Finally looking for real!

[dziukap]

Okay, so some of you may remember when I totalled my GAGT last fall(or rather a teenage girl on her cell phone did).

Anyway, I haven't been around much since then, but I am finally looking for a new car.

I am still looking at getting a GAGT like an '02 or '03 with 30-50K miles on it.

However, I wasn't happy with how much maintenance I had to put into my previous one. Even though I babied it with regular maintenance, high quality parts and performance upgrades(I.E. good battery, improved alternator, etc. everything new was factory or better, no generic)

So, I have also ended up looking at several other cars which cost a bit more, and would have a few more miles on them, but hopefully would end up not having to be repaired as much. I was wondering if anyone on here has any experience with them and would know the repair costs, reliability in real life, and any issues.

1.) A 2002 Honda Accord EX 2-Door with the V6. Probably 50-60K on it already. I know Civics are super reliable, and I'm assuming that will be pretty much true for any Honda/Acura. However I am afraid that if something DID go wrong with this car the repair cost could break me.

2.) A 2003 Mazda 6s with the V6 in it, and most likely 50-60K on it. Probably my first choice if I could have any car I wanted, however again, although Mazdas are known for quality this particular car could eat me alive if I got a lemon. I believe the average cost for parts on this are almost double that of a GA. One big plus for it is that it can tow 3500 lbs. on a steep grade.

3.) A Hyundai Tiburon GT with the 6-speed manual transmission in it. Hyundai quality has gone up, but I think in comparison to the Honda or Mazda this car probably isn't worth the price over the Grand Am. This car doesn't have much towing capacity.

4.) A Camry with a V6 of any kind. I quite frankly hate the way these look. However they are reliable and if I caught a good deal I might not be abe to turn my head. They can also tow a good deal.

If anyone has any other suggestions, this is what I'm looking for in a car:
1.) Reliability - I don't have the time or $$ to dump into frequent repairs beyond regular maintenance.
2.) A V6 - I just can't go back to a 4-cylinder.(only car I'd consider giving in a little on this would be an RSX -which isn't really on the radar right now)
3.) I'm a nomadic student, I want to be able to tow a U-Haul trailer or something similar.(this is a big hit against getting another Grand Am)
4.) Somewhat sporty - I need to get this out of my system while I'm young.
5.) Not a large car. Even if I could afford a nice SUV or a giant Caddy, I wouldn't be caught dead in one.
6.) Don't even SAY Honda Civic.

Other cars I've looked at are a Dodge Stratus R/T which seems to have quality issues, as well as an Eclipse GT. And I really am not interested in anything Ford as the one we ever owned practically fell apart every other week.

Thanks all.

[Foxy]

The Accord, Camry, or Mazda 6 would all be great choices if you need a bit of room, etc. The Accord and Camry ought to be highly reliable, good on gas, etc.

The Tiburon is decent, but not much space.

If I may - and I know y'all are expecting this - why not a WRX wagon?

Yes, it's a 4 cylinder, but it's a pretty stout 4 cylinder. They're very reliable. The main issue with them are transmissions, but as long as you know how to drive a 5-speed (IE, don't rev and drop the clutch at 5k rpms, etc - treat it gently), they'll last forever. The WRX wagon can hold a ton of stuff (I used to own a TS wagon, which is the non-turbo version, when I was in college. I've moved from AZ to OH to MS to CO in that thing, and it can hold an unbelievable amount of stuff. I've loaded over 900lbs of clothes, computers, etc. WRX's are, obviously, pretty damned sporty, even more so with a few mild upgrades. They're not very large on the outside, but can hold a lot. You can also get a 1 1/4" tow hitch on it, which can tow up to about 1000 lbs (perfect for a little UHaul).

Used ones run from the low 12's to maybe high 19's. Depending on how much you want to shell out, I'd really recommend a 06 if you can afford it - they have a larger engine, better brakes, larger wheels, etc, and the upgrades are definately worth it. Otherwise, I'd recommend a 03-05.

Sorry to be a Subiewhore, but I really do think that they are ideal little cars for many people.

[thegeswho3]

The Tiburon sure doesnt fit in with the rest of those :???:

Anywho, the 6 is probably the most fun, but my little mazda 4 banger cost me an arm and a leg for 18 months, so i sold it for the GA.

The Toyota is prob the most reliable. I would def look at other options tho, like a WRX as said above (not a wagon! haha) or a used Galant if you want a big V6 car. Hell, go American and look at the Impala, its prety reliable and probably rated to tow more than all of those you mentioned.

[dziukap]

Actually, unless something has changed, all of the Pontiac/Chevy lineup suck at towing. The Impala/GrandPrix, etc. are all rated at a max recommendation of 1000lbs. by the dealer, while the honda, Mazda, and Toyota can all haul 3500+.

Mostly this is because GM's transmission's suck, is my understanding.

[Foxy]

Hmm.. Impreza is rated up to 2000#. Is that enough?

And wagons rock. If they made STi wagons, I'd be all over one. Heck, I'm halfway tempted to buy an older GF wagon (the old body style) and do an STi swap. 99% of the performance of the sedan, and it's so much more stealthy. Nothing like blowing the doors off of a Mustang and showing him the sticker:

http://importequipment.com/pics/Toyota%20Matrix/you%20just%20got%20beat%20by%20a%20wagon%202.jpg

[dziukap]

If you like wagons, there is a company that does a $6000 upgrade to Subaru Forresters that puts them at 400+ HP. The Forrester is more like a small SUV but it makes a real sleeper.

[Shad0wguy]

The Mazda 6 is sweet, but I have always liked the look of the Tiburons.

[thegeswho3]

Actually, unless something has changed, all of the Pontiac/Chevy lineup suck at towing. The Impala/GrandPrix, etc. are all rated at a max recommendation of 1000lbs. by the dealer, while the honda, Mazda, and Toyota can all haul 3500+.

Realy??

I better go out and tell all those people i see draggin around their boat or atv with them. I see alot of that around here.

[dziukap]

Oh yeah, I know people still do it. The guy at the trailer rental place says a lot of people come in and drag away some giant trailer with their Grand Prixs and even Grand Ams.

It's a good way to burn out your transmission, but you can get away with it if you are mostly on a levelish highway.

The thing is, even the smalles U-Haul trailer is 800 lbs all by itself. At that point all you can get in is about 1 couch and a table and you are over weight.