New used car options

Wifey wants a new car. She is currently driving a Pathfinder, but wants a car. Need four seats and enough room for a 3 person weekend getaway. Looking up to around $16k or so (just theoretical $ amount). Keep in mind that the only other car will be a Miata, so please no MINI suggestions :lol: We're thinking about adding 2 cars to the fleet and for one of mine to be a Miata she is getting what she wants. She is just clueless to the abundance of used car options in that price range, so I would greatly appreciate your input.
P.S she just told me it needs to be "sporty"

Is your third in a car seat? If so, that makes a big difference. We headed down to Town North Mazda a few weeks ago, because my wife is feeling frumpy in the MPV. I loved the Mazda3 (which a new one is in your price range) but when we tried to put the car seat in, we quickly moved on. Believe it or not, the RX-8 is the friendliest car for car seats that we have tried. We backed away from that when we thought about road trip space.

Does your wife want a stick or slushbox?

We have a Saab 9-2X Linear 5-speed and love it. You can get them for around $18,500 right now, which isn't exactly $16k, but it's close. Contact Rick Herrold at Sewell in Dallas for details. (No affiliation, that's just the guy we bought from.)

If you're getting a stick, you can never go wrong with a Corolla. I know, I know: it's kinda dull. But the XRS has an Elise engine and a very posh interior.

The Mazda 3 is nice. The bigger displacement of the 2.3 seems to help if your wife will be driving a slushbox.

The I4 Altima is roomy, peppy, and reasonably cheap. So is an Accord LX.

A lot depends on whether you're getting a stick or not. A lot of cheap cars are I4s. Small displacement engines do better with sticks because of a lack of torque low in the rev range. Thus, cheap car + slushbox tends to equal no fun.

Again, we love our little Saab. We drove a Linear (2.5) auto at the Saab Proving Grounds. It's a decent combination due to the 2.5 having good torque down low.

If you wife is looking to get a stick then hey, sky's the limit! :D

S.

Looks like there are a couple of used Mazdaspeed Proteges in our very own classifieds that would fit your needs (four-door, seats four real-sized people), your budget (I belive the pricing war has pushed both of them below $15k :wink: ), and your desires (sporty and really fun to drive).

However, if she's more interested in a 4-door appliance, I'd suggest a previous generation Honda Accord. We have a 2000 Accord EX 4-door and while I wouldn't consider it sporty, it is comfortable, rides well, has great space, gets decent gas mileage on cheap regular gas (we drove both the V6 and the 4 banger and opted for the 4, as the only thing we felt the V6 offered was slightly better passing power at 70mph+ in exchange for much lower fuel economy), and is as reliable as they come. I've personally driven this car over 1000 miles in a single day and found it to be incredibly comfortable. It will also cruise all day with the cruise control set at 95+ (while returning 25mpg), and it's apparently almost invisible to police. :wink:

I really do like most aspects of the accord but my wife isn't a huge fan. As for the Saab 9-2x linear....she likes it....I'm scared if she got a Mazdaspeed that I would very quickly take it over, but thats the car i'm having her test drive over the weekend. All great suggestions :thumleft: Keep them coming :!:

No wonder she liked the Saab so much......she was looking at a 9-3 Aero, which is about $10k more :oops:

If I were you, I'd take either of the MazdaSpeeds and then start buying Miata parts claiming - Oh, damn, honey, those idiots at Mazda sent the wrong parts again!

It might work... :wink:

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Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

If I were you, I'd take either of the MazdaSpeeds and then start buying Miata parts claiming - Oh, damn, honey, those idiots at Mazda sent the wrong parts again!

It might work... :wink:

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:salut:

I have a nice 2003 MSP and a 2003 Mazda6 for sale. Take your pick :!:

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Originally Posted by MadMerv

I have a nice 2003 MSP and a 2003 Mazda6 for sale. Take your pick :!:

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My wife thinks the orange is too "flashy"

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Originally Posted by SPEEDRACER

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MadMerv

I have a nice 2003 MSP and a 2003 Mazda6 for sale. Take your pick :!:

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My wife thinks the orange is too "flashy"

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The 6 is Charcoal gray with light gray leather interior. Maybe she would like it better......

Got to buy from a dealer.....we are trading in our current fleet....I'd rather buy from an individual, but it's easier to buy from dealer....(financing options) :?

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Originally Posted by SPEEDRACER

Got to buy from a dealer.....we are trading in our current fleet....I'd rather buy from an individual, but it's easier to buy from dealer....(financing options) :?

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We could work out a deal at Freeman, when my MS6 comes that could save us both on the sales tax.........