fully loaded, 4 door, manual, kinda sporty for under $14000?

[suprasian]

hey guys looks i like i finally figured out what i wanted in my next car. as the title states, i want a 4 door thats fully loaded, manual option if possible, has more of a sporty side to it and cost under 14 grand. leather not a big deal. im hoping for an 03 vehicle or newer. i've busted my brains over the 4 door accord but i decided that the styling of their 4 door is too family like. im considoring the Matrix Xrs, possibly the 07 Lancer, the 06 civic or the 03 altima. I wanna try and keep it a japanese cars but only because i dont know much about VW's. (some insight would be great) Reliability and cheap maintenance is key so i dont think i would want a beamer, audi etc.

cheers!

[icemiko]

Not sure if you can find these for under $14,000 but maybe take a look at the IS300, TL, EL or Fit Sport.

[the_rickster]

'97 BMW 5 series.


haha.

[keifun]

go mazda!!

5sp Protege5 hatch
or a Mazdaspeed Protege

both can be found under $14000 I'm sure..then u can join the bcprotege club forums..hahah

[suprasian]

hows the reliability on those mazdas? im getting mixed opinions on them. and i hear maintnenance is expensive compared to a honda or toyota. cause i do like the mazda 6.

and rickster i dont know if i wanna spend that much on insurance for a 5 series lol

[boibuddha]

2002-2003 WRXs can be had at 15k... if not, even the RS/TS models go for about 12k and those make 165hp... but you'd be putting only about 120 ponies or so to the ground.

I'd say I'm in the same boat as you. The other ones you mentioned are all good choices as well. Not much aftermarket for the XRS though. The 2.5 Nissan engine consumes oil at a slightly higher rate than a typical engine. Mitsubishi interior is comparable to many of the domestic cars in the same class.

EDIT:
Besides an almost guaranteed door ding, the Mazda3 is a good choice as well. Mazda 6 is a good car but it may be underpowered. Also, the 2.3 engine in both mazdas are finicky(sp?) as mods tend to give you CELs.

[Sandman]

is300.

amazing car, if you're okay with tiptronic.

[too_slow]

^Anything under $15k for an IS300 are garbage: out of province, from the us, rebuilt, super high milleage, interior smells like shit.. I dont think the 5MT came out on the IS until 2003.. and they're not cheap

between 10-14k: fun, sporty, 4dr, manual, "reliable"

2002 G20t (sr20de engine)
2002 Maxima SE 6spd
2001.5 Audi A4 1.8T (do not buy 2002, you will regret it)
2001.5 Audi S4 (good luck finding one though)
2004 Saab 9-3 Aero 6spd (pretty rare)

If you want a Civic with leather seats and ass warmers, then get a EL..

[too_slow]

oooh!! almost forgot to add:
2002 VW Jetta GLI VR6 6spd (you'll love the engine sound)
2004.5 VW Jetta GLI 1.8T 6spd - there's a couple of them out there for 16k ish.. it's essentially a FWD audi TT 1.8T 6spd with 4 doors..

[suprasian]

Originally Posted by too_slow

oooh!! almost forgot to add:
2002 VW Jetta GLI VR6 6spd (you'll love the engine sound)
2004.5 VW Jetta GLI 1.8T 6spd - there's a couple of them out there for 16k ish.. it's essentially a FWD audi TT 1.8T 6spd with 4 doors..

can u give me an insight on those jettas? reliablity maintenance insurance etc?

[too_slow]

^I had the 2003 GTI 1.8T 6spd .. essentially the same as the GLI 1.8T
-Had it for 2 years
-0 problems what so ever
-you get a thumbs up from vw guys because it is a limited edition
-the 1.8T is a solid engine.. most of the bugs found on it were ironed out by MY2002.5..
If the car has over 120k+ clicks, replace the water pump and timing belt asap..
-mod friendly... a $399 flash can do wonders to this car

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/car/742155459.html

[too_slow]

insurance is pretty affordable on the GLI's.. i was only paying approximately $300 more per year over my 05 Impreza 2.5RS wagon

-very very good fuel economy with the 1.8t engine.. lots of low end torque.. it burns premium gas though

[sexyaccord]

i was gonna say impreza, but might be hard to find it at 14000

[too_slow]

^RS's are a pig.. WRXs below $15k have been bukakked..

[too_slow]

if you can pony up $20k.. import a Legacy GT from the US.. 2.5T, AWD, 0 duties!!

[gramser57]

you can get a 02-03 Sentra SER SpecV

[AdamCo]

Lancers - Crap
Matrix - Pig
Maxima - Boat
Civic - Decent

I'd be looking at a Mazda Proteggy sedan or the Sentra SE-R. I'd also consider a VW. An urabus in that price range is going to be ridden into the ground.

[keifun]

Originally Posted by suprasian

hows the reliability on those mazdas? im getting mixed opinions on them. and i hear maintnenance is expensive compared to a honda or toyota. cause i do like the mazda 6.

and rickster i dont know if i wanna spend that much on insurance for a 5 series lol

the 2.0L FS-DE engine in the protege isn't very forced induction happy if u plan to turbo it.
I'd stick with 5spd as the auto tranny for the protege isnt the best out there and quite weak.

umm the mazdaspeed protege is turboed but its a very weak one..only 170HP at 6500rpm...but i know many have upgraded the turbo and pushing 200+

In terms of reliability and quality...i think the protege sedan and wagon were nicely built..I have a 2002 and its running strong..6 yrs old now..heh wow.

[mickz]

You could probably find an '02 RSX for around that price.

[slow-fastback]

Originally Posted by mickz

You could probably find an '02 RSX for around that price.

too bad its only 2dr though

[ImportPsycho]

wait a bit and 04 TSX might fall under your budget

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

99-02 TL fits in there
or maxima

[mickz]

Originally Posted by slo-HONDAhatch

too bad its only 2dr though

My bad, didn't read everything.

[svelt]

Originally Posted by too_slow

I dont think the 5MT came out on the IS until 2003.. and they're not cheap

2002 actually, but certainly somewhat rare.

you might be able to find a 02 TL-S near that price

[alex.w *//]

02 subaru wrx