New car ideas/opinions

[kosydar 0]

With gas being expensive and no price drop in site, along with me moving out and going to college, I've come to the sad conclusion that I no longer need an SUV. Right now I have an Infiniti QX4 (Pathfinder clone) and I absolutely love it. The one thing I don't love is the 13 MPG I'm getting. It costs close to $50 to fill up, and that seems to be happening every couple of weeks. Not having a job, this sucks. So I think I'm going to trade it in for a car.

The Kelley Blue Book value is anywhere from $11,000-13,000 so thats what I'm looking to spend. If I could come out a few thousand a head, that'd be even better. The one car I'm really looking at is a late 90s/early 00s Audi A4. I'd also be interested in an A6 if I could find one in that price range. I've never been inside one or driven one, hell I don't even know anybody who owns an Audi (which for some strange reason is very appealing to me). What do you guys think of them? Don't you have one Cavs? I don't know why the hell I know that.

I'm also open to other suggestions. Here is what I'm not interested in- most, if not all American cars (no particular reason) and Hondas. I had a Civic before and I don't think it really fit well with me. I'd also be interested in Acuras. Yes, I know they're essentially Hondas, but not every damn girl in my high school drove an Acura. Thanks for your help.

[Miike 1]

What about Jettas or Golfs? They are pretty nice cars, get them cheap, run forever.

[kosydar 0]

I'm not a real fan of Golfs, but I like Jettas. Although I don't think I've ever seen a guy drive a Jetta, let alone anyone who wasn't a hot girl.

[Miike 1]

Whats wrong with driving a jetta? My family has had 2, both which reached 200,000+ kms and still running strong.

[kosydar 0]

Nothing is wrong with them. In fact, I like them. All I'm saying is, I know at least 10 people who have them, and they're all decent-hot girls.

[Icedog03 0]

Are you looking for something a little sporty or more classy?

[kosydar 0]

Are you looking for something a little sporty or more classy?

I'm pretty much open to any suggestions. But I will say this. Under no circumstances will I be adding a body kit, lowering it, or doing anything else to it. I just couldn't live with myself if I did.

[mack 44]

It'll attract no women, but a Civic's an option for that. If I wasn't able to just hoof it to work I'd look at one because 13MPG is killing me as well.

[JR Boucicaut 3803]

Since you're looking at VWs...go with the GTI... ;)

[Chadd 916]

Whats wrong with driving a jetta? My family has had 2, both which reached 200,000+ kms and still running strong.

Mine had constant electrical problems and was a pain in the ass every day I owned it. Easily my least favorite car ever.

[ajd91187 0]

Since you're looking at VWs...go with the GTI... ;)

I second the GTI...1.8t

[Cavs019 710]

Kosy, I have an 03 1.8T, couldn't have a better first car/be happier with it. The older models have the same engine, with the older body style.

My Ride

[jjtt99 0]

Zoom Zoom!

Take a look at the Mazda Protege (now called the Mazda 3).

It's cheap, cheerful, great on gas, and constantly written up as a great car by every car magazine out there.

The only negative feedback is some say the internal noise is higher than average, but isn't that what the stereo is for?

[freq019 0]

I was looking for a similar audi a while back granted I was looking at the avants, not a sedan but they are fairly similar. Look around the audi forums and become familar with the problems. Audis were using timing belts during that time frame so become familiar with that and when they need to be changed. Audiworld forums I believe even has a DIY part where someone has taken pictures of a timing belt change and it looks fairly simple, so if you're mechanically inclined got some tools and an afternoon you could do it yourself if not its going to cost you. I thought the A6's were a little more bugy in terms of electrical gremlins than the A4's but I am not sure, also I'd never buy a used Turbo engine.

Seriously if you don't want to pick up shallow chicks look at the civic. The wife has an ex 5sp and we got nearly 40MPG on the highway over labor day. also honda's resale value is higher than audi's. If you want shallow chicks look for a nice TT instead of an A4.

