Best Car Under 15k

[myyellowspec]

I am in the market for a car under 15k. I've done some research and come up with a few ideas, I just wanted to see what the IA elite (lol) have to say. It needs to be a four door and a manual. I have been looking at: BMW 3 & 5 series, Neon SRT-4, Mazdaspeed Protege, and Maximas. I know this is a random list but thats why I want some imput. Reps for good logical advice. None of that "buy my DB teg" nonsence...lol. Unless it has a JDM front and a B18c.

[alpine_aw11]

neon or see if you can find a speed3

[Benefit]

buy my ITR

[x Resilience]

neon or see if you can find a speed3

Srt-4? OMG are you serious.

If I were you I'd get a nice E36 M3, and pocket the rest.

[alpine_aw11]

Srt-4? OMG are you serious.

If I were you I'd get a nice E36 M3, and pocket the rest.

SRT-4 maintenance>M3 maintenance

And stock for stock I'm pretty sure the SRT-4 is faster, and is also cheaper. M3's are great and all but they're overrated.

[myyellowspec]

Srt-4? OMG are you serious.

If I were you I'd get a nice E36 M3, and pocket the rest.


I am looking at like a 2000-03 3/5 series. but I'm not sure if I want to pony up the dough for repairs. Any major problems with the srt-4 other than the fact that its a dodge...lol.

[myyellowspec]

The speed3's are too hot right now. I won't find one under like 18.5

[alpine_aw11]

The biggest problem with an SRT-4 is if you drive one everyone might think you're a douchebag.

[Bruce Leroy]

What about a wrx?

[myyellowspec]

The biggest problem with an SRT-4 is if you drive one everyone might think you're a douchebag.

Only if I go to the G'net BP lolz. I live in truck country (paulding co) lol so I will probably fit in haha. Are there any common problems with these cars? I've heard bad things about oil leakes and rough transmissions. I am very mechanically inclined but I have always owned japanese cars so I am a little weary of domestic cars.

As far as a WRX goes I like the car but I have test driven three of them and two had bad trannys and the other one stalled everytime it hit boost. It kinda made me wonder about the craftsmanship.

[DecoyOctopus]

dude with 15k you could "make" a car you realy like. a 4dr jdm front vteccd out c5 tegg is very possible. mhmmm but if thats not your goal id definetly get a bimmer or that speed 3 or maybe a regular 6. oh oh oh you could get a gli vdubb. those are real nice cars.

[myyellowspec]

I'm done building cars I want something thats fast and reliable out of the box. VW are good just not my style. As much as I hate to say it I'm kinda leaning towards the SRT-4. Don't know about their reliability though. Any info on that would be very much appreciated.

[redpanda]

why not a regular 3? great car for the money..

[Bruce Leroy]

My friend has an 03... The only mechanical problem he has had was a tps, and It was replaced by the dealer.

[myyellowspec]

My friend has an 03... The only mechanical problem he has had was a tps, and It was replaced by the dealer.

I read about that. It seems like an easy fix.

I am shying away from the mazda3 because for the same amount of money I can get a faster car.

[67MercCougar]

Speed3 all the way, SRT-4 alot of repairs, m series nice but expensive to work on. Best bang for the buck Speed3.

[AirMax95]

You are in the same boat that I am. My cap was $15k and I can't decide on squat!

As long as you find a GOOD CPO BMW, you will be fine with regular maintenance.

SRT-4 is not my personal taste. Nice cars for power, but look like a damn neon, lol.

What year Maxima?

Will this be a family mobile also?

[myyellowspec]

I was looking at the gen 5 maxima 00-03 I believe. I like the car but it seems too soft.

[fivex684]

I have seen a couple Mazdaspeed6's go for around $15k. It's not a bad car, basically a better looking speed3 with all wheel drive.

[m3dic8d]

From your list I'd go srt4, best bang for the buck out of the list imo. I been reading up a bit on them and don't hear many people complaining about reliability of them either... biggest complaint is fwd lol

[myyellowspec]

Hmm I will def have to check out the speed6. Too bad its not all-time 4wd.

[UpSideDownDesi]

i'll sell you my FD for tad above 16k as it sits. Just spent 2k on engine servicing, and making it as healthy as one can. Needs bumpers and a fender painted, driver seat recovered. And it's a done deal. Did i mentions only 24k on the car ;)

[deliriouzmc]

get an se-r spec v

[1SLWPOS]

For 14k I would just search for a good deal on S2K

[m3dic8d]

For 14k I would just search for a good deal on S2K
I would as well, but he said it has to be four door not a two seater lol

[amped4life33]

why does it have to have 4 doors? you could come up with a lot better car if youd lose the back seat...

[1SLWPOS]

Yeah for a quick fun nice car I would choose the s2k. Backseats are why I got a GTO and not a Vette though sad times.

[ISAtlanta300]

Would you be interested in an IS300? I may be selling mine soon...

[OneSlow5pt0]

if i had to get a 4door........i deff get a BMW 540,or maybe a M3

[Terror]

srt4, best bang for the buck speed. super reliable, and fun.

