Need a new used car Suggestions.

[teknofon]

hahaha
is that why they call them bangers

[helium]

hahaha
is that why they call them bangers

Ah, I'ts not too bad.....make me an offer!

[Bradfo69]

I need to get on my soapbox here. Economical. Fairly fun to drive. Pretty reliable and cheap to insure, put gas in and maintain. Don't laugh but I'm on my third Hyundai and rolled the first one 225,000 miles, the second 118,000 miles and my current one is about to turn 176,000 miles. The first was the Excel (my first new, out of the showroom car) and the other two have been Elantras. Most recently a loaded 2003 GT. I'm hard on cars and these things have performed beautifully for me. I treat them like trucks and carry all kinds of stuff in them - I've put a washing machine in it, hot water heater, and a load of landscaping ties. I have a trailer hitch and haul my boat with it plus a 4x8 utility trailer. It gets 33 miles to the gallon. Parts are cheap and easily replaceable, tires are cheap. While not as sexy as a Jeep or the Cutlass above... they used to advertise them as "cars that make sense" and, at least for me, they always have. If you're leaning towards SUV which, in Michigan winters you probably are, there are three models with the Santa Fe being HUGELY popular. Seriously.... give a Hyundai a look.

[polishedball]

Everyone bringing me back to practical, boy oh boy. I know that is what I should do, but I had to sell so many toys to buy this car I'd kinda like it to be fun too. I have owned a Cherokee in the past as well as a Wrangler. Enjoyed them both. Oh Boy what to do, wait people spending $1000's on lasers then saying buy a econo-box hmm scratches head lol. Well gonna start the shopping experience this week, honestly though I do keep coming back to mileage as my recently dead ride did get 30mpg and that was really nice.

[logsquared]

Toyota 4X4 truck with a 22re engine. New timing chain every 90,000 other than that they run forever. Plus, very fun to drive offroad!

[norty303]

Wow, you were happy with 30mpg??!

I've got a 7 seat Seat (VW/Audi derived lump) people carrier (for my missus and 1 child...) that doubles up on van duties for the laser/lighting gigs. 1.9TDi and I get 50mpg and its still quite fun to drive. Up to 160bhp if I wanted a chip. But then I doubt you'd get an equivalent over there, what with the US obsession with cubes.
That said, my proper fun drive is a Honda Fireblade, so the 4 wheeler doesn't need to be that interesting.... But at 50mpg I can afford to keep both

[White-Light]

If you're thinking 4x4, why not a VW Tiguan TDI?

I had one of these as a loan car last year and it was superb.

Fuel consumption was mid 30's urban despite driving it heavy footed. Mid sized but loads of room inside. Brilliant fun drive but at the same time faultless - no squeaks or rattles or failures.

Don't know if its called the Tiguan in the US but it is a good car.

I had the 140bhp turbo diesel version but there are more powerful TD versions still if that's your thing.

[sugeek]

I have been driving a 98 Wranger for about 15 yrs. Not that fun. I prefer driving my 79 Cutlass Cruiser. It's smooth, quiet, and more roomie for the ladies. And, you can usually get them for around $500 if you can find them.

* Note: Image does not match JohnYaya's actual car.

John's actual car:


I like toyota corollas (230K on a 2000 right now) but they are a bit small... Toyota trucks do go forever with minimal maintenance. I have been in a jeep when the wheel fell off so...

-Adam

[icecruncher]

I know I'll get flamed for this, but check out the Saturn Ion Redline. Only about 5,600 made BUT...

WIll outrun the Audi TT. Same chassis and engine as the Cobalt SS supercharged (not newer turbo) They are fast (stock is about 6 sec to 60) and top speed is in excess of 140mph. Voted one of the best engines (LSJ) in the years they were produced, supercharged and can be easily upgraded for more power. Suicide doors in back, and plastic panels so no door dings. Stock Recaro seats in 04-06. Saturn Ion Redline set the land speed record at the Bonneville salt flats in late 2003. The LSJ is the same engine was used in the Ariel Atom for a couple years. Ariel Atom is/was the second fastest car on the planet for a while (because its light)

The Body style opens up the trunk straight through into the passenger compartment and allows the full length to be used to carry stuff with the back seats folded down. I've put some 8' long pieces in that fit.

Usually in the 6-8 grand range for a 2005-07.

Here is engine on mine below

Looking for something that will be kinda fun, yet still somewhat practical. have about 10K max to spend (bye to some pinballs and spare laser parts)

Thinking a

90~04 Jeep Wrangler

01-04 Audi TT roadster (problem 2 seater)

What else might I check out? Thanks guys