crazyjay1089 Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 My brother has had a beater for his first year and a half of driving, but going to college and looking for something better. Here are the constraints: Budget: Around $15k but a little over is fine Fuel Economy: 20+ mpg mixed driving is good, higher is better Transmission: Automatic Doors: Four AWD is a plus, though not necessary. The car doesn't have to be too powerful, but dont recommend a 100hp Fit. Coolness factor is paramount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j0ebert Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Used TSX. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjay1089 Posted July 14, 2009 Author Share Posted July 14, 2009 That was my first recommendation! But maybe there's something I overlooked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolksey85 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Newer style 2.5RS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueWhiteBoy Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Tsx, g35, a4, lgt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IwannaSportSedan Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 2005-2009 Legacy 2.5i Limited, as new, and low mileage as you can find for the money. TSX second place, although for college, and annual moving, and other stuff, A previous-gen Mazda 6 5-door sedan might do really well. I4 or V6... Maybe a Saab 9^2x, if the 5-door body style isn't a deal breaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdisco Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 VW Jetta TDi - 42mpg - ftw less fuel = more beer $$$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest heightsgtltd Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 You can get an 05 LGT at this price range anyway.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IwannaSportSedan Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Legacy GT is a great car... But for a college student... I wouldn't suggest it for insurance, and maintenance issues. A non-turbo Subaru would be easier to keep up with on a college schedule and budget. I kind of wish the H6 had been more common, and offered with a manual gearbox, not just late and auto-only in the BL Legacy. Having a turbo burn up, or internal engine problems due to over-boost or crappy fuel, or something else like that would be a huge bill for a college student to absorb. Heck, it would be a big bill for ME to absorb, and I am an employed professional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John M Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 2006-07 Hyundai Azera Limited. Available with 20-40k miles for $15k. Blows away a TSX in power and drivability (equal to an auto LGT and quicker up top), good highway car, lots of room, proven very reliable. No Acura snob factor though but I'll bet it matches it feature for feature and it won't feel anemic when the AC is on. Example: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=264874863 I have a cousin in college who thought I was crazy when I said to test drive an Azera. He bought the first one he drove and has loved it ever since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psi365 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 iirc Acura's= big $$$$ to insure Honestly for the $15k mark and a tight budget I would probably stay away from anything german. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueWhiteBoy Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Legacy GT is a great car... But for a college student... I wouldn't suggest it for insurance, and maintenance issues. A non-turbo Subaru would be easier to keep up with on a college schedule and budget. I kind of wish the H6 had been more common, and offered with a manual gearbox, not just late and auto-only in the BL Legacy. Having a turbo burn up, or internal engine problems due to over-boost or crappy fuel, or something else like that would be a huge bill for a college student to absorb. Heck, it would be a big bill for ME to absorb, and I am an employed professional. Granted I'm at 25 which I remember hearing there was supposed to be a drop at that time, when I was pricing insurance, the lgt ended up being cheaper than an accord, but yeah, that is definitely a good question of how much money will he have available for repairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Lightly used Mazda 6..? I really liked the one I had before my Leggy. Might be a bit big for college, though. Actually, the Mazda 3s hatchback would make a great college car, IMHO. Seek first to understand, then to be understood. In other words: SEARCH before you post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohiotrojan Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 lost me at automatic....but if you had said stick, i would have said slightly used sx4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franklin Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 2006-07 Hyundai Azera Limited. Available with 20-40k miles for $15k. Blows away a TSX in power and drivability (equal to an auto LGT and quicker up top), good highway car, lots of room, proven very reliable. No Acura snob factor though but I'll bet it matches it feature for feature and it won't feel anemic when the AC is on. Example: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=264874863 I have a cousin in college who thought I was crazy when I said to test drive an Azera. He bought the first one he drove and has loved it ever since. Off topic... I'm waiting to buy the 3 to 4 years old 4.6 Genisis sedan with the full boat package. Not 42 Kmaybe 22 K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjay1089 Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share Posted July 16, 2009 The TSX sits atop the list right now. There are cooler cars -- such as the A4, g35 -- that could fit in at this price, but you'd be getting a higher mileage, higher maintenance vehicle. For the same maintenance reasons, he would never get an LGT. He's not a huge car kid, and when I said cool factor I didn't necessarily mean badge snob factor. For example, he thought the Kia Soul looked like a fun option. He hasn't driven one yet though. If the Ford Fiesta were out, that would probably be a consideration.. despite that blue oval. I was going to steer clear of most things German, mostly because of maintenance concerns. He doesn't like the Jetta, though he thinks the Passat could be a possible option. The only dealbreaker is the 2.0T engine, which has a couple issues. Anything from Merc or BMW is too old/high mileage for $15k. Though a Legacy 2.5i is an option, I doubt he'll want one. He kind of thinks it's a bit bland. Same deal with the Impreza. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IwannaSportSedan Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Lightly used Mazda 6..? I really liked the one I had before my Leggy. Might be a bit big for college, though. Actually, the Mazda 3s hatchback would make a great college car, IMHO. Previous Mazda 6 wasn't too big. The new one, like Legacy, is huge. Plus the previous Mazda 6 has a 5-door sedan body-style that isn't as boxy as a wagon, or wagon-wannabe compact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farberio Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Mazda 3 Hatch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IwannaSportSedan Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 If he thinks Legacy and Impreza are bland... A refridgerator crate-square Scion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfinlay04 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Pretty sure the volvo s40 is within that range in price. 05s or 04 are sub 15 and good cas and safe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wengermi Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 i personally like the TL over the TSX but for that price range it would have to be around 60,000 miles. what about a civic. at least 30mpg highway. insurance wise the cheapest would be VW and Subaru. My wife's SI is twice as much on insurance then my spec.b which the insurance considers it a GT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wengermi Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 not sure about volvo or saab. i dont know anyone who owns onw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfinlay04 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Volvo has probably one of the lowest insurance rates out there. they are always ahead of the curve with safety. great cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laz Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Mazda 3 Hatch! 2nd Great cars for the college student. Sporty enough with good cargo capacity, not too old looking, and looks best in red. X --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjay1089 Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 If he thinks Legacy and Impreza are bland... A refridgerator crate-square Scion. tC is the only scion he'd ever consider. The Legacy is just a regular four-door when in 2.5i form. Remember he'll never mod it or anything. And the Impreza wouldn't be a WRX.. and I think we can agree it's not a looker. He might be sold on a TSX. He drove a dark gray automatic with only 17k miles on it. The guy is willing to let go of it for $18k, but my parents are willing to pay for it cash so they can probably pull it down slightly. Thanks for all the input guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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