Round-up! Cars around $16k

[sperry]

Okay, my ex-roommate is looking for a car. He's rather set on a new car, and doesn't want to spend too much, say around $16k out the door.

What do you guys think fits the bill? So far I'm thinking:

Ford Focus SVT
Mazda 3 (Mazdaspeed if you can get 'em in that price range)
Scion tC
Honda Civic Si
Mini Cooper (are the non-S versions that cheap?)
Subaru Impreza RS

He's really leaning towards the Scion, but since they just came out yesterday, I don't know there's really enough info to go on, and prices may be over what they're worth.

I think the Focus SVT is easily the best deal in that lineup. 2700lbs, 170hp, LSD, hatchback, good looks, all for around $15.5k because Ford is attempting to dump their stock of 2004's.

What am I missing? Opinions on the cars listed?

[Dean]

Convince him to get something used that is 2 or so years old so he doesn't take that depreciation, but still gets some warrenty... This will efectively put his vehicle options up to include ones originally priced at about 20K...

What does he want from the car? Performance, gas milage, convertible, hauling, comfortable for 4 adults????

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

Convince him to get something used that is 2 or so years old so he doesn't take that depreciation, but still gets some warrenty... This will efectively put his vehicle options up to include ones originally priced at about 20K...

What does he want from the car? Performance, gas milage, convertible, hauling, comfortable for 4 adults????

That's what I told him... he could be rolling a WRX, Acura RSX, or any of a bunch of other cars for $16k if he's go a year or two used. However, that's not what he wants.

He's on the board BTW: name is Wuzian... he just don't post much.

[JC]

This the guy who had the BMW? Is this person into cars? Honestly I'd probably go for the Scion. Probably gonna have some new car quirks, but it's a Toyota so I wouldn't be TOO worried. I've driven a Mazda 3, the shifter is awful. There is no way in hell I would recommend it unless someone is will to mod. SVT Foci are nice, but I'd be too worried about owning a Focus since they are ridden with problems. The new Civic Si is a joke, but an OK car I guess. The RS is a fine car, but honestly a dog in stock form. I definitely wouldn't buy a new RS personally. Base MSRP on a Mini is 16500 w/o taxes and fees. If it were me I'd try to save some extra $$ and get an SRT-4, Scion tC S/C'd, or Cooper S. The extra car you can get for that much money is a lot. Of course you can always add the S/C to the Scion later, another reason I'd buy that.

Also MSRP on a base SE-R is 17.5k. You might be able to find a discounted one for around 16k.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by JC

This the guy who had the BMW? Is this person into cars? Honestly I'd probably go for the Scion. Probably gonna have some new car quirks, but it's a Toyota so I wouldn't be TOO worried. I've driven a Mazda 3, the shifter is awful. There is no way in hell I would recommend it unless someone is will to mod. SVT Foci are nice, but I'd be too worried about owning a Focus since they are ridden with problems. The new Civic Si is a joke, but an OK car I guess. The RS is a fine car, but honestly a dog in stock form. I definitely wouldn't buy a new RS personally. Base MSRP on a Mini is 16500 w/o taxes and fees. If it were me I'd try to save some extra $$ and get an SRT-4, Scion tC S/C'd, or Cooper S. The extra car you can get for that much money is a lot. Of course you can always add the S/C to the Scion later, another reason I'd buy that.

This is *not* my current roommate w/ the Bimmer... it's my old roommate's that's got a late '90s Neon w/ a blown head gasket. I don't think he's too interested in the performance aspect of the car, and the SRT-4 is definately off the list. I think he wants something peppy and fun to drive with decent space (so no 2 seaters) and room for a nice system in it.

The reason for this price range is because he's also attemping to buy a house, so "saving extra money" won't help, since it'd just go to the house. He's also not looking for a car that he needs to mod in order to get it the way he likes it... the mods he wants to do are stereo related.

AFAIK, the SVT Focus is head-and-shoulders above all the issues you hear about regarding the regular Foci... it's basically a different car. Actually it's basically a Mazda 3.

[AtomicLabMonkey]

Originally Posted by sperry

I think the Focus SVT is easily the best deal in that lineup. 2700lbs, 170hp, LSD, hatchback, good looks, all for around $15.5k because Ford is attempting to dump their stock of 2004's.

