Car advice

[NiX]

Time for me to get another car. Not looking to buy new cause I just can't afford that. I was looking at Jettas from 2000-2002 and realized they all had inherent problems that would run you about 1500-2000 in the first 6 months of owning one. I was also looking at Sentras from the same years with better results. Any other suggestions? Looking to stay under 12,000 CDN. I use autotrader.ca if you need a reference for what prices are like.

I'm looking for a stick 4 door. No muscle bullshit. With gas prices at a $1 + per litre I'm not willing to drive a fucking V6 so I can extend my manhood. No honads either. I hate them. Lots.

[WayAbvPar]

Get something that gets 40 MPG, even if you have to stretch your budget a bit to do it. Gas prices aren't coming down ever again.

[Abagadro]

If you are looking at Sentras I would take a look at the Altima (which is just one step up on the Nissan line). I'm not sure about their prices since they revampted them in 02, but my 01 is still humming along great with 60k miles. This is the second one I have owned and never had any problems with either.  It doesn't have great mileage as it has one of the larger 4 bangers you can get (and some of the newer ones have V6s in them) but it isn't horrible either.

[MisterNoisy]

The answer to every 'i need a good cheap car' question is 'Toyota Corolla'.

If you're picky about what you drive, you'll want something else, but if you're just looking for basic transportation that sustains abuse well without shoving a piston through the hood, yeah.

Has all the requisite parts, very reliable, etc. etc.

Boring as hell tho.

[CmdrSlack]

I dunno how Toyota does it in Canada, but I'm sure it's rather similar to here....they have their "certified preowned" cars (I hate putting spin on "used," but whatever).  I got a 2004 Corolla for reasonably cheap two years ago, it gets great gas mileage and I've never had a problem.  It's a bit lower-end than what you've been looking at, but hey, great gas mileage.

EDIT - Apparently I agree with Mr. Noisy.  My Corolla CE has no power windows or locks, but it gets me to and fro just fine and can fit a surprising amount of stuff.  Yeah, it's boring, but who cares.

[Signe]

Buy a scooter.  You would look adorable on a Vespa. 

I'm not kidding.

[NiX]

Buy a scooter.  You would look adorable on a Vespa. 

I'm not kidding.

I've been single long enough, thanks.

[schild]

How much is a used Scion in Canada?

[Miasma]

How much is a used Scion in Canada?

We don't get the Scion brand in Canada.  I think it's U.S. only, I've never even seen one  :-(.

[sigil]

The Yaris and the Aveo,while newer models have excellent mileage and crashworthiness. The Aveo has high marks for its fit and finish. The yaris is new, but should be similarly well made. If the thought of buying an american car frightens you, the Aveo is a chevy in name only.

Aveo's are sub10k new for a model fitting your specs. The yaris a few grand more. Haven't researched used aveos and the yaris is brand new.

[NiX]

How much is a used Scion in Canada?

We don't get the Scion brand in Canada.  I think it's U.S. only, I've never even seen one  :-(.

We got the box truck. They aren't cheap up here. Something like 16,5 for base and there's 0 used cause no one wants it. They should bring the cars up.

[Jimbo]

I just bought a Dodge Caliber, it is a good fun car, but if I had to do it all over with the gas prices going insane like they did, I would have bought a used or new jetta diesel.  50 mpg and you don't have to worry about changing your driving habits, especially if you are driving long distances at higher speeds.  http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2004-06-10-diesel-vs-hybrid_x.htm  was an article where they drove both the hybrid and the diesel both 500 miles + and the diesel did it and did it more comfortable, and the hybrid didn't.  But if you are doing stop and go traffic and not a lot of time on the highway, you might want a hybrid, but remember your going to recoup the extra money by saving on gas in about 5 years, so if you get rid of it in 3 years you may want to think on that.

If I could get over the dealers here in town, I could have gotten a Honda civic or Toyota corrola nicely equipped for about the same price I paid for my dodge, but I hate those two dealers, hopefully yours aren't pecker heads.

[UD_Delt]

Rather than repeat everything from the last time I direct you here:

http://forums.f13.net/index.php?topic=5890.0

[Nija]

Being in Canada you can find some cool manual turbo Volvos. I'm not sure what specifically you can get for that price,  but you could find an awesome condition 850 R (1997 would be the last year they were made) sedan or wagon.

The turbo 5 banger is good for 20ish in the city and high 20s highway, which isn't great, but the turbo will make you smile when you floor it.

[Strazos]

How the heck do you get a 5-cylinder vehicle?

[Nija]

Inline

[edlavallee]

Inline

To expand a bit more on that -- instead of the typical "V" shaped matched cylinder design, the cylinders are configured in a straight line allowing for odd numbers. Quite a throwback to engineering of yore, however it does allow for better packaging in some cramped engine compartments.

