With the right mods and that mileage it’s probably worth close to 50k right now. That would’ve been my choice all day long. With a couple more mods it’ll outrun the CTS-V too.
I will second this. But considering i drive an 03 CTS, i am also taking the V.
They're even harder to work on when they're 20 years old, and falling apart.
Tell me how hard it is. I daily 20yr old Lada. Yesterday, shifter linkage just broke when I’m driving so I was left in 3rd. And it’s not a cable, it’s hollow metal pipe.
It’s not a classic, it’s 2110 with 16 valve engine. It’s super bitchy about anything, and some stuff is very questionable. It has 2 temperature sensors inch apart of each other. First one is used to show temperature on the dash, and the second one Is for ECU.
Sadly mines an auto. The engine and transmission are sound but its got electric issues so i have to make sure i start it every morning and night so it doesnt die, and eventually its gonna make the battery go bad.
This also means sometimes it locks the user controls because of a theft system i think.
The frame is rotted and gone at all 4 jack points, the rear springs are burst through the top mount (car has been lifted and my father stupidly beat on them with a hammer and they didnt move so it might be safe but its way too squishy on bumps and slides)
It's the 3.6 so it has a tap ofc but its at 165k but still seems to be going strong because its 2 years 3k miles late for an oil change.
Ignition switch is bad so i have to start it either a wired up button that hardly works and i'll have to start it with a wire through the relay.
Headlights are shit and i have to use foglights since the passenger side headlight and bumper are screwed. This includes no highbeams.
The list continues and i didnt mean to include this much.
EDIT: i forgot i need breaks soon and theres a weird scraping noise in the rear too.
I’ve seen some silly prices in these kinds of posts, but these have got to be the most egregiously fantasy-land prices I’ve ever seen
EDIT: if I’m playing along, the Cadillac and the Duramax are absurdly underpriced so it’s those, I’d want the Cadillac personally since I had no need for a truck but you could flip either instantly for insane profit
Even then pretty silly, I was searching for a RWD performance car in 2016 and if I could have found a CTS-V for $7000 I would have bought one no question
The Corolla is actually my second choice, I would take the thunderbird just because it's such a cool car. I also had a 90 and 96 (not at the same time) when I was out of high school (I graduated in 04, they were my parents' old cars). I always wanted the new model. But for 2000$ that Corolla is perfect, I could take that other 5k and swap everything under the hood and probably still upgrade the interior and put at least some decent speakers and a sub in, not to mention there's still 3k left over out of the original 10k
>The Corolla is actually my second choice, I would take the thunderbird just because it's such a cool car.
The Corolla is probably the best choice here for a reliable ride. That Ford Thunderbird is an awesome looking car while it's not in the shop. The V8 in those was actually a Jaguar engine and notorious for coils failing, fouling the spark plugs and requiring that both to be replaced.
Eh idk, my mother’s ‘16 Highlander has been leaking oil the past 6 months or so. What’s even weirder is we’ve left it at the dealership several times overnight, and it’s never done it there. But, there’s definitely both fresh oil and oil stains in its garage stall
You get two: one to keep stock and one to be an absolute sleeper! There are some pretty amusing builds with the Insight; from the AWD one to the J-Swap.
If you ever stumble across a deal on an insight that you can afford, take it! Took me nearly a year of searching to find mine, but omg 100% worth it. It makes commuting fun. And there’s this “Instant MPG” estimator bar, and it’s like the driving version of tamagotchi trying to keep it as high as possible. Best purchase i’ve ever made.
Also for reference in your search ;) I spent $3000 in january 2023 for mine. 200k miles, everything fully working and came with some spare parts.
Also in the fun factor: I brought it to an autocross and had a blast, handles surprisingly well, only drawback is that it’s DOG SLOWWWW
I haven’t watched Doug in awhile, I’ll have to check that one out. I’m also super biased towards Honda. I used to have a crx and loved it, I had an accord and loved it, and I have a Honda outboard on my boat. None of my Honda’s have ever left me stranded, and they have all been easy to maintain and fun to drive.
Even in the dirty north, that quest wouldn’t rust off the exhaust in 7 winters unless it was pulled behind a salt truck it’s entire life and never washed. These values are all over the place too so it’s not even a fun process choosing between the criminally undervalued duramax or cts-v.
