[Year's_End]

My brother's friend has turned to me to help him out to by a car. Price range preferably $15k-$20k. He wants something reasonably fast, good looking, decent handling, and four doors.

My friend and I discussed the matter with him, and he preferred that it would be a suggestion of a new car...he's a little reluctant in terms of used cars...dunno why. Anyways, my friend and I suggested:

-Civic EX
-New Lancer
-Mazda 6
-Mazda RX8 (we really dunno if it's sub $20k, but he should find that out)
-We even put out the thought of a used e46 (He'd "think" about it...)

Here's the thing: that's all we could think of b/c of the FOUR door burden. Fast, good looking, NEW cars are hard to find in the sub $20k range. We suggested some two door cars, but I'm not sure if he'll care:

-Mustang (prob is EVERYONE has one)
-Mazda3
-Civic EX coupe
-Mini Cooper

Any suggestions would be helpful. Thx.

[Zeiss]

[jonerik26]

i'd go with the lancer if any, my sister has an 04 one and its nice..just the right amount of power....

wait the mini's under $20,000....always wanted one

[younghov85]

You cant get a Civic SI for about twenty?

[chicagolab]

I've considered a VW Golf(comes in 4 doors) as a second car but its not super quick. The top of my list would be the Mini Cooper as mentioned. A one or 2 year old Volvo s40 t5 may be close to that price range

[epbrown]

If I were looking for a 4-door, I'd go with either an E36 M3 sedan, or an E34 M5 (maybe even an E28 - they're getting cheap now).

[ward]

Originally Posted by BNR32

this is the limited edition mini that's close to or over 30k

you can get a mini under 20, with the small motor and light on the options

[spacedogg]

Cars can be: cheap, reliable, good looking or fast.

Pick only two.

If he must have 4 doors then, and it must be in the sub $20k mark then almost nothing new will be really "fast". Everything in that price range is kinda pokey. Honda Civic or Mazda 3 is probably your best bet. Of the subcompact class, the Honda Fit seems pretty interesting as well. If he can stretch out a few more thousand, he could probably get a base GTI or Mazdaspeed 3, which are both quite fast.

Best bet is getting some used. If he wants something fast...then probably best bet to look at a 2004 or 2005 Subaru WRX.

[zenmaster]

Originally Posted by spacedogg

Cars can be: cheap, reliable, good looking or fast.

Pick only two.

Cheap and good looking? Haven't seen it.

[younghov85]

Originally Posted by zenmaster

Cheap and good looking? Haven't seen it.

Honda Accord. Toyota Camary. Nissan Altima. All look nice, not expensive

[zenmaster]

Originally Posted by younghov85

Honda Accord. Toyota Camary. Nissan Altima. All look nice, not expensive

Nice and good looking are two different things. The idea with the choice of "any two" was presumably about not having to compromise with the two selected features.

[E90330xi]

Originally Posted by zenmaster

Cheap and good looking? Haven't seen it.

Personnally I think that the new civic really has a nice design, and the mazda 3 hatchback is very good looking too

[a burrito]

discounted civic si.

[Year's_End]

If he could stretch the budget to $25k it'd open up so many options, specifically the Mazdaspeed 3 and the Civic Si.

That new Altima looks nice, but it's also outta range. The truth is just like what the previous user stated, you can only have so many qualities within this budget...I say discounted Civic Si.

[ThePrinzeofcatz]

wow my friend is in the same situtation, i think the lancer is nice with the paddles. i might suggest that to him.

[LOLrance]

Originally Posted by a burrito

discounted civic si.

+10000