My sister wants to get a "new" car in the next six months or so. Right now, she has a Saturn SL2. She wants something "sporty, fun to drive, and has cheapish insurance". I told her to get a pro, but she's not interested in a 4 door.

Budget: $10-12k
And she can't drive stick, so she wants an auto : (

She test drove a tiburon, an '02, or whatever was the last year before the new style, and she really liked that. I told her not to get it though because of hyundai's cheap build quality, and less than stellar reliability. Also, the older tiburon's are *** ugly if you ask me!

So anyways, I told her to look into getting a used GTI VR6 or something, but she doesn't really want a hatchback, so THAT'S out of the picture.

I have yet recommend a miata because I don't know how practical that would be, and most, if not all the ones that I've seen were manual tranny, so that's ruled out possibley.

RX-7s are pretty much ruled out because the rotary's are generally less durable than the piston engines, so that's no go either.

I really don't want her to get an Eclipse, because everyone has one, and I don't really like them in the first place, so that's out.

I was thinking maybe an Integra. My friend has one, and I like it. Looks nice, and she could probably find a decent one for around $12k. Honda reliability = good, as well. Insurance would be a little bit higher on those, though.

I also recommended an Escort ZX2. My roomate has a 2000. They are cheap, and I'm impressed with the power of the zetec engine. It's smooth, and pretty quick. I hear they can pull about 7.4 0-60 stock with a 5spd.

Can someone please help me out here??? Remember... She doesn't want a 4 door, preferably not stick, and fun to drive.

 

go with the integra....if she could afford the insurance or maybe a mr2....

 

how about a LX civic coupe?

*** ducks from thrown objects ***

 

Do you mean a newer mr2? If so, they are in the same boat as the miata, really... Practicality... I think the Integra is a good choice, though.

 

My mom has an '02 saturn, I like it. Maybe the build quality on the older ones were bad, but she's had 3 new saturns since '98. No problems with any of them. No squeeks, no rattles, nothing. They aren't they greatest of cars, and aren't very good looking, but they do what they were built for well (cheap, reliable transportation).

Maybe you misunderstood my 'cheapish insurance' phrase. Cheapish does not mean cheap, otherwise I would have said 'cheap'. It means moderately priced insurance. Obviously insurance on two door cars is more expensive, everyone already knows that. All these cars have cheapish insurance to REAL performance cars, as well as new ones. So no, cheapish insurance, sporty does not have to be a 4 door.

 

If insurance is a big factor tell her to stick with Saturn. They have some sporty cars. Well at least 1. What about an impresa RS? Not the WRX.

 

Insurance is half when you tell your agent that you are married. My last insurance agent on the Pontiac told me to pretend I had a wife named Karen and I would save a ton of money. Full coverage was like 78 bucks a month.

 

I didn't think of an imprezza, that's a good one!

 

how 'bout an older sentra se-r

the maxima would be great if she'd take a 4-door.

she wants sporty but must have an auto

humm...how 'bout a late 90s 2-door accord?


personally, I'd look into the rx-7...........

 

Actually, my first reccomendation was a 4th gen maxima, because I want one so bad! hehehe....

Anyways, I'd consider the RX-7, but once again, since they stopped making them, it would be hard to find a nice, low mile rex, ESPECIALLY around this area. It's probably almost impossible. Another problem is since she's a girl, and most girls don't care about routine maintenece on their cars, it would be the last thing to get done.

I think the sentra would be a good idea. I like the way that they look, and they're probably pretty cheap, too. In fact, there is one for sale near my house, come to think of it.

Thanks for all the help, keep the ideas coming! : )

 

just FYI, miatas DO come in automatics, they're just a little rarer than manuals.

bottom line is, if she wants sporty 2 door coupe with good performance for 12k, she has to go used, add 4-5k if she wants new, or more if she wants more power

 

Yea I know, otherwise we wouldn't be talking about Integras. I said "new" in quotes implying that it would be new to her.

 

a 4th / 5th gen honda prelude ...? (no idea what the prices are though)

 

ah... didn't see the quotes around "new"

I don't know if she's a good fit for a real sports car like the RX-7... how about a used eclipse (the ones before the re-design in 2000)?

 

uh i know yhis is late but i said mr2 not newer mr2