Reader Asks: What Car Would You Buy In The $10 to $12K Range?

Doing what I do here for AutoSpies, I get a few of these requests from time to time, but rarely do we ever ask you to help out. 

So this time I have decided to give YOU, the real SPIES among us the opportunity to help out a fellow enthusiast with his selection of a second hand vehicle to round out his stable.

Agent009,

I'm looking to buy a car in the $10K - $12K range, and am looking for ideas of what to shop for.

This is a vehicle that won't  be a daily driver, but it should be able to traverse the occasional snow if asked to.   I would like it to have less than 80,000 miles and be relatively fun to drive but other than that I am open to all suggestions.

Let me know what you, or the SPIES, might suggest.

Thanks!

Ryan


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upwards - 2/2/2010 12:23:01 PM

0 Boost

None.... You get what you pay for.

America - 2/2/2010 3:47:23 PM

+2 Boost

Since, toylex products are dropping into that range like flies; maybe an 08-09-10 IS, GS, or LS. Just make sure the brakes are good and practice throwing the car into neutral.

abqhudson - 2/2/2010 12:24:17 PM

+1 Boost

VW Jetta or Rabbit 2.5 L. I just bought a one-owner 2007 Jetta Wurzburg Edition, manual, 32,500 miles for $13,000. Be patient.

abqhudson - 2/2/2010 5:51:02 PM

0 Boost

Wurzburg - a town in Germany. Wolfsburg - a town in Mexico?? Old guy - be easy.

Joe_Limon - 2/2/2010 12:35:23 PM

+2 Boost

Don't buy anything that is new, and always keep your eye open for any kind of vehicle, you never know what you may stumble upon...

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/pontiac-g8-cars335241376;_ylt=AtGi01wl4yZyhLM49Ika7.DvXI54;_ylv=3?sortcol=price&sortdir=up&listingtype=used&model=g8&make=pontiac&distance=any

Joe_Limon - 2/2/2010 12:36:42 PM

+1 Boost

whoops, didn't enlarge the pic to see the damage :P

Shredmo - 2/2/2010 3:44:32 PM

0 Boost

I should buy that V6 for the wife. Wife works at a univeristy. I swear the Forester gets dinged at least once per day. Assuming the doors function and it is insurable, it would be my dream university beater. No one would mess w/ya!

lock - 2/2/2010 12:39:18 PM

0 Boost

2001 BMW 530i
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/33K-CERTFIED-MILES-ROOD-CD-SPORT-PREM-1OWNR-CAR_W0QQitemZ270524885353QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item3efc8a2969

2003 Mini Cooper S
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/L-K-Very-Nice-2003-Cooper-S-Priced-to-Sell_W0QQitemZ170440719195QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item27af0efb5b

2003 Infiniti G35
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-Infiniti-G35-Sedan_W0QQitemZ170439215022QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item27aef807ae

Agent001 - 2/2/2010 12:51:07 PM

+2 Boost

make sure it has a chick magnet included

001

1dott8 - 2/2/2010 1:16:03 PM

0 Boost

2001 Audi A4 1.8t quattro manual (silver preferably) and mod the hell out of it.

Agent009 - 2/2/2010 1:26:22 PM

0 Boost

^^^^^^ My kinda guy here ^^^^^^^

Spectator - 2/2/2010 3:17:59 PM

-2 Boost

2006 Nissan Sentra SER Spec V.

Though I am confused on the fact that if it is not a daily driver...why is it going out in the snow?

Is this a weekend toy? If so there would be a huge selection that fit your requirements. A Mazda MX-5 comes to mind. Check out this link of Carmax's site:

http://www.carmax.com/enUS/search-results/default.html?ANa=4294966632&N=4294966708&D=90&zip=21113&pD=0&pI=0&pT=400&pC=200&pB=0&No=0&Ep=homepage:homepage%20Make&Rp=R&PP=20&sV=List&CD=14+240+190+398+9&Q=da8ddb31-dfce-4a05-9003-036a1f93b49e

...though it probably isn't that good in the snow. Can you narrow down the needs of the vehicle a bit?

pushrod27 - 2/2/2010 3:25:11 PM

-1 Boost

10-12k?... I would personally go with an '04 Cadillac Seville STS/SLS; you can't get more space, power, or luxury for that money; women like it too. You could probably also get an '02 Infiniti Q45 in that range too; Maybe an '04 Pontiac GTO if you're lucky... Not sure what type of vehicle you're looking for, but my preference is always V8, wide body, comfortable driver's seat... but that's me, guess it depends on what you want to do with your car.

Shredmo - 2/2/2010 3:47:05 PM

0 Boost

Newest GTI you can find for the $. Not what I'd personally buy, but what I'd suggest on this car forum.

For me, I am w/pushrod. I'd get a '04 GTO. ('05+ if I could find one for that scratch)

thstone - 2/2/2010 4:22:25 PM

0 Boost

No brainer. 3-series.

bfghemicuda - 2/2/2010 7:22:23 PM

0 Boost

Hands Down and older Jeep Wrangler

91z4me - 2/2/2010 8:27:56 PM

0 Boost

Mazda6 would be high on my list. If you want something less sport and more room Ford 500/Taurus.

0to60 - 2/2/2010 8:38:35 PM

-1 Boost

If your good at haggling, get an 04-05 TL. If not, get an accord.