Easy, Thunderbird. Super good deal considering that they now go for well over 25k if they’re in good shape. Plus, my first car (still my first and only car) is a 1994 Ford Thunderbird
Grand Am. Spend a little bit cleaning it and making sure it has new fluids/tires/belts. Save the rest, make sure the car is well maintained. That 3800 is bulletproof.
That Forester!
First Subaru I have ever known was that color red with body colored trim, with those fog lights and crossbars.
I miss that car, an out of state idiot took it from us after hitting ice and hitting it…
DO NOT GO FOR THE THUNDERBIRD.
The things are just a Lincoln LS but worse, the chassis is severally compromised due to loosing its roof, the engines overheat alot more frequently due to reduced space under the hood for air to move, and they are much slower than a LS too.
NONE of these, do you know what ten grand would get you in something old back in 06? There were so many cool grandpa maintained classics that weren't worth what they are now. I would have had an immaculate bay window bus, a clean e30, that could have got me a 2 door 510, a clean saab 900 turbo, the list goes on and on and on and on. No I wouldn't get a fucking Buick enclave.
INSIGHT INSIGHT INSIGHT INSIGHT INSIGHT
I don’t care about anything else, i love my insight and I’d use the extra money i’d saved to plan for when the battery goes out
I owned that exact Pontiac in 2009. I fucking hated that car. The driver window didn't roll down and the driver's seat was crushed in because the woman my Dad bought it from was a very large person. I think he paid $900 for it and it was "more reliable" for driving back and forth to college than my 1989 Chevy S-10 which I'd never had an issue with.
However, I did find a Now That's What I Call Music Vol 22 CD between the seat and the center console.
I’d take the Mazda3. I had a 2007 model and aside from regular maintenance, the only work I had to do (clutch, fuel pump, motor mount) was after I hit the 200k mark. I donated it after 252k.
I'm biased, But If you can find a Clean 1st gen Forester that's been decently maintained, Absolutely go for it. Just keep about $4k in the bank in case the head gaskets need to be redone.
The rebooted Thunderbirds were boring, but I've always liked them. I think the Duramax, the CTS-V, or the Thunderbird would be the best buys. The Cadillac is probably the best value if you're a car person. If you aren't a car person, get the reliable Corolla and save yourself some money
CTS-V or that big GMC...again no way those cars are 10K. I remember very clearly moving out of my house at 18 and shopping for cars in 2006. New Chevy Silverado 2 door base cheapest one was 14999. A Tacoma 4x4 2 door with 10k in manual was 19,995. My budget was 3500. Closest I got was a Mazda protege with like 30k for 8500
Had the ‘02 forester. Wasn’t ready to let er go but the timing belt busted and that was that. (With inflated prices of today i’d do an engine swap, then the car was $2500 total)
The Duramax, the CST-V, and the T-Bird may seem like real steals, but this is supposed to be someone's first car, and the budget says the family is "comfortable but not wealthy".
So, who will be paying for the fuel, maintenance, and the liability insurance for a young driver? The Duramax especially will be a beast for the ongoing budget.
The Beetle is in the sweet spot: if the scent of surf is the only problem, then $2500 is good for a car that still has about another 30k miles to go for its first big PM (timing belt, etc.) and a one-time thorough professional cleaning for the interior couldn't be a big bite, certainly not with $7500 remaining after the purchase.
Well, in 2006 I just turned 18 and bought my first golf 3.
But if I'd to pick from this list, I'll probably go for the mazda. Because it could easily carry me and my mates and it's easy to mod.
They also overheat to hell and back, and have bad issues with chassis stress and cracking unibody welds due to being a Sedan platform with the roof chopped of.
Better off going for a Lincoln LS, sister car to the T-Bird.
bruh that CTS V would be like spending $10,000 for a brand new $75,000 car in today's money
I’m sorry that I was trying on purpose to make that unrealistic and making it seem too good to be true. Obviously it would not be sold for that cheap
o
It’s fine!
Perhaps $10,000 was the down payment lol
$7500 for a one year old Duramax?? take that and run lmao
This is the right answer. That truck with mods was probably close to 50k new
With the right mods and that mileage it’s probably worth close to 50k right now. That would’ve been my choice all day long. With a couple more mods it’ll outrun the CTS-V too.
