Best car for 12 Grand

[maraca2020]

Looking for a car that has to deal with chicago winters, but I'd really like something sporty. I was thinking a honda s2000, but that would be impossible in the winter. Any ideas?

Or should I get a car for 10,000 with my ultimate dream set in the trunk?

[kennay92]

10k with dream set

[maraca2020]

thanks, but any ideas for a car?

[kennay92]

thanks, but any ideas for a car?

your lookin at used correct?

[cody west]

look on craigslist you can get 2000-2005 mustangs for jsut under 10k, 2003 and down mercades for about 11k. and any other high end car. here are some examples

2000 mustang with lambo doors $8500
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/1465827203.html

2006 bmw 530xi $4900
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/1464732713.html

1999 mustang $3500
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/1464333745.html

2000 mustang convertable $3000
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/1461636599.html

1969 mustang mach 1 $4800
http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/ctd/1467682964.html

2000 bmw 323i sport $8000
http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/1467641948.html

2000 mercades s430 $11000
http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/ctd/1467490385.html

2004 mercades c $12400
http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/1467438629.html

[GaijinGolfer]

A Mustang wont work for Chicago winters. Id also stay away from a Mercedes and any other Germany car because they arent very reliable and parts are very expensive.
Id go with a small front-drive car. Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics are the best and a Ford Focus or Nissan Sentra would also be a good choice. Id stay away from a Chevy Cavalier or Cobalt/G5 though, they are a POS in my opinion. I know a few people who have owned Cobalts and had nothing but problems with them.
A Subaru would be a really good choice because they are very reliable and have AWD, but Im not sure youd find a Subaru for under $12,000 that didnt have over 150,000 miles on it. Subarus are pretty pricey to begin with and people tend to not get rid of them until they are just about worn out because they are such reliable cars. Buying a car with over 150,000 miles on it is a bit of a gamble because thats they point when they usually start to need more major repairs.

[kennay92]

A Mustang wont work for Chicago winters. Id also stay away from a Mercedes and any other Germany car because they arent very reliable and parts are very expensive.

german cars arent very reliable? are you shittting me? lol.. probably the most reliable cars there are.. go run a bmw/mercedes/VW as hard as it can vs a ford/chevy/ toyota as hard as it can and see which one last...

and maybe a land rover or something if you can find one for the price.

[ks8829]

Toyota Celica GT or Rav

[gibbous]

+1 for the Rav4. My sister lives in Chicago and drives one of those, pretty good little car. I don't know if it's the 4x4 or not, but the 2x is still fwd so it'll still be okay in the snow & ice.

I think it would be crazy to buy a rear wheel drive anything there and expect to be able to drive it year round.

[Fraser]

2006 bmw 530xi $4900

$4900 for a 2006 5 series? That stinks like pigshit to me. A 1998 5 Series shouldn't be that cheap.

As for the guy who said German cars aren't reliable...+1 on the 'are you shittin' me' reaction. My family and I have pretty much always had German cars and with the exception of a '00 S Class that had some problems at about 3yrs old we've had completely trouble free motoring. Despite what many people will have you believe the Mercedes of the last four or five years are exceptionally reliable again. The rough patch is gone.

[ks8829]

Check out Auto Trader and find your ride

[TinCupTampa]

A Mustang wont work for Chicago winters. Id also stay away from a Mercedes and any other Germany car because they arent very reliable and parts are very expensive.

Really... because brakes on my BMW cost less than my girlfriends Sebring. I guess that shoots your theory.

[uttexas]

Best value for vehicle that handles snow well

Suzuki SX4 with the AWD option see reviews for sedan http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...ks/Suzuki_SX4/
for the wagon http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...uki_SX4-Wagon/

I own a Subaru Legacy--great handling in bad conditions.
You might be able to find a Forester or Outback with 50K miles for around 12K

[uttexas]

Here's an 08 SX4 Touring 16K miles with AWD listed at 12995 http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff;=national

[GaijinGolfer]

german cars arent very reliable? are you shittting me? lol.. probably the most reliable cars there are.. go run a bmw/mercedes/VW as hard as it can vs a ford/chevy/ toyota as hard as it can and see which one last...

You couldnt be more wrong if you tried.

Go do a little research on Consumer Reports of JD Power sometime on reliability ratings and you will find that German cars almost always rate among the worst.

[TNHack]

been looking for a used car for my daughter... Found some Honda Elements (some are all wheel drive) for $10K or less. Elements have tons of room also. Have owned several Hondas and never had any major issues. They'll last for 200k miles easy.

[kennay92]

You couldnt be more wrong if you tried.

german car making> american/chinese/any other car making i have a ford myself and am just fine with it, just saying. german cars are way better than any others.

[max power]

german car making> american/chinese/any other car making

I have 2 German cars, but to say that they are more reliable than Japanese or Korean cars, or even some of the better American cars is ridiculous. You want the best car for $10-$12K? Buy a well made car that depreciates quickly. Your best bet is a Hyundai, you can find a low mileage Elantra or Sonata in that range. Nice interior, nice ride, efficient, and will serve you well in the winter. And enjoy your new golf clubs.