$20,000 to spend on a car, what should I get??

[Smash255]

After my car got totaled I need to get a new one.  I will be getting between $19,300 and $19,400 for it (including tax), I need to get a new one, and don't want to really go much into savings for it so trying to stay under $20,000.  So now I need to figure out what to do.  Should I buy a new car in that price range (perhaps a new Elentra), or should I get something along the lines of a used BMW, Lexus or perhaps Maxima or something along those lines.

[Cincinnatus]

Buy one that's 3-4 years old.  Something that has recent features, but has lost its "on lot" price.  If you watch craigslist enough you can get deals.  My Dad bought a Honda Hybrid for about $4000-$5000 below the KBB price.  Great condition as well.  Of course, if you want something new I'm a fan of Hyundai, Honda (though they retain value pretty well as used cars), and some new Mazda's.  BMW's are always nice as well, but you'll pay for it. 

[King]

Weren't you poor and jobless a few weeks ago?

[Smash255]

Weren't you poor and jobless a few weeks ago?

Did start a new job (base is low, but do have commission as well though may take a couple months to close some deals and get that commission), but the vast majority of the $$$ is coming from what I am getting for my old car.

[Lief 🗽]

Don't you live in NYC? Why do you need a car?

[Yelnoc]

Get something used, yet reliable.

A relative of mine has a 2005ish Toyota Matrix; it's extremely reliable and, as a bonus, fuel efficient.  And I think it would fit in your price range, though you might have to haggle for it.

[Smash255]

Don't you live in NYC? Why do you need a car?

No, I live in Nassau County.  New job I took is in Central Suffolk so 45-50 miles a day round trip.

[dead0man]

The Mazda 3 is the best car I've ever driven.  You can get a sweet used one for that price.

[opebo]

If you want to maximize your survivability for the coming Depression you need to get one of these choices:

1) super-economy ($1,000 + very high MPG):




2) economy ($1,500 - 2,000 + good fuel economy)



3) comfortable but still cheap ($2,000-3,000 + mediocre fuel economy)





Ok this way you'll have at least $15,000 left over. Though now that I think about it the better plan for you would be to take the $20,000, not buy any car at all, and flee the Bad Place to live in Southeast Asia.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I'm with opebo.....anything where you can pocket about $15k........

[Tender Branson]

Buy yourself a VW Jetta or Golf and with the rest of the money a motorcycle.

[opebo]

Buy yourself a VW Jetta or Golf and with the rest of the money a motorcycle.

What the heck?  What are you trying to do to the guy?  Volkswagens are just about the most unreliable cars on the road.

[Smash255]

The Mazda 3 is the best car I've ever driven.  You can get a sweet used one for that price.

When I bought my last one I was seriously considering a Mazda 3, I decided to go with a Civic, but it was pretty much between the Civic and Mazda 3.

[fezzyfestoon]

Nice, that's a pretty good chunk to spend. Personally, I think an old Beemer would be awesome and is nothing to sneeze at in the quality department.

[5280]

I spent my $20k on a 2010 Mazda 3, fun car to drive and decent amount of HP.

You should definitely looking into a Subaru WRX (pre-2009) or something AWD.

[memphis]

I'm with opebo.....anything where you can pocket about $15k........

[opebo]

Nice, that's a pretty good chunk to spend. Personally, I think an old Beemer would be awesome and is nothing to sneeze at in the quality department.

Murderous maintenance costs, ff.   Only buy if you have loads of disposable income and don't mind pouring it down a car.

MF, I don't know if you noticed, but that car looks like a joke.  I mean, seriously, it has a wing on it.

[KEmperor]

Don't you live in NYC? Why do you need a car?

No, I live in Nassau County.  New job I took is in Central Suffolk so 45-50 miles a day round trip.

That's funny, I have the exact opposite situation.  I live in central Suffolk and my job is in Nassau.  I drive 70 miles round trip every day.

I would really recommend getting something fuel efficient based on that.  If you can swing it, find a used hybrid that will allow you to use the HOV lane on the LIE to cut down on commute time.

[fezzyfestoon]

Nice, that's a pretty good chunk to spend. Personally, I think an old Beemer would be awesome and is nothing to sneeze at in the quality department.

Murderous maintenance costs, ff.   Only buy if you have loads of disposable income and don't mind pouring it down a car.

Yes, BUT the cars are not very expensive up front and most repairs are common and one-timers. If he's got $20,000 to spend on it, he could get a decent 3-series from the early '90s and have all the necessary tune-ups taken care of right away.

[Smash255]

Don't you live in NYC? Why do you need a car?

No, I live in Nassau County.  New job I took is in Central Suffolk so 45-50 miles a day round trip.

That's funny, I have the exact opposite situation.  I live in central Suffolk and my job is in Nassau.  I drive 70 miles round trip every day.

I would really recommend getting something fuel efficient based on that.  If you can swing it, find a used hybrid that will allow you to use the HOV lane on the LIE to cut down on commute time.

That is part of the reason I was thinking of a new Elentra, 40 MPG highway.  I usually don't go LIE,  Southern to Sag to Northern to 347 (work about 1/2 mile from 347).  Traffic usually isn't all that bad since my hours are generally 930 to 630 and going against the flow.  The worst part of my commute other than some ongoing construction, for the most part seems to be bitch of a sun glare,

[Smash255]

Nice, that's a pretty good chunk to spend. Personally, I think an old Beemer would be awesome and is nothing to sneeze at in the quality department.

Murderous maintenance costs, ff.   Only buy if you have loads of disposable income and don't mind pouring it down a car.

Yes, BUT the cars are not very expensive up front and most repairs are common and one-timers. If he's got $20,000 to spend on it, he could get a decent 3-series from the early '90s and have all the necessary tune-ups taken care of right away.

Wouldn't get anything nearly that old.  Have seen some BMW's and Lexus's advertised in that range from 04-06, that would likely be the furthest I would go back for a used car.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

If I had that much I'd flip the car. Buy something for $20k, try selling it for about $18k, then get a car for about $5k like my current one. Boom $13k free.

[fezzyfestoon]

Nice, that's a pretty good chunk to spend. Personally, I think an old Beemer would be awesome and is nothing to sneeze at in the quality department.

Murderous maintenance costs, ff.   Only buy if you have loads of disposable income and don't mind pouring it down a car.

Yes, BUT the cars are not very expensive up front and most repairs are common and one-timers. If he's got $20,000 to spend on it, he could get a decent 3-series from the early '90s and have all the necessary tune-ups taken care of right away.

Wouldn't get anything nearly that old.  Have seen some BMW's and Lexus's advertised in that range from 04-06, that would likely be the furthest I would go back for a used car.

Fair enough, I'm mostly just trying to live out my dreams through your opportunity anyway haha

[Mechaman]

After I totaled my car in late 2007 I managed to get a 2007 Ford Focus SE for $12,050.

I've owned it since New Years Day 2007 and the worst problem I've had with it was a burst tire.  Other than that it's been fine.
Still wish I still had my 2002 Saturn SC2 though ............that car had the best gas mileage in the world.