[x Resilience]

SRT-4 maintenance>M3 maintenance

And stock for stock I'm pretty sure the SRT-4 is faster, and is also cheaper. M3's are great and all but they're overrated.


Lol, SRT-4s are garbage. M3 will last atleast 150k miles longer than the SRT-4.

[x Resilience]

I'm done building cars I want something thats fast and reliable out of the box. VW are good just not my style. As much as I hate to say it I'm kinda leaning towards the SRT-4. Don't know about their reliability though. Any info on that would be very much appreciated.


They're not reliable at all.



dude with 15k you could "make" a car you realy like. a 4dr jdm front vteccd out c5 tegg is very possible. mhmmm but if thats not your goal id definetly get a bimmer or that speed 3 or maybe a regular 6. oh oh oh you could get a gli vdubb. those are real nice cars.

I agree, anything but that damn SRT-4.

GLIs are nice as fvck.

[VTECking]

AP1 S2K, problem solved.

[J13eck]

What about a wrx?

thats my vote

[nreggie454]

Even though an SRT-4 might seem like a good idea, it isn't. Practically all SRT-4s are ragged to hell, not to mention FWD and that super sexy Neon styling.

For 15k you could build a very respectable B5 or B6 Audi A4, WRX, or 325.

Also, don't buy someone else's project without doing a decent amount of research beforehand. You might think you are getting a fast car out of the box, but it could be a maintenance nightmare.

[kfzemx3]

love my is300 and it was under 15k :)

[Logan]

540i/6 or e34 M5

You could kill nearly everything else in the price range stock for stock.

Plus 316hp out of a NA Inline 6.

The last handbuilt M car made.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/360682097_a373f92d5c.jpg

[YoshiFD3S]

As far as newer cars are concerned, I agree that a Mazdaspeed 3 would be your best choice.

My friend JUST bought one this past week, and he and his wife love it.

Mazda and Nissan are the only companies these days that seem to actually be moving forward with their designs of cars.

Are any Nissans in the ~15k range? A Altima/Maxima would be a great choice.

An older used M3 DOES sound cool, but the only car I see spending 15k+ on that's OLD....is an RX-7 like mine, Supra, etc etc...lol

If I had $15k and wanted a 4-door car, I'd be looking at those 3's.....

[Slomaro Z28]

I agree with the ones saying WRX, you just need to find one that was taken care of. If I'm not mistaken didn't the SRT-4 have problems passing the side impact collision test or get a low score or something like that? Guessing the back seats are for kids?

[YoshiFD3S]

WRX's are nice n' all, but they're not very....practical.

If you just want a quick n' fun 4-door, turbo, etc....then yeah, they're not bad.

I'd personally rather have the newer, more stylish and COMFORTABLE interior that you'd find in the new Mazdaspeed 3 than a WRX....

Pics taken from my friend's Myspace.

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/30/l_a9d993e29ad04f39a882f47058022b8d.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/50/l_994cec2c5afd4afb839a1689c3cf1da5.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/23/l_430473c7f34444ea9ef1a51717667901.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/35/l_cc2abd35fb8f4d42adbe9922a65ac82f.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/17/l_3888a724f9c14349b2ad086d1d6c2eaf.jpg

The only thing I don't like about the 3 and some of the other cars on the market, similar to it...is the shape of the rear hatch... I think it makes it look too much like a freaking mini mini-van, ya know? The NEW WRX/STI....the earlier 2000-ish Honda Civic SI hatchbacks.....cars like that. I hate the curved mini-van style design of the rear-hatch...

Aside from that, if it doesn't bother you, I think a BLACK Mazda 3 would be baddass. I think I saw one around base a couple weeks ago with a like, H4/HID style headlights, full body kit, some rims, and I didn't even recognize it. It looked baddass!

[LeX]

I would DEFINITELY get a subaru legacy GT in that price range

http://www.moojohn.com/subaru/kevin.jpg

[m3dic8d]

I would DEFINITELY get a subaru legacy GT in that price range

:no:

[Slomaro Z28]

Dont get me wrong, I like the new speed 3. But the thing is will you find one under 15k, I know I could look but I'm not buying it so....

[cobalt9123]

I am in the market for a car under 15k. I've done some research and come up with a few ideas, I just wanted to see what the IA elite (lol) have to say. It needs to be a four door and a manual. I have been looking at: BMW 3 & 5 series, Neon SRT-4, Mazdaspeed Protege, and Maximas. I know this is a random list but thats why I want some imput. Reps for good logical advice. None of that "buy my DB teg" nonsence...lol. Unless it has a JDM front and a B18c.
Best car under 15K for WHAT?
You need to ask yourself that.
Straight line? Twistys? HP? TQ? RWD, FWD, AWD? MPG or MPH?
Give us some more info on what you want to do with the car, then we can help.

[BATMOBL]

e36 M3 or WRX hands down

[LeX]

:no:

rofl so what do you suggest smart boy.

I'd rather have that than some 90s M3.. hands down

[Got Milk?]

BUY A WRX for about 9 grand, and go stage 3, and you can be easy at 300whp 290torque

[RL...]

