This isn't a "what should I buy?" thread. Just something I was thinking about the other day. What's the best vehicle for $8,000? There's a lot of great cars that are about 10-15 years old.

Has to be practical but also fun to drive. To me this knocks out the practical Honda's and Toyota's (Accord, Civic, Camry, etc). If not "fun to drive" then extra utility (such as a truck or SUV). Also, I think a "practical" car has to be 4 doors (trucks excluded). Even if you drive alone 99% of the time having 4 doors is just far superior to 2 when it comes to practicality. Reliability is also something to consider.

I think my choice would be one of the following but I know don't which:

Pre-02 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS
3rd Gen Subaru Legacy/Outback
Last-gen Toyota Tacoma
Nissan Xterra
Acura Integra

Fun to drive? I don't see the Xterra being an option. For a reasonable price, I'd say S2000...mazda miata...del sol.

It's really hard to get 4 doors AND fun to drive AND practical. Actually...now you got me thinkin...how much are EP3 si's nowadays? I used to love driving mine.

I would say anything like a Nissan Maxima.

Doesn't need to be "fun to drive" if it's super practical (like a SUV or Tacoma).

I don't think a miata is practical. Have to be able to carry 4 adults to be practical, right?

Pretty good choice.

GS-R sedan
E36 M3
WRX

Well, yes...got a point there. Ok, well...I will say this...I used to do field work in my rsx-s. Had a little giant in there..2 12's...and a bunch of duct testing equipment...even with all that in there, I once picked up 2 sheets of plywood and 10 2x4's... I guess there are different degrees of practicality.

A 2000, plus Maxima is definitely a great option. Then again...you can make some accords look pretty great.

PS...just dawned on me that you HAVE an S2000...ironically, I'm the opposite, the 3G TL is super practical and I'm itching for something lightweight and RWD for fun. Actually...what about a used 2004, higher mileage TL? They are pretty bulletproof...especially the 6MT.

I actually think an older 5MT Accord can be pretty entertaining to drive. Either that or a first generation Mazda6 (also manual).

Honda Accord...

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

Well you can scratch the impreza 2.5 rs off that list, they have weak trannies.

How reliable is the E36? I don't know much about them other than the prices seem to vary wildly from around $8,000 to near $20,000

Same with the WRX... in order to get one for less than $8,000 it's going to have some miles on it; how reliable are those cars over 100k miles?

My wife and I just purchased a 4runner for my sister in law, a 2002.. its nice

Yeah those are great! Run forever and I've always loved the rear window that goes down.

depends what your definition of "practical", and definition of "fun to drive" is.

I still love my xB, because it's small, fits anywhere, good mpg, reliable and fits a whole lot of stuff. Doesn't sound like it's "fun to drive" by your definition, but I find that small cars fun to drive, since they're so easy to drive through traffic, and the xB has crazy visibility, it's just such an easy car to drive, it makes everyday driving more relaxing and fun.

If you're looking for power, it gets harder. I was thinking like a GTI, but I do think having a practical car means having a reliable car too... the Civic Si mentioned above is a good choice, but I'm not sure they're below 8k yet. IS300's are surprisingly cheap, and might be able to find one for under 10k. Has 4 doors, but I wouldn't necessarily call the back seat as "practical".

How about a Saab 9-5 or 9-3 Aero? Even the older 9-3 Viggen I owned 2 Saabs for about 2 years and never had a problem.

Find an older Subaru Forrester XT (turbo model). Actually fun, practical, sit a bit lower, and can be easily modded for more HP.

Or if you can find a Mazda 6 wagon or Legacy wagon w/ turbo.

I've really never thought of Saab and reliability went together.

Although I would rock a 9-2X in a heartbeat.

Subaru is high on the list... but what's their reliability like from 2000-2004? All I read about is bad head gaskets.

Here's what I dug up. Just avoid these model years:

The '97-'99 DOHC engines develop -internal- head gasket failures, allowing engine combustion gases into the water jackets. The '00-'03 SOHC engines develop external head gasket failures, allowing coolant to drip on the ground. Neither is good. In the thread linked, one of the mechanics says "HG replacement on EJ25s should be considered preventive maintenance".

So 2004 and up should be fine. Just ensure the timing chain was replaced at 100K Miles.

Edit: Link with some info.

http://ask.metafilter.com/67090/Is-a-potential-head-gasket-problem-a-reason-not-to-buy-a-2000-Legacy-Wagon

So a H6 Outback wouldn't be prone to those failures.

Do not buy a Maxima or I35 that has lived most of its life in the North east or areas that get snow as these cars are notorious for rusted frame and body.

I'd highly recommend a 4runner as they are very dependable, practical, low maintenance etc.

They usually go pretty cheap at auctions too, nobody know's about them. But man are they fun to drive and can be modded really nicely. Don't know about the reliability of them though.

how much are the saaburus (9-2 aeros) going for these days? I've always wanted one, but they are hard to find.

I also like the IS sportcross. I thought they were kinda ugly when they came out, but maybe since I rarely ever see them, I really like them now.

I'm selling my car ... and I'm close

05 Acura TL 6MT

Guessing the last generation Hyundai Sonata.

Although characteristic is that of a camry sorta, I thought it was a little more fun to drive, and looks clean haha.

Few WRX go for that much, but the transmission probably been beat to death.

a prestine non riced out integras are always a win as well.

A nice used Civic SI stock. If it has too many mods, it will last half as long. Try to go stock as much as you can.

Legacy... although at your price point it might be with high mileage...

Correct. the EZ30 motor is solid.

Suzuki sx4 hatchback

There's an '05 turbo automatic with 117k miles for $9,000 listed locally.

Yes and no. Depends on how well it was cared for. My I35 did not have a any rust when I traded it in on the body and frame. The exhaust is a different story.

I recommend the following:

Maxima / I35 - I would be careful when looking. They do tend to have oil consumption issues. Listen for timing chain rattling around 1800 RPMS.
Pathfinder
4 Runner
Impreza
Older 5 series BMW

Steve, from your original list I would really not consider the Xterra. I always found them very unstable to drive.

I paid 3500 for my 98 teg GSR 5spd with 143k and its a blast to drive. I drive it 100 miles round trip to work get around 31mpg. I've driven it 5k in 2 months and had no issues what so ever.

And MTEAZY says they're for male lions ... So he'd have that going for him, which is nice.

If we're now talking SUVs then I'd consider an XTerra too. A little more utilitarian but they are pretty indestructable I hear.

Particularly the 02-03 6MT model.

That's where I'm leaning. Just wondering if I should get something uber practical like a wagon.

Volvo V70?

Easy to mod with low cost suspension goodies but it's pretty much impossible to find a 4 door Viggen for sale.

I was thinking about the V70, possibly the R model. But again those are rare and could be pricy. I'd give anything to have either the V70-R or a 9-3 Viggen

There's a few V70R's for sale around here