Whats up everyone?

So a friend of mine just had his DD (and only car) crap out on him and the cost to repair is more than the car is worth. Point being that he asked me to help him out with finding a replacement for around $18k. Problem is: I've never had to buy a DD before, I've always had access to the family truck, so my focus has only ever been on performance cars and other more unattainable vehicles . In a nutshell: I've never driven a basic car for more than a couple days at a time (loaners, friend's cars, etc).

Basically what I'm asking everybody for is a recommendation for an all year vehicle, used or new, that can handle Ottawa's winter and do a little more than just keep up with traffic.

Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

Civic

/thread

 

I am in no way affiliated with this person, but this is a wicked dd!

https://www.rx7club.com/canadian-sale-wanted-classifieds-120/fs-2002-subaru-impreza-2-5ts-wagon-836096/

 

that was my first recommendation along with the other obvious choices. Thing is he wants to be one or two steps up from entry level and that's where I am completely lost.

@ londonmazda

Wow! Nice price - I'll link him that one for sure.

 

Mazdaspeed3
It might be the best bang for the buck car out there right now.

here's a clean one for under 14k
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/1137411186.html












.

 

i have had my civic si for a couple years now. they come in 2 and 4 door and you get pretty good options like heated everything and a power sunroof stuff like that. i have taken my car to the track for fun a few times and still had no problems with it. the car gets driven everywhere to ottawa and toronto on the regular(i live in woodstock ontario) if your going to get a honda i recommend getting one with v-tec just so the car can put a smile on your face every once and a while. nothing worse then driving a car that you simply cant enjoy. i know there not the most manly car you can buy but seems like a pretty solid daily driver to me.

 

Grab a good used Subaru. They are wicked cars and they're all wheel drive. Tons of fun in the summer and winter. I've never really seen too much go wrong with them either as far as reliability goes.

 

+1 on Subaru.
Specifically a WRX!

I have a decent amount of mods on mine now and it's still an awesome daily driver...

Get an older one with the 2.0 engine. 2005 is the best year IMO (well it's what i got haha).

They are relatively easy and cheap to fix also if things break.


I am running about 280bhp on the stock turbo and the car runs just fine, and i usually average about 450km to the 55L tank, not too bad considering.

You are in Ottawa right? There is a really good Subaru club in Ottawa, and an awesome shop also to get work done at.
Get in contact with me if you decide to get one.


It kicks *** in the winter.

 

http://www.redliners.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=26256

 

My friend is looking for the same type of thing. He has a 1g awd talon right now that needs a little bit of work to be put on the road. I told him to sell that thing as fast as he can because hes gunna have to be driving and hour-ish everyday to go to school. I recommended a civic also and i think hes pretty set on getting one. It's a good choice i think. If its a vtec its quick enough to city driving and great on gas, cheap parts, and you can beat the **** out of them with no complaints from the motor lol

 

How about a 998 Mazda Protege LX? He would have a LOT of money left over for a fun car or whatever else his heart desires. I happen to know where he might find a nice one.

Alternatively, my budget was similar and I recently bought a RX-8.

 

what does he want?

There's a ton of great sportscars. WRX, STi, Evo 8, Pontiac GTO, RX-8 etc all come to mind for that price range.

 

He's unsure what he wants that's why I need help thinking of a good compromise car - hopefully one someone on here has driven before- to get him into.

Those are all great suggestions though - I'll link him those tonight.