$15k cash. Need me a car. Suggestions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Matt R
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I Matty R I
As some of you may know, I had an accident a couple of years ago with my hand. Well, it's about the time to start looking for a car since my attorney and I have made our demand.

Anyhoo...I've always wanted a nice car. I'm now in the position to get one. I am giving myself a $15,000 car allowance. Spending anything more with cash makes my soul cringe. I know that for that amount of dough, a lot of things are possible, and it's time to spoil myself.

I want a car. Not a truck. Gas is $4.00 where I live. I would prefer something sporty and quick. 2dr of 4dr. I need a car that preferably gets 15mpg+. I would prefer a manual. If not, so be it. If I like it enough I'll certainly think about auto.

I'm open to any all all suggestions. It's going on my lucky number 7th year here. I've come to see that people in this community know what they're talking about. Every single opinion matters. I'm pretty excited to see what you guys can come up with.

If you could maybe link a page showing a car and it's pricing, that'd be helpful. It will allow me to get more familiar with what to expect. I'm looking to buy from Craigslist, AutoTrader, and/or Ebay. Buying from a dealer is possible, but I'd rather give money to an individual instead of big companies.

Cars I have had in mind are :

Mazda6
IS300
350Z
300ZX TT
RX-8
S2000
M3
91-93 3000GT VR-4
Newer Prelude
And God willing, any G35 Coupe.


Let's do it! Help me pick a car! :)
 
I would go the mx5 (miata) as you guys call it. Rear wheel drive, convertiable, just a good fun car! Which is also good on fuel.
 
As WRONG as it sounds...

1999+ Mustang GT. Keep your foot out of it and you'll get good fuel economy out of it (18-20 city, 25ish highway).

If you can't stand the idea of a solid axle, look into the Pontiac GTO and Nissan's FM chassis cars (G35, 350Z).
 
A Honda S2000, E36 BMW M3 I could keep going but at 15 grand there are so many great choices.
 
Your attorney and you have made your demand? Have you received any money, or is this all speculation? I'd wait on this thread until you reach a settlement.
 
If you could find a Datsun 120Y/B210 you could have 50mpg. They're not really fast. But great fuel economy. They look alright too. 5 speed manual in some cases.
 
Too big a range. Hell, you can get 17 mpg out of a Ford Expedition if you really wanted to. Narrow things down.

15k will buy you just about anything secondhand.
 
2003 or up Toyota MR2 Spyder. 35 MPG on the highway, fun, zippy, and unique. Not to mention you get to confuse people when you put groceries under the hood :sly:

On a slightly more practical sense, maybe something like a Focus SVT or such?
 
E46's are still on the pricey side. in addition, didn't they have some issues with suspension?
 
E46's are still on the pricey side. in addition, didn't they have some issues with suspension?

No issues that the E36 don't also have.

Early E46 coupes are well into the $15,000 USD range. You can buy the higher mileage ones all day long for under $10k.

Early E46 M3 coupes are still in the 20s.


OP: Don't make solid plans to spend money you don't have yet. A demand is one thing. Getting a judgment is another. Collecting is something else entirely.


M
 
Your attorney and you have made your demand? Have you received any money, or is this all speculation? I'd wait on this thread until you reach a settlement.

There is so much I am assured. I've got a 59% upper extremity disability rating. That equates to a number. It's not speculation. It's a pretty solid deal.
 
:dunce: GTP's answer to everything: MX-5 <- Screw that!:yuck:

Out of your list, the Lexus and Infiniti would be pretty cool, especially with a nice aftermarket exhaust so you can properly hear the engine. I suppose an IS350 is too expensive? I also think the Mitsu is pretty cool, but I am unsure of reliability issues.:scared:
 
Ooh, a Porsche 928 would be freaking awesome.:dopey: They're pretty cheap, you'll need bucket seats for them though, they handled brilliantly, but if something breaks it might cost you in labour hours, they were very complex engines.
 
944 turbos aren't that bad since they've fixed the LSD issues that were plaguing the earlier NA models.
 
Well...he's had an accident, and it sounds like a fairly bad one....are you SURE you want to have him dealing with the insurance on a 911?
 
Well...he's had an accident, and it sounds like a fairly bad one....are you SURE you want to have him dealing with the insurance on a 911?

I have had an accident. No cops were called. My name is clean in regards to a driving history. No accidents. No tickets.

Yet. :sly:
 
I have had an accident. No cops were called. My name is clean in regards to a driving history. No accidents. No tickets.

Yet. :sly:

Did you file an insurance claim? Because even if your driving record is clean your insurance record may not be.
 
I like you're Prelude idea. I've fallen in love with the 92-96 range since driving one.

Maybe a Mustang GT? Camaro SS? Trans Am? C4 Corvette?
 
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