What would you buy with $10K?

C

Citius

New member
What's up guys? I could use your advice.



Next month I'm moving to Los Angeles. However, right now I drive an Acura RSX and I'm already getting tired of driving a manual every day in the city. My city is small with minimal traffic, so I can only imagine what LA is going to be like... that is why I'm basically in the market for a new vehicle. With trade-in I estimate I'll have around $10k to spend.



So my question is, for $10k, what would you buy?



Keep in mind that I'm going to be doing a lot of city driving (It is LA after all), and I will be half-way across the country from any friends or family -- making moving difficult, which I imagine I will do often (probably every year for the next couple years). That is why I was looking at mid-size SUV or a small truck (like a Tacoma, but those are too expensive)



I was looking at getting a Toyota Highlander just because it has adequate cargo space and I know first hand how reliable Toyotas are. But I'm not dead sold on it (I like the looks of the 2002 4Runner or a Nissan Pathfinder way better) and so I would like some of your suggestions.



Reliability (at the price, most vehicles will be +100k miles), cargo space, and gas mileage are all determining factors.
 
Toyotas/Hondas are boring. Roll the dice and get something fun like an Mercedes ML. I picked up a super clean one a few years back for $10k with 70k miles. Should be able to find a clean AMG for that price now.



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Dan said:
Toyotas/Hondas are boring. Roll the dice and get something fun like an Mercedes ML. I picked up a super clean one a few years back for $10k with 70k miles. Should be able to find a clean AMG for that price now.



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They may be boring, but they are reliable. ;)



Come back after your first mechanical repair bill on the Benz. :D
 
RaskyR1 said:
They may be boring, but they are reliable. ;)



Come back after your first mechanical repair bill on the Benz. :D
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Exactly.... there's a lot more to take into account than just the initial purchase price with a vehicle like that. Parts for higher end vehicles aren't cheap.





That said, you might even consider something like a Silverado or a Canyon... those too can be very reliable if treated right, and they're cheap to fix if something does go wrong.
 
When I hear "$10K budget" I wonder about the expense of maintaining a Benz :think: Heh heh, easy for us to "roll the dice" with somebody else's money :chuckle:



When $ is a factor, I'd be all about reliably filling the requirements, no matter *how* boring the solution is.

I'd probably go Toyota, something "pre-high tech". The sort of vehicle you'd want if living in a less-developed part of the world (i.e., it'll get the job done day-in, day-out).



Hey, I even practiced what I'm preaching here; note that I sold both of my "good SUVs" because my stone-age Tahoe simply does the (perhaps rather specific) job better, and it sure doesn't hurt that it does that with virtually zero maintenance hassles or expense.
 
RaskyR1 said:
They may be boring, but they are reliable. ;)



Come back after your first mechanical repair bill on the Benz. :D
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She was good to me, had her for two years, ~20k miles, no issues other than regular maintenance. Euro cars get a really bad reputation because of all the hacks out there that try to fix them by throwing parts at them. That's how you end up with $1k+ repair bills. Unless the work covered by a warranty, all the work is performed by yours truly.
 
I vote for the 4Runner as well. I bought one a couple years ago to see if I would even like the SUV world. I spent $6k on a '97 which was a babied garage queen from its previous owner. Of course I performed all kinds of preventative maintenance and detailed the heck out of it.



It was an extremely satisfying truck. Very reliable. Very versatile. good handling and good ride. And we really miss having it. Sold it for more than I paid for it after a year and a half of ownership. The first guy that answered the ad bought it on the spot.



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I decided to upgrade myself into something that was faster and more luxurious. I wanted a Cayenne but the Touareg TDI was a better deal. I love everything about it. Except, unlike the 4Runner, I worry about parking lot dings. And I stress about keeping it perfect. Yep, I miss the ole Toyota.



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Brad B. said:
I love everything about it. Except, unlike the 4Runner, I worry about parking lot dings. And I stress about keeping it perfect.
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Ahh, the pains of being an autopian. It's either not perfect enough or so perfect that you worry.....
 
I don't really have dice to roll. Not a whole lot set aside for emergency repairs. My job is freelance, so anticipating the next pay check is a little bit of an issue. Not to mention the cost of living in LA is way up there. I'll most likely barely be making rent.



Brad, how was the gas mileage on the 4Runner?



Right now looking at:



2002 Toyota 4Runner (V6 4X4)

2003 Toyota Highlander (V6 4X4)

2003 Lexus RX 300

2004 Honda CRV (roommate has one... kind of fun, but also kind of feminine)

2004-05 Jeep Grand Cherokee (V6 4X4)

2006 Hyundai Tuscon



I really like the Jeep Grand Cherokee ('05), but I'm afraid of the gas bill. Anyone own one that lives in the city and can chime in? I've heard people averaging around 13 mpg, which is way too low for my purposes.
 
If I had room I would have kept it. I was a pretty nice truck. I love the Touareg, it so refined, quiet and fast. But I send VW a check every month. :(
 
Accumulator said:
Brad B.- In hindsight, I think I kinda wish I'd bought your 4Runner off you.
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Why is it us autopians never sell cars to each other? In all my years I can't remember a for-sale post....
 
It's funny, there is a small clique of car guys in town, myself included, who have sold cars to each other because of that very reason. We all trust each other and know we are always buying the best. Maybe we need a pact: First right of refusal for an Autopians car goes to another Autopian!
 
I take great care of my cars but I also drive my cars pretty hard....I would never sell one to someone I know. :)
 
RaskyR1 said:
I take great care of my cars but I also drive my cars pretty hard....I would never sell one to someone I know. :)
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I'm the same way, I only sell to "strangers" or rather, I generally sell 'em wholesale to dealers I know. I wouldn't want a pal to think I sold them a problem-child (I'm the guy who always says "there's a good reason why a car's for sale, and it's not the reason you're told").



Plus, once I get rid of them, I want them *gone*, out of my life, don't want to see/hear/know about it. I used to see my old turbocharged '78 'vette now and then, and it always sorta bugged me...seller's remorse + "oh man, why don't they take better care of it?!?".
 
Citius said:
I don't really have dice to roll. Not a whole lot set aside for emergency repairs. My job is freelance, so anticipating the next pay check is a little bit of an issue. Not to mention the cost of living in LA is way up there. I'll most likely barely be making rent.
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Why are you moving to the west coast knowing you might not be able to pay rent? Why set yourself up for failure?



Sent from my mobile device
 
mrclrider said:
Why are you moving to the west coast knowing you might not be able to pay rent? Why set yourself up for failure
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Pursuing film production -- cinematography -- something I'm passionate about and pretty good at. I'd rather work a job I like for little pay than something I absolutely hate (my current situation). Life is too short for that ****. And I'd rather try and fail than not try at all. Worse comes to worse I move back home.



...



So seems like the 4Runner is the winner?
 
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