Looking for a new/new to me car

Scott P

Scott P

New member
My 98 Grand Prix GT is hitting 98,000 miles and I think itâ€â„¢s time to move on. I bought it used in October 2000 and am frankly kinda tired of it. It runs well, is fair on fuel (20 mpg), but itâ€â„¢s a bit slow turning only 15.25 in the quarter-mile.



Hereâ€â„¢s the problem. I really donâ€â„¢t know what vehicle I want. Iâ€â„¢m looking to spend about $20,000 or so. Personally, I would really like a Dodge Magnum RT. However, it is a good $10,000+ out of my price range. I am looking for a four door vehicle that will sit four adults in comfort. Performance is important too. I would like a car thatâ€â„¢s on par or better than my GP. Extra benefits such as trunk room, folding seats, etc would all be things I need too. I service my own cars, but will take it to a dealer for mechanical work.



I donâ€â„¢t have any particular bias against any car companies, except maybe Ford. I just canâ€â„¢t picture myself with one. :D The wife has an Envoy, so I would prefer not to have another SUV.



Basic requirements:



Price -$20,000 range

New/Used

Four doors

Adult sized

Above average performance

Good trunk/storage space



Anyone have any ideas? Do I need more specifics?
 
Lexus GS 400--Nice and big, V8, great styling.

Lexus IS 300--Little small, but 4 adults no prob.

Cadillac CTS--Good performance, great styling.

Honda Accord V6--Reliability, 260HP, manual or auto.

Nissan Maxima--Great power, good styling, ton of room.



I'll try and add to this list later!
 
For that money you can reasonably get into a Subaru WRX and if you search around and get a good deal and reasonabley maintained pre-owned you may have some money left over for mods! :bounce Perhaps a bit small for the four adult thing but a lot would depend upon your definition of "reasonably seating" four adults? I mean how big are these adults you're talkin' about? I've seen five college "kids" get into one of these cars. They are super high on the thril-o-meter and pretty good on gas. You can't beat awd for all weather stability and handling, and you do heave all weather in that part of the world! Plus they have the legendary Subaru build and safety quality!



If you're looking for a tad bit more luxury you sould possibly look into a late '90' Acura TL. Perhaps even a Type S if you're willing to move a little on the price.



Good luck!
 
How about the Nissan Altima or Maxima. They should both be in your price range if used, and both are pretty quick with the VQ engine.
 
O4cobra said:
Nissan Maxima--Great power, good styling, ton of room.
Click to expand...



ben54 said:
How about the Nissan Altima or Maxima. They should both be in your price range if used, and both are pretty quick with the VQ engine.
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:xyxthumbs



I may be a bit biased :)

You could get a 2K2 or 2K3 for $20,000 (2K2+ has the 3.5L V6 - 255HP)
 
O4cobra said:
Lexus GS 400--Nice and big, V8, great styling.

Lexus IS 300--Little small, but 4 adults no prob.
Click to expand...



You would have to get a REALLY old and high mileage GS 400 to get to that price.



My sister has an IS and 4 adults is a S T R E T C H ! Two adults and 2 kids and the adults had better not be tall. This car IS a compact in every way. Nice car though and very fun to drive but is going to be slower than your GP.
 
What year was the Maxima redesigned, 2004? If so, then look for a 2002 or 2003 Maxima or I35. Both are nice cars and with 255 HP, your foot will have a hard time staying off the gas pedal. ;)
 
My vote also goes to a 5th generation (2000-2003) Nissan Maxima. Seems to meet all of your requirements.
 
Mazda isn't Ford. No blue oval. Plus, I never see a decal of Calvin peeing on a Mazda sysmbol. :D



It's not that I'm big anti-Ford. I've just driven GM my whole life and there are sertain lines that can't be crossed easily.



The Maxima did cross my mind. I may stop at the Mazda joint on my way home and take a look. However, the Cadillac CTS is pretty nice too now that I see it.



One other useless bit of info. Wife gets supplier discount for both Ford and GM. It isn't anything better than you should be able to get on your own, but it could be an influential component.
 
scottabir said:
I LOVE my Mazda 6s. Sporty but lots of room for the family.



*Edit* just saw you dont like Fords...my bad
Click to expand...

Is it really that much Ford, parts-wise? I really like the 6s V6.:)



Scott, just sold my wife's '00 Lexus GS300 to a friend. I believe blue book value is around $20k, very nice car. A little short in the performance dept but it's a 2JZ-GE I6 so it has the potential, just needs $$$ for the turbo kit. Decent sized rear seat and trunk, no folding rear seats. Soft paint too, easy to polish.
 
Im not sure how much Ford is in the car actually.

It is pretty roomy though...the '04 seem to have a smaller trunk from the looks on the outside though...mine is an '03.



details031.jpg
 
Well this isnt really a Ford, but what about a Lincoln LS? You can find nice examples with V8's in that price range now. larger car, plenty of room for 4, or 5 adults. Decent performance and handling, although its no Mustang or Camaro. Plus it has all the luxury bells and whistles too and decent MPG. Or a Used Volvo S40 or S60?
 
Mazda is wholly owned by fordand they share research and development terms - eg, the old MX-6 was the exact same car as the Ford probe (these are probably Euro models so might not mean much)



It's interesting the view on different sizes of cars. The discussion covered the Lexus IS300 - you call it a 'compact in every sense of the word"



here in the UK - the Lexus IS300 is marketed as a mid-range executive car / small family car and would be seen as quite and extreme choice for a family due to it's large (for here) 3litre 6-cylinder engine.



Also - over here the IS300 costs £30,000 which is currently just short of $60,000 USD!!!



Actually over here for your price range, $20,000USD (about £10,000 GBP) you wouldn't even get a ford focus or a Mazda 3 - and you are about half way to a Mazda 6!!!



why do we (UK) pay so much for our cars?!?!?
 
My picks: :p



- Opel Astra (rebadged as Chevrolet)

- Opel Vectra (rebadged as Chevrolet)

- Renault Megane II



Wait, wrong country..... In the USA, for 20k I would get, I would get, I would get...... I would add $7k and get an Acura TSX! Sorry, but the $20k lineup up north is kind of sedating...... Maybe a Nissan Altima.
 
I'll probably get flamed for this, but what about a new SRT-4? They are $20,000 new, 4-door, lots of trunk space, and performance wise is much better than most cars already mentioned here plus there is a slew of aftermarket parts incase you decide you want more power. All while averaging 30 miles per gallon in the fastest fwd car ever and also the most horsepower / dollar car ever.
 
Low mileage, current gen Accord or Altima ... V6, both decent family vehicles with plenty of power when you need it. My suggestion would be the Accord, but there again I own a '03 ;)
 
I'd second the Dodge SRT-4. I've driven one and I was pretty impressed with the car overall, especially the value. If not I vote for the new Chevy HHR not really all that powerful but it sure is a looker.





06_chevy_hhr_2lt_ft.jpg
 
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