That don't impress me much

March 7, 2008 9:40 PM

Anyone sick of big fat shiny cold boring vehicles?

I'm looking for some great car recommendations. I will be buying a car for the first time, and I have been searching hardcore for something I like. I'm really not impressed by big shiny new vehicles, I'm looking for something affordable and used that has some character and personality inside and out. I'm thinking something low-key that has a certain charm and mysteriousness about it, and that feels comfy/cozy...Is this possible if my main concern is something that will last and *get me there* with no major problems? Of course, everyone has there own opinions of what they think is charming or quirky, but I don't know much about cars, so.....anyone?

Oh, and I would like to spend no more than $12,000 or so.

posted by DoNotRefill to travel & transportation (35 comments total)

Myself, I'm looking at used Mazda 3's. I like the hatchback, the wife likes the sedan. It's a continuing argument that will end with purchasing one or the other.
posted by sanka at 9:47 PM on March 7

I saw a Kharmann Ghia in the parking lot of Target the other day, having forgotten that they existed.

I thought it looked really cool and quirky.
posted by jayder at 9:48 PM on March 7

Won't meet your $12k limit, but won't miss it by much, either:

I'm an absolute fanboy of my 2008 Honda Accord, and of Accords in general. You can get the last generation of them in the $10-13K range.
posted by SlyBevel at 9:48 PM on March 7 [2 favorites]

As ubiquitous as they are, Volvo 240's still manage to ooze personality.

I miss mine.
posted by sourwookie at 10:17 PM on March 7 [1 favorite]

honda prelude
subaru legacy wagon
toyota solara
posted by Salvatorparadise at 10:19 PM on March 7

Stay away from american style cars. Yes to subarus, volvos , vws.

The honday accord is a fine car, but you said personality, and there is nothing in the world more bland and boring than an accord.
posted by gtr at 10:23 PM on March 7

Saab 900. Spend 50-60% on the car, keep the rest for repairs, but they do go three times round the clock and have crazy fans. Or get an old (early 1980s) Merc. Biodiesel-friendly, run forever; not small cars, but classy rather than flashy.
posted by holgate at 10:27 PM on March 7

I have a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe .... which many people consider ugly. However, it is a great car. It has heated leather seats, 4WD, climate control, lots of safety features, etc. You should be able to find one in your price range.

Bonus features - the rear window opens independently of the door, which is great if you ever have to bring home lumber, small trees, furniture, etc. or if you want to get your dog leashed up before opening the door.
posted by Ostara at 10:31 PM on March 7

VW Scirrocco. get the second gen. one.
posted by Rumple at 10:38 PM on March 7

Some kind of Volkswagen diesel? Far better than most people think diesels can be, easy on gas, the engines generally last forever...
posted by Dipsomaniac at 10:39 PM on March 7

Last year I got a Toyota Yaris sedan. I think it's pretty cute, if decidedly entry-level.
posted by estherbester at 10:45 PM on March 7

I loved my Mazda3 for the three weeks I owned it (guy pulled out in front of me). I currently have a Protege, which, while not nearly as sexy as the Mazda3, is almost as reliable as a Civic or Corolla, but cheaper.
posted by dirigibleman at 10:52 PM on March 7

How about a used Kia? (Even the new ones are very affordable) I'm thinking about a used Kia Sportage for my next vehicle, but they also have great car options.
posted by amyms at 10:59 PM on March 7

Anitanita's boyfriend here: The early 80's mercedes 300SD. Classy. Built to last. Overbuilt engine will easily run to 500,000 miles, will run to 1,000,000 miles with TLC. Golden age of Mercedes engineering, before they started putting computers in everything, one of the last cars that any Mercedes mechanic can service, and Mercedes continues to stock all replacement parts for it. One of the safest cars you can drive. Fairly inexpensive, considering that when it was made it was one of the most expensive cars money could buy. ($2000-$5000 today, depending on condition, when made it cost as much as a small house). Best of all, it is the best engine out there for either biodiesel use or straight vegetable oil conversion. Put straight vegetable oil into it with an appropriately rigged engine and it will just purr.
posted by anitanita at 11:06 PM on March 7 [7 favorites]

Even better, get the early 80's Mercedes 300D Turbo. Same engine and drive train as the SD, but a slightly smaller, nimbler body (123). Drives like a dream.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 12:25 AM on March 8 [4 favorites]

Practical, reliable, econobox cars are easy to suggest in that price range.
Mysteriousness and charm, well that is the flip-side of the coin.

