Car Suggestions: Around 20k

the new Fusion looks really promising

 

i got a ford focus last year - brand new and after ttl i got it for about $17,500. 38-40 mpg highway. and its got a spoiler too which helps w/ stability when tokyo driftin'.

 

New or used? Sometime you can get a better used car for that money but sometimes the car you want has such a high resale that a low miles, near new car (if you can find one) will cost as much as a new car if you beat down the dealer agent.

Do you want a sedan or coupe? Do you want to stay in the Acura TL style category? Do you hold on to your cars until the wheels fall off or do you drive them until the warranty expires?

Used TSX is just about as nice with better gas milage.

Hyundai Sonata looks good and I think it will be dependable. Not sure if the stigma of driving a Hyundai affects you. If not, worth a look.

VW Passets are supposed to be pretty nice. Normally I wouldn't be a VW man because of the dependablity issues they've had in the past, but this is a redesigned model. It won Car of the Year for 2012 and looks really nice IMO. You'll get better mpg than than your TL and it's about the same size. New is just under 21k without barganing - though I'm not sure you should expect much off sticker on that one.

 

My recent thread on a somewhat similar decision. Ended up spending more than you, though on cars you can get cheaper, if so desired.

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=212786&highlight=optima

 

Honda Accord. Boring yet very dependable.

 

Pretty tough to downgrade from an Acura TL to a $20K car. They're all going feel like 2nd rate. Buy a nice used car.

 

no joke, that will be harder than you think. If you have not cashed your check yet you can always negotiate for a higher amount. Worth a try because you might score another 1K with just a few mad phone calls.

 

hate to burst your bubble but...


http://www.edmunds.com/inventory/used/srp.html?model=Mazda|MAZDA3 Sedan&year=2011

 

Kia Soul, that's the way to go

 

Those cars are boring. Get a Mini Cooper.

 

How much do you want for the Schwinn?

 

You should definatly check out the new Scion TCs. I have one and they are so fun to drive. Nice stero system. Gas mileage isnt great, but if your looking for a more attractive car, its an excellent option.

 

I'm sorry, but even in that price range that car is boring to look at.

 

I hate my scion. Never buy an XD or XA

 

I don't even want to see it.

 

You're going to miss your Acura if you downgrade to a car like an Accord or Sonata. The little details, the solid feel, the excellent steering, etc. I'd buy a used '07 Acura or something in that range instead.

 

Dude, it's just a car. Buying a five year old used car is a gamble, maintenance-wise, whether it's an Acura or not. Paying that much money for a used car with close to 80K miles on it is not a good call just so that the fit and finish ensures that you feel like a richer man than you actually are.

I'm all for buying used and letting someone else take the depreciation hit, if the numbers make sense. But I'd never buy a five year old Acura or Lexus because I didn't think the same class Honda or Toyota was nice enough, brand new. You are not the car you drive.

 

We have been very happy with this decision, for what it's worth.

 

Maybe the older ones but the newer (2010-2012) ones look pretty sweet...push to start TRD, nice wheels, the inside looks great..it feels like a luxury car from the inside.

IMO it is by far the nicest looking car that's been mentioned here