Need to buy a car soon...however im a Car Idiot..

homercaholic · #1 09-03-2009, 01:43 PM

Well my 1993 Cavalier is about to kick the bucket and wont survive another Halifax winter me thinks so its time to upgrade.

The problem is that I know nothing about cars, well not nothing, but my knowledge is pretty limited. I have about 12 000 dollars saved up but id LOVE to not spend all of that obviously, but hypothetically I could spend it.

Im 24, dont need anything too big, im not a good enough bass player to need room to haul rigs or anything so I wont have to take that into consideration (Current rig is a GK1001rbII and a GK Neo212). Basically I just drive to and from work and on weekends i'll go to the beach or downtown, nothing big.

Cars ive looked into were 05/06 Honda Civics, Mazda 3's and VW Golfs. I like the look of the mazdas the best but thats really nothing.

Someone has got to be a car guy that can push me in the right direction here!

playinpearls · #2 09-03-2009, 02:23 PM

honda.

[\thread]

iamlowsound · #3 09-03-2009, 02:30 PM

Halifax? Look into a Subaru, you guys get horrible winters and the 4 wheel drive will be a huge help.

lowsound

homercaholic · #4 09-03-2009, 03:08 PM

I looked into them and they are pretty pricey for what I want. The winters are tough but you dont really need a 4 wheel drive for them IMO. I would love one though.

kanonfodr · #5 09-03-2009, 03:52 PM

Hondas are known for durability and quality. Mazda3s are cool little cars, especially the hatchback models, and haven't had major reliability issues, either. If you get any german car, prepare to pay if it ever needs to get worked on.

Have you ever thought of a small truck??

Peace,
Greg

homercaholic · #6 09-03-2009, 03:54 PM

I thought about a small truck, kind of toyed around the thought of a Ford Ranger or the like but know even less about trucks, i wouldnt know where to start.

James_B · #7 09-03-2009, 07:41 PM

I'm looking into buying a new Ranger. If you trade your old car you get 1000 bucks off plus 300 from the Canadian government and employing pricing. you are looking at a around 15000 for a 2010 Ranger.

Absentia · #8 09-03-2009, 07:45 PM

Buy a 400$ piece of **** and learn how to fix it.

Ziltoid · #9 09-03-2009, 07:47 PM

4 wheel drive car

it's a must-have over here

Chunk-O-Funk · #10 09-03-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homercaholic

I thought about a small truck, kind of toyed around the thought of a Ford Ranger or the like but know even less about trucks, i wouldnt know where to start.

The bigger the better. Get one so big it will make the ozone cry.

Kidding.

Toyota Tacoma.

mike_v_s · #11 09-03-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanonfodr

Hondas are known for durability and quality. Mazda3s are cool little cars, especially the hatchback models, and haven't had major reliability issues, either. If you get any german car, prepare to pay if it ever needs to get worked on.

This'll cover it. I will also suggest the Subaru hatch. All wheel drive isn't just for snow.

Mike

shawn-o · #12 09-03-2009, 08:18 PM

Ive got a 2006 honda civic SI and its a great car. Negative is that its got crap for trunk/back seat room, if you have to haul anyone but yourself to a gig. I car stuff my 2x10 combo in the trunk, 2 basses + pedalboard+ bag in the backseat and the single 15" extension cabinet for my amp on the front seat. I would definitely look into getting a 4 door if you are set on the honda.

My buddy has a new mazda 3 wagon and loves it. Looks much more gear friendly aswell.

Kenbuntu · #13 09-03-2009, 08:18 PM

AWD Goodness:

http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ150935665

http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ150038480

http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ151642899

Yes they might be old, but treat her right, and it WILL last you. Besides, (i may be wrong about this, it might just be for GT-s's) lots of their parts can come of 240sx's. So don't fall for the expensive parts hype. As far as rusting goes, just take it to a reputable place, and check the car at the usual places.

shawn-o · #14 09-03-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenbuntu

AWD Goodness:

http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ150935665

http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ150038480

http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ151642899

Yes they might be old, but treat her right, and it WILL last you. Besides, (i may be wrong about this, it might just be for GT-s's) lots of their parts can come of 240sx's. So don't fall for the expensive parts hype. As far as rusting goes, just take it to a reputable place, and check the car at the usual places.

IMO- The only one out of those 3 that i would consider is the first one. If hes not a car guy, I would definitely stick to anything but a skyline or STI. Not to mention, hauling gear and stuff in a skyline may be alittle difficult. The new honda's are super simple to work on and are super reliable. Ive got 90 000 km's on my 06 and havent had to do any major work except for regular maintinence.

Euro's (VW's/ ect) are notorious for electrical issues and can be a PITA to fix. A friend of mine has a new golf and has had nothing but problems with it.

Id say sticking with Honda/Mazda would be a safe bet. Parts are relatively cheap aswell.

Fontaine · #15 09-03-2009, 08:30 PM

Make sure it has wheels, those are important, trust me.

You'll thank me later!

TOOL460002 · #16 09-03-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

Halifax? Look into a Subaru, you guys get horrible winters and the 4 wheel drive will be a huge help.

agreed.

my brothers got a wrx, and its fun to drive. i drive a mustang, but if i had to do it all over again, id get an impreza hatch back. the back seats dont fold down on the sedan for some reason (only downside). the new sti makes me crap my pants its so awesome. i dont know how expensive a used non-turbo impreza is, but it cant be all that much.

oh, and because im a nit-picking douche, i will point out they have awd, not 4 wheel drive. idiot. kidding...

some of my friends have driven hondas into the 300k area, so that might be a good choice as well.

Kenbuntu · #17 09-03-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawn-o

IMO- The only one out of those 3 that i would consider is the first one. If hes not a car guy, I would definitely stick to anything but a skyline or STI. Not to mention, hauling gear and stuff in a skyline may be alittle difficult. The new honda's are super simple to work on and are super reliable. Ive got 90 000 km's on my 06 and havent had to do any major work except for regular maintinence.

Euro's (VW's/ ect) are notorious for electrical issues and can be a PITA to fix. A friend of mine has a new golf and has had nothing but problems with it.

Id say sticking with Honda/Mazda would be a safe bet. Parts are relatively cheap aswell.

haha fair enough, my only real suggestion was the first one. If i was short on money i definitely wouldn't get an STI or gtr. Those babies need prime care.

homercaholic · #18 09-04-2009, 03:07 AM

I do love Subarus, in fact it was the first car I really thought about before I actually visited websites to check out what was around. I know small trucks are pretty affordable but im worried that if im going to get a truck shouldn't I get a "big boy" truck as my friend put it? One that can do it all?

Hondas and Mazdas seem to be the consensus for cars, i'll rule out the VWs since I dont want to have to see gear to pay for car parts if she breaks down.

My current car now is a $400 POS, it was given to me by my grandmother, is a 93 Chev Cavaliei (yea i said cavaliei, part of the R fell off cavalier so now it looks like an I) with only 100 000kms on it but the door only opens 3/4s of the way, the hood is 18 different shades of green due to fading and its pretty much just seen its day.

M@ddest_H@tter! · #19 09-04-2009, 04:38 AM

I would suggest a nissan skyline...I love mine....but you can't really get them in the states, plus I have use my wifes mini van to haul all my gear around

Kenbuntu · #20 09-04-2009, 05:11 AM

'Nuff said, get the r32 i posted above.