Car Buying

[Cloral]

Am buying a new car soon. Have some ideas of what I might like, but if anyone's had particularly good experiences with a vehicle, I'd like to know. It will be used for commuting to work at the other end of town (~5 miles each way) and driving on the weekends. Looking for a car, not an SUV or truck, preferably something fun to drive, and somewhere in the $20,000 to $30,000 range.

[Beldaran]

Volvos are really nice. They get really good gas mileage, and they are some of the safest cars on the road. They are pretty stylish too. (http://www.volvocars.us/Showroom/newS40/Gallery/Exterior/)

I'm not sure exactly what they cost, though. I'm assuming they are somewhat cheaper than BMW's and their ilk.

Of course, if you're looking for an american car, you can't go wrong with the Ford Mustang. (http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/mustang/)

[Pablo]

Honda Accord Coupe V6 (http://automobiles.honda.com/models/specifications_descriptions.asp?ModelName=Accord+C oupe&Category=EX+V%2D6)
Dodge SRT-4 (http://www.dodge.com/srt-4/)
Mazda MAZDASPEED MX-5 (http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsSpecs&vehicleCode=MSM)
Ford Mustang GT (http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/mustang/)
Subaru Impreza WRX (http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview.jsp?model=IMPREZA&trim=WRX_SEDAN&command=overview)
Pontiac Solstice (http://www.pontiac.com/solstice/index.jsp?brand=home)
Nissan 350Z (http://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/ModelHomePage/0,,120017,00.html?destination=VLP&modelName=z)

All of 'em are pretty good bets, there are a few that are at the high end of your price range, though. Of them all, I've only driven in the Accord Coupe, which is an amazing car. Speedy, comfortable, roomy, stylish, and easy on gas. My cousin's got one, so if you have any detailed questions about it, feel free to PM me.

[vegeta1215]

I bought a 2004 Honda Civic last September. It doesn't have anything special in it, but it's a very reliable car that I'm sure will last me a long time. Plus it was only about $15,000. I'd highly recommend a Civic, or anything Honda makes for that matter.

[MrCow]

volvos last forever. nissan 350z is fast and fun. Hondas are good but not as safe in accidents, and last long otherwise. toyotas last long too but tend to have the body go before the engine does.

[Master Ghaleon]

Get a Nissan. Im driving a Nissan Sentra GXE 98 . I got this car NEW in 99 and havent had a single problem yet. So my exp with Nissan has been great.

[Glitch]

Just some advice, before you decide what car you want make sure you factor in how much the insurance will be. Trust me on this one, I learned from experience.

Oh, something you might also want to consider is getting a newer used car. You can get 1-2 year old cars dirt fucking cheap right now, and most of the time Banks will finance them jsut like a new car.

Hope I helped.

[laughing1989]

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:Rkbi24-UjU0J:www.cars.com/stock/230x153/232556.jpg
Hmm...
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:clVhped8TRUJ:www.spiceisle.com/glouison/Sports%2520Cars/New%2520Cars/2002%2520Honda%2520NSX.jpg
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:2LW35N7aWHcJ:images.forbes.com/images/2002/09/16/corvette_415x266.jpg

Not bad ones here... but then again, anyone can do an image search on Google and make people's mouths water, even if its cars, food, or even porn for that matter.
Really wish these were in your price range. Try winning the lottery, that helps... or becoming an investment banker.
I'm no help at all, am I? Heheheh. Sorry, but I don't know too much about cars, so I really don't know much about car prices, either. However, I'd advise you to look for better insurance coverage over a nicer car... the more curves a car has, the more expensive its gonna be.

[Paradox]

Hahah, I just got rear ended in my 2004 honda civic last night, huge amounts of damage... it might be totalled.. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it because they're pretty small.

[Cloral]

Thanks to everyone for your input. Here's where I'm at thus far:
I wasn't particularly impressed by any of the mid-range cars I tried. They were 'sensible', but I wouldn't've had much fun driving them. I tried a Mazda 3 and for the price it drove fairly well, but I was thinking that it didn't seem like much of a step up from the car I currently have - and that's 16 years old. So I think I'm going to go towards the higher end of the price range. I tried a TSX and a 325i, both are within my price range. I also tried a Volvo and was honestly surprised at how it drove. The salesperson told me they also make a turbocharged version of the car I drove (unfortunately I don't remember which model it was), though it would be approaching the Acura and the BMW at that point in price and I doubt it would be as fun to drive as either of them. So that's where my decision stands now.

[MrCow]

Again ill state, volvos last forever. People swear by them Ive seen them well over 200,000 miles stll running strong and thats in new england weather..

[Glass Cleaner]

Well you can get a Dodge Neon Srt-4 for only 22,000, and its the fastest stock car in the USA! 220 horsepower, leather interior, and a cool look! I would go with different rims though, because the rims that are on it now, look terrible. Hope I helped!