Suggestion for a cheap car?

[Doug&Julie]

I'm not buying right now, but before too long I'm going to have to sell/trade my Subie for a cheapie. Normally, I'd go right for another (older, cheaper) Subaru, but I'm trying to think outside the box a little here. So I'd love to hear some suggestions for a cheaper car.

Requirements are in order of importance:

1) Under $10k.
2a) Must be reliable (for longer distance travel).
2b) Must be a good winter car.
3) Reasonably entertaining.

That's it! Can't be that hard, right? Let me know what you think...

[vash]

get back into the box! subies are great! loving our 2005 forester turbo....

[Doug&Julie]

Originally posted by vash
get back into the box! subies are great!

I have to admit, it's going to take a lot of convincing to get me away from Subaru. This Legacy is our fourth... (also Forester, WRX, and Legacy wagon)

[84porsche]

Get a SAAB 9-3 or 900SE. They depreciate so fast and very reliable winter cars. You could easily get one under 10k with low mileage too.

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20050503/NEWS/105020008/-1/ARCHIVES04

They were the official police car of Aspen for quite some time.

[84porsche]

You can get a non-convertible which are even cheaper but just a suggestion.

[Doug&Julie]

Are the convertibles under $10k?

[84porsche]

The convertibles are right on the line between 10 and 11k depending on year and mileage. The hatchback is clearly under 10k again depending on year and mileage. The 9-3 is the same as the 900 but changed in 1999 to the 9-3 designation. Here is a 1997 900se convertible - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BLACK-SAAB-CONVERT-TURBO-ONE-OWNER_W0QQitemZ4568053960QQcategoryZ6383QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

for $7989.00 Buy it Now on Ebay.

[Doug&Julie]

I will definitely have to put those on my "potential" list. Love the idea of another convertible, as long as its still decent in the snow...

[Joeaksa]

It may not be very entertaining but a Honda Accord is a good car for just getting people around. I let me good cars sit and drive the Accord when hauling something large or dirty, or to the airport if its going to sit for a while.

They are very reliable, excellent gas mileage and hold their value very well and are very good in the snow.

Worth a look at...

JoeA

[speeder]

Seriously, with the current state of the used car market your choices are almost unlimited. If you did a search on ebay motors for "under $10Gs", your server would crash. There are about a zillion late model cars for around $5-6k.

An example would be a mint, (looks showroom in pics anyways), 1995 MB E320 wagon for $6k w/ ~100k miles. That was a $60k car new.

[tobster1911]

Gasp....has no one suggested a P-car yet? Get a nice 944.

Good mpg (this is why I bought mine)
Good looks (personal taste I suppose)
Good reliability (if properly maintained)
Good in Snow (Drive all the time in CO winter)
Good price (Nice example for way less than 10k)
Good fun (My 944S is rated 188hp. Good enough for a DD)

[kach22i]

Will you ever have to tow with it?

[Paul K]

Hi Doug & Julie,

I'm probably going to receive death threats for this, but here goes...

Land Rover Discovery.

I know, I know, unreliable as a drunken bum.

But mine wasn't.

Plus you can get a nice one for under 10k. Great in winter- (with the right tires)-the most sure-footed snow/ice rig I ever drove, and I've owned 5 Subarus. Very entertaining (if you like that sort of thing)- with a stick shift they're great. Loads of room, comfortable, makes the Exploder feel like a bean can. Tow dang near anything. Drive one and see.

Cheers,

Paul.

[Rick V]

I think ya'll missed the best choice a Volvo. I have a 90 740 wagon with 240k on it and it has survived a 19 year old son. These things are a dime a dozen, easy to work on, parts are everywhere, safe, good on gas, cheap to insure, Damn I sound like an add. You just have to get over the soccer mom box look.

[speeder]

Originally posted by Paul K
Hi Doug & Julie,

I'm probably going to receive death threats for this, but here goes...

Land Rover Discovery.

No death threats here, but depending on the miles driven and the condition it could be more $$ per mile than a new $50k car. (Gas + maintenence+depreciation). They get absolutely horrendous gas mileage, (this could be a $500.00 @ month expense soon), and subsequently they will now depreciate like a tunafish sandwich. I would not pay anywhere near $10k for one of those.

I'm glad that yours has been reliable, my friends who have owned them wanted to go terrorist on the LR dealer for selling them the schit log.

[dd74]

Originally posted by speeder
An example would be a mint, (looks showroom in pics anyways), 1995 MB E320 wagon for $6k w/ ~100k miles. That was a $60k car new.

Whoa! I'd hate to be the guy who paid $60K for that. Tyson once told me the same will happen to 996s in the not-so-distant future...

[Paul K]

Speeder,
I didn't think 18mpg was that bad for a 5,000 lb suv. Plus I really doubt the depreciation will be that drastic- the curve has pretty much levelled out by 10 grand. I've seen rust-free clean ones for 7.5. So I've addressed gas and depreciation. As for maintenance, I will freely admit that Land Rovers have a bad reputation- but as I said, my '96 SD was not only reliable, but also fairly cheap to fix. My wrench did a great job. As with any car, a PPI is important. But take the aforementioned Volvos and Mercedes to their respective dealers and see how much that costs.

Cheers,

Paul.

[M.D. Holloway]

I have a 96 Volvo 850. Well cared for, under 100K miles. I'm just bored with it. Worth more than I could ever get. I'm too lazy to officially list it for sale but if someone was interested. I don't even know how much it is really worth...

[Doug&Julie]

Originally posted by tobster1911
Gasp....has no one suggested a P-car yet? Get a nice 944.

I also posted on the Rennlist...and that has been discussed. I was even thinking 924S, just to go even cheaper.

Although I've had a 944...longer than I've had any other Pcar...and I'm not sure I'm interested. Still, definitely an option.

[Doug&Julie]

Originally posted by kach22i
Will you ever have to tow with it?

No. But hauling capability is nice to have. ...more reason I'm having a hard time leaning away from another Subie.