Best car under $20,000?

I feel like we've done this before, but search has failed me. Or I've failed search. Who knows. Anyways, I'm trying to get some mostly unbiased car recommendations. Here are my criteria:

-Must be under $20,000
-Model Year 2000 or newer (thanks Credit Union)
-Sporty driving (no grandma cars)
-Able to be daily driven (Rain, maybe light snow)
-Manual/Semi-Auto transmission
-Good leg room (I'm 6'5")
-Maintenance that won't cost an arm and a leg (I'm in college for crying out loud)

Suffice it to say, I'm not finding much. All I can seem to find that fit that criteria are:

Subaru Impreza WRX
Integra Type R
BMW 3-series

Anything I may have missed?

 

DC2 integra Type R is the best car i've ever owned.

 

Are G35's getting that low yet?

Of those listed I would lean towards a 3 series or the WRX though.

 

BMW 850is

 

I had a Prelude when I was an undergrad. I fit fine in the car, and I am a taller fellow. Type SH's drive better then ITR's, IMHO. I put brakes off of a NSX on mine too. I sold it before I installed my NSX seats though...They are still in the garage!

 

An Integra might be a bit small for someone your heighth


Audi S4/A4
WRX (I've also seen a couple of higher mileage STi's that needed a little work for 18-19k)
VW GTI, not for me but could be a good college car


If you could go earlier than 2000 (find a different place for a loan) you could get some good stuff like:
e36 M3
Porsche 944 turbo
Porsche 928 (both of these can be high maintenence though but might hold together for the 4 years your in college)
older SL 500

 

What about a SRT-4? I've heard they're pretty fun and quick. Type-R's would be a good buy but I think they're easy targets for theives; import scene are crazy for them.

 

I would go with a used 04 WRX. That is what I have now. I have had mine for 2 years and it has been very reliable and is a blast to drive. You can find nice used 04 WRX's in the mid to upper teens with low mileage if you look around. If you do go that route try to find one with the short throw shifter. It makes the driving experience a lot more fun. I am only 5 ft 8" tall so leg room isn't a problem for me. My friend who is 6 ft 4" tall fit fine and he didn't complain about the driving position. You should go drive one though to make sure. Insurance could be high so take that into consideration as well. The biggest downside to owning a WRX is that it seems like everyone wants to race you. I am looking to get out of mine soon because I like to switch cars every 2-3 years just to get something new.

If you have any specific questions about the WRX send me a pm and I will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

 

Audi A4/S4 gets my vote. Hey man we're both looking for cars if you need anyone to tag along and help out... 20k isn't bad thats my max as well (but much lower is much more reasonable )

there is one 944 for sale right now-gray at a local dealer here man its like 5-6k but you could get them to go lower. If you buy it I will kill you as I've been trying to get it (or an audi..)

best of luck

 

WRX seems like the best option. I really like the whole WRX/Sti cars and all their non-American incarnations (Spec C Type RA, 22b, etc).

I'm looking at a Wagon of all things. Something about a fast wagon just appeals. I'm thinking bug-eye (2002-03), manual, and God knows what color. Get Cobb Tuning's sway bars, AccessPORT, and a full turbo back exhaust. Cobb's site claims sub 5-second 0-60 times and low 13 1/4 miles with that setup.

 

VW Gti



I had a 944 turbo for several years. I wouldn't consider it for a daily driver.

 

Sounds good to me. I almost wish I got the wagon too. I don't have any children yet so I decided to go the sedan route for now.

 

Good point regarding the gti. I owned a gti VR6 a while back and I loved that car as well. The VR6 Engine was extremely smooth and power was always acceptable. The new gti looks to be solid too but I think that will be more than $20K.

 

I don't know how well you'd fit, but you should definitely consider the Mazdaspeed Protege. Very nice car all around. Where the SRT-4 is all engine, the Protege has a nice engine, brakes, suspension, stereo, interior and it looks really good too.

 

I don't know how well you'd fit, but you should definitely consider the Mazdaspeed Protege. Very nice car all around. Where the SRT-4 is all engine, the Protege has a nice engine, brakes, suspension, stereo, interior and it looks really good too.

If you were willing to push to $23K or so, you could get yourself a Golf R32. I'll also throw the RX-8 out as an option.

 

E36 M3.

 

WRX Wagon

 

Honda S2K

 

What the hell was I thinking?! Take that back.....
ummm...old volvo and trailor a Bimota SB8R

 

If you're willing to stretch that limit a little, i've seen used WRX STi's in the low 20's. I'm really considering one.

But if it has to be under $20,000, E36 M3 is a nice choice. WRX is also nice.

 

Sorry to resurrect this topic, but i've recently fallen into the same situation and have about a month to find a new car.

Criteria is the same:

-Under $20,000
-Model Year 2000 or newer
-Sporty driving (I drive my cars hard)
-Able to be daily driven (Rain - defiantly in Vancouver, maybe light snow)
-Manual transmission
-Maintenance that won't cost an arm and a leg

I haven't found much in Canada, and am considering anything south of the border, to Seattle - I don't like to buy sight unseen.

 

Good car but, the only ones under 20 are '00-'03. No TCS, STM all the stuff that can come in handy

 

maybe not everybodys cup of tea,but here it goes............. 2000-2001 Camaro SS/TA WS6

fits the budget
cheap on parts and reliable
lots of power and easily tunable
not the most refined of beasts but lots of fun
fits a big man no problemo

 

Well, since you're in Vancouver, you'd probably want something with some wet weather/snow traction. A B5 Audi S4 would be my first choice, with maybe a 1.8 Turbo or 3.0 V-6 B6 A4 Quattro as a second.

If you're really on a budget, a 2002 Mercedes C230 Sports Coupe isn't too bad stock. They had pretty heavy depreciation and have hit $9K - 11K in the US market. I have one of these. I sold my 2003 Mustang Mach 1 and bought this for my wife. She decided she liked my Nissan Murano better so now I drive this every day. With an ASP overdrive pulley, you jump from 192 hp to about 220 flywheel horsepower. With C32 AMG sway bars, the car actually handles quite nicely, and with a set of Eibach springs, it handles quite well. Add some wider tires (245/40-17 in my case) and it's plenty of fun. Won't beat an Audi S4 or WRX to 60 mph, but it does get 31 mpg on the highway. Drawbacks is that some say that MB quality and electronics are quirky. I have had good luck with mine and zero problems, but YMMV.

I helped my buddy negotiate for a 2005 Infiniti G35 with 32K miles recently. He paid $21K plus tax and license. The G35 is a really nice car and worthy of consideration as well IMO.

Bob

 

350Z
Volvo S60R
Volvo V70R
Dodge Magnum RT
Mustang
Camaro
BMW 330Ci