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Cheap, fun, reliable daily.... under $10K
I am always thinking about my next car, and like to see what others favor. So here goes. So I was thinking, instead of a $500 a month note, why not entertain paying cash and investing the $500 a month.
 Must be under $10k Or real near. Must be a Manual Must be ridiculously reliable Must be fun NOT a 2 seater Nothing German, See number 3 My initial list looks like: Mini R53 JCW if possible (shockingly they are reliable) Honda Civic Si hatchback Acura RSX Type S Lexus IS300 FRS/BRZ Fiesta ST Acura TL SH I am thinking NEXT YEAR OR TWO! Should have said that sorry.
Last edited by Geronimo; 08-18-2021 at 10:04 AM.. |
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08-18-2021, 09:16 AM
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Woodlands TX
Posts: 4,002
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I'd personally do frs or fiesta st
May have to pay closer to 12k for a low enough milage example to meet your ultra reliable requirement, just because of used market craziness fit maybe qualifies as fun 500 abarths are really cheap, reliability maybe sketchy but you will end up with a newer one than the other candidtes for less monies.
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84 930 18 Cayman GTS |
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08-18-2021, 09:34 AM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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Man that’s going to be tough right now. Cars that used to be 8-9k are 12 right now.
I don’t think you will find an FRS in that range. M I’d be looking for the fiesta ST or focus ST. Strikes a good balance of fun and driving like a European car, but is closer to the Asian cars for reliability |
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08-18-2021, 09:36 AM
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What?
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Frs or brz
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________________________________________ Eric Hahl 85 911 to 73RS backdate, a.k.a. "Gretchen" (SOLD) 2015 981 Cayman S (Sold) 23 Outback Wilderness & 23 BMW R1250GS |
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08-18-2021, 09:37 AM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 56,707
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Does a Mazda 3 fit into that list/mold?
I've heard that Minis are like BMW, a crap shoot. You either get a good one or a bad one. I believe there are folks here on the board that have said "never had a problem" and other folks that have said "would never have one again." Or is the R53 JCW the unicorn mini that's guaranteed to be great? Civic Si, might not be bad if you can get one at that price that hasn't been used and abused by some kid.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa  SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
Last edited by masraum; 08-18-2021 at 10:01 AM.. |
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08-18-2021, 09:58 AM
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My understanding of the Mini is that the R53 in non-S for is a bit of a trouble maker. The S gets a different engine and trans. The F series are quite terrible according to my local Mini specialist.
I had an Abarth 500, LOVED that silly little car, but I think the long term reliability is questionable. That said my 500 was way better than my Alfa Guilia Ti lol go figure. |
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08-18-2021, 10:07 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Linn County, Oregon
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After you're done laughing...think about it a bit. Corvair.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II1uoBn6whw&t=1179s
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"Now, to put a water-cooled engine in the rear and to have a radiator in the front, that's not very intelligent." -Ferry Porsche (PANO, Oct. '73) (I, Paul D. have loved this quote since 1973. It will remain as long as I post here.) Last edited by pwd72s; 08-18-2021 at 10:56 AM.. |
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08-18-2021, 10:26 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Australia
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2002 9-3 Aero
2003 9-5 Aero.
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In Heaven… the mechanics are German, the chefs are French, the police are British, the lovers are Italian and everything is organized by the Swiss. In Hell…the mechanics are French, the police are German, the chefs are British, the lovers are Swiss and everything is organized by the Italians. |
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08-18-2021, 02:50 PM
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White and Nerdy
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Quote:
And the OP's list of eliminators knocks out anything that comes to mind from me. |
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08-18-2021, 03:10 PM
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Location: Stumptown
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Quote:
Saab 9-2x Aero Volvo V70R or S60R 323 GTX Last edited by Shifter; 08-18-2021 at 03:39 PM.. |
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08-18-2021, 03:34 PM
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Misunderstood User
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Quote:
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Jim 1983 944n/a 2003 Mercedes CLK 500 - totaled. Sanwiched on the Kennedy Expressway |
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08-18-2021, 03:50 PM
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Location: Honolulu, HI
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Quote:
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The fun - '06 Carrera, '79 930, '06 S4 Avant, '16 i8 The mundane - '24 Tesla Model 3, '22 Tesla Model Y, '19 Tacoma |
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08-18-2021, 04:00 PM
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Just thinking out loud
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Close by
Posts: 6,885
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I doubt you will find an Acura TL SH for $10K. Comps for my 2007 TLS are in the 9-12K range. It was declared a total loss today.
Even though it was an auto, it was still fun, maybe more fun because you can drive it similarly to a stick, or throw it in D and chill if you hit traffic.
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83 944 91 FJ80 84 Ram Charger (now gone) Last edited by mattdavis11; 08-18-2021 at 04:16 PM.. |
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08-18-2021, 04:12 PM
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I don’t think I’d suggest a 9-3 or 9-5. Neither is “ridiculously reliable.”
I’d second the suggestion to look at a Mazda 3, either a regular one or a turbo. Saabaru (9-2) is marginal - better choice than a 9-3 or 9-5 but not quite ridiculously reliable, especially if high mileage.
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'80 SC Targa Avondale, Chicago, IL |
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08-18-2021, 04:19 PM
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Platinum Member
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Location: Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
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Isuzu Amigo I picked up last year for $1000. Everything works, including AC. Been reliable so far. Fun to drive (IMHO)
Leaves $9k in the budget for hookers and blow.
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08-18-2021, 05:11 PM
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Don't you have the 911 (not running), and the Mustang (engine being built) already?
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"A machine you build yourself is a vote for a different way of life. There are things you have to earn with your hands." |
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08-19-2021, 05:43 AM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 56,707
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Quote:
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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08-19-2021, 09:52 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west michigan
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I drove a Chev Luv Truck for about 3 years in the early 80's. Made by Isuzu for Chev.
It was beat when I bought it and it went 3 more years with no troubles.
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78 SC Targa Black....gone 84 Carrera Targa White 98 Honda Prelude 22 Honda Civic SI |
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08-19-2021, 10:13 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: St Paul MN
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why not a 2 seater?
miata is always the answer. |
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08-19-2021, 10:17 AM
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Location: Canada
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MINI is a BMW sub-brand so it doesn't meet the OP's 3rd and 6th requirements.
As the owner of a MINI, I can attest to the dismal quality and reliability. I just had it towed last Friday due to an electrical issue. But hey, it was cheap, 6-speed manual and AWD. Plus, it gets a ton of compliments and looks good. Quote:
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1972 911T targa |
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08-19-2021, 11:03 AM
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1986 Porsche 944 2.5l
Gretchen
Copenhagen Blue
