Best Car for $$$ in the $18-20K Price Range

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08-01-2008 | 06:15 PM

#21

S2k007

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Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 3,081

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From: Temecula, CA

Weird coincidence. I have a friend who's too named Mark, 24 years old who was looking for a car in the same price range. He ended up with a IS300.

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08-01-2008 | 06:20 PM

#22

TommyDeVito

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 4,185

Likes: 410

Quote:

Originally Posted by triman54,Aug 1 2008, 05:59 PM

I agree. If you're starting out, and you are young, don't get saddled by anything less than a cost effective reliable ride. After you're out on you own for a while and have some extra money, then think about something like a BMW or something similar.

I'm 34, not single, but not married ( no one lives here but me), have my own home, and bought the Si Sedan 1 year ago. I couldn't have picked a better car. Would have spent more on a car but what for? I've got a motorcycle in the garage too. Buy the Si, and when you hit 25, your insurance will drop.

Cliff Notes: Si + Sportbike > Bimmer, or 30k + car

The Si will hold a shit ton of stuff from Home Depot/Lowes too

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08-02-2008 | 08:21 PM

#23

tsanhd

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Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 3,375

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From: Houston

get something economical that is cheap to own ie. maintenance, repairs, gas mileage at first. Go for a civic or something and when you get real money to buy a nicer car then you won't have such a small budget.

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08-02-2008 | 08:38 PM

#24

Rxmfn7

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Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 445

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From: PA (near Pittsburgh)

Im kinda in the same boat, have been using my S2000 for DD duties. While I enjoy dring the car daily, I do sometimes need a bit more room, and sometimes wish for some more comfort. Im looking at Audi A4s right now. I also looked at BMW 330, but honestly just didnt like the car. The audi is just as up-scale (IMO anyway), but not quite as costly for repairs as a BMW. Oh, and I know looks are subjective, but I really cant see how anyone can think a new civic sedan is a good looking vehicle. The rear end is just hideous. A friend of mine just picked up an '06 coupe (EX) with ~20k miles for about 16k, and that was with an additional bumper-to-bumper warantee.

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08-03-2008 | 04:42 AM

#25

HwangTKD

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 846

Likes: 9

From: Stratford

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark D.,Jul 31 2008, 05:46 PM

I am wondering what the you guys recommend for the $18-20K range, I'm looking for a BMW coupe or 330ci maybe a 2004 if I can find that. I really have my eyes set on the Mercedes C230 Kompressor or whatever it's called with the light blue tinted windows and 5-spoke wheels.

Try to hold out and wait for the release of the next gen prius, Honda CR-Z, and the Fit hybrid. Car makers (and the public) are in the middle of a paradigm shift. Waiting a year will give you a better idea how the economy and gas prices will play out. If you absolutely have to go with a new car now, I would get a honda civic LX ($16K) and keep the S (provided it's all paid for).

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08-03-2008 | 08:45 AM

#26

The Vanishing Boy

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Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 694

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From: Las Vegas | Manila

^ The Civic LX is a good buy, plus you can decide what rims you want! I would think its better than any hybrid. My friend has an EX, he drove up here from LA and only used up 1/2 a tank of cheap 87 octane!

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