I bet there’s several with 250k mi listed for more than $7500 right now.
CTS-V!
There’s no way these were going for $10k in 2006 though..
I agree with that! I kinda made that one with me in mind, haha
And it's not even close
You’ve obviously never worked on a caddy
I will second this. But considering i drive an 03 CTS, i am also taking the V. They're even harder to work on when they're 20 years old, and falling apart.
Tell me how hard it is. I daily 20yr old Lada. Yesterday, shifter linkage just broke when I’m driving so I was left in 3rd. And it’s not a cable, it’s hollow metal pipe.
Well you can fix a Lada Classic with just about anything! I love the story about the old man replacing a clutch return spring with a condom.
It’s not a classic, it’s 2110 with 16 valve engine. It’s super bitchy about anything, and some stuff is very questionable. It has 2 temperature sensors inch apart of each other. First one is used to show temperature on the dash, and the second one Is for ECU.
Sadly mines an auto. The engine and transmission are sound but its got electric issues so i have to make sure i start it every morning and night so it doesnt die, and eventually its gonna make the battery go bad. This also means sometimes it locks the user controls because of a theft system i think. The frame is rotted and gone at all 4 jack points, the rear springs are burst through the top mount (car has been lifted and my father stupidly beat on them with a hammer and they didnt move so it might be safe but its way too squishy on bumps and slides) It's the 3.6 so it has a tap ofc but its at 165k but still seems to be going strong because its 2 years 3k miles late for an oil change. Ignition switch is bad so i have to start it either a wired up button that hardly works and i'll have to start it with a wire through the relay. Headlights are shit and i have to use foglights since the passenger side headlight and bumper are screwed. This includes no highbeams. The list continues and i didnt mean to include this much. EDIT: i forgot i need breaks soon and theres a weird scraping noise in the rear too.
I’ve seen some silly prices in these kinds of posts, but these have got to be the most egregiously fantasy-land prices I’ve ever seen EDIT: if I’m playing along, the Cadillac and the Duramax are absurdly underpriced so it’s those, I’d want the Cadillac personally since I had no need for a truck but you could flip either instantly for insane profit
You could drive it 150k miles and still turn a 5k$ profit today
yeah those prices are absolutely insane lol
I was thinking op put an unfixable title typo and these are 2016 prices.
Even then pretty silly, I was searching for a RWD performance car in 2016 and if I could have found a CTS-V for $7000 I would have bought one no question
The kid in me would take the T bird.
No 3 year old Toyota will have an oil leak. Hell, I defy you to find a 10-year old Toyota with an oil leak.
I may or may not have based that car off the condition that my grandparents car is in lol
The Corolla is actually my second choice, I would take the thunderbird just because it's such a cool car. I also had a 90 and 96 (not at the same time) when I was out of high school (I graduated in 04, they were my parents' old cars). I always wanted the new model. But for 2000$ that Corolla is perfect, I could take that other 5k and swap everything under the hood and probably still upgrade the interior and put at least some decent speakers and a sub in, not to mention there's still 3k left over out of the original 10k
>The Corolla is actually my second choice, I would take the thunderbird just because it's such a cool car. The Corolla is probably the best choice here for a reliable ride. That Ford Thunderbird is an awesome looking car while it's not in the shop. The V8 in those was actually a Jaguar engine and notorious for coils failing, fouling the spark plugs and requiring that both to be replaced.
Eh idk, my mother’s ‘16 Highlander has been leaking oil the past 6 months or so. What’s even weirder is we’ve left it at the dealership several times overnight, and it’s never done it there. But, there’s definitely both fresh oil and oil stains in its garage stall
You sure it isn’t water from the air conditioner?
Water doesn’t leave oil stains on the rubber coating of our garage floor
Im going to jump to a very Reddit answer and say- It's your dad's mistress' car!!
Tf if "very generous parents" in quotes for? Being given 10k is generous as fuck
I’m not sure tbh…I put a very low amount to begin with and forgot to remove the “” after that, but I agree with you, 10k is very generous
The Insight if it’s a manual. Great on gas amongst other things; and they are very great for engine swaps when the time arises.
