I'm on my 3rd tranny on my 99TL.

 

I think the OP's desire to purchase a second car has been aptly justified. I certainly would not want to ruin a brand new car with dog paws scratching the leather and what have you.

I'd consider getting the SVT Contour you mentioned earlier. They are reliable and have low maintenance costs. Not to mention they can be modified quite a bit.

 

It's a big bump but those cars will run forever. Only recommendation is that they like (prefer) premium so factor that into your budget.

 

Even one a few years older would be pretty solid and closer to your price range.

I found this one around my area as an example:

http://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/1864794098.html

This one is cheaper but it doesn't mention mileage:

http://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/1823140384.html

 

Yeah I pretty much get the same prices out here.

 

Really? OUCH.

 

How about a 98.5 - 99 Contour SVT? 5 speed, leather, 4 door. They have a very small V6 (2.5 liter) but make ~200 hp with great styling that never caught on with the "boy racer" crowd. They've depreciated quite a bit and clean ones can be had for around $7k.

 

Reading > me

Didn't think Azine would have suggested the Contour.

 

^that is one of my options, but finding one is proving to be difficult.

 

I like hunting down rare cars like that so I'll see what I can find in my area. It's worth it to hold out for a 1 or 2 owner car. They've become cheap enough now that a lot of guys are doing 3 liter swaps and turbo kits.

 

Some of you need to lay off. Who cares if he wants a Yugo, it's his decision. I almost considered trading my TL for a 11-13 year old Mercedes S class (W-140). I'd say only a small percentage would understand my logic behind it.

Saying that, I would look for an old Nissan Maxima/Infiniti I35 if it were me. Nice, roomy, reliable cars, with the actual good VQ motors in them.

 

You're gonna hate me, but why not an '02-03 Corolla? Sorry I only skimmed through the responses. Dunno if that was mentioned or ruled out.

Fyi, my 60lbs. Husky rides in the back of my Infiniti daily and does double damage errr duty in the Fit as well lol.

 

If you are looking for a reliable family hauler, I would definitely suggest a Nissan Maxima or Infiniti I35 if you want something that doesn't appear on every street corner.

 

The dog people saying their pets are destroying the back seat simply need to buy a $30 padded, heavy duty seat protector for pets and you're fine. Works for kids too.

 

^ Probably better than my cage idea for the dogs and kids.

 

by the tl and sell the lip kit to me....for cheap.

 

lol, they never called me back and it sold

 

Plus leather seats are a hell of a lot easier to clean up with kids.

 

Mine is going on 160K miles.

 

I would love to have a 2004 m45... those things are gorgeous.

 

Although....that would not really be a beater. It is also a V8 that gives you about 18-19 mpg with premium. You would spend $6500 a year just on gas. Get something like an Altima. Gas alone will be about $3000 less per year.

 

I've owned 2 I35s, and really liked both of them. I think they were the best looking Infiniti's of their day aside from the G coupe. The 4spd auto sucked, but the engine in it was fantastic, and it was comfy as hell!

 

My 3rd was going bad when I traded it in... I would stay away from 2G TL's.

 

acura legend gs type 2 ... 5 speed if possible

 

tried to find one, but no luck. I did manage to find a 98 contour svt..... Looking at it on Friday when I pick my TL up.

 

keep rollin the tl....it's not like the kids are spilling cheetos in a Phantom.

it's your money...spend it on the kids if you want to spend the money, a beater no matter what you get is going to cost you more money down the road...repairs, insurance why

 

When I get the kids I spend more than enough money on them. Like I said before, I do not want to have to be an interior Nazi and prevent them from spilling cheetos if their heart desires to. Spending 2k on a car that they can be themselves in is worth it in my opinion. I can see myself getting upset for putting their shoes on the seat backs of the TL if I had a beater I wouldnt care if thtey rubbed dogshit on the seat back...... well maybe I would care a little.

 

i feel you on the pitter patter of little feets on the back of my seats, but i have a toddler and a teen so i've had cheetos and muddy cleats reek havoc on my cars. i just couldn't see myself having a second car just to cart them around...unless my other car was a full show car or just too nice for kids, but for my suggestion for a beater...subie forrester

 

You've had better luck finding one than myself. Nothing on AutoTrader or cars.com. The Contour forums have a couple but they want more than I think they're worth.

Hopefully this one works out. First thing you need to do to it is buy a set of 98.5-99 wheels. The trademark SVT thin 5 spoke wheels is what sets it off.