Goodbye, Volvo. Now help me choose another car. (UPDATE ON PAGE 4!!)

Check out page 4, near the bottom, for the latest update.


So my 96 Volvo 850 GLT's transmission is fucked (I'll post the details sometime later if anyone wants, but it didn't happen because of anything I did, it's just old/shit), and it'll be dead soon. So, regrettably, time for another car!

My budget is $8000.

Absolute requirements:
-Low insurance rates
-Won't be expensive to fix (the Volvo was, not just the transmission (which they won't fix), but for everything)
-Durability
-Good A/C (it's Texas! this is a necessity)
-Power everything
-Decent safety rating (My Volvo was a tank, but this doesn't have to be as good, just as long as my friends and I won't be in comas or dead or whatever)
-Easy to find used since I'll need this before I drive to college (if it's something rare I doubt I'll run across it)
-Good gas mileage (Volvo got 19-20 city, so that's a minimum. Preferably it'd get better)
-Not a SUV, truck, hatchback, minivan, etc. Nothing big. Sedans and compacts, that kinda size range only.

Flexible requirements:
-Good fast-ish engine (At least as good at my Volvo's. Wikipedia says this: "2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm")
-Keyless entry
-Nice appearance (I liked my boxy Volvo, so this shouldn't be hard)
-Comfortable seats
-A decent sound system (My Volvo's is really nice for a 96 in this regard)
-4 doors


Also, I'm thinking of getting a Manual this time. It's my understanding that, in exchange for a bit of a learning curve, they cost less than Automatics to buy, they get better gas mileage, there's less to go wrong on them, and they're easier to fix. I'm positive that I can learn. Any downsides to getting one?

i thought about it and meh, i don't even know why i bother. no one wants a sports car anyways.

but just the same 95 trans-am, that is all.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kim _Kaphwan

i thought about it and meh, i don't even know why i bother. no one wants a sports car anyways.

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same.

but its not like youre drivin one either...

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Originally Posted by not sonic

same.

but its not like youre drivin one either...

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least mine has a V8 :angry:

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Originally Posted by Kim _Kaphwan

least mine has a V8 :angry:

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haha owned.

Just buy a used Toyota Camry or Corolla, Dan.

i found an awesome fiero, hope its still available.

v6 gt :buttrock:

actually dan. if you can find one. get a mid 90's volvo 960with the manual. they're very rare here. as in the volvo nuts i know have only come across one 960 manual in their time. but the 2.9 inline six, 200 horses, manual, 4 doors, and rear drive? all seems good to me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by not sonic

i found an awesome fiero, hope its still available.

v6 gt :buttrock:

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Lol at Fiero.

I'd suggest an Accord....

IT should meet all of your requirements.

Get a Vespa.

This one has you written all over it:

http://www.vespaatlanta.com/images/bikes/pink1_sm.jpg

Get a toyota prius like everyone else.

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Originally Posted by norton9478

I'd suggest an Accord....

IT should meet all of your requirements.

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Toyotas have cheaper insurance

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bobak

Get a Vespa.

This one has you written all over it:

http://www.vespaatlanta.com/images/bikes/pink1_sm.jpg

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I can't help but think of Spaceballs.

a family friend has a 01 mazda tribute (automatic). gonna test drive it over the weekend. what do yall think?

wtf the tribute is apparently a suv. well the family friend is a used car dealer. i'll call him later and see what else he has. I hope he has a manual. i'd love to have one.

btw magna I was thinking of a corrolla actually. toyotas are alright.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanAdamKOF

wtf the tribute is apparently a suv. well the family friend is a used car dealer. i'll call him later and see what else he has. I hope he has a manual. i'd love to have one..

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Never deal with friends, family or Friends of the family......

Just trust me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Magnaflux

Toyotas have cheaper insurance

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Either way......

I didn't know that yotas have cheaper insurance... I assume that is mostly for Comprehensive.... Guess it also depends on where you live...

Yota/Honda eiter way....