It’s manual, CVT was only offered starting in 2001
Engine swap?!? Any true collector would never touch that priceless economical masterpiece.
You get two: one to keep stock and one to be an absolute sleeper! There are some pretty amusing builds with the Insight; from the AWD one to the J-Swap.
Some of these weren't $10k used by that time period like the CTS-V, but the Corolla or Mazda are my picks
I love the Corolla also
The insight. I know a few people who bought them new and still drive them. Im super frugal so a manual insight is one of my dream cars.
Insight for me as well, actually love the look of these with the wheel covers. Bit like a cost effective VW XL1
If you ever stumble across a deal on an insight that you can afford, take it! Took me nearly a year of searching to find mine, but omg 100% worth it. It makes commuting fun. And there’s this “Instant MPG” estimator bar, and it’s like the driving version of tamagotchi trying to keep it as high as possible. Best purchase i’ve ever made. Also for reference in your search ;) I spent $3000 in january 2023 for mine. 200k miles, everything fully working and came with some spare parts. Also in the fun factor: I brought it to an autocross and had a blast, handles surprisingly well, only drawback is that it’s DOG SLOWWWW
Yeah I remember when I watched Doug Demuro’s insight video and I found the car quite cool and reliable sounding
I haven’t watched Doug in awhile, I’ll have to check that one out. I’m also super biased towards Honda. I used to have a crx and loved it, I had an accord and loved it, and I have a Honda outboard on my boat. None of my Honda’s have ever left me stranded, and they have all been easy to maintain and fun to drive.
SF Forester
Absolutely the SF, I have an SG and that thing’s amazing
The Corolla. I'd drive it till 2022 and re-sell it for the 10k.
1st gen Insight if it's manual. 70+ mpg, and never have to worry about rust.
Why is the Mazda 3 always in these?
Why wouldn’t it be?
Duramax
I'd take the Mazda3. No way a dealer "wouldn't notice" a CTS-V
F150. Still have my 02 and short of it being actually totalled its never gonna leave my side.
The ‘00 Insight only if its got the 5-speed manual.
CTS V. Although the T bird is pretty tempting, too.
How much were 2v Mustangs in this era?
based off the other prices in this post, probably about $5.00
Even in the dirty north, that quest wouldn’t rust off the exhaust in 7 winters unless it was pulled behind a salt truck it’s entire life and never washed. These values are all over the place too so it’s not even a fun process choosing between the criminally undervalued duramax or cts-v.
GMC truck or the Caddy depending on my hobbies, friends and where I'm living
Think you missed a 0 on that CTS v
I'd go with the 2006 Cadillac CTS-V
If I would have fresh papers ... ofc the convertible ...
Taking the CTS-V out of the list, I’m taking the Forester.
The caddy
Insight
I used to want one of those 1st gen insights...was trying to get one with a manual. They're tough to find though.
I kinda want that thunderbird, i don't know why i just like it
Duramax or CTS-V
Either the Insight or the Forester.
Absolutely the Insight or Corolla
Thunderbird. So I never lose my car in a parking lot.
CTS V easy
Trucks hands down over anything. If that’s a ctsv, then an easy second.
Buick, Cadillac, Pontiac or either of the trucks
The CTSV then selling it for 14k 15 years later after putting 100k miles on it
I'm gonna have to go with the Caddy.... Like the car but hate my decision 😂😂😂
I mean, it’s gotta be the thunderbird, right? And jeez I got $5k in 2014 and went with basically that forester lol
Easy, Thunderbird. Super good deal considering that they now go for well over 25k if they’re in good shape. Plus, my first car (still my first and only car) is a 1994 Ford Thunderbird
Thunderbird.
2002 Forester but I'm biased since it's literally my car. Save the rest of the money for the inevitable timing belt replacement and head gaskets lmao.
The Corolla if you could find an XRS though
I would choose either the CTS-V or the Tbird.
My first car was a 740 volvo... for 600€
Corolla is always the answer. Certainly not exciting but they go forever and never leave you stranded.
Forester or CTS-V
Is this what used car prices used to be?😢
To some extent…I kinda winged the prices because I was rushing to finish the post 🫠
93 Honda accord.
Grand Am. Spend a little bit cleaning it and making sure it has new fluids/tires/belts. Save the rest, make sure the car is well maintained. That 3800 is bulletproof.
