So, my girlfriend is tired of her '96 Accord that she's had for years. She's about to get a bit of windfall money (her G'ma passed away recently), and looking at getting a new car.
She'd been thinking a new Fiesta, but after seeing one with a price tag not much lower than the Mustangs on the lot, she's opening her search a bit more.
I'm not totally sure on her price point, but judging by what she's looked at, I think we're looking <$20k, and happier around $15k She's thinking she'll finance.
It must be: manual, reasonably fun (she wants to auto-x it, at least), relatively new (say, '04+), have at least something resembling a back seat. She doesn't need to hold people, but she wants to be able to put the dog in the back. She also puts so few miles on her car that gas mileage isn't a huge worry. I do believe she will want a low-ish mileage car. I'm pretty sure she will want a car with an interior that feels new. Even a decently maintained car shows its age at 100k.
She is partial to hatch backs and/or cars that are 'different'.
Strong candidates:
- RX-8
- Mustang
- Mazda3/Speed3
- Ford Fiesta
- Pontiac GTO
Other cars she's liked the thought of but that we're nervous about the lack of dog seating:
- S2000
- '06+ Miata
- Corvette
- Z3/Z4
She does not like the new Mini.
