Looking for a new car...possibly

speedjunkie · Postby **speedjunkie** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:14

Here's the scoop...I have an 02 Civic that I paid too much for (because I had a psycho gf that was about to slit my throat if I didn't get her a car), I never really wanted the car but it's been pretty good to me. It has 137k miles, the body isn't exactly great because the piece of shit that was supposed to fix it never finished the job (same guy that screwed me over on the work on my FD). Anyway, I know I'm going to be rolling over alot into a different car, so I've been leery about making the switch. However, my registration is due for this car, and it needs new tires and new struts at least. I figured I might as well try to make the swap before putting money into it to fix it.

What I'm looking for is either an AWD car (Mazdaspeed 6) or a truck that has 4WD and extra cab so I can haul more people too or SUV that has 4WD.

I wanted to ask those of you that own MS6s if you have any recurring problems with it that I need to look for, or possibly make me look the other way.

The list of what I'm kinda looking at is...
-Older (around 1998 to 03 or so) Toyota 4Runner or Tacoma
-Around 04 Chevy, Ford or Dodge full size truck
-Mazdaspeed6
-Subaru Legacy (not the new ones)

Of course if you guys have any other ideas, toss them up!

Number2 · Postby **Number2** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:14

if you're on a budget, you should look at the older style subarus. The '02-'04 bug-eye wrx comes to mind. AWD, good power, decent looks, wagon functionality.

chickenwafer · Postby **chickenwafer** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:14

Yeah WRX's or even an older '98 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS coupe can be had for a decent price now.

It's funny you mentioned this stuff now because I've been tossing around selling my truck to get an all-wheel drive car. The truck is a great beast but I honestly don't use it to it's full potential and only bought it for the 4x4 function. But 8 miles to the gallon is killing me LOL it's rough putting $85 of gas in the thing every week. So I have been eying older Subie's like the aforementioned 2.5RS Impreza coupe. Plus you can do an STi EJ25 motor swap in those

Fly boy · Postby **Fly boy** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:14

what about a 98 honda civic?

FWD does great in the snow and honda's can run a long time.

Stealth01 · Postby **Stealth01** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:14

I have had only the smoking turbo problem with my car, and Mazda fixed that under warranty. And even that is not a catastrophic problem -- just irritating. ANd the car is FANTASTIC in the snow. If you can find one with decent miles for a good price, I'd recommend it.

speedjunkie · Postby **speedjunkie** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:14

Number2 wrote:if you're on a budget, you should look at the older style subarus. The '02-'04 bug-eye wrx comes to mind. AWD, good power, decent looks, wagon functionality.

Well I'm not on a SUPER tight budget, but I do want to keep it around 18-20k at the MOST. Considering I'll be rolling over probably at least a few thousand, I should probably shoot a little lower. I was thinking about getting a WRX a couple years ago, but recently I've really taken to...

chickenwafer wrote:Yeah WRX's or even an older '98 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS coupe can be had for a decent price now.

It's funny you mentioned this stuff now because I've been tossing around selling my truck to get an all-wheel drive car. The truck is a great beast but I honestly don't use it to it's full potential and only bought it for the 4x4 function. But 8 miles to the gallon is killing me LOL it's rough putting $85 of gas in the thing every week. So I have been eying older Subie's like the aforementioned 2.5RS Impreza coupe. Plus you can do an STi EJ25 motor swap in those

...Exactly! The 2.5RS. I do like the 07 style STIs, but I really like the 2.5RS and it's cheaper. So yes, I've thought of the 2.5RS before. And I don't think I'd be happy with a truck that only got 8mpg either haha. The only issue I'd have with getting an Impreza or STI, is I decided a while back it would probably be best if I didn't get YET ANOTHER car I'd want to put money into to modify, I can't have it competing with the FD haha.

Fly boy wrote:what about a 98 honda civic?

FWD does great in the snow and honda's can run a long time.

Well I already have the Civic, and it's OK in the snow, but I'd rather have AWD.

Stealth01 wrote:I have had only the smoking turbo problem with my car, and Mazda fixed that under warranty. And even that is not a catastrophic problem -- just irritating. ANd the car is FANTASTIC in the snow. If you can find one with decent miles for a good price, I'd recommend it.

OK great, maybe I'll go for that then. I've been finding them for around 18k. Thanks for the info and heads up!

dommo_g · Postby **dommo_g** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 9:14

07 cx-7 awd.

speedjunkie · Postby **speedjunkie** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 9:14

Eh, not really crazy about those. Thanks for the input though!

Stealth01 · Postby **Stealth01** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 9:14

You can also stay with the truck theme and get a 2005-ish Grand Cherokee from CarMax for $12999 or so, with full-time 4WD. That's what we paid for ours, and it gets 15 around town, 22 or so hwy.

bobopud · Postby **bobopud** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:14

As for the MS6, just make sure you take a test drive with the car. Drive it agressively for at least 10 minutes, then stop and leave it idling for up to 10 minutes to check for a smokey turbo. If it smokes and you're at a dealership you should be able to convince them to replace the turbo under warranty, assuming the car has a warranty.

Other than that, make sure you get a report of the vehicle maintenance and a car fax. It won't show everything, but it should give you a good idea of how the car was maintained.