[freq019 0]

Zoom Zoom!

Take a look at the Mazda Protege (now called the Mazda 3).

It's cheap, cheerful, great on gas, and constantly written up as a great car by every car magazine out there.

The only negative feedback is some say the internal noise is higher than average, but isn't that what the stereo is for?

true a stripper model mazada 3 brand new is less than 20k, also if you want new a ford focus can be had just south of 15k I think. There are also Scion's out there new that are cheap and built by toyota so one would assume they are fairly reliable.

[vdubbin 0]

also a sporty car that isnt too much is the scion Tc. great little car. i get to drive all of these cars at my job, i am a valet, and for a smaller car its great. its a toyota engine but with a nicer body, imo. the jetta or golf is a nice way to go like others have said. the only thing i dont like about the honda's is their interier, seems to be on the cheaper side than all the other cars that it will compete with. anyways look into the Tc, it has some balls and gets pretty good milage.

[Jason Harris 31]

Zoom Zoom!

Take a look at the Mazda Protege (now called the Mazda 3).

It's cheap, cheerful, great on gas, and constantly written up as a great car by every car magazine out there.

The only negative feedback is some say the internal noise is higher than average, but isn't that what the stereo is for?

I owned a Protege for about 7.5 years and 115K miles and had NO problems with it until the end. Even that, I'm convinced, was caused by moving into the mountains outside Denver. It suddenly lost power, which is a safety risk going up the hill, and was looking like too expensive a repair.

I would have bought another Protege, but my lovely bride wanted something larger. So maybe you guys are right that wife-like girls only want certain cars. Oh, wait, you're not talking about a girl you'd want to spend time with. B)

[asdfa 0]

Kosy, I have an 03 1.8T, couldn't have a better first car/be happier with it. The older models have the same engine, with the older body style.

My Ride

easily one of the best looking sedans ever, kosy, you should get this if you can simply because it looks so good :D

[tokes 0]

Kosy, I have an 03 1.8T, couldn't have a better first car/be happier with it. The older models have the same engine, with the older body style.

My Ride

Damn, I'd bust a nut if I got a 3 year old luxury sedan for my first car :o

As far as Jettas and most new europeans go, they've all been on the decline in terms of problems and on the incline in terms of cost to fix. My Cousin had an early 90's one and it was great, but she bought a 2002 new and had lots of problems with it, and I don't know anybody who has one that hasn't spent time at the dealership for problems. For a 11-13K price window you could pick up a couple year old Nissan Altima, and it's hard to go wrong with them. Nice interior, nice exterior, decent power, and arn't going to break the bank for repairs.

[Cavs019 710]

it was only a year old at the time :D I more or less did that anyway. I got it 6 months before I got my license so I would just sit in the damn thing.

[tokes 0]

it was only a year old at the time  :D I more or less did that anyway.  I got it 6 months before I got my license so I would just sit in the damn thing. 

Nice, so far my most valued posesssion is a 200 dollar hockey stick, haha. Ah well, this May if I hold a 3.5 my rents are helping big time with a car, so I'm leaning towards a 97+ Talon TSI AWD or an Eclipse GSX, only 219 more days :D

[Cavs019 710]

I know your pretty knowledgeble on the topic, any suggestions to add some pep?

[chilaxin12 2]

Cavs, If your talking about adding some pep to the 1.8T, just let me know, I can give you a few ideas, for about $1500 I could have you keeping up with 2005 Mustang GT's

[Vapor 0]

Buy my car!!! PLEASE?! 2003 G35 Sedan. Sexy, and only 25k anybody?! Its automatic, so its great for those times when your girlfriend or girl you just met is in the car... eh.

[kosydar 0]

I found a '99 A4 at a local lot today and sat in it. The guy was a douche and wouldn't let me drive it because I'm not 21, but its sick. I'm completely in love with it. Too bad they're asking way too much for it.