Yet Another Help Find A Car Thread

[MedigoFlame]

For those who haven't seen my previous thread that has been lost in this forum, my current car, a 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback has failed inspection. (For pictures of it, look in my signature). My parents have been fed up with it getting fixed (passed down through the family) and decided it was time to get rid of the family car. I hate to see it go, but I suppose it's time to move on, since there's just too much to fix on the Subaru. I'm 18 and looking to find a car to use to go to school and work. Being in Maine narrows the choices quite a bit. I would love to own a rear wheel drive car and drive it everyday, but knowing the dangers of it, that might not be possible. I dislike front wheel drive cars, but I wouldn't really mind owning one. And at last, the most popular of the drivetrains in Maine would be four wheel drive.

I have been looking through my local craigslist, contacting owners and what not, but having no luck. I still have my Outback sitting in the driveway...so I'm thinking of possibly trading it or selling it off for parts or a fixer upper. Unfortunately, I feel limited by driving automatics...since my family refuses to let me practice driving manuals, however my friends have been willing to let me use their cars while giving me lessons. So far I've been looking at 240SXs, Legacy GTs, and Honda Civic EK hatchbacks. Of course, I also have a bit of an obsession with classic rear drive Japanese sedans from the 80s and early 90s. Another problem comes up with trying to please my parents, insurance, and myself in what I will drive. One warning is that there's a possibility my parents will change their minds and force me to walk around town instead... Another note is that after my 18th birthday on February 4th, I decided to sign up for a 2012 Subaru Impreza giveaway at my local dealership, so there's a possibility this thread may become pointless. But the likely hood of that happening is pretty low. I'd like to know what the people of GTplanet have as suggestions. My parents say that my budget would be $4000.

Here are some cars that I'm looking at...
1998 Subaru Legacy GT (I love the second generation GT models)
http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/2830615275.html

1997 Honda Civic EK Hatch (Automatic...I know...)
http://maine.craigslist.org/ctd/2834372849.html

 

[Zenith]

In before MX-5.

It makes me happy to see someone your age with realistic expectations.

The Civic is my favorite of the bunch. It will be a fun car and you'll love the practicality.

 

[Joey D]

Is there any reason why you aren't looking at pickups? You can get an S-10, Ranger, or Tacoma pretty cheap,they are RWD and can easily be had with a manual. You could also opt for 4WD as well. Being in Maine, I have to assume trucks are everywhere too. This will make parts cheap and accessible.

Oh and insurance on pickups tends to be fairly reasonable.

 

[YSSMAN]

I'd agree with Joey on the Tacoma, they drive quite well and offer some level of refinement despite being a pickup truck. You may even be able to get an early Tundra, which was a pretty nice pickup without requiring you to jump up to a full-size like a Silverado or F-150.

 

[MedigoFlame]

Is there any reason why you aren't looking at pickups? You can get an S-10, Ranger, or Tacoma pretty cheap,they are RWD and can easily be had with a manual. You could also opt for 4WD as well. Being in Maine, I have to assume trucks are everywhere too. This will make parts cheap and accessible.

Oh and insurance on pickups tends to be fairly reasonable.

I have never really been big on pickups and SUVs. There are a lot of trucks and SUVs in Maine and something about them I just don't like. I have no real need for a pickup bed (apologies if I sound a bit stupid about it, don't know that much on ownership of pickups, I know there is such things as bed covers). If you plan on mentioning SUVs, I've driven some and never enjoyed the experience. I'm hoping more of a standard passenger car because there's a possibility I may try to do something "sporty." :/

 

[Roush_fan_99]

Ford recently stopped production on the ranger and around thanksgiving last year brand new v-6's were going for 7-11 grand so a used 05-ish ford ranger 4 cylinder would be dirt cheap, 4wd and automatic are options otherwise they are RWD, and If you want "covered storage" a tonneau cover is a nice add on

But I completely understand if you want something sporty, test drive a focus, even though that is FWD, they are cheap used

I'm not sure but aren't '90s civics FWD

 

[Grayfox]

I feel limited by driving automatics...since my family refuses to let me practice driving manuals

Any logical reason or just some thing stupid all parents or other family members think.

 

[Roush_fan_99]

About 15 years ago, my dad walked into a saturn dealership and she liked a car (not sure which one) but it was a stick. He told the salesman that if he could teach her stick, my dad would buy the car..... a few hours later, he didn't buy the car

 

[MedigoFlame]

Any logical reason or just some thing stupid all parents or other family members think.

The reason my family refuses to let me drive a standard is mainly due to the fact that nearly all of them hate cars... I know my uncle and my father have both driven manuals, however they both believe that it is something of the past and isn't good. (They claim it's due to maintenance issues and they believe I can't "handle" it) Drives me insane the fact that almost anything automotive related in my life is always shot down by just about everyone in my family. For example: My parents keep asking me why I want a car and use my older cousins as examples. "Look at your cousins, they don't have cars and they're perfectly fine. There's barely anyone that I know who can understand my automotive obsession...

Ford recently stopped production on the ranger and around thanksgiving last year brand new v-6's were going for 7-11 grand so a used 05-ish ford ranger 4 cylinder would be dirt cheap, 4wd and automatic are options otherwise they are RWD, and If you want "covered storage" a tonneau cover is a nice add on

But I completely understand if you want something sporty, test drive a focus, even though that is FWD, they are cheap used

I'm not sure but aren't '90s civics FWD

Well, I'm not looking for something exactly sporty, but something that has potential to be modified in some way later on in life when I'm able to earn more money. I'd say something that would be a good practical tuning base on which to start off with.

Another note: There's another possibility that I may convince my uncle to lend his 100 Series Toyota Land Cruiser. He did offer me to use his Land Cruiser since he has three cars and knew that my Subaru wouldn't last long...

 

[MedigoFlame]

I apologize for bumping this. (Was hoping there was more suggestions) I did find this 240SX, however the rust is something I'm a bit concerned about and I'm sure no one will approve of the automatic gearbox...
http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/2793725111.html

I'm also wondering about the insurance on these, since I've heard several sides of it. I've heard that it's affordable and the same time I heard it can be expensive... :/

EDIT: Well, I guess no one really wants to help out... -_-