Well, the 03 Focus SVT doesn't have any recalls or TSB's issued for it (yet), so it's ahead of most other Fords straight out of the box!

[Dean]

Have him check out the buyers guide on cars.com...

Sorry, the base Mini starts at $16,500, Impreza at $18K

Lots of cars listed with retail under 16K... It all depends on what he wants...

Civic Si, Accord, or pound a Kia into the ground for a couple years...

Compacts:
Chevrolet Aveo Compact $9,455 – $12,045
Kia Rio Subcompact $9,740 – $11,365
Hyundai Accent Compact $9,999 – $11,399
Chevrolet Cavalier Compact $10,135 – $17,610
Toyota Echo Compact $10,355 – $10,885
Saturn Ion Compact $10,430 – $20,385
Pontiac Sunfire Compact $10,895 – $14,930
Nissan Sentra Compact $12,300 – $17,400
Scion xA Subcompact $12,480
Kia Spectra Compact $12,620 – $14,340
Ford Focus Compact $12,965 – $19,330
Honda Civic Compact $13,010 – $19,650
Suzuki Forenza Compact $13,199 – $16,699
Hyundai Elantra Compact $13,299 – $14,849
Dodge Neon Compact $13,490 – $17,640
Suzuki Aerio Compact $13,499 – $17,149
Toyota Corolla Compact $13,570 – $14,780
Mitsubishi Lancer Compact $13,597 – $17,997
Scion xB Subcompact $13,680
Mazda Mazda3 Subcompact $13,680 – $16,895
Volkswagen Golf Compact $15,580 – $19,320

"Sports Cars":
Ford SVT Focus High-Performance $12,965 – $19,330
Honda Civic Si High-Performance $13,010 – $19,650

MidSize:
Toyota Matrix Midsize $14,670 – $18,750
Kia Optima Midsize $15,500 – $19,595
Honda Accord Midsize $15,900 – $26,500
Hyundai Sonata Midsize $15,999 – $19,799

Pick-Ups:

Toyota Tacoma Compact $12,460 – $22,700
Nissan Frontier Compact $13,390 – $27,570
Ford Ranger Compact $14,575 – $26,015
Mazda B2300 Compact $14,925 – $18,725
Chevrolet Colorado Compact $15,565 – $27,960
GMC Canyon Compact $15,895 – $27,825
Toyota Tundra Full-Size $15,955 – $32,600

[JC]

Originally Posted by sperry

This is *not* my current roommate w/ the Bimmer... it's my old roommate's that's got a late '90s Neon w/ a blown head gasket. I don't think he's too interested in the performance aspect of the car, and the SRT-4 is definately off the list. I think he wants something peppy and fun to drive with decent space (so no 2 seaters) and room for a nice system in it.

The reason for this price range is because he's also attemping to buy a house, so "saving extra money" won't help, since it'd just go to the house. He's also not looking for a car that he needs to mod in order to get it the way he likes it... the mods he wants to do are stereo related.

AFAIK, the SVT Focus is head-and-shoulders above all the issues you hear about regarding the regular Foci... it's basically a different car. Actually it's basically a Mazda 3.

Well then. The SVT or the Mazda 3. Maybe I'm just overly critical because of my car of the 3. A simple short shift or bushing would probably solve the problem. I'd check out some Mazda boards to see. Both will have the best for stereo stuff. My friend owns a shop (stereo mostly) and their project car is a 3. Should be sweet when it's done. As a side note he asked me to work at his booth at SEMA. Anyway, I'd probably pick a 3 with the new insight. xB would easily be the one that fits his requirements though, I assume he doesn't like the way they look or something?

[Libila]

Personally I would go with a slightly used 2.5 but if he wants new I would recommend a Scion. My friend has an Xb (the box one) and its pretty nice. Not too quick but its comfortable.

[LetItRev]

Consumer reports initially had concerns and thus did not recommend the Focus. These concerns were addressed by Ford and thus Consumers now recommends it. The American car makers are turning out much better product in just the past two years.

On another related note, Consumers is blasting European upscale sedans, citing quality issues, stating that buyers are better off buying a Lexus! I never thought I'd see that day! :shock: (Lexus, in my opinion, are great cars).