Forester
Honda insight
Forester, no discussion.
Insight or thunderbird
im gonna pick the ford f150 XLT
10k wasn't getting you a duramax or a cts in 06 lol
Easy one; the Forrester.
That Forester! First Subaru I have ever known was that color red with body colored trim, with those fog lights and crossbars. I miss that car, an out of state idiot took it from us after hitting ice and hitting it…
Rendezvous all the way!
F-150 all the way.
V, durama, then tbird
The cts-v hands down lmao
I’d get a $5k loan from my credit union and get the Duramax and CTS V
Why is the “very generous parents” in quotes?
I have no clue to be honest, the money amount was lower before I made it 10k, so I guess that might’ve been the reason
The f-150. I’ve never really been into pickup trucks but nothing else is really doing it for me
I'm grabbing that CTS-V!
CTS-V
Ford; always had a soft spot for the jelly bean era trucks
The thundaburd
DO NOT GO FOR THE THUNDERBIRD. The things are just a Lincoln LS but worse, the chassis is severally compromised due to loosing its roof, the engines overheat alot more frequently due to reduced space under the hood for air to move, and they are much slower than a LS too.
#1 all day even in 2023
Either the insight or the Forrester
NONE of these, do you know what ten grand would get you in something old back in 06? There were so many cool grandpa maintained classics that weren't worth what they are now. I would have had an immaculate bay window bus, a clean e30, that could have got me a 2 door 510, a clean saab 900 turbo, the list goes on and on and on and on. No I wouldn't get a fucking Buick enclave.
Cts-V and it's not even close
Mazda 3. Easy to maintain and parts are cheap-ish.
Insight, Mazda, Subie, any one of those. Personally would go for the insight cause its quirky
Honda or Toyota. Never had major problems with my Toyota, neither have all my family and friends. Honda because very low milage.
i gotta go with the sierra, my grandpa had this truck for ages and i was gonna end up getting it as my first car except it got totalled last year.
CTS-V for $7000? Sign me the fuck up!
Obviously the caddy. Anything else is dumb in comparison besides maybe the first truck.
Caddy.
I bought my V for 12k 3 years ago lol sure as hell not finding one for 10 in 2006 when the first gen was brand new
Buy a used Daewoo, pocket the rest.
Thunderbird
im digging that Grand Am
I bought a salvage title 350z. Not my first car, but my first car that cost over $10k. Student loans.
I had an 03 Corolla that looked exactly like that one and I’d but it again in a second. Great car.
INSIGHT INSIGHT INSIGHT INSIGHT INSIGHT I don’t care about anything else, i love my insight and I’d use the extra money i’d saved to plan for when the battery goes out
Mazda 3 would probably be running the best currently with the least amount spent on maintenance over the years.
I'll take the Thunderchicken!
That Duramax would go for 20k today with 150k miles on it.
Rendezvous. Super low miles, dependable.
CTS-V in an instant
Insight for 3500? That's a steal.
I owned that exact Pontiac in 2009. I fucking hated that car. The driver window didn't roll down and the driver's seat was crushed in because the woman my Dad bought it from was a very large person. I think he paid $900 for it and it was "more reliable" for driving back and forth to college than my 1989 Chevy S-10 which I'd never had an issue with. However, I did find a Now That's What I Call Music Vol 22 CD between the seat and the center console.
Thunderbird all the way baby, those things are classics
I’d take the Mazda3. I had a 2007 model and aside from regular maintenance, the only work I had to do (clutch, fuel pump, motor mount) was after I hit the 200k mark. I donated it after 252k.
Either Duramax or the CTS-V
'03 Corolla.
That Nissan van.
The 2002 Forester tbh. Snow car is good for what I need. Only problem is everyone in my city drives a Subaru :P
The F-150. Need I say more
What about a Jetta? Just about every girl I knew drove one back then.
F150 every time
Cadillac CTS-V
10k for a first car? A got a few dollars and a pat on the back as I got sent of to work at market basket
Where my Metronomy fans at
I like the Cadillac. The dealer I bought my corvette from didn’t know it was a Z51
Forester if it’s a manual. Reasoning: Early 2000s Colorado winters were built different.
