Best Car to Get Under $13,500

3631 Views 44 Replies 28 Participants Last post by MichaelXi, May 13, 2003

Red_Willy_Focus

Discussion Starter · May 7, 2003

Hey people I have a question to ask all of you. My Girlfriend is in search of a car for around $13,500 and my question is what is the most dependable, good car out there that she should look for. She won't take a corolla, she doesn't know about a honda either. SO what in your opinions is the best car she should get that will last for about three or four years. Thanks in Advance!

1 - 20 of 45 Posts

Penguini66

· #2 · May 7, 2003

Ummm...How about a Focus?

ZTS_Dude

· #3 · May 7, 2003

How about a newer Integra? You can get them in 4-doors if she wants something practical. They look good too!

AnythingButAFocus

· #4 · May 7, 2003

Well, lets see.

There is the focus. Around here, you can get any focus under $18,500 for under $13,500 via a $5000 off ad. They are also going a little lower to move them quick, so $5500 off wouldn't be unreasonable. 5 year / 100,000 mile warranty for the powertrain, and you can get an extended warranty for the rest of the car. You can get alot of focus for $19,000 (which is $13,500 after the discount).

There is also the Honda Civic. If she wants / needs ABS, she'll have to get the EX, and those run about $14,500 around here, with ads, that is. Superb build quality, 5-star crash ratings, and a peppy VTEC-equipped motor make it an overall nice vehicle.

Andrew

Gandalf

· #5 · May 7, 2003

You could get a 1 year old svt focus with about 15000 miles on it.

Red_Willy_Focus

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 7, 2003

She definately won't get a focus because of all the problems mine has and that mine only gets 17MPG and the dealership still can't find anything wrong with it. So a focus is out of the question.

AnythingButAFocus

· #7 · May 7, 2003

Originally posted by Red_Willy_Focus:
She definately won't get a focus because of all the problems mine has and that mine only gets 17MPG and the dealership still can't find anything wrong with it. So a focus is out of the question.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">That's one focus out of how many hundred-thousands? You're not the only focus owner on earth. The other owners seem pretty damn happy if you ask me.

Andrew

^_^

· #8 · May 7, 2003

At that price range, I would look for a Civic or even a Matrix. The Matrix will cost a little more, but it is a good car. Maybe a Pro-5?

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Red_Willy_Focus

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 7, 2003

I love my car but hate the mileage it gets and she knows that but she doesn't want one as well. Also her dad is a big consumer reports man and since they hate the focus he won't invest in one.

focusongreg

· #10 · May 7, 2003

hyundai elantra. gt is $14,500, so the sedan would be lower. pretty nice car for the money. plus the 10 year/ 100,000 mile warranty. my friend has one and he loves it.

Tell3131

· #11 · May 7, 2003

I have a 02 SVT Focus and get around 26 mpg with a combo of city/highway driving and no problems.

I would look for a good used SVT Focus for around $13,500 to $14,000. More bang for the buck.

hatched

· #12 · May 7, 2003

Honda Civic/Accord
Mazda Protegé
Acura Integra
Toyota Camry/Corolla/Celica

emulous

· #13 · May 7, 2003

Originally posted by focusongreg:
hyundai elantra. gt is $14,500, so the sedan would be lower. pretty nice car for the money. plus the 10 year/ 100,000 mile warranty. my friend has one and he loves it.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Yep, I would really suggest the Elantra GLS, you can pick one up for around 12K, and the bumper-to-bumper is 5 years 50K, you can't beat that, and I've had them as rental cars and they aren't bad at all for the price.

OmniFocus

· #14 · May 7, 2003

Originally posted by Red_Willy_Focus:
Also her dad is a big consumer reports man and since they hate the focus he won't invest in one.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Worst magazine EVAR!!!!

Red_Willy_Focus

Discussion Starter · #15 · May 7, 2003

YOu don't have to tell me this, but he is a lawyer and he lives by it and it is hard to argue with him about it

seminole_kev

· #16 · May 7, 2003

What about the upcoming Scion Xa or Xb? Can't stand the looks of the Xb but many here like it. Personally I'm thinking about the Xa down the road as a fun little commuter car when I decide to get rid of the 2000 ZTS.

here's the Xa

Review from Edmunds here: web page

[ 05-07-2003, 04:29 PM: Message edited by: seminole_kev ]

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Euro Ford Fan

· #17 · May 7, 2003

2000 ZX3 Focus are selling for $7500CDN now thats only $5435.00 USD.

Good deal no?

Or

2000 ZX3 Focus = $5400
Tom's Turbo kit = $5200
Body Kit and Paint = $1500
Wheels = $1200
Money to spend on gas = $200
Total $13,500

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Scottybob

· #18 · May 7, 2003

Originally posted by AnythingButAFocus:
Well, lets see.

There is also the Honda Civic. If she wants / needs ABS, she'll have to get the EX, and those run about $14,500 around here, with ads, that is. Superb build quality, 5-star crash ratings, and a peppy VTEC-equipped motor make it an overall nice vehicle.

Andrew

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">You sure about that price for an EX? Invoice is like $15,800 and no rebates at least in my area. I just bought my wife a DX auto for $13,000 and put the A/C in myself for $820. I thought I ended up with a hell of a deal on some well built, reliable transportation.

G

· #19 · May 7, 2003

New or used ? Tons on both...

But if Toyota Scion (Bb) is really going to be that cheap, I'd go for that. It's an awesome car

=dRe=

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Matt Spencer

· #20 · May 7, 2003

Anythingbutafocus---

Where are you seeing these ads? In my area there are no rebates on Toyotas or Hondas, and the Ford rebate is only at $2500.

Thanks

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