If the concern is the rising price of gas, see about finding a diesel or an engine capable of E85. If cheap and economical is what you are looking for, a blindfold and a dart are useful on any car lot. When you buy used, you buy someone elses problems and eventually, the dollars you save buying used are spent in the repair shop. Just my experience...

[WindiaN]

so you're thinking like 10k for the car and 2k for the rims right?

[Strazos]

Rims, lol.

[NiX]

so you're thinking like 10k for the car and 2k for the rims right?

I said I don't like hondas. Reading comprehension.

[Righ]

You're single and you need four doors? Too many single mums on the online dating service? Get a Golf TDi. The GLS variant has four doors.

[squirrel]

How much is a used Scion in Canada?

We don't get the Scion brand in Canada.  I think it's U.S. only, I've never even seen one  :-(.

Sure do - I'm about to trade in my gas sucking (but hella fun) RX-8 for a Scion xB (and their dirt cheap here new - 18k or so). You have to go through a Toyota dealer as they don't have showrooms but in Vancouver anyway there not that rare. Oh and second on the Corolla dullest car that will last you a decade and cost nothing. Also might want to look at Subaru's. If you can stand the styling the Impreze WRX (not the street kid sTI) is a wicked fun wagon to drive and the 4 banger in it is reasonable on gas. I recently drove a Prius as well and found it to be totally servicable and kind of fun in an odd way (continuous variable transmission and energy management panel).

EDIT: On the west coast anyway you can get the tC as well as the milk truck. Which i quite like tyvm :P Oh and reading is hard - just saw your price range and assume that's canadian. Still something like this can be had relatively (14k) cheap. 1999 AwD wagon.

[Strazos]

Don't get an xB...just, don't. Get an xA or tC instead.

[CmdrSlack]

Or don't get a Scion at all.  The guy at the Toyota dealership talked me OUT of buying one.  Granted, that was two years ago, but when a guy who gets paid to sell them tells you they're ass, they're probably ass.

[NiX]

You're single and you need four doors? Too many single mums on the online dating service? Get a Golf TDi. The GLS variant has four doors.

Insurance is guaged on what you buy. A 2 door is a coupe and a 4 door is a sedan (in most cases.) There's that and I have goalie equipment to lug around multiple times a week, I don't need to ram it all into the back of a fucking 2 door. Also, Turbo? The last thing I need is 8K/year insurance.

[Righ]

Turbo diesels generally don't attract high premiums. They get you up hills, not off the line like a rally car. Of course, you folks play ice hockey too, so all bets are off.

[shiznitz]

If you go diesel, you really need a turbo or the car will drive like a golf cart up hills.

[murdoc]

I know you said no Honda's, but would you consider an Acura?

I've got a '99 Acura 1.6 EL, which is a Canada only car. It's basically the 4-door Honda Civic SI was slightly different stylings and all the trimmings.

Been super happy with this car over the last 3 years that I've owned (put about 90,000 KMs on it so far).

Not sure what part of Canada you're in, but there's lots of the 1.7 EL for sale under $12,000.00 across Canada according to the autotrader site.

[Samwise]

We don't get the Scion brand in Canada.  I think it's U.S. only, I've never even seen one  :-(.

You're lucky.  I walk through a Toyota lot every day on my way to lunch, with Scions all over the sidewalk.  I feel like I've been jabbed in the eye every time.

[MisterNoisy]

I know you said no Honda's, but would you consider an Acura?

I've got a '99 Acura 1.6 EL, which is a Canada only car. It's basically the 4-door Honda Civic SI was slightly different stylings and all the trimmings.

Been super happy with this car over the last 3 years that I've owned (put about 90,000 KMs on it so far).

Not sure what part of Canada you're in, but there's lots of the 1.7 EL for sale under $12,000.00 across Canada according to the autotrader site.

Is it mint green like the truck?  :)

[murdoc]

Is it mint green like the truck?  :)

No, that truck was one of kind. This one is a much more tasteful green ;)

[NiX]

I know you said no Honda's, but would you consider an Acura?

A friend of mine actually suggested this car and I did look into them. It's one of the cars I'm looking at. I just don't grasp how it sells cheaper than an older, shittier honda and it's the same damn thing. This market confuses me.

[edlavallee]

This market confuses me.

Try working in it every day.

[Signe]

Ooooh... can you get me a Aston Martin cheap?  I promise I'll never ask you for anything ever again if you can! 

[murdoc]

A friend of mine actually suggested this car and I did look into them. It's one of the cars I'm looking at. I just don't grasp how it sells cheaper than an older, shittier honda and it's the same damn thing. This market confuses me.

Yeah, I don't quite get that either, since the EL is basically a fully loaded 4-door Civic. I got the "sport" version which has everything the premium does, except the leather seats (which is fine by me). Sun roof, sport suspension... you know, the more I talk about it, the more I'm just trying to make my 4 door sedan sound cooler than it actually is.

Good car though imo