Buddy want to replace Mini

TheGhosty · 05-15-2013, 09:31 PM

Hey guys, I have a friend who is in a bit of bad luck and has to get rid of his 2007 Mini Cooper S.

It won't pass smog among other things.

He is looking to by something used with good gas millage and bonus points if its fun to drive and cheap to repair. Any recommendations? what would you get? (year/model)
Let's top it at 20k.

All your ideas are welcome but no, he will not get a Camaro.. (I tried)

G-Oil Guy · 05-15-2013, 09:33 PM

How the hell won't it pass smog?

but for under 20k you're looking in a small range of cars. Sonic and Sparks are decent. Maybe a Scion? the TC is a sweet little car.

TheGhosty · 05-15-2013, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Oil Guy

How the hell won't it pass smog?

but for under 20k you're looking in a small range of cars. Sonic and Sparks are decent. Maybe a Scion? the TC is a sweet little car.

It's a long story, but basically he found out it has a salvaged title a year after buying it.

But the scion TC is a GREAT idea!! I'll look into that.

Silverlsinva · 05-16-2013, 02:41 PM

I say Sonic Rs since 20k is the limit cause they are easy to find for less than 20k. I like my Fiat 500 abarth but it is more than 20k. There is a fiat 500 turbo model as well its 30 hp less than the abarth but it is cheaper.

Scrappy Doo · 05-16-2013, 02:58 PM

Cruze turbo?

Stew · 05-16-2013, 02:58 PM

Used opens up some interesting possibilities. I am thinking he is looking toward s a FWD/4 cyclinder so i will concentrate there.

06-11 Civic SI coupe or sedan
07-12 (I think) Sentra SE-R Spec V, not the prettiest thing, but very fun to drive
Turbo Cobalt SS (08-09 I believe)
HHR SS (wierd i know, but performance suspension with the turbo 2.0 from the Cobalt and available with a manual)
Acura RSX Type S, quit making them in 05 or 06 or somewhere around there, but should hit the reliability and FE buttons
04-05 SRT4 (those 2 years had the LSD, 03 did not)
09ish WRX, got a huge power boost that year though FE will be lower than the others listed

Just a few thoughts off the top of my head.

mikeyg36 · 05-16-2013, 02:59 PM

Cruze, Sonic, FR-S BRZ

bw26ss · 05-16-2013, 03:00 PM

2004 mustang cobra

Silverlsinva · 05-16-2013, 03:01 PM

Well the SSR isn't a 4 banger or fwd unless you met HHR SS If out of those used I would go with turbo cobalt I had one and loved it great power and tons of mods for them and pretty durable as well. Oh and not many were made so could be a future classic.

Stew · 05-16-2013, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverlsinva

Well the SSR isn't a 4 banger or fwd unless you met HHR SS If out of those used I would go with turbo cobalt I had one and loved it great power and tons of mods for them and pretty durable as well. Oh and not many were made so could be a future classic.

HHR, sorry, you are right haha. I will correct it.

05-15-2013, 09:31 PM	#1
TheGhosty Drives: '11 SW 1LT RS Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Granite Bay, CA Posts: 717	Buddy want to replace Mini Hey guys, I have a friend who is in a bit of bad luck and has to get rid of his 2007 Mini Cooper S. It won't pass smog among other things. He is looking to by something used with good gas millage and bonus points if its fun to drive and cheap to repair. Any recommendations? what would you get? (year/model) Let's top it at 20k. All your ideas are welcome but no, he will not get a Camaro.. (I tried) __________________

05-15-2013, 09:33 PM	#2
G-Oil Guy Where am I? Drives: Zoe the ZL1, 2012 Frontier Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mars, PA Posts: 6,071	How the hell won't it pass smog? but for under 20k you're looking in a small range of cars. Sonic and Sparks are decent. Maybe a Scion? the TC is a sweet little car. __________________ FOR SALE: 2013 ZL1 Message me if interested

05-16-2013, 02:58 PM	#6
Stew Drives: 92 Luminadead/01 Dakota/97 F150 4x4 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Eastern, Ky Posts: 3,789	Used opens up some interesting possibilities. I am thinking he is looking toward s a FWD/4 cyclinder so i will concentrate there. 06-11 Civic SI coupe or sedan 07-12 (I think) Sentra SE-R Spec V, not the prettiest thing, but very fun to drive Turbo Cobalt SS (08-09 I believe) HHR SS (wierd i know, but performance suspension with the turbo 2.0 from the Cobalt and available with a manual) Acura RSX Type S, quit making them in 05 or 06 or somewhere around there, but should hit the reliability and FE buttons 04-05 SRT4 (those 2 years had the LSD, 03 did not) 09ish WRX, got a huge power boost that year though FE will be lower than the others listed Just a few thoughts off the top of my head. Last edited by Stew; 05-16-2013 at 03:11 PM. Reason: It's HHR not SSR!

05-16-2013, 02:41 PM	#4
Silverlsinva Drives: 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth Grigio Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Manassas, Va Posts: 3,124	I say Sonic Rs since 20k is the limit cause they are easy to find for less than 20k. I like my Fiat 500 abarth but it is more than 20k. There is a fiat 500 turbo model as well its 30 hp less than the abarth but it is cheaper.

05-16-2013, 02:58 PM	#5
Scrappy Doo Drives: Callaway Rogue Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: W8n 4 Snow, Minnesota Posts: 4,731	Cruze turbo?

05-16-2013, 02:59 PM	#7
mikeyg36 Drives: 2015 Z/28 #533 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NY Posts: 6,732	Cruze, Sonic, FR-S BRZ

05-16-2013, 03:00 PM	#8
bw26ss Banned Drives: ss camaro Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: usa Posts: 876	2004 mustang cobra

05-16-2013, 03:01 PM	#9
Silverlsinva Drives: 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth Grigio Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Manassas, Va Posts: 3,124	Well the SSR isn't a 4 banger or fwd unless you met HHR SS If out of those used I would go with turbo cobalt I had one and loved it great power and tons of mods for them and pretty durable as well. Oh and not many were made so could be a future classic.