I am in the market for a car under 15k. I've done some research and come up with a few ideas, I just wanted to see what the IA elite (lol) have to say. It needs to be a four door and a manual. I have been looking at: BMW 3 & 5 series, Neon SRT-4, Mazdaspeed Protege, and Maximas. I know this is a random list but thats why I want some imput. Reps for good logical advice. None of that "buy my DB teg" nonsence...lol. Unless it has a JDM front and a B18c.

For 15k you have lots of choices, and decide whether to focus on more show than go or vice versa.

EVO, maxima's, 3 series, a4's, etc.....

[m3dic8d]

rofl so what do you suggest smart boy.

I'd rather have that than some 90s M3.. hands down
lol that car is just not my taste. I'd take a lot over that, but to each his own :)

[LeX]

lol that car is just not my taste. I'd take a lot over that, but to each his own :)

lol well i'm giving him a suggestion, let's let him make the choices and us make the suggestions. Then it's win win brutha man :cheers:

[myyellowspec]

Alright I got my choices narrowed down to:05 TL, IS300, SRT-4, S-ER Spec-v (again lol) and the Mazdaspeed Protege. My stipulations for my new car were 4 door manual other than that I'm pretty open to suggestions. As far as the mazda3 goes, I can't find one under 20k.

[OnURleft]

Sorry i'm not biased because i've owned a few but in terms of turning and all out performance an E36 M3...

Best handling car in the world in 1997. With simple suspension upgrades and tires/pads you can turn 1:44's at Road Atlanta. That's unreal. That's close to the Spec-Miata record and will trounce all over 400+hp Corvette times without as much driver mod.
For 5,500-6,000 invested and a full obd-1 tune you can make 500whp with a TRM Stage 2 Turbo kit and tune. That's crazy if you think about it. 500whp in a 3100lb car with that gearing?
In terms of luxury they probably are not the best...but they have what you need..18 button OBC, Dual climate control, one touch everything.
In terms of MPG I get 21/27 with cams and a full tune!
In terms of reliability they have some of the most reliable drivetrain in the world. Motors that have been run hard are seeing 300k easy..However, they have interior issues and small electrical issues that can be easily fixed if you find a rough one.
Other's i'd recommend with lots of potential...
SS Camaro
WRX
99-02 Cobra
SRT-4
RSX Type S (quick with bolt-ons)
Late model B5 A4 1.8T (01' I believe)
E39 540i/6 (Mine trapped 104 with a diff and exhaust!)
S2000 (if you can find one cheap enough)

etc...
However you can pick up a clean E36 M3 for 11k and mod the shit out of it with the rest of your money. I'd recommend one converted to obd-1 or doing so.
Ian

[myyellowspec]

I'm good on the Euro-cars. I can appreciate how cool the E36 is, but I'm not willing to dump a lot of money on a car. I want somethin' quick and reliable.

[Humphrizzle]

JDM Integra Type R 4 door would be my choice.

[OnURleft]

I'm good on the Euro-cars. I can appreciate how cool the E36 is, but I'm not willing to dump a lot of money on a car. I want somethin' quick and reliable.

I'd recommend something never then obviously. Avoid first year production models.I'd recommend looking into the Legacy GT then. Those are absolute sleepers, have tons of potential, are reliable and are just relatively new and unique.

[amped4life33]

im still curious as to WHY you require a 4 door car...i mean thats not to hate on people with 4 door cars. Im just sayin, why would that be an important stipulation. generally(dont jump me, i said in most cases not all) 4 door cars arnt as powerful and are usually heavier...why would you specifically want one much less require one...

[myyellowspec]

I have to have a 4 door because of this baby thing my wife had...lol. I hate the idea.

[m3dic8d]

I have to have a 4 door because of this baby thing my wife had...lol. I hate the idea.
Why not make her drive the 4-door, I don't see why you both gotta have 4-doors...

[myyellowspec]

I take her to daycare 4 days a week so a four door is a must and i'm not driving my wife's I35 lol. Anyone have any feedback on the mazdaspeed protege? I had a P5 and is was a pretty decent car, just wondering how that 2.0l holds up to boost.

[Paree4g63]

My opinion would be to find a used Evo around your price range which is really possible because the values on evo's are pretty low these days anyway. Evo's also meet your criteria...
*4doors
*manual 5/6speed depending which model and year you get.
*It's already a 12/13second car as it is depending on driver.
*One of the easiest cars to tune with minimal modifications.
*The Evo's are well balanced in handling and power for road courses and straight aways.

Also, I've never had a problem yet. Only thing you gotta keep up with is maintenance. It's a very cool car with potential as it is.

A alternate route would be in my opinion would be a Lexus IS300. 2002 and up models have the manual transmission. Luxury with a Supra motor all in one car.

Just my :2cents:

[myyellowspec]

Hmm I will have to do a search on an Evo. I would love to have an IS300 but I promised my wife I would buy her one...she would kill me lol. Plus matching cars ftl.

[myyellowspec]

Checked out the Evo. Nothin' around 15k.