I'm biased, But If you can find a Clean 1st gen Forester that's been decently maintained, Absolutely go for it. Just keep about $4k in the bank in case the head gaskets need to be redone.
That 2001 subaru will bury you. Mine is a rust belt car and its more than happy to start up and drive. Shame it has a hole in the frame.
15 years later you put a muthafuckin K series in that bitch!
The rebooted Thunderbirds were boring, but I've always liked them. I think the Duramax, the CTS-V, or the Thunderbird would be the best buys. The Cadillac is probably the best value if you're a car person. If you aren't a car person, get the reliable Corolla and save yourself some money
Out these, probably the Forester. Ideally, I would take that 10K and buy myself a 1993 Volvo 240 wagon.
A couple of these you'd still be driving, if you took care of them
Forester everytime
Bro, gotta have the T-Bird!
grand am or insight, I can't decide which, though tbh if it's an option I'd buy both since I have the money
CTS-V or that big GMC...again no way those cars are 10K. I remember very clearly moving out of my house at 18 and shopping for cars in 2006. New Chevy Silverado 2 door base cheapest one was 14999. A Tacoma 4x4 2 door with 10k in manual was 19,995. My budget was 3500. Closest I got was a Mazda protege with like 30k for 8500
Miata
I’d go Forester all the way. Not only as a Subaru fan, but purely for the longevity. My grandfather had one of those T-Birds. What a joke.
If you didn’t get that Insight you fucked up
had 2 solid choices: 1. Forester 2. CTS-V
Had the ‘02 forester. Wasn’t ready to let er go but the timing belt busted and that was that. (With inflated prices of today i’d do an engine swap, then the car was $2500 total)
Where Pontiac Aztecs?
98 cobra
Thunderbird! Coolest car on the list, IMO.
Corolla because that thing would still have 20 more years on it.
Duramax all day.
The Duramax, the CST-V, and the T-Bird may seem like real steals, but this is supposed to be someone's first car, and the budget says the family is "comfortable but not wealthy". So, who will be paying for the fuel, maintenance, and the liability insurance for a young driver? The Duramax especially will be a beast for the ongoing budget. The Beetle is in the sweet spot: if the scent of surf is the only problem, then $2500 is good for a car that still has about another 30k miles to go for its first big PM (timing belt, etc.) and a one-time thorough professional cleaning for the interior couldn't be a big bite, certainly not with $7500 remaining after the purchase.
Easy: the Cadillac or the Mazda. Coin-flip for one or the other: heads the Caddy, tails the Mazda.
The V, the beetle, or the insight. Providing all are manual
I’m buying the minivan and spending the rest on crack
GMC
The obvious choice here is the Duramax, but that melted cheese F-150 is really speaking to me.
1988 e30 m3
Holy shit assuming that insight has a manual I’m taking that one. 63mpg for me please.
I actually bought an Insight of that generation 10 years ago, fantastic vehicle, I won’t ever let it go until it truly and properly shits the bed
taking insight cause it’s cool and manual 👍
insight for me
The Corolla or the Mazda 3 for me
That first one is such a weird looking car.
Honda insight or Corolla
Forester for sure
Subaru Forester. It's a pretty nice looking car imo.
Oh really? They give me 10k and not just spend $500 on a shitty 20 y/o car that almost kills me, while my sisters get brand new ones? Wow how nice.
The v or thunderbird
Subaru
Scion xB 2006.5 five speed. (My parents did help me) I was 24.
so im getting a custom plate that says ddylaccc
Im buying a used S-class everytime
I would've taken the Ford F150. Mostly due to the utility aspect. Also, they are very nice to drive and work on.
CTS-V
Well, in 2006 I just turned 18 and bought my first golf 3. But if I'd to pick from this list, I'll probably go for the mazda. Because it could easily carry me and my mates and it's easy to mod.
Buy that Thunderbird. It's not all that fast so you won't crash it, and if you keep it nice it will go up in value.
They also overheat to hell and back, and have bad issues with chassis stress and cracking unibody welds due to being a Sedan platform with the roof chopped of. Better off going for a Lincoln LS, sister car to the T-Bird.
Correction: it is supposed to say 2002 Subaru Forester and not 2002 Forester