[sperry]

Boy Dean... nice cut and paste job.

We're looking for some insight, not just a list of cars...

[sperry]

SVT picture time!



peep the rally version:

[wuzian]

As Scott said, I have a 98 Dodge Neon with a blown head gasket. It seems that I put more oil into it than gasoline. About depreciation, I'm not concerned about it. I'm going to run this car into the ground like my current one. I'm looking for basic transportation, with more performance than I have now (132hp - head gasket), and still looks nice. I'd also like to be able to fit a couple mountain bikes in it.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by sperry

Boy Dean... nice cut and paste job.

We're looking for some insight, not just a list of cars...

My point was there were many more than your list included, and since we didn't know what he want, I thought the list would give some more options people could comment on...

The Civic Si is a proven little rocket. I'd probably go with it over the ford...

If he wants room for 4 real humans, The accord, or Matrix may be the way to go... But they will be pretty stripped at 16K, but perhaps that is good if he wants to do Stereo Mods.

[Kevin M]

With performance not much of an issue, I'd probably get the Scion Tc.

[MikeSTI]

hey Scott the SVT is out of his price range at 19,300 fully loaded and its sounds like thats the only car you would consider for him, why do you want are opinion?

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MikeSTI

hey Scott the SVT is out of his price range at 19,300 fully loaded and its sounds like thats the only car you would consider for him, why do you want are opinion?

SVT Foci are selling in the $15k's. MSRP for a fully loaded SVT isn't a good benchmark for the car's real price. Plus I doubt he'd get one with many (if any) options. Ford is trying to unload the 2004's because the '05s are about to arrive, or so I've heard.

I wanted opinions, not just a list of cars, because hearing specific information about the cars will help in making the decision. Seeing a list of names and numbers doesn't help for squat when trying to figure out how fun a car is to drive, or how much space there is in the back, or how reliable it's going to be. I was hoping to get some opinions regarding what car you think would fit Jason's requirements... the important part of your response is the "why". I said SVT Focus because I think it's a good looking car in the price range with a ton of get up and go (170hp/LSD) compared to the other cars in that price range, as well as filling his space needs (hatchback). Hell, if they made an AWD version (not the overseas RS, just an SVT + AWD) I'd consider one as a daily driver for sure!

[MikeSTI]

I would probbly take the list Dean posted and start hitting dealerships with the attitude of "lets talk details on the road" and take some test drives.

[ArthurS]

What about Mazdaspeed Protege or Lancer Rallyart?

[sperry]

Originally Posted by ArthurS

What about Mazdaspeed Protege or Lancer Rallyart?

The Protoge is now the Mazda 3. Just liek the MX-6 is now the Maxda 6.

Lancer Rallyart? "If I saw myself driving that car, I'd kick my own ass!"

[ArthurS]

Originally Posted by sperry

Lancer Rallyart? "If I saw myself driving that car, I'd kick my own ass!"

Normally, I would have been there to help if I saw you drive it, but we looked at the new ones and the shape has changed and isn't *horrible*. Its still not the best, but it is better.

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by sperry

Lancer Rallyart? "If I saw myself driving that car, I'd kick my own ass!"

Why? Performance-wise, it's a 2WD equivalent to the RS. Although it does have the distinct disadvantage of being built by Mitsubishi...

[JC]

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

Why? Performance-wise, it's a 2WD equivalent to the RS. Although it does have the distinct disadvantage of being built by Mitsubishi...

I take offense to that. Anyone read the review in the new SCC?

[sperry]

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

Why? Performance-wise, it's a 2WD equivalent to the RS. Although it does have the distinct disadvantage of being built by Mitsubishi...

Well, you certainly won't toss a mountain bike or two in one. Plus it's what, 113hp or something? Not to mention the factory rice that comes strewn about it.

So yeah, it's just like an RS, except for 50hp, AWD, reliablility and decent styling.

[JC]

Originally Posted by sperry

Well, you certainly won't toss a mountain bike or two in one. Plus it's what, 113hp or something? Not to mention the factory rice that comes strewn about it.

So yeah, it's just like an RS, except for 50hp, AWD, reliablility and decent styling.

It's 160hp IIRC. You are thinking about the OZ.