Kika

My son's 1991 300CE now has a radiator leak, will cost $540 to fix. The car has 170K on it, while the motor and drive train are great, mileage sucks, AC isn't blowing cold, and I hate to keep pouring $$ into it. (just bought a new tranny a little while back to the tune of $2300)

Cash for clunkers program seems like my best option, I will never get $4500 for it anywhere else.

I was hoping to get another 30K miles out of it, but things are just wearing out...

so... we are thinking about getting him something else, better mileage, must be high reliability, safe and under $18K.

So far, styles he likes are:
Scion tc, Honda civic coupe, Mazda3 4door, and Mitsubishi Lancer (not the Evo...)

What would you recommend?

goofballdeluxe

The Honda Fit just might be the best all-around car for under $20K. Check it out as well.

JimPA

Both my kids bought new stick shift Mazda3 four doors (one with trunk, one with hatchback) and liked them. No particular problems after three years or so.

Kika

I like the xB personally, but his best friend just got an xB, so he isn't crazy about having something similar.

Kika

Thanks! that is good news, I have no reliability experience with Mazda.

2Many Cars

I have an '87 300D (W124) and the A/C is likely a very expensive fix so I'd have to agree that the market value is pretty low and a clunker trade would make sense. Still it just kills me to think that the clunkers get their oil replaced with Silica that causes them to sieze. Just seems like a form of car murder.

dcdude

Keith,

My vote is also for Mazda3. Would love to have one. Mazdas are great. Just as reliable as T and H. Never had one problem with my Miata. I have a buddy who's a partner in a Mazda store, so if that's the direction you want to go, I'll hook you up.

A non-Evo Lancer just seems lame. Don't overlook Nissan Versa. Slightly better crash rating than Fit. My mom bought a Scion XD on my recommendation. Nice materials, good seats.

I found a '92 (best year) E30 cab with 140K miles. Hollywood Toyota took it in as a "clunker," and now they have to kill it. No way that thing gets 18 MPG combined...more like 25! Like many good programs, the trick can be in the implementation...

VNTGSPD

Another vote here for the Mazda. I think insurance for the Mazda will be less than the Scion or Honda as well.

Another plus is that Mazdaspeed Motorsports Division of Mazda NA supports "racing" so if your son signs up for an SCCA autocross, he can submit the results and buy maintenance and performance parts direct for what is essentially dealer cost. It's been a few years since I participated so you might want to double check the details.

Kika

you guys are ruthless! I haven't even gotten the car yet and you have him on the slippiery slope!

Quadcammer

Used E46 3 series.

Kika

Needs to be a new car to qualify for the Cash 4 clunkers program.

kjr914

I helped a friend look for a new car 6 months ago and she went with the Mazda3. It drove well and the fit/finish quality was good.

I'm a HUGE fan of my 16 y.o. Civic, but the Honda Fit is cheap and flimsy looking/feeling....was very sad leaving the Honda lot, since I have come to expect a lot out of them from the 16 years of ownership. Even the Civics weren't impressive....and they've got that little extra window on the front pillar that is just stupid.

my 2c,

Paul M

Another vote for Mazda.

https://rennlist.com/forums/6772363-post13.html

Kika

So thanks to the advice of you fine folks, I took the W124 in to Huntington Beach Mazda and came away with this!
Inventory is low, but we got the color we liked, Graphite, but they didn't have any manuals in stock. We just got in at the end, so there wasn't much dealing to be had, but I am happy, and we got far more for the w124 than we ever would have gotten otherwise.
I was thinking about the S Sport, but the last one was gone about 2 days prior, and in reality it is for my son, so I had to have some restraint, AND a 16 year old doesn't need any more HP than is necessary. We are all happy, mt wife and I don't have to worry about the MB breaking down somewhere and leaving him stranded, and he, well, a 16 year old with ANY wheels should be happy.
We are just worried about the precedent it implies for our 12 year old....(unless there is another Program, there is NO WAY she will get a new car)


anyways, thanks to all that pointed us to the Mazda, from my short experience with it, it is a nice little car.

Warpig

When I was 16 I would have been out of my mind with joy to have a "new" car that was that nice looking.
My first car was a 1983/84 Dodge 600 (Think K Car) with 90K on the clock.

That's a pretty sharp car there. Nice choice.

Nick