Topic: Best bang for the buck cars in the $8K-$12K range

[Shnak]

A 99-2001 Saab 9-3 can be had for about 12k$ nowadays. Of course, the 2001 model at that price will have tons of mileage. But a 99 model with about 100,000km can be had for around 11k$. My friend had a 99 SE and he absolutely loved it. Not a lot of brands can match Saabs level of refinement.

[ovr50]

Good post and analysis, SirA.

[davidm]

At that price range, stay away from BMW and Audi unless you are okay with questionable reliability and an at least 10 year old car.  Doubt you can find one for your price, but an ur-S4 (93ish) is a fabulously fast and luxurious ride.  Do you want a 12 year old German turbo sedan?  Lots of heebeegeebees when I think about it.  I went with trepidation into a 7 year old bimmer with a stellar service record and its already had its electrical nits start popping up (then again, the A4 had its first gremlin 1 week into ownership).

At this price - go Japanese.

[dave]

"Urge to kill rising...RISING..."
No comment in response to Harrie1.  OVRfidy covered it quite well.
From now on I will only praise GM...even though they(oops). Ok...starting now...only good stuff.

Regarding the REAL topic at hand: Infiniti J30t...very sexy, great quality, plush interior, rare (vs. the rest of the list), decent power.  No manual tranny though.

[safristi]

Dave I had 3 test drives trying to choose between the J30t and Millenia.THey are good lookin' particularly in that light metallic green(rare) great interior with the aforementioned green and matching "taupe" is that a colour leather...BUT..the ride was too floaty/boaty fer me and at the time the equivalent year model was several $k's more...even the wifey preferred the more buttoned down ride and supercharged oomph of the Millenia.ALso never owned or driven a 300M
but look like good value now..bottom line the possibilty of a GREAT deal among these three is worth the hunt.......