MS6 is a great AWD vehicle and can be had for some decent deals.

D-Nick · Postby **D-Nick** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:14

Have you looked into a Nissan Xterra? 02-04. Relatively cheap, probably around $8k-$13k. My Dad bought one a few years ago and it's a great car, haven't had any maintenance problems so far. There are some that are supercharged, so you can look for one that is. It's not 4wd all the time and so it gives it better gas mileage, we averaged around 20-21 with a mix of city and highway. Lots of room too. Get's my Mom's PT Cruiser out of the snow each winter. Good luck!

chickenwafer · Postby **chickenwafer** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:14

If you have the cash for the MS6 then do it! Keep in the Mazda family man!

One thing I always do when buying a car still under warranty (e.i. MS6) call Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) with the VIN and ask them for a record of all warranty work done on the car. That will give at least an idea if it might be a lemon or not and can save you a lot of headaches. CarFAX is good as well

You can pick up MS6's for a decent price now, too. I know in Arizona they didn't sell well at all (since no one needs all-wheel drive haha). A dealership near my house had a used white MS6 with black leather interior (very rare color, btw) used with only 17k miles and for $17,500 sticker. With haggling I bet I could have gotten that car Out-The-Door for $17k. That's a STEAL!

I feel ya on the modifying thing, tho! I would LOVE to sell my truck and pick up an MS6 as a DD and for the winter, but I simply can't afford it yet. Once the 8 is paid off I think I will tho, haha. But it will be hard as hell to not want to put parts on it! I'll just do rims and springs...famous last words!

Edit:

Just did a quick AutoTrader search, here's a beautiful and clean White MS6 in Longmont for $18800:

LINK

Here's another MS6, silver, with only 27k miles and for only $17,500, that's a good deal:
LINK

speedjunkie · Postby **speedjunkie** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:14

Stealth01 wrote:You can also stay with the truck theme and get a 2005-ish Grand Cherokee from CarMax for $12999 or so, with full-time 4WD. That's what we paid for ours, and it gets 15 around town, 22 or so hwy.

D-Nick wrote:Have you looked into a Nissan Xterra? 02-04. Relatively cheap, probably around $8k-$13k. My Dad bought one a few years ago and it's a great car, haven't had any maintenance problems so far. There are some that are supercharged, so you can look for one that is. It's not 4wd all the time and so it gives it better gas mileage, we averaged around 20-21 with a mix of city and highway. Lots of room too. Get's my Mom's PT Cruiser out of the snow each winter. Good luck!

I like the Grand Cherokees, those are cool. I've never thought about an X-terra, that sounds pretty good though. I'll keep these in mind, thanks!

bobopud wrote:As for the MS6, just make sure you take a test drive with the car. Drive it agressively for at least 10 minutes, then stop and leave it idling for up to 10 minutes to check for a smokey turbo. If it smokes and you're at a dealership you should be able to convince them to replace the turbo under warranty, assuming the car has a warranty.

Other than that, make sure you get a report of the vehicle maintenance and a car fax. It won't show everything, but it should give you a good idea of how the car was maintained.

MS6 is a great AWD vehicle and can be had for some decent deals.

Ok thanks, I'll do that if I get to test drive one.

chickenwafer wrote:If you have the cash for the MS6 then do it! Keep in the Mazda family man!

One thing I always do when buying a car still under warranty (e.i. MS6) call Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) with the VIN and ask them for a record of all warranty work done on the car. That will give at least an idea if it might be a lemon or not and can save you a lot of headaches. CarFAX is good as well

You can pick up MS6's for a decent price now, too. I know in Arizona they didn't sell well at all (since no one needs all-wheel drive haha). A dealership near my house had a used white MS6 with black leather interior (very rare color, btw) used with only 17k miles and for $17,500 sticker. With haggling I bet I could have gotten that car Out-The-Door for $17k. That's a STEAL!

I feel ya on the modifying thing, tho! I would LOVE to sell my truck and pick up an MS6 as a DD and for the winter, but I simply can't afford it yet. Once the 8 is paid off I think I will tho, haha. But it will be hard as hell to not want to put parts on it! I'll just do rims and springs...famous last words!

Edit:

Just did a quick AutoTrader search, here's a beautiful and clean White MS6 in Longmont for $18800:

LINK

Here's another MS6, silver, with only 27k miles and for only $17,500, that's a good deal:
LINK

Thanks for the links. I think I saw the white one online the other day. I think the silver one would be a better deal but who knows. Maybe I'd have better luck getting something like that for cheaper down in AZ haha. Famous last words is right. That's what I'm afraid of if I get something like a 2.5RS or even a MS6.

I thought about another truck I wouldn't mind having...a newer Tundra. Mmmm I love those things.

I think I'm gonna take those few leave days next week to go vehicle shopping.

bobopud · Postby **bobopud** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:14

My buddy got an '09 Tundra with the TRD Supercharger kit. He's putting down close to 500whp/500tq in that thing. Sure it weighs a lot, but it can haul just about anything and the interior is so f'n nice.

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:14

What about a Ford Fusion AWD? I've been looking at getting a Jeep Liberty myself. We need to get the wifes car paid off first.

Looking for a new car...possibly

Looking for a new car...possibly

Who is online