Looking for a economical car for under $9k? help

Sigma 17-35mm f/2.8-4.0 EX DG Aspherical HSM for Nikon

05/16/2007 02:13:55 PM · #26

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

I drive an 8 year old Accord. To get one used it would be well under 10K CDN.

I'd check out the Honda Fit. It's MRSP is around 15K CDN new. A used one a few years old would probably be well within your budget.

How long has the honda fit been in canada because you cant get them a few years old in the united states lmao. In japan you can get one a few but thats about as old as they get.

scottjk62

Nikon D200

05/16/2007 02:29:09 PM · #27

The general rules apply all over the world I guess. Low mileage does not guarantee low rates of wear and tear. Go for condition and get the best car you can for the price. You'll want as much service history as possible or evidence that maintenance has been done - someone who keeps bills may need to get out more but it's a sign that they've cared for the car. Usual stuff like making sure there's no outstanding finance, check for any accident damage and that any repairs have been carried out correctly. In the UK it is usually the Japanese cars that are favoured for reliability (Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Subaru). Some friends in the US run a pair of Subarus (Impreza wagons, one an Outback) that they are happy with but one has been a bit costly when it has gone wrong. I've been running an older Audi TDI wagon here for last 6 years/100k miles and it has been economical and not costly on repairs. Hope none of the above is of the 'teaching granny to suck eggs' school. Good luck wih your hunting and purchase.

Rebecca

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

05/16/2007 02:34:35 PM · #28

Originally posted by scottjk62:

Subarus are definitely overlooked over here. I drive a six year old Forester, which I've owned for four years. It gets about 27 mpg. I have no idea how to pop the hood on it. It's been such a great, reliable car for me that I've never had to do it. If you want something a little less of a soccer mom vibe, the Impreza is a nice looking car.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

05/16/2007 02:41:04 PM · #29

Overlooked? Maybe in colorado lol plenty of subarus of all kinds running around here and Impreza/WRX's are very popular to modify.

Rebecca

Nikon D80

05/16/2007 02:43:12 PM · #30

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

Overlooked? Maybe in colorado lol plenty of subarus of all kinds running around here and Impreza/WRX's are very popular to modify.

In the US in general. I rarely see them outside of Colorado. It seems like it's just about the only place in the US to have really embraced Subaru. But with the all wheel drive and mountainous terrain, that doesn't surprise me. You might see a Forester or Outback in the Chicago suburbs every once in awhile, but it's still not anywhere near as mainstream as Toyota.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

05/16/2007 02:51:02 PM · #31

Their all the rage where i live Anne Arundel and Baltimore County. Yes youll see more toyota's but i cant say a day i havent seen atleast 10 subaru's that ive noticed. I see mostly fords lmao only because i work at a ford dealer.

In glen burnie their definatly a must have. I see as many WRX's as i see Mitsu Evo 8's. Speaking of which i saw an Evo MR the other day. Sad part is most of the new Evolution's and WRX's are owned by 18-25 years olds that their parents bought for them... that and those mid 20's kids who have decent jobs.

I tell you what i dont see much these days 89-91 Honda CRX's. I see less then 1 a day and when iw as in high school (graduated 03) they were as common as any other used car. I see alot of CRX's parked in peoples front lawns lol. What happend the ricers became lawn ornaments?

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

05/16/2007 02:54:13 PM · #32

Originally posted by Rebecca:

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:
Overlooked? Maybe in colorado lol plenty of subarus of all kinds running around here and Impreza/WRX's are very popular to modify.

In the US in general. I rarely see them outside of Colorado. It seems like it's just about the only place in the US to have really embraced Subaru. But with the all wheel drive and mountainous terrain, that doesn't surprise me. You might see a Forester or Outback in the Chicago suburbs every once in awhile, but it's still not anywhere near as mainstream as Toyota.

Subarus are all over the place here in Michigan. They're great in the winter when it snows and the roads get icy, yet they're easy to park and don't suck gas like big SUV's

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

05/16/2007 03:00:47 PM · #33

Originally posted by PhilipDyer:

Find a copy of the April edition of Consumer Reports. They have a list in there of the best (and worst) used cars at certain price levels.

Also, check out the Lemon-Aid Used Car Guide. There's also a new car version of this book. It can probably be found at the local library but definitely in the book store.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

05/16/2007 03:06:06 PM · #34

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

Originally posted by cpanaioti:
I drive an 8 year old Accord. To get one used it would be well under 10K CDN.

I'd check out the Honda Fit. It's MRSP is around 15K CDN new. A used one a few years old would probably be well within your budget.

How long has the honda fit been in canada because you cant get them a few years old in the united states lmao. In japan you can get one a few but thats about as old as they get.

My bad. Looks like 2006 is the first model year. Highly recommended by consumer reports. 2 yrs old would be the oldest since the 2006 model would have likely come out in 2005.

05/16/2007 03:08:43 PM · #35

I highly recommend a Honda Fit with a K20A engine swap (Civic SI/06+ civic and rsx engine). Just pick up some old issues of honda tuning lol.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

05/16/2007 03:20:19 PM · #36

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

I highly recommend a Honda Fit with a K20A engine swap (Civic SI/06+ civic and rsx engine). Just pick up some old issues of honda tuning lol.

That's gonna run a lot more than $9k cdn.

Panasonic Lumix 20mm f1.7 ASPH

05/16/2007 03:25:47 PM · #37

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:
I highly recommend a Honda Fit with a K20A engine swap (Civic SI/06+ civic and rsx engine). Just pick up some old issues of honda tuning lol.

That's gonna run a lot more than $9k cdn.

Lol i can get you a 1999 Porsche 3.4 Litre engine for 8500 US exhaust is extra!

Message edited by author 2007-05-16 15:26:12.

dagaleaa

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

05/16/2007 03:26:00 PM · #38

I drive an older Acura Integra , and it feels and drives like a new car. I purchased it several years ago because it was rated one of the best used cars to purchase. The previous owner keep it in pristine condition, and I received all the maintenance records on it.

Ann

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

05/16/2007 04:22:35 PM · #39

I second the idea to get a copy of Consumer Reports. You will get much better advice from that mag than you will get from any internet forum.

You might also look at this page. When I was buying my car, I found it enlightening. There were vast differences in how much it cost to keep cars on the road, even when the cars seemed pretty similar to me. It isn't all about purchase price and gas mileage. There's maintenance, repairs, insurance, tires, etc.

There's also an article in the Wall St Journal on Monday (sorry, can't post it, it requires a paid sub to read), where this guy was trying to find the right car for his teenage daughter. He was looking at safety ratings, reliability ratings, and a price tage under $15,000. He ended up drifting towards a Pontiac Vibe or a Honda Accord. The article mentioned Kelley Blue Book's "Perfect Car Finder." You might try that, though it appears to be US centric.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

05/16/2007 04:58:06 PM · #40

Originally posted by annpatt:

Edmunds is the guy who writes the Lemon-Aid books so check out site posted above (click the word 'this').

kawana

Sony Alpha a7R

Samyang 135mm f/2 ED UMC

05/16/2007 05:55:38 PM · #41

i was looking at the wrx's but the insurance is insane on them from what i hear. Especially cuz im 19 lol :P