Topic: What to buy for $16K

[WW]

I'll second that EL suggestion. It's a very nice premium compact sedan that saves gas. I see lots of them everyday. But it's just a "luxury" Civic.

[Mdxtasy]

I had one for a year and a half.  2001 EL.  Served me great.  Just a little gutless.  Really no torque to speak of....and when loaded with a few passengers, it struggled up the hill.  Good clean fun....only the 2001 1.7 EL had the stiffer suspension, they softened it up to try and make it seem more luxurious.  

[saint_satan]

John:

My Father tells me the 626 were problem vehicles - any thoughts?

[johngenx]

My Father tells me the 626 were problem vehicles

Father knows best...

All from 93-00, and four banger-AT cars are horrific.  The 626 is a poor choice compared to the Protege.

[ziggy]

I have looked at the EL's and they are usually a couple thousand more than a comparable Protoge or Civic.  The price you pay for luxury.  I do like the fact that they have the 127 horse in them while the civics don't.

Sundance has a big selection of Protoge's, but they are asking more than private sales, plus the GST.  John, if I throw your name at Brian at the dealership, will that help me out in any negotiations?

[johngenx]

John, if I throw your name at Brian at the dealership, will that help me out in any negotiations?

Maybe.  Or he might call the cops and have you escorted off the lot!!  Just kidding.  Tell Brian the black-Mercedes drivin' John Shellenberg (also of the silver 626) said he was the guy to buy a Protege from.  If you have no trade, much much better.

Sundance's stickers are high, and some people pay it.  But, the reality is that many of those cars are overpriced, and they know it.  Brian will be able to tell you pretty quick what their bottom line is on any of those cars (he's the manager) and you won't waste much time figuring if there's a deal to be had.

You might pay a grand more than a private sale, but it depends on what you want.  They have a good selection, and most of the private cars I see are stripper SE's.  If I happen upon a nice LX in the private market, I might jump on it.  Ours has to have AC/AT and I would prefer power stuff too.

The reason the dealer's have so many is the lease returns.  Those cars were popular, but I doubt many people kept them, since the residuals were probably too high.  The dealer's bought them up at auction.  I like that I can find a decent Protege with some goodies for the same price a base Civic HB with a stick and AM radio.  I think the Mazda is better looking anyway, and the interior is nicer.

You might beat me to the punch on a nice Protege since I'm spending some time ditching the 626 beofre I go shopping with cheque-book in hand.

If you want, e-mail me some info, and I'll call Brian and let him now you're coming and that you're no rube.  He's a decent guy, but he's in the game to make money and will sell a car for top dollar if you want to pay it.

[ovr50]

John - do you know George Haney at Sundance? He was the fellow I dealt with on the Bullitt as the previous guy had traded it in on a Mazdaspeed Miata. I found George to be a real, straight up guy and he was very helpful to me since I was dealing long distance.  

[johngenx]

John - do you know George Haney at Sundance?

Not off hand, but I would probably recognize him.  I know Brian because he was the sales manager at Jarman many years back, and we bought an MX-3 way, way, back when from him.  He moved to Sundance and we "followed."  The owners of Sundance are Mercedes owners and they sometimes sell their used cars through the dealership.  I've steered a few friends into super clean used MB's there.

Tough to buy a car from a distance!  Those are not the easiest to find though, so "beggars can't be chosers."

I really like Sundance's service dept, and lots of folks with older models take their cars there.  Doug, the service writer turned back to mechanic, is a master with older cars.  I am normally loathe to take my car to the dealer once the warranty is up, but Sundance is the exception.  It's another reason I'm considering another Mazda, since I know I can get it serviced/repaired.

There are some things missing, but I can live with them.  No loaner cars, no detailing while your car is serviced, etc.  I think this is one reason why the Mill-en-nia failed.  For $40K and more, people have an expectation built by MB, BMW, Audi, Lexus and Infiniti.

[ktm525]

Subaru Legacy GT. $16k should buy a nice 99-00. Could be tough to find the 5speed though.

[awdriver]

Acura EL is a great car - but does command some extra $$$ for the Acura name though - 'course you get the joy of driving it too.  I had a '97 that I just traded in Jan.  Was a great car - nothing more that routine maintenance required - was still as tight as new at 120k.  Good resale too - I got $8700 on trade for the '97

Never owned a Mazda but always felt they are a great car and a value compared to Honda & Toyota

[ziggy]

Hey John, I can't find your e-mail address to give you some details. I will be visiting Sundance on Friday afternoon and will toss your name to Brian.  Thanks for you help.

I found a nice 02 EL for a good price in the autotrader and will call on it tonight.

[Mdxtasy]

If you can get into an 2002 EL for under 16K...that's a heck of a bargain.  Between the two, I'd have the EL over a Protege.  I owned a 2001 EL 5spd for a year and a half.  Great car.

[WW]

Yes, an EL is a heck of a car. My uncle has a 98 premium and it's a very nice "luxury civic". I'd even take that over a 99 protege. BTW, is it 16K for a premium or touring? Good deal if it's a premium.