Whats a fun 5 spd car for under 10k?

[b00ya]

Im looking for a fun car to drive thats not older then an 04 that also can fit a car seat in the back. Im looking at Saturn Ion Redlines since ive already owned one and it was a fun car, but they are REALLY hard to find now. Anyone have any other ideas on vehicles to look at that are kid friendly and fun to drive? preferably a power adder car.

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[Bob Kazamakis]

Wrx can be had for under $10k. Civic si also comes in a 4 door.

 

[Dasfinc]

WRX, Civic SI, G35's, SRT-4's, Cobalt SS/Redlines, MUSTANGS (You can probably snag a V-8 New-edge for sub 10K now, 04 was the last year for them), MarkIV Golf GTI's (04 was the last year also IIRC), Mazda3, Ford Focus ZX4-ST,

 

[b00ya]

Ive been lookin for a nice WRX but none are anywhere close to 10k, civic is out. How are SRT4s reliablity wise? Mustang is out as it isnt a very family friendly car. Mazda speed3 crossed my mind but again cant find one under or around 10k in my area.

 

[Dasfinc]

Ive been lookin for a nice WRX but none are anywhere close to 10k, civic is out. How are SRT4s reliablity wise? Mustang is out as it isnt a very family friendly car. Mazda speed3 crossed my mind but again cant find one under or around 10k in my area.

Not a speed3, Just a regular 3, 170hp is still a healthy amount honestly.

SRT4's motors are fairly strong, but have a few 'choice' weakpoints to my understanding, and some really stupid design choices *Rear crank window, power front, as an example*

You can find a CHERRY focus ST Sedan for $6-7K, Will be dead reliable, great family car, and has some Pep to it, turbo kits if you need more.

 

[b00ya]

Yea thats the main thing i hate about the neons is the crank windows. I'm more looking for something that is quicker then the civic we currently have for when im alone and it has to be safe and reliable for when I have my daughter with me. The redline was fun as hell to drive but they are hard to come by down here. SS/SC cobalt would be too hard to get the baby in and out of. If I get something I want it to be an adder 4 cylinder car, turbo or blower whine ftw.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

I bought my Wrx for $10k with 55k miles. Try nasioc.com and head to the Midwest section. There are always cars for sale.

I'd look at an mk5 gti 4-door. 250hp (with reflash) and they look great. You can find them near $10k

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

There's also the Subaru legacy. It came in a turbo 2.5 in I think 05 and it's for sure a step up inside compared to the impreza. Even the NA version is nice. They seem to actually be cheaper overall compared to the impreza Wrx.

 

[Bru]

Also might want to consider the previous gen Mazda6 with V-6 and five-speed manual. Just poked through some listings and not as hard to find as I thought. A few in the area for below $10,000.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

I was just looking at the 6. They've dropped considerably and it's one of few sedans that still come in a manual.

 

[b00ya]

Only problem is i now live in TX and most of those cars are no where close to me, I found one 03 WRX with 81k on it for 10,900 and to me thats too much for that car.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

There's a Texas section too


http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=134&order=desc&page=2

 

[SRT41320]

srt4
wrx
cobalt ss
4 dr integra


DONE!!! now go buy one of the above

 

[Freebeer187]

Wow I guess you can find a WRX for around $10K... WTF I thought these things were more expensive than this.

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchresults.action?prMx=11000&sf1Dir=DESC&prMn=0&mkId=20041&mdId=21295&crSrtFlds=stkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-pseudoPrice-trId&rd=500&zc=60108&PMmt=1-1-0&stkTypId=28881&sf2Dir=ASC&sf1Nm=price&sf2Nm=miles&rpp=50&feedSegId=28705&trId=25675&searchSource=GN_REFINEMENT&pgId=2102

 

[Primalzer]

If you don't mind looking like a rube, a PT GT with the 5-speed was a fun and surprisingly quick car. They can be had for $6K with low miles, and all you need is about $500 to really make it move out.

If I were back in the market for a used car, and you have the exact criteria that I have, I would seriously consider the Focus ST. The for Ford MTX trans is real slick (I had one in my SVT Contour) and the focus is nice a light, dead nuts reliable, and with the ST you get the big motor that I've been told takes much better to boost than the SVT Focus. But thats just my .02

 

[99PONTIACGP]

Wow I guess you can find a WRX for around $10K... WTF I thought these things were more expensive than this.

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchresults.action?prMx=11000&sf1Dir=DESC&prMn=0&mkId=20041&mdId=21295&crSrtFlds=stkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-pseudoPrice-trId&rd=500&zc=60108&PMmt=1-1-0&stkTypId=28881&sf2Dir=ASC&sf1Nm=price&sf2Nm=miles&rpp=50&feedSegId=28705&trId=25675&searchSource=GN_REFINEMENT&pgId=2102

 

[Ron Vogel]

Yeah, I used to travel to TX for work...there are two kinds of vehicles there. Mustangs, and brown trucks...lol

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Wow I guess you can find a WRX for around $10K... WTF I thought these things were more expensive than this.

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchresults.action?prMx=11000&sf1Dir=DESC&prMn=0&mkId=20041&mdId=21295&crSrtFlds=stkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-pseudoPrice-trId&rd=500&zc=60108&PMmt=1-1-0&stkTypId=28881&sf2Dir=ASC&sf1Nm=price&sf2Nm=miles&rpp=50&feedSegId=28705&trId=25675&searchSource=GN_REFINEMENT&pgId=2102

They've been cheap for a while. I bought mine almost 2 years ago. A friend bought an 02 with 70k for $8k. Deals pop up all the time.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Damn double posts.

 

[b00ya]

srt4
wrx
cobalt ss
4 dr integra


DONE!!! now go buy one of the above

im trying to find a SRT4 around me, there are 3 within 100 miles and none of which i want.

 

[Yaj Yak]

www.searchtempest.com

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

I'd get either an srt-4(04-05) or a civic si(06+). Both are fun. The civic is a bit more money overall but I've found some near your price range.

 

[b00ya]

civic is outta the question, tryin to find a srt4 to drive close to me so i can decide if i wanna fly somewhere to pick one up.

 

[KAR]

This thread has me thinking an imprezza wagon would be a good all around car me. Damn...... But sorry can't help thinking of other cars you could possibly look at that haven't been mentioned.

 

[b00ya]

Anyone know anything bout the mazda protege mazdaspeed? I want more then 170hp but im sure that can be changed for fairly cheapish.