TL260power

My friend is looking for a used car and not sure what to get...So far his budget is 15k.

His specs are a 4 door good sized car..Can be small but not small. Doesnt have to be fast or have alot of horsepower...

We have come up with:

2005 Scion XB or whatever type
2004 Mazda 6
Nissan Altima not sure which year..

Others were

Acura TL
Lexus IS300
Lexus GS400

But these cars have to be high mileage to get them around his budget and an older model. NOw my question on this is do these cars do pretty well up past 100k? Cause I know they do make cars that still do well past 100k and just cause a car has high mileage not to let that scare you off...

any thoughts or suggestons on what others cars to look into? LEt me know..

Crazy Bimmer

2002 maxima.

TL260power

^^^have you owned one? if so what were your thoughts?

youngTL

Get the 5.5 gen 6spd Maxima if he can afford one (I think that's about the price). He doesn't want a TL that's before 2003 because of tranny issues. After that, they're probably too expensive. The Maxima is pretty fast and it's nice enough inside and fun to drive.

The IS300 sucks IMO, really REALLY small interior, about as much backseat room as a civic coupe (yes, coupe), and it has an ugly interior.


The older Altimas are also gross IMO. They have really nasty interiors and don't feel great while driving. And the most current gen Altima is going to exceed his budget.

If it doesn't have to be fast like you say, he might be able to get a 2003 Accord EX-L sedan (4cyl) for that price. Only downside is they're somewhat ugly on the outside (the inside is quite nice though). If possible, get it with the 5 speed manual. It's not slow, but it's not fast either. It's adequate for passing and great on gas.

So I'd say either a 5.5gen Maxima or an 03 4cyl Accord.

chungkopi

i love is300's interior. it was da shiit back then.

youngTL

It sort of looks like a ricer car inside and out to me. Not much luxury there to be spoken of, especially if you get one with cloth seats and hubcaps (yes, they exist!)

GreenMonster

For 15K the Honda Fit or Civic would be on the top of my list....

Other choices for new stuff... Corolla and Yaris, Mazda3, Scion, VW rabbit...

http://www.edmunds.com/new/pricerang...15k/index.html

If we're talking used it gets alot more interesting...

edit: oops, just noticed the 4 door requirement, scratch the Rabbit...

SodaLuvr

I'd wait for next generation Elantra...

GldCrzy

hopefully in japan

youngTL

Nope, in Canada. I've seen four of them with my own eyes that I can remember, and one was YELLOW

taitando

Uh, I'm not sure if you'd be able to find a GS400 for under $15k. Searching on Cars.com, I've found them going for more than $15k even though they're over the 100k mile mark. The IS300 guzzles gas like a V8 even though it's an inline six and the insurance for it is really high (#6 in the 10 most highest to insure I believe). That and all the 16 y/o kids want to buy one for cheap and mod them. But, you should be able to find one for around $15k without it being over 100k miles. They're one of the best in terms of reliability. Check out JD Powers. As to the other cars, I don't know too much about them.

GldCrzy

thats freakin crazy.. im in edm and ive never seen one

TL260power

these are some good advice.. Yeah my friend was looking over towards the maximas. I will let him know about the 5.5 gens.. What year typically are they?

Yeah I figure that about the GS 400... they pretty expensive..

The honda Fit was considered as well..

we came down to either

Honda Fit
SCion
Maxima
Mazda 6

not sure about the civic or accord but I will let him know again...

MattT516

My friend has an '01 with cloth seats. I laughed when I saw it. No leather in a Lexus? Blasphemous.

I'd get an '03 Acura 3.2TL in Firepepper Red if he's not so worried about horsepower. Just get a nice 3-year warranty for $1500 and you have a great car that'll last you a long time. Don't let the transmission problem get you so down on this car.

stangg172004

mazda 6

Shoofin

I might be selling my '05 xB RS 2.0...interested?

GreenMonster

I've always liked your "box on wheels" Ed... There's a RS 2.0 on one of the roads that I use to go to lunch, and I always get a smile when I see it...

I don't really like the Envy Green on the 3.0