Need advice on what car to buy....

[iman501]

Alright guys heres the deal, i'm stationed in TN right now and am living on base. I have my firebolt here, but recently gave my car to my younger sister who turns 16 on the 8th. my old car was a plain jane 1994 honda accord 5sd. it had like 220k on the odomiter and didnt really trust it to make to many more trips to home in Illinois and back to TN. So right now i just have my bike. I will need to buy a vehicle before winter hits however. I'm really torn on what to get and am just looking for some good options/your opinions. what would be a good car for me? my trip home is all interstate and roughly 350 miles.

I used to have a YJ jeep before i had the accord, and i loved that thing! I'd really like a TJ, however even nicerr ones cost as much as a really nice car that would probably have less miles and be more reliable.

I really like the mini coopers as well, and they get waaaaaaay better MPG than a jeep would, but i havent heard to much great stuff about them unless they are the newer models. In reality i'd probably only be able to afford the 03-06 models of mini's and even those can hold their value...., plus its a foreign car so any repair would drain my pockets

the smart part of me says i should find a nice used TDI jetta or something simple, boring, reliable, and good on gas. But what fun is that?...

So everybody anybody have anything good or bad to say about any of my thoughts, or have any other good vehicles to suggest? I'll tell you right now that whatever i end up with will be a manual transmission!

keep in mind i wont be using this vehicle very much but to drive home once in a while and make the 2 hour trip to see my GF on the weekends.

 

[Kid1620]

Marry the gf and us her car in the winter!! Lmao!!! The tdi jettas don't use gas they're desil which is 3.98-4.00 a gallon in some places. If your looking for fun fi d a used 350z or a mustang newer models are better more power and better mpg. If you just want something to drive until it blows ip I suggest a civic or integra or even a crx haha

 

[bajabomber87]

How is a Jetta TDI boring? Has to be hands down one of the best small cars around. Also a TJ will be just as reliable as any Honda, cant go wrong with a 4.0 and a 5 speed.

 

[Kid1620]

No I was saying civics and those cars are throw away car buy it drive it till it blows buy another one blow it. They're cheap

 

[anrkizm95]

you got rid of the best brand out there.

 

[kman2061]

I vote DeLorean

 

[iman501]

Marry the gf and us her car in the winter!!

still a little young for that! one day though!

how are the TJ's for high way driving? obviously they arent a great choice, but my YJ was not the most fun on the interstate with its little four banger....

 

[myronman3]

buick le sabres are nice, powerful, good on gas, and you wont fork out much in maintance. they might not be the sportiest things out there, but they are great cars.

 

[freak2180]

Dodge neon SRT4

 

[Petrus]

Jeep cherokee Chief a 1980's one.[cool]

 

[iman501]

freak you just wana make me poor lol, if i got that car i'd have to much fun modding it and "playing with it" lol i do like those cars though! and plus my gfs dad would be happy! he's got an new SRT8 dodge challenger (yes an 8!!!) its quite the car!

 

[Petrus]

LOL, yeah well, you only live ones. I have a 1979 JCC for a daily driver and after 5 years still enjoy driving it as on the first day.

 

[jasonxb9]

I vote for the tdi diesel. They can be really fun cars especially the newer ones, plus you can play with them a bit. And get phenomenal fuel mileage.

 

[freak2180]

How about a Mazda 6

 

[ReconLdr]

Dodge neon SRT4

I had one of these a few years back. I put 120k miles on it in 4 years. I sure do miss that car!!!

I traded it in so my wife could get a minivan. My son used to scream "spool it up daddy" from his car seat in the back. (had to be the only kindergartner ever that speaks gear head) He would watch the boost gauge and the further north the gauge went, the more he giggled.... I sure do miss that car.

I know people don't buy this car for fuel economy but I got about 27MPG with it...

 

[rockerphotographer]

I absolutely love my 09 Mazda3 2.3L hatchback. Corners like a dream and doesn't beat you to death on rough roads. Plenty of passing power. It doesn't get the greatest of gas mileage but it's decent if you stay off of it just like anything else I guess. I would still sell it before the bike though [cool]

I've thought about a VW diesel before but decided I wouldn't buy one unless I personally new a local bio-diesel maker...you know...to get the hook-up [smirk]

 

[ct1200]

My ex is on her 2nd TDI, things get great mileage and handle awesome.
Can be hard to find cause they are a pretty good little car, I wouldn't call them boring by any means.
I have a Mazda3 and love it, well in the winter anyways.

 

[Maas562]

Geo metro [cool]

 

[WALLSXB]

If you want the ladies to look your way, the guys to wish they were you and little children to look up to you DON'T GET ONE OF THESE !!

The only people that look up to you are tree hugging hippiie chicks with long armpit hair and bushes the size of afros ![down]

 

[rockerphotographer]

@ WALLSXB

A friend's father had one he used as a loaner car at his repair shop. Over 500,000 miles and still ran strong. I drove it a couple times too, it was nice a smooth. That one car made me a firm believer in Volvo...now if they could only work on the syling a little bit