angliagt Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 The Wife's 2002 Mazda Protege got damaged...again. About a year ago,she loaned it to our Daughter.It was hit- -&-run by a drunk driver (noone in it).Got repaired.About 2 months ago,it was hit again (by a kid from Washington!).Got it repaired again ($5100). My Wife went to Napa,CA.,for a meeting last week.She drove down & back the same day.As she was passing a big rig,she fell asleep, hitting the side of the truck.The right side of the Mazda is damaged, but the car is driveable. If we can find the same colored parts for it (passenger side doors,- -front fender,& front bumper) we could fix it easily (Teal color).Help me if you know of one in a wrecking yard. Otherwise,we're looking for a replacement car.The requirements are: 4 door (or wagon),automatic preferred,at least as much room as the Mazda,comparable fuel milage (32 Hwy),& 2002,or newer.Looking to spend less than $7500 (we'll probably have to borrow that). Ideas? - Doug - Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 Hi Doug, sorry to hear about the accidents. I can recommend a 96-99 Subaru Legacy, nice car, more room, and AWD standard in every single one of them. Your best bargain may be a Mazda-designed ford Escort/merc Tracer. They are reliable and get very good fuel economy. And cost less on the used market than 'known' Japanese brands. Also consider: if you save a bunch on purchase price, what you save will pay for years of gasoline, even at $4/gal price. Then you can get a bargain on a roomy, quiet, smooth riding mid-size. Many of them get about 27-30 hwy. If she likes vintage, find a nice Datsun 510 :-) Quote Link to comment
motavated Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 Cant you drive as is? Paint it camo and some nice wheels! That will get people intimidated and avoid it in the future with its battle scars and all. Quote Link to comment
purple Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 My shop boss is trying to sell his '07? Corolla to get money for a house down payment. Some cash and take over payments. PS, I know someone that is driving from here to Eureka almost every week right now so if you get the tranny out or if you have something else that needs to be moved let me know. Quote Link to comment
sly-yota Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 i would say get her a panther tank so you know it wont get hurt in the future but im afraid ill get run the F over! oh wait.i live far enough away ill be fine go ahead...get a panther tank :fu: otherwise i would say a vw passat/legacy wagon,or well anything. the list will go on forever untill we narrow down the requirments :D Quote Link to comment
Nissan_Boy85 Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 it was hit again (by a kid from Washington!) Whats that supposed to mean?! :fu::lol: Quote Link to comment
angliagt Posted January 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 Nissan Boy - Sorry,I couldn't resist.From what I understand,most of the (bad) drivers in Washington are California transplants. Eric,check into the details on the Corolla,& let me know. I've looked into the Passat & Subaru.Subarus don't get all that great of gas milage,& the Passat parts are pricey,as well as the car costing a little more than a Jetta.The Jetta turbo diesel interests me. We'll probably end up with a generic Japanese car,as reliability is important.It's not for me,or I would be looking for something a little more interesting.And no,she told me "No older cars". - Doug Quote Link to comment
Nissan_Boy85 Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 Ima just givin you static. :lol: Quote Link to comment
510er Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 get the new CUBE or there are some screamin deals on brand NEW nissan versa Quote Link to comment
620mike Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 Ya i wouldnt try to find any replacement parts from the junkyard thats just over doing it with the bad juju..... ya sorry to here that though, get the biggest lifted truck you can find.:D Quote Link to comment
CharlieBucket Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 nissan altima would be my choice. i like the 2001 and older with the ka24de. you know that's a good motor. they are pretty cheap, and i bet you could get a 2002{newer bodystyle} for under your price. but that has a different motor, so i can't vouch for that. the 93-97 model would be "old" looking to your wife, but you could probely swing the 98-01 model. i cannot vouch for the auto tranny's as i have always had the 5-speed, so you would want to research that. Quote Link to comment
angliagt Posted January 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 Will probably wait until she gets back from her trip (the 28th). We need to go look at cars & compare. The newer "Trendy" stuff doesn't appeal to us like you younger guys.Her first car was a '71 510 wagon.This is a car (like the Mazda) that's bought like a refridgerator - it's an appliance.But I can still try & inflict some emotion. We have an (almost) 4 year old Grand0aughter that's living with us for a while,so that's a consideration in this decision. No offense taken in the "Washington" post.I just wasn't sure how you took it. - Doug - Quote Link to comment
Moisabamf Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 Nissan Boy - Sorry,I couldn't resist.From what Iunderstand,most of the (bad) drivers in Washington are California transplants. what is THAT supposed to mean:D Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 From what I understand,most of the (bad) drivers in Washington are California transplants.I always figured the most skilled drivers around here learned in California. I think half the people in WA came here from CA. They are also the most impatient drivers :-) By the way, I'm a native Washingtonian. Been here since '79 Quote Link to comment
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