[OT] Shopping for a new ride, opinions?

[roccit_53 at scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca (C Boyko)]

We have a Protege 5 and it's been fine, no issues. I liked it better than
the 3 that replaces it, and it wasn't that expensive brand new. Mind you,
if it were mine, it wouldn't still be so stock, but OTOH, I'd rather drive
it than the daughter's Focus. I prefer the Bug to the whole lot though, but
the Protege carrys a ton of stuff. None of them scorch up the quarter mile.

Cathy

On 11:21 am 01/09/07 Kervin <carsandkites@gmail.com> wrote:
> Take a look at a Mazda Protege or Protege5.  It's fun to drive, simple
> to work on, and there are lots of Mazda Speed bits you can put on it.
> Drive one if you can.
>
> Kervin
>
> On 1/9/07, Nate Mellom <doubt@inwave.com> wrote:
> >  I'm sorta kinda in the market for a new(er) car.  I've been
> >  contemplating the decision for a while now, since my son was born
> >  (Dec 05).  It pretty much comes down to the fact that I'm sick of
> >  driving $500 cars for primary transportation (my '81 and my
> >  Quantum I picked up for $500/ea, my '88 16v for $800).  I'm
> >  looking to probably replace the '81 and the QSW with something
> >  newer, keeping the '88 as my 'fun' car. The '81 is very rusty,
> >  especially underneath where all the important bits are, but it
> >  runs great.  Eventually I'll get myself a nice Mk1 (I'm partial to
> >  'em, actually).  The QSW is a good car, rare, and in fairly good
> >  shape, but it got rear-ended a while back, and I never got
> anything out of the lady that hit me.  I don't have the time, money, or
> >  energy to put into it right now, and it's my current winter car.
> >  Still drivable, but I'd like something newer, more reliable, maybe
> >  with working A/C, etc, etc, etc.
> >  I've been contemplating options.  I'm looking for something in the
> >  $4000-$5000 range (I'm on a pretty tight budget, but if we get a
> >  nice tax return that'll help tremendously).  Late '90s, early
> >  2000's.  I'm looking for 4 (or 5) doors (wagons are on the list),
> >  it MUST be a manual, as I refuse to own an automatic.  It'll be my
> >  daily driver, primary transportation, and it must be able to haul
> >  a kid in a car seat, me, my wife, and stuff. Preferably European,
> >  I haven't  had much experience with Japanese or American cars for
> >  a LOOOOONG time, and as such, I own mostly metric tools.  Most
> >  other options are open at this point.
> >  Cars I've been pondering:
> >
> >  VW:
> >  B3/B4/B5 Passat. I'm open to the TDI, but I'd prefer gas (VR6, V6,
> >  1.8t) Jetta. Preferably something a little sportier (GLX, GLI,
> > Wolfie)
> >  Audi:
> >  A4/A6. I'd love quattro, but unless I can shop older, I think
> >  it'll be priced out of my budget.
> >
> >  Volvo:
> >  850.  I drove an 850 Turbo Wagon, VERY nice car, quick, with all
> >  the cool Volvo creature comforts.  It was an automatic,
> > unfortunately.
> >  Subaru:
> >  Legacy.  Always liked 'em, and I do like the idea of AWD.
> >  Impreza.  Same as the Legacy, but I think it'll be a little small.
> >
> >  I haven't given much thought to anything else, but since I'm in the
> >  beginning stages of shopping, I'm open to options.  Looking for
> >  recommendations, positives, negatives, BTDT's, and of course, if
> >  anyone has anything for sale, let me know.
> >
> >  Thanks,
> >  Nate
> >
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> >
>
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