Want a Nice Car For Dad But Only Have $10K! What Should I Buy?

Tennison’s dad has at all times pushed low-cost automobiles, so he desires to deal with his father to one thing nicer and extra dependable. Nonetheless, he has a most finances round $10,000, in a market the place used automobile costs are outrageous. What automobile ought to he purchase?

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Right here is the state of affairs:

After years of my father proudly owning low-cost or unreliable automobiles, my mother desires me to try to discover one thing enjoyable and good for my dad. My dad hasn’t owned one thing enjoyable for the reason that 90’s, when he had an 85 Monte Carlo SS for a short while till it turned dangerously rusted. My mother and father have each purchased automobiles for beneath 5k every since earlier than I used to be born, and limp them alongside for 5-8 years, battling verify engine lights practically the entire time. My dad’s latest favourite was an 06 Mazda 3, which we needed to do away with attributable to a pc problem not being value fixing attributable to mileage and rust. His final automobile, a beforehand smoked in and beat up, 2013 Hyundai Accent solely lasted a yr after shopping for it, once more attributable to uncommon, necessary however rare, and laborious to diagnose electrical drawback. He’s presently driving my venture automobile whereas I seek for a alternative for him. That was the ultimate straw that made my mother determine to open our financial savings extra for a automobile. He has instructed me he likes the newer 2010+ Camaro’s, however regardless of KBB values, sellers are asking past our value vary for any good ones. Our goal is beneath 10k, however we are able to go as much as 12k max if vital for the best automobile.

A handbook can be nice however an automated is ok. We would favor to keep away from German automobiles as a result of excessive upkeep prices.

Fast Details:

Funds: Ideally $10,000 can stretch as much as $12,000

Location: Albany, NY

Day by day Driver: Sure

Desires: Enjoyable, dependable, considerably snug

Doesn’t need: One thing German

Skilled 1: Tom McParland – Kind S

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It is vitally cool of you to deal with your dad to one thing nicer in any case these years, and whereas your finances may restrict your prospects a bit, there are some stable choices obtainable. You might be smart to keep away from a lot of the European stuff at this value level, however that doesn’t imply your pop wants an econobox. I might recommend you goal Acuras from the early-to-mid-2000s. I might argue that the automobiles of this technology had been on the peak of Acura’s design and driving dynamics earlier than the model misplaced its method for awhile.

Not too removed from you in Saratoga Springs, there’s a non-public vendor listing a 2003 Acura TL Type-S with only 94,000 miles for $9,000. Underneath the hood is the superb Honda/Acura V6. The Kind S mannequin cranked up the horsepower to 260 from 225 within the base mannequin. These sporty sedans weren’t on the identical degree as BMWs by way of dealing with however they injected a bit extra enjoyable right into a commute. You too can anticipate the standard luxurious options like leather-based seats. This automobile seems tremendous clear and it appears it was very effectively cared for.

Skilled 2: Andy Kalmowitz – Assume Exterior the Field

Tennison, my pal, there are tons of used early-2000s muscle automobiles and Miatas so that you can select from. Any of these will surely be a superb reply for what automobile you should purchase, however they aren’t terribly fascinating. You understand what’s fascinating, although? A Dodge Caliber SRT-4. Specifically this one, located less than 100 miles from Albany.

This car packs 285 turbocharged horses under the hood, all being fed through a manual transmission, and it’s still practical enough to be an everyday driver. Is it the best looking or most well-built car ever made? Hell no, but who cares? It’s badass. You’ll certainly stand out from the crowd in your 2008 Caliber SRT-4, and that’s mostly because no one else thought to buy one. However, because you’re a man of taste, you did. Or will.

This particular car has under 100,000 miles on the clock and only one minor accident on its history report. That’s not too bad, is it? On top of that it’s a great value. This car is priced just under $11,500. It may be at the top of your budget, but it should also be a top contender for you. You can stop reading right now, this is the perfect car for your dad. And you’ll probably want to borrow it for yourself every now and then, too.

Expert 3: José Rodríguez Jr. – Hello, Old Friend.

Tennison, a lot will come down to what your dad considers a fun car. He could have fun off-roading in something like this early Jeep Wrangler Limitless (one of the best Wrangler), or he may have enjoyable bombing down backroads within the fan-favorite Mazda Miata. A small, sporty automobile like a Toyota Celica could possibly be nice, and given your dad’s fondness for the Mazda3, I’d like to get him right into a Mazda6 wagon, however I can’t appear to search out one with a handbook transmission.

Actually, rowing your personal gears goes to make any commute or drive that rather more participating, however there’s no have to overthink it. Your dad wants a Monte Carlo SS, only one that’s a little bit newer than his beloved ’85.

Right here’s a 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS that’ll stretch the finances by a bit, but it surely has beneath 100,000 miles on the odometer, comes with racing stripes and five-spoke wheels. To not point out a transverse 5.3-liter V8! Yeah, yeah, I do know. The ability goes to the entrance wheels.

I simply don’t suppose front-wheel drive is an effective cause to discard the mixture of a stout LS4 and odd-looking coupe. The Monte Carlo has such a particular design, and this automobile’s inside is modest however comes with leather-based upholstery. Most of all, the Monte Carlo SS and your dad have a historical past. And what’s extra enjoyable than making new recollections with an previous pal?

Skilled 4: Bob Sorokanich – Why Do Something Else?

Pay attention, Tennison. When your of us inform you one thing, you gotta hearken to them. Your pops likes the fifth-generation Camaro. Purchase the person a Camaro!

Right here’s the dangerous information: You’re not getting a V8 in your finances. The excellent news is, the three.6-liter V6 makes 323 hp — greater than what you’d get within the V8-powered SS from a technology earlier than. And since your previous man is just not notably fussed by an automated transmission, that provides us the possibility to get him in a pleasant F-body for an inexpensive value.

However you’re gonna should act fast. This 2012 Camaro RS 1LT is located in Westbury NY, a simple afternoon’s drive from Albany. It’s listed on eBay with a buy-it-now value of $11,000, or you may play your luck and make a barely decrease provide. It’s acquired a shade beneath 90,000 miles, it has a pleasant wanting two-tone inside, and may give your dad years of dependable home service. Is it going to shake the windowpanes up and down the block each time dad begins it up within the morning? No. However a father determine ought to venture grown-up duty. Get the Camaro, and provides dad our highest regards. Simply, possibly do away with the pink badges earlier than you current this car to the previous man.