[944obscene]

You can pick up A Nissan 350Z for around 13k if you look. I'd look at BMW's, Subaru's and maybe a few others. Be picky when you're looking though. I've known too many people that went car shopping with an open mind and hated what they bought because they had no real criteria. Know what you want.

Your initial list of RSX and V6 Mustang suggests that you don't exactly know what's available to you for 13k. There are a lot of suggestions listed here that I'd take over a V6 stang. You want a car. That's been established. Do you want comfort or speed/sporty? When I got the chance I jumped on my first fun car and haven't looked back yet.

For under 7k I got an older Porsche that trounces many MANY newer cars (STi's, Mazdaspeed3's, newer GT mustangs, 350Z's/G35's etc) in what police like to call "contests of speed". However my Saturn is twice as comfortable to drive everyday because the clutch isn't heavy and the steering and suspension don't jar you around. Also, the 944's repair expenses can get HIGH if you're not careful (however, I have yet to experience this con that many spew about 944 and BMW maintenance). But that's the thing. I didn't need the car for comfort or everyday dependability. I have two cars. And you could purchase both, insure both, and register both for under 13k TOTAL.

That's my approach. I'm not like most people. I don't need a newer car. Some people like newer cars. I know poeple that don't want cars older than 2000. This narrows the possibilities A LOT. I judge a car by how much it's worth in my eyes and how much I'm going to enjoy driving it and owning it. I can't think of many newer cars that would make me as happy for the same price, but at the same time, it's different strokes for different folks. Get an idea of what you want OUT of a car. Then search for possibilities that fit the criteria.