But in the <$5k range, stay away from civics.... They don't hold up as well and tend to be overpriced (in that range).... At least that's the case around here.

Mazda is a no no...

New mazdas is aight..... But you are really rolling the dice in the range you are looking.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by norton9478

Never deal with friends, family or Friends of the family......

Just trust me.

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Nah, my family known this guy for years; a lot of my family in Houston has bought from him over the years. He's good.

definitely wouldnt want to get an american car thats for sure.!

Subaru Imprezza WRX.

Not STi. Those three letters, in addition to adding 10 grand to the cost of the car, also bump the insurance up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by taitai

Subaru Imprezza WRX.

Not STi. Those three letters, in addition to adding 10 grand to the cost of the car, also bump the insurance up.

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You can't get either for $5k

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Originally Posted by not sonic

definitely wouldnt want to get an american car thats for sure.!

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America is faggot

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanAdamKOF

HELL FUCKING NO.

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Like it or not, that Tribute is, under the skin, a Ford.

Might want to re-think your stance. :p :D

fuck amerikkka rite?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Magnaflux

Like it or not, that Tribute is, under the skin, a Ford.

Might want to re-think your stance. :p :D

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The tribute is an SUV. I'm not getting that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanAdamKOF

The tribute is an SUV. I'm not getting that.

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DanAdamKOF: Hummer man.

I could see Adam trying this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M9SA7MiY8c

Go American or go Honda

I'm serious. Foreign cars (except Hondas) are a pain.

That "hell fucking no" was really poor sarcasm. Ugh, bad idea. Anyway, I'm not totally opposed to American cars, but Hondas and Toyotas look the most appealing, given what I can afford*. My grandma has a Ford Taurus though, and the engine in it is okay, but I don't like how it looks, both on the outside and the inside. Also it's a little bit uncomfortable. Are Fords generally reliable?

I will be visiting my family friend's lot today or tomorrow, and will report back with what he has that I like.

*Speaking of which! It looks like my budget is $8000. I will update the original post (and revise my sarcasm)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanAdamKOF

That "hell fucking no" was really poor sarcasm. Ugh, bad idea. Anyway, I'm not totally opposed to American cars, but Hondas and Toyotas look the most appealing, given what I can afford*. My grandma has a Ford Taurus though, and the engine in it is okay, but I don't like how it looks, both on the outside and the inside. Also it's a little bit uncomfortable. Are Fords generally reliable?

I will be visiting my family friend's lot today or tomorrow, and will report back with what he has that I like.

*Speaking of which! It looks like my budget is $8000. I will update the original post (and revise my sarcasm)

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My first car was an Escort - and NO, they are not reliable. My alternator and starter were continually causing problems (my alternator blew at least three times in as many years) I even managed to snap off the tube for the dipstick when I was checking my oil.

My friends 2001 Focus is also falling apart at the seams. I mean for $8000, I hope you're not going to waste it on a Ford.

GM cars are preferable.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rade

My first car was an Escort - and NO, they are not reliable. My alternator and starter were continually causing problems (my alternator blew at least three times in as many years) I even managed to snap off the tube for the dipstick when I was checking my oil.

My friends 2001 Focus is also falling apart at the seams. I mean for $8000, I hope you're not going to waste it on a Ford.

GM cars are preferable.

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Thanks for the advice, I'll keep it in mind.

And to respond to what Kim said earlier, if I could get my hands on a manual Volvo, that would indeed be awesome. Believe me, I've thought of it before.

Considering how beat up my Ford Taurus is, the insurance is surprisingly low: A little over $400 for six months... in Nevada.

There's a ton of cars in your price range. I'm sure you'll find something that suits ya, Dan. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanAdamKOF

That "hell fucking no" was really poor sarcasm. Ugh, bad idea. Anyway, I'm not totally opposed to American cars, but Hondas and Toyotas look the most appealing, given what I can afford*. My grandma has a Ford Taurus though, and the engine in it is okay, but I don't like how it looks, both on the outside and the inside. Also it's a little bit uncomfortable. Are Fords generally reliable?

