So my sister is in the market for a new car or least a car that is new to her. She's driving around my Mom's '95 Camry now. She's looking to buy in the next month or so. She's looking for something reliable, sporty, automatic tranny, with room enough for her "junk". She tends to live outta her car. She hasn't decided between two door or sedan. I suggested that she get a pre-owned car, just because I think you can get a better car for the amount that she wants to spend. So some cars she's lookin at are an older Lexus IS, Acura CL, older G35 sedan, Solara, and 98-99 GS300. What do you guys think?

 

I would get a relatively new (maybe not brand new considering her budget) a Toyota Matrix XRS (not sure if that model is available in the US or not). To me it meets her needs perfectly - reliable, sporty with lots of room. It will be fairly new and very likely still under warranty - so she will have lots of years of trouble free motoring.

Being a 4 cylinder car means it will be frugal on gas too and her insurance will be much less compared to the cars you mentioned above.

I drove one a couple of months ago and it has a very high quality interior, the quality of the seat fabrics, the sporty aluminum look dash - you feel you are sitting in a very expensive car.

 

for 20k if she preffered to get a slightly used car, i'll get....

2nd gen GS
or
2000+ BMW 3 series
or
96 up 4runner (some model has a 4cylinder engine)


if brand new,

'06 rav4 starts at $20,000(bigger and better)
'06 matrix xrs $19,000 xr $17,000
'06 crv same as the rav4

 

Scion tC. My ex-gf had one and it's amazing how much room is in the hatch, especially with the rear seats folded down.

 

I recommend the CRV.

Mine is 01 EX. I've had it sine new and it now has 110,000 miles without a SINGLE mechanical problem. Only problem was the CD player quit working recently.

 

if she wants something real sporty....i se that 2004-2005 RX-8 are going for around 20k, some less some higher, but with low mileage too

 

Well, I would really suggest a new car for 20k or under. Another Camry would do great for her I think...Stay away from the RAV4's...

They don't have rear bumpers and if someone hits her, it will be a painful one. Its true...Next time you see a RAV4...You will see there is no bumper only that wheel cover...

 

There's a lot of cars out there for 20k... If she's anything like my sister she just gets in and drives and doesn't think about the maintance on the vehicle... She's getting better now changing oil etc...

Something relaible would be the solara, camry, or even a IS300... Infiniti may be priced in the mid 20's... I'm trying to talk my GF into the IS... She's do for a car here in about 10 months.. The cars mentioned above will be great for reliability... All those cars are Toyota so reliabilty is second to none.... Good Luck with your search....

 

Hameed is correct....and Consumer Reports also verifies this: for the same money a new ( or newer ) cheaper car is usually better than an older, used, more expensive one...for several reasons.
The Subaru Impreza or Impreza Sportwagon is a steal at 18-19K brand-new with a reasonable amount of power, a proven AWD system for foul weather, a reasonably good 5 / 60 drivetrain and 3 / 36 bumper-to-bumper warranty. The Outback Sport version of the Impreza, at 20-21K, adds a little flair with more distinct trim and a litle more standard equipment...but rides more stiffly.
If she wants 2 doors or a coupe, look at a V6 Hyundai Tiburon...typically around 20K. It is well-built....much more so than prevous Hyundais, with a 10 /100 and 5 / 60 warranties.
Also for around 20K is a Scion tC supercharger...the basic car starts at 16-17K and comes very well-equipped by Toyota standards. Ditto for the Honda Civic Si...but Honda's wannanty is a cheap 3 / 36.

 

I have one. I'm just careful when i back up. never had to replace the tire cover at all. She is flawless. The Civic is nice..

 

Such as what cars? So if we're talking newer, i.e. <2 yrs old, that would be like the Mazda 3 perhaps?

 

new honda civic ex coupe or Si. I wont even think twice. New honda civic is an awesome car for 20K.

 

rumor that the new generation rsx would basically be a coupe version of the tsx, so my vote would be for it.

 

never heard that rumor before, but if that's the case, it wont be 20K.

 

Here is the answer to your question: