-15 year old parts but if he can do the labor it cuts the costs by 50-70% I would think.
The TT would require less work generally.
I'm considering selling my '98 328i and getting a TT. Not because the BMW isn't good but rather I just realized I am not a "classic" car guy and the TT is a more modern car.
Seriously though, there are two options that come to mind if he's patient and thorough ...
E36 M3 and a 1st Gen Audi TT 225Q
Very different cars but both can be had for about $11k and in good shape. You can get the TT into the 270hp range with a Stage II APR kit and the M3 is a good driver's car.
Having owned an E36 for seven months now, I would say that finding a good M3 that has had someone obviously take care of it with maintenance and records is key to getting a good car.
You made it sound like he's got some skill with a wrench, which if true should make owning an E36 not as big a deal. They will often need a lot of work to replace 13-15 year old parts but if he can do the labor it cuts the costs by 50-70% I would think.
The TT would require less work generally.
I'm considering selling my '98 328i and getting a TT. Not because the BMW isn't good but rather I just realized I am not a "classic" car guy and the TT is a more modern car.
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Mr Marco (11-30-2011)
11-30-2011, 03:08 PM
#28
^winner, best answer!
11-30-2011, 03:10 PM
#29
I drive a Subata.
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
good choice!
11-30-2011, 03:13 PM
#30
Niner Faithful
If I had 11k to blow, I'd probably buy a 02-04 S2000.....but all the ones under 11k seem to have 100,000+ miles on it
Can't go wrong with a 350z or a G35
Can't go wrong with a 350z or a G35
11-30-2011, 03:21 PM
#31
I drive a Subata.
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
It's going to be his only car and he'll still be in the army for at least 3 more years, so it'll be great if the car doesn't have too much mileage on it. Something's fairly reliable with probably less than 100,000 miles is preferred.
11-30-2011, 04:33 PM
#32
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
GOAT GOAT GOAT GOAT GOAT GOAT GOAT GOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11-30-2011, 04:37 PM
#33
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
11-30-2011, 04:41 PM
#34
Moderator
Oh, and POST #3,000!
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JS + XES (11-30-2011)
11-30-2011, 06:48 PM
#36
I drive a Subata.
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Speaking of goats...here's an '04 with 64K miles for exactly $11K: AutoTrader Link
Oh, and POST #3,000!
Oh, and POST #3,000!
Congrats on #3k
It's way too old..
11-30-2011, 07:42 PM
#38
mmmmmm....
11-30-2011, 08:49 PM
#40
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
