azrael

Hey guys --

At just over 88,000 miles, my '94 camry has some problems. It looks like I'll need at least $1500 in maintenance and possibly more over the next couple of months if I plan to keep it for an extended period of time. That also doesn't cover a few other subtle issues that are annoying me (unexplained performance loss when the weather is cold). Toyota can't seem to find the problem.

Anyway, I've been talking to my Dad for a while, and it looks like he might let me sell the car. The market value of the car is somewhere between $6,000 - 9,000. I can afford car payments, but I'd prefer to keep them below $300, so I'm looking at used cars in the $15,000 - $18,000 range. My current plans are to get something temporarily and sell it after I graduate next May to get the S2k. I figured that a used car would not depreciate as much, especially since I'll put less than 12K miles on it over the next 16 months.

Currently I'm looking at 5th gen Preludes and 1999+ Miatas. I would also consider an Integra GSR coupe or a Civic Si, although these are definitely not my top choices. A manual transmission is at the top of my list of requirements. I'd also like to get a car with less than 50K miles, if possible. The lower, the better.

If anyone has any opinions or knows of a decent deal on a car that fits my descriptions, please let me know. I'd be interested to see what other suggestions people have about used car purchases, etc.

Thanks for your help.

Austin_S2000

What about a Type R? Maybe a tad over 18,000.

I'll keep an eye open for any deals that pop up.

Jose

azrael

I'd love to get an ITR, but I don't think I want to stretch much beyond $18K. $19K is doable, but anything beyond that is probably not a good idea. I think I just want a good sporty coupe to play around with, become better at stick and go to a few driver's-ed events and learn to drive in a performance-oriented manner before I go take an 240HP RWD car through the twisties..

In any case, used ITR's are even harder to find than Preludes..

WRXBoy

You could look out for a used Subaru 2.5RS... but be careful, once you go AWD, you may not want to go back to RWD.

I know that Gillman Subaru has a 2000 or 2001 sedan on the lot. Dunno how much. They are about 165hp stock, but tourqie as hell

Chris S

Hmmm...I just can't imagine a Subie 2.5RS cutting it as a long term ride when you REALLY have your heart set on an S2000!

amartin

Stuck in the sub $18kish range, AND I wanting a convertible/roadster, the only vehicle that comes to mind that you could pick up in reasonable shape, low miles, and reliable would be a '99 or '00 Miata. I have a friend (who I won't mention his name, but I bet he'll read this), who picked up an '01 w/15000 miles for $16k.

$.02,
Aaron

azrael

Wow, what an incredible deal. I'm assuming you're talking about Kirk, but that's a guess. Hmm.. if deals like that are out there, perhaps I'm not looking hard enough. I sort of had my heart set on a Prelude, but the Miata definitely gets points for being RWD and having a drop top. I just wish it had a little more power.. Oh well, we'll see.

Again, if anyone notices a good deal on anything, please PM me.. I'm pretty much willing to travel anywhere in the Dallas/Houston/Austin triangle to get a good deal.

Teo

And what about a VW Golf GTI-VR6 ?? Those are nice car too and they're really nice to drive too ...

-Teo.

The Captain

[QUOTE]Originally posted by azrael
[B]
Wow, what an incredible deal.