Would you prefer A) an older car with unique character that needs special parts and attention, or B) a newer car that gets you from A to Z efficiently that blends in with the crowd?
posted by artdrectr at 1:08 AM on March 8

You don't say whether you're in Canada or not, but on the off chance that you are: Japanoid. American import rules bar those cars from entering the country, though, so it's a strictly Canada-only deal. (Too bad.)
posted by chrominance at 1:54 AM on March 8

We bought a new Toyota Matrix in 2004 for about $14,000. It has a ton of personality, great headroom and cargo space and gets about 30 MPG. We may well get a second one when I need to replace my aging car.
posted by Rock Steady at 4:11 AM on March 8

Probably I'm just biased (because I have one), but I agree with sourwookie: Volvo 240s are great. Low-key, very comfy, last forever without major problems. Surprisingly good handling, too. They are prone to minor problems, though, especially in the electrical system. (But, hell, for $12000, you could practically have one fully restored.)

I think old 80s Corollas have a lot of personality, too. Actually, I guess I just think 80s cars in general have way more personality.
posted by equalpants at 5:21 AM on March 8

Mazda3 hatchbacks are actually a little cute. And if you want charm, you could always decorate.

As for the interior - it's friendly enough. I wish there were another choice than black, though (I wanted a light-colored exterior since I live in the hot sunny south).
posted by amtho at 6:04 AM on March 8

Seconding Saab 900s. I have a '70s Saab 96 and if my interest in fun cars continues I can see going for a 900 at some point. Also seconding an approaching-classic (25yo) Mercedes. You might also look into rally cars like the late '80s Mazda 323 GTX or late '90s Dodge Neon ACR. Miss, miss, miss my old GTX....
posted by cocoagirl at 6:36 AM on March 8

Anitanita here: Weapons-grade pandemonium, that is one beautiful car. If it's yours you clearly have been taking excellent care of it. Boyfriend and I are admiring the gun metal gray paint job....
posted by anitanita at 7:35 AM on March 8

Saab and Volvo are quirky yet still reliable. There are many other quirky cars but they tend to not do well with dependable A-to-B transport. Also the newer sub-compacts seem odd-yet-good to me--specifically the Yaris, Versa, Mini, & Fit.
posted by aerotive at 8:23 AM on March 8

Karmann Ghia Convertible.
posted by dobbs at 8:48 AM on March 8

Subaru SVX
VW Corrado (although it probably won't get you there)
Toyota MR2

If you want mysteriousness you have to go back a few years and these cars can all be had for well under your budget.
posted by 517 at 8:55 AM on March 8

I'm ridiculously in love with my car: An Isuzu Vehicross. Very few were made (around 6,000 total worldwide for 1999-2001). They are insanely fun to drive and great-looking. I regularly have people stare and ask me about it. This is what mine looks like. Interior. More info. I feel like it fits my personality perfectly and you can find one around $12k used. It may at first glance look like an SUV, but it's TINY. The parking footprint of my car is about the same as a Mini Cooper. It's cosy and Japanese-looking and feeling inside, perfect for me, as I'm barely over 5 feet tall. You can park it in the compact spaces with plenty of room left over. With so few of them on the road, yes, they are mysterious... I have people rolling their windows all the time to ask me what I'm driving. You probably won't see another one on the road unless you live in a major city.