I will be visiting my family friend's lot today or tomorrow, and will report back with what he has that I like.

*Speaking of which! It looks like my budget is $8000. I will update the original post (and revise my sarcasm)

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Full sized Fords are quite reliable, yes. I'd avoid GM products.

For 8K, personally, I would get a used Avalon or older Lexus ES300.

for 8k? cadillac catera, infinity J30, volvo 960 that's what i'd go for personally. RWD, inline 6, plenty of power for a 4 door. plus chicks dig leather.

and magna, most GM products are alright in my book. sure there are anamolies like the cavalier, and grandam/grand prix line, but for the most part they seem quite solid (save for the FWD V8 caddies, which to me are just ass) dunno, i've no qualms with em. then again the last GM product i've owned was a 75 camino.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Magnaflux

Full sized Fords are quite reliable, yes. I'd avoid GM products.

For 8K, personally, I would get a used Avalon or older Lexus ES300.

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yes - I'd like to ammend my post with a reminder from my uncle - American car companies are incapable of building a reliable compact car. The full sized ones usually are more reliable.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rade

yes - I'd like to ammend my post with a reminder from my uncle - American car companies are incapable of building a reliable compact car. The full sized ones usually are more reliable.

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That makes sense. I don't think my grandma has ever had any problems with her Taurus.


edit: the avalon looks cool. Are there any "dark years" to look out for where they changed something and made it less reliable or something?

i dont think gm or ford has been able to make a good small cheap throw away car.

the bigger cars and the more specialty cars are fine.

you get something with a 4.6, 5.7, or a 6.0 and youre good to go.

have you considered mustangs/firebirds/camaros?

if you want a fun inexpensive manual car there it is.

Late 90's 2000, Subaru Impreza 2.5rs

Quote:

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Originally Posted by not sonic

i dont think gm or ford has been able to make a good small cheap throw away car.

the bigger cars and the more specialty cars are fine.

you get something with a 4.6, 5.7, or a 6.0 and youre good to go.

have you considered mustangs/firebirds/camaros?

if you want a fun inexpensive manual car there it is.

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Insurance is high on all three. Just curious though, how is maintainence? Is it expensive? Are they generally reliable cars?

edit: Impreza looks cool, but is it reliable?

i have a 95 3.4l v6 camaro with 170k miles. only things that went were the belt tensioner which i did myself for about $35, and water pump which i changed out myself too for about $150.

on the 93-97 v8s you have to look out for the distributor (the "optispark") along with the water pump.

i dont know much about the 3.8l but i dont think there are any "known issues."

the ls1s (98-02) v8s are fine afaik. one of the best engines ever made.

firebirds are mechanically identical to camaros.

the t5 manual transmission in the v6 cars isnt the strongest. its perfectly fine to handle regular driving and stock power. but if you plan on racing it people have broken em.

the t56 is a great trans, found in the v8s.

and the 4l60e is a great auto found in all of em.


i think the only known issue with the cars is that the power window motors can go bad. its due to the wiring design. if you press both buttons the motors will be running at half voltage and it wears the motor. (i think thats how it goes.) so just dont press both at the same time.


i dont know shit about mustangs but i doubt theres any glaring issues there either.

lol typing this at a red light.

considering:
nissan silvia
toyota celica
toyota corolla gts (pref. the angular 80s ones)

and if it didn't look so cute, maybe a miata.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanAdamKOF

lol typing this at a red light.

considering:
nissan silvia
toyota celica
toyota corolla gts (pref. the angular 80s ones)

and if it didn't look so cute, maybe a miata.

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You know Miatas are 2 door, dont have a back seat, and fall apart when you touch them right?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanAdamKOF

lol typing this at a red light.

considering:
nissan silvia
toyota celica
toyota corolla gts (pref. the angular 80s ones)

and if it didn't look so cute, maybe a miata.

