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Columnist advises vehicle choices for under $10,000

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By Jared Hinderer

If you read my column from last week, you saw that for my top pics for a first car in three categories for under $5,000. The Toyota Camry came in as the eco-car choice for its dead-solid reliability and ease of repair and maintenance costs. The Volvo S70 placed itself on my list in the luxury because of its track record of safety. Finally, the Mazda Miata landed in the sports car slot because there really isn’t a better cheap sports car.

This week the choices are a bit more exotic with a price range raised to $10,000. $10,000 can buy you some really nice cars when you think outside the box.

1. Ford Fusion- Any Ford Fusion up to 2008 is affordable in this budget with about 90,000-100,000 miles. Going with a Ford Fusion is a great way to get a nice late model vehicle in this price range. The Fusion is a solid car that will continue to look good and will always get the job done. Having driven a base model Fusion, I can say that it is a great car for the money. With a nice quality interior, and great ratings for safety and reliability, it has to take the spot as the “point-A to point-B” car in this price range.

2. Saab 9-5- Maybe I’m a bit bias, because I own a Saab 9-5, but these could be the most affordable luxury cars out there. If you want something luxurious, and relatively rare, the 9-5 is perfect. Not to mention all of the safety features that gave the 9-5 the title as one of the safest cars in the world of its time.  Look at years between 2004 and 2008. The model got some updated looks in 2006, but remained mostly the same underneath, so parts are plentiful for all years. Yes, the company is out of business, but their parts suppliers are still very much is business. 2004-2008 Saab 9-5’s range from about $5,000 to $10,000 depending on year, options, and mileage. Contrary to popular belief, these are actually very reliable cars. Edmunds.com rated 9-5 at 4 or 5 out of 5 stars for reliability for each year listed. Like most luxury cars, parts can get expensive; however, there are many shops in the Kentuckiana area that are willing and able to work on these rare Swedish machines.

3. Porsche Boxter- Ever think you could own a German roadster like a Porsche for your first car? Well, if you’ve got around $9000, you can. For just under $9,000 at $8,980 you can buy a pristine example from 1999 with 95,000 miles on eBay right now, but I would have to haggle down that price since it has nearing 100,000 miles. However, the Boxster is considered one of the best roadsters of its time by many different leading car reviewers, having been mentioned on Car and Drivers 10 Best list in 2000. It is said to be a very reliable car, receiving 5 out of  5 stars from Edmunds.com. Weighing in at 2,800 pounds with 201 horsepower, the base model Boxster is not only quick, but it handles well, thanks to its mid mounted flat six engine for better weight distribution. However, the mid mounted engine is its biggest problem, being that it is very difficult to work on. Not every shop will work on a Boxster, so beware of this when shopping for one.

Columns, Forum, Jared Hinderer

Columnist provides suggestions for first car

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By Jared Hinderer

A teen’s first car represents a lot. It represents their first step to independence, and a small sign of freedom. It also represents a big responsibility. Also, with so many choices, buying a first car is a tough choice. So what do you do? Think about what is important to you. Do you like cars? Do you not care what you drive, just as long as it gets you there? Or do you want something small and sporty?

This week I will make my suggestions for a price range of up to $5000. I will try to help out with some suggestions to get you thinking about your choices by covering three types of cars; the “A to B” eco-car for those that just want to get there, a more luxurious ride for those that want to drive in comfort and style, and sporty option for those who enjoy a bit of fun while commuting.

My choices for cars up $5000:

 1. Toyota Camry. As the “A to B” car of this price range, I like the 1997-2002 Toyota Camry. These vary in price from $3000-$4500 depending on condition and mileage. These cars continue to get high ratings for reliability and overall quality. Having driven a few Camrys, I can verify that they really a quality product, especially for the price.

2. Volvo S70. Entry level luxury can’t be defined any better than a solid Swedish built Volvo. That’s why the 1998 to 2000 S70 takes the spot for the luxury car in this range. Volvos are very safe cars and often receive high praise for their durability and reliability. With the T5 model pushing 236 horsepower, they are reasonably quick. Although, take caution when going with this option, because, while these are reliable vehicles, they can be costly to maintain if something does go wrong.

3. Mazda Miata. At the risk of being supremely cliché, the Miata is what makes it as my sports car suggestion for under $5000. While they are not exactly safe cars, they are an absolute blast to drive. Not the fastest, by far, but definitely a fun car. And for those of us really into cars, aftermarket parts are quite cheap and accessible, so it’s not difficult to make one a bit quicker.

Be sure to check back next week for more of my picks of cars at a slightly higher price range of $5000-$10000.