What Car: $5k Appliance Edition

Vigo wrote: To all the people who suggested camry or solara, i just wanted to point out that you COULD get a 3.0/5spd, and then after the engine blew up... lawl the end.

Then you 3.3 swap it.

http://youtu.be/9UdQvtxChKU

Then you turbo it.

http://youtu.be/XNWbZ53_CZo

Really liking my Protege5, was also looking at Maxima's.

Blah Hondas and Toyotas. Zzzzzzzzz snore Having driven the Camry, Accord and Civic, I can't express how much I hate those cars...

At least the cars in the list below are somewhat fun to drive

Mazda Protege
Ford Focus
Infiniti G20
Acura RSX
Nissan Sentra Spec V

I have been looking for a Maxima sized 4 door sedan for the wife in this price range. Been real hard to find something not completely worn out... Moved my price up to 8k or 9k and find more expensive junk. Maybe I am just too picky. Good luck.

amg_rx7 wrote: Blah Hondas and Toyotas. Zzzzzzzzz snore Having driven the Camry, Accord and Civic, I can't express how much I hate those cars... At least the cars in the list below are somewhat fun to drive Mazda Protege Ford Focus Infiniti G20 Acura RSX Nissan Sentra Spec V

So a Toyota Matrix XRS, which has the same 2ZZ and 6-speed as the Lotus Elise, is somehow a snore-mobile?

SlickDizzy wrote:

amg_rx7 wrote: Blah Hondas and Toyotas. Zzzzzzzzz snore Having driven the Camry, Accord and Civic, I can't express how much I hate those cars... At least the cars in the list below are somewhat fun to drive Mazda Protege Ford Focus Infiniti G20 Acura RSX Nissan Sentra Spec V

So a Toyota Matrix XRS, which has the same 2ZZ and 6-speed as the Lotus Elise, is somehow a snore-mobile?

Never drove it so didn't comment on it. What's the handling and steering like? As crisp and sporty as a Protege?

amg_rx7 wrote:

SlickDizzy wrote:

amg_rx7 wrote: Blah Hondas and Toyotas. Zzzzzzzzz snore Having driven the Camry, Accord and Civic, I can't express how much I hate those cars... At least the cars in the list below are somewhat fun to drive Mazda Protege Ford Focus Infiniti G20 Acura RSX Nissan Sentra Spec V

So a Toyota Matrix XRS, which has the same 2ZZ and 6-speed as the Lotus Elise, is somehow a snore-mobile?

Never drove it so didn't comment on it. What's the handling and steering like? As crisp and sporty as a Protege?

Very similar, if not better. Definitely better than a box stock non-SVT Focus, that's for sure. But it doesn't sound like the OP is looking for anything more than an appliance anyway, so the whole "X car is boring" argument wouldn't seem to apply here. This is a guy who currently drives a Taurus and doesn't hate it.

SlickDizzy wrote:

amg_rx7 wrote:

SlickDizzy wrote:

amg_rx7 wrote: Blah Hondas and Toyotas. Zzzzzzzzz snore Having driven the Camry, Accord and Civic, I can't express how much I hate those cars... At least the cars in the list below are somewhat fun to drive Mazda Protege Ford Focus Infiniti G20 Acura RSX Nissan Sentra Spec V

So a Toyota Matrix XRS, which has the same 2ZZ and 6-speed as the Lotus Elise, is somehow a snore-mobile?

Never drove it so didn't comment on it. What's the handling and steering like? As crisp and sporty as a Protege?

Very similar, if not better. Definitely better than a box stock non-SVT Focus, that's for sure. But it doesn't sound like the OP is looking for anything more than an appliance anyway, so the whole "X car is boring" argument wouldn't seem to apply here. This is a guy who currently drives a Taurus and doesn't hate it.

Ah, I disagree. Why can't a guy have a little fun in his DD? Why purposely look for something boring when you can have something that might be more fun? Who knows, maybe a fun car would turn the dude into a car guy.

not just any mazda6, but my mazda6. 3.0 duratec v6, 5 speed manual, silver ext, black leather int, bose audio, 164k miles, fresh tune-up and new fuel pump one month ago.

nevermind my previous post. the IS300 5-speed torsen car is a much better deal for only a little more $: link

Thanks for all the input, folks. I passed on many of your ideas along with a few of my own and he said, "Yeah, thanks! That's exactly the kind of information I was looking for."

And then he said, "And apparently I am shallow. I wouldn't drive a Matrix. They're hideous."

You can't project an interest in "fun to drive" to everyone. He really doesn't give a flying hoot about what the car is, as long as it gets him where he needs to go without breaking down or using too much gas. He didn't even care about what it would look like until he considered owning a Toyota Matrix.

He has different hobbies than we do. His money goes to computer games, books, music and scotch. He hasn't bought a car yet, but now he's shopping. And I did find a high-mileage Lexus IS300 (automatic) in his area for about five grand. He's intrigued.

JtspellS wrote: Really liking my Protege5, was also looking at Maxima's.

Agreed. I don't have a single complaint about mine. Crazy simple to work on too.

I too enjoy computer games and books. And hardly anyone here is dying to try on my car collection. So i can relate to this concept of differing interests and priorities..