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if you go celica hunt down a early 90's alltrac. allwheel drive, turbo, and fun out the ass. as for the others they're all top notch. miatas are pretty much bulletproof. and the only real problem they ever had was a camshaft sensor going out when replacing the timing belt. but most of those miatas have been weeded out of the mix since they were all the 89-94 miatas anyways. any of these cars could be awesome machines. and granted they're all 2 door coupes fuck passengers! buying a car is about what you want, not what other people want.

and since these are all such cheap cars, you can get a great condition one for around 5k and still have another 3k sitting around to play with. well except the celica alltrac, those are still around 8k these days for a good one.

2 doors > 4 doors

2 seats > 4 seats

heh, i love talking about cars everyone will tell you a different story. honda sucks buy ford! no dont buy ford go for GM!.

have you thought about a 2000ish grand prix gtp? they are nice looking, fairly quick, comfortable cars. you should have no problem finding one and it does satisfy most of your list.

Fuel Type Regular
MPG (city) 17
MPG (highway) 27
MPG (combined) 20

Power: SAE and 179 kW , 240 HP @ 5,200 rpm; 280 ft lb , 380 Nm @ 3,600 rpm

First of all, thank you all for your help so far. I love you guys.


So I just got back from our family friend Bob the Dealer.

For $6300, he can set me up with a '97 manual Civic EX 2-door coupe, in white, with 91K miles. Only things wrong with it, the windshield is a gouged by a wiper arm going off without a blade, and the windshield wiper control is loose (it gets set off by slamming the door). The wiper control shouldn't be too much of a fix, and if the windshield isn't scratched in inspection-violating zones, I'll be okay driving it like that, since it's not scratched in a place I primarily look. It has some generic CD player in it too, but I think I'd swap that headunit out for something nicer (I don't think this one has aux, and that or a tape player is a must, since I use my ipod in my car).

EDIT: forgot to mention, it has new tires.

I know what Civics are like, since my brother has a ('00? '01? cant remember) automatic 4-door Civic. It's an alright car, but I don't like the engine in it, since it feels underpowered. However, with this manual Civic, as a passenger, I was shown about how it handles. It is a bit more powerful, both due to the manual control, and the lessened weight of it being a 2-door coupe. It's definitely powerful enough to where I'm not dissatisfied with it.

So it's not one of those awesome cars like a Celica, but it's in the running. I need this before the 10th, and this is 6 miles away from my house. It may well end up being my next car; if I got it, I wouldn't have any complaints. Not to mention, Civics have VERY reasonable insurance. Magna, don't scoff, that IS a big deal.


Anyway, I'm not at all limited to the Civic. Bob the Dealer says he likes using www.Autotrader.com for looking for used cars. He would buy it from Autotrader and finance it to me. So if you guys want to bring up some cars for me on Autotrader, go for it. The only requirement is that they're located in the USA.

Personally 6300 for a 97 civic with 91k does not sound like a good deal. For 8k, I would look for something domestic with less mileage.

For example....chevy prism. Basically a rebadged corolla. I've seen 2000-2001's with less than 50K go for about 8 grand or less.

For example...when I could get this for 8K http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ce=&cardist=92

I'd have a hard time paying that much for a civic with 80K plus on the odometer.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=&cardist=1325
wham bam thank you ma'am

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...00&cardist=170
if i had the cash i'd snap that one right up.

it's hard to find an all stock corolla GT-s or 240SX. for the most part they've been souped up and would be something you'd have to work on yourself, then that is the best way to learn to work on a car is to own one and just do it.

Well first of all, I am willing to pay a bit more than the price you'd see on craigslist or autotrader, since I am finanicing it through Bob the Dealer. If the car explodes right after I drive it off the lot, Bob won't say "that's your problem" since he's a friend of the family.

That crown vic is okay, but it would probably cost me more than $8000 after going through Bob, and not to mention, the gas mileage isn't too great, right? Plus, since it looks like a police car, the jerks in front of me will instinctively slow down when I approach them, and that would get annoying.

Kim, that Celica is a hatchback, and I don't think I'd like that. And I don't really like how Miatas look at all. But they are a very nice drive apparently. Show me a Miata that doesn't look "cute" and I'd consider it.