Also, with torque on demand and a v-6? FUNNNNNN on the highways!
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 9:19 AM on March 8

One more voice for a Volvo, especially a 240.
posted by hippugeek at 9:52 AM on March 8

I've got a '98 Subaru (non-Outback) Legacy that I love. I commute with it, about 50 miles, every day and get very reasonable gas mileage; it's very comfortable and has some oomph where it counts, and it's got this sort of rugged, sort of nimble feel to it when it drives. Great little car, can be had for well under $6k. Newer will, of course, be more. (And if you commute, Sirius radio is a very worthwhile add-on.)
posted by littlerobothead at 10:30 AM on March 8

It's pretty much impossible to have both character and uniqueness and long-lasting, trouble-free durability. The problem with the Vehicross (not to single out U-o-t-c) comes when it's time to find parts. Only 6000 worldwide, eh? How many Camrys or F-150s do you think they made in those three years?

And, as much as I daydream about a diesel '80s Mercedes (or an '80s diesel Hilux or Land Cruiser--ooh baby), or of dropping a GM V8 into a Volvo 240, I don't think that kind of thing is practical for someone in your situation. When I have those daydreams, I think 'that'd be a fun project,' not 'that's a good way to get a reliable, trouble-free car.'

If the priority is trouble-free durability, get a Corolla or a Civic or a Sentra or a Protege or something along those lines (or a '90s Lexus). If you want character and uniqueness, put some stickers on it. If the priority is character and uniqueness, there are already plenty of good suggestions--but you can pretty much give up on the trouble-free durability thing.
posted by box at 11:40 AM on March 8

I had a neighbor who owned a cool looking Karmann Ghia. Or maybe it owned him. Working on it turned out to be kind of a second career for him. So while it may look quirky and neat, it doesn't strike me as particularly reliable.
posted by IvyMike at 12:22 PM on March 8

Thanks for all the great ideas so far...I just started looking around at some of your recommendations...and I am loving the Volvo 240!
posted by DoNotRefill at 4:10 PM on March 8

Oh...and keep em comin!
posted by DoNotRefill at 4:12 PM on March 8

First of all, how much do you know about car repair DIY?

Many of these recommendations will require much expensive maintenance, especially the VW Scirocco, stay the f*ck away from it and old Saabs. If you can't do much work beyond changing your oil, suck it up and buy a lightly used japanese econo box.

1. European/Scandinavian Cars
Built by people who love cars and the experience of driving. Not just pretty and great fun to drive, but also thoughtful in their user experience. Parts are expensive though, and it's hard to find a good euro mechanic.

2. Japanese Cars
Built by accountants and efficiency experts. Amazingly reliable but with little personality from the factory. Honda's are "reliable as a wood burning stove" - Jeremy Clarkson

3. American Cars
Check out the european/british ford focus and other models and you'll realise how dumb they think we are. Domestic models handle like oil tankeres, cheap plastic interiors, and when they run out of ideas, the car co.'s add MORE HORSEPOWER!

/Rant off

good luck
posted by limited slip at 4:58 PM on March 8

I'm a sucker for anything from the 70s..

Toyota Corolla.. check out these classic ads and Tom's 71-74 Corolla Site.

Datsun 1200, 510, and of course the Z.

BMW 2002, or E9 (e.g. 3.0 CSi).

(And btw, this post just made me spend half an hour browsing the classifieds.. I've got a car that runs, and the economy is tanking, but damn is the 2002 tempting!!)
posted by hobbes at 12:43 AM on March 9

With 12 gs I'd definitely spend it on a Honda Fit-great mileage and a ton of personality. The ads have worked on me-it's a small car with tons of room, you can haul small trees, surf boards, I think I saw a goat in the back seat in one of the ads, and the front seats can fold down so you can lounge all the way from the back seat. I think all the seats fold down in different ways so you can adjust for passengers or cargo fairly easily.
posted by whiskey point at 7:37 AM on March 10