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Fahren
Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2013 - 07:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The son of a friend will soon be coming home from Afghanistan. They want to find a reliable, low mileage car for him for about 10k. I was thinking he might like to have some fun behind the wheel, not just the typical car your parents would get you. Ideas?

Plus, out here on Long Island, just like in Jersey, we now have to be careful about flood-damaged cars on the used market. Ugh.
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Slaughter
Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2013 - 08:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

How about buying an older car out West - no body rot. Spend $1K to drive it home?

I have Family in WI - they do that all the time.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2013 - 10:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Not familar with military transport these days, but can one request a certain destination stateside? As in, buy a car in CO, request a flight to CO, drive it home?

For cheap fun, I always go for my turbo Dodge cars from the 80's/90's. Cheap, good performance, reliable, and you can get basic parts at K-mart. I just started driving my 87 Shelby CSX again - highly modified, naturally... - and wow, what a blast! (and I still only have the boost set for 14 psi!).

Find out what he would like, though. Is he a "car guy"? Or a "truck guy"? Maybe he'd like something big, lifted, and flashy instead of something low and quick. He's done his time, and we're thankful for it. Now it's time to ask what HE wants from US. No sense getting him a car he appreciates, but doesn't really bond with...
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Fahren
Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2013 - 12:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That's what I asked his mom. Hopefully he can get something fun.
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Malott442
Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2013 - 08:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

LS powered trucks and cars make for cheap fun!
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Crackhead
Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2013 - 08:47 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

From what I can tell, the used car prices are very over inflated on the east coast thanks to Sandy.

I don't know the details, but it almost works out better to get a new car instead of a 4 year old used one.

Example, the Mazda3 with Sky-G motor and manual trans (very fun car) is $18k (4 door) or $20k (Hatch) and Mazda is offering 0% for 60 months on 2012s.
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Kyrocket
Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2013 - 09:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Friend of mine just picked up an '06 Focus SVT for about $4200. Talk about a blast to drive. I never thought a four banger could put out so much power. Proof is they're out there and affordable, just have to have time and know where to look. Good luck!

And we appreciate his service.
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Noone1569
Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2013 - 09:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'll ship out a 2006 Saturn Ion Redline with 65000 miles to him! Its fun! Supercharged, LSD up front.
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Thumper74
Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2013 - 03:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I don't think the SVTs were made in 06. I'm pretty sure it was 02-05. Not nitpicking though. I owned an 02 and really liked the car. Beware the coolant housing...
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Xl1200r
Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2013 - 03:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Example, the Mazda3 with Sky-G motor and manual trans (very fun car) is $18k (4 door) or $20k (Hatch) and Mazda is offering 0% for 60 months on 2012s.

There's a 2-year old Mazdaspeed 3 at the dealer down the street for the same money and those are a LOT more fun!
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Fahren
Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2013 - 07:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

His mom says they are looking at Jettas, Passats, Mustangs.

I would think they should also look at early 2000's BMW's, if they are already leaning toward VW.

I was also going to suggest a Subaru WRX.

Ditto on the new car options: I'd try one of the new Dodge Darts, which is off an Alfa platform.
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Crackhead
Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 08:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well, the Mustang would be the only car I would characterize as reliable.

VW have worse electrical issues then a 90s Dodge. BMWs are expensive to maintain.

WRXs are nice but his insurance will be thru the roof. Something about a young driver having access to 400 hp. If you can find a Legacy SpecB, they are a WRX in sheep's clothing and do not have the insurance premiums that count on him wrecking the car in 6 months. I was going to get a WRX in Ralley Blue when I 27 with a clean driving record (only 1 blemish in another state) and my insurance would have been $350 per MONTH. I don't even pay that per 6 months on the Outback (lifted Legacy).

Also, is he religious about car maintance? because of the turbo, the oil HAS to be changed every 3k.
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Azxb9r
Posted on Friday, January 11, 2013 - 04:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You are not likely to find a WRX that is worth buying for under 10K.
4.6L Mustangs are good bang for the buck if you want something that performs well on a budget, they are also everywhere so it is not hard to find a decent used one.

The main thing, regardless of what you are planning on buying, is making sure that the car has not been completely thrashed or butchered by a previous owner. I encourage my customers to bring any car they are looking at in for a pre-purchase inspection before they buy. There are a lot of rolling $hit piles up for sale that have been detailed to look nice.
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Buellinachinashop
Posted on Friday, January 11, 2013 - 04:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Honda S2000. Fun convertible with plenty of zing.
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Azxb9r
Posted on Friday, January 11, 2013 - 04:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Honda S2000. Fun convertible with plenty of zing.

Ditto that.
You may have a hard time finding one though.
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Fahren
Posted on Friday, January 11, 2013 - 08:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

S2000: good idea.
You may have a hard time finding one though.
Yep: that (for their 10k budget, anyway).
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Mr_grumpy
Posted on Saturday, January 12, 2013 - 05:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If the budget will stretch & he'd like something a bit different but cheap to run & insure, how about a FIAT 500 Sport.
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6gears
Posted on Saturday, January 12, 2013 - 07:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I would look into a 4x4 Silverado...but I am a truck guy.
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Fahren
Posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 - 03:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well, his parents found an '08 Sentra locally, from someone they know. Thanks for the suggestions.
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