What kind of car to buy?!

Ok my wife is driving a 1995 Nissan altima gxe that her parents gave her and I realy want to surprise her with a much better car. The problem is that I only got 10k to put as a down payment or pay it in full. Has to be reliable for her and my son and to last for years.
Thanks

Newer Nissan maxima anything 2004-2006 is really nice and guaranteed to last for years.

Newer Honda civic (less luxury but cheaper in long run)
2007+ civics sell for around 10k. With really low miles.

Possible e46, found one in jersey with 49k miles for 10,000 it was a 325xi which is an ideal overall car.

If you're looking for reliability, an E46 isn't going to be a car she'll want

Get a Subaru! In the value-priced small sedan market, the Impreza is king.

I think she would like the maxima waay more idk but for some reason she hates Hondas lol
But Im also considering of trying to get her a BMW you know to keep the whole family rolling EDM but they are expensive for the dollars that I have.

How much are those worth? I've always kinda like the impreza wrx sti

Keep Altima, save money. Let me add: I certainly would not buy another e46. I'd get a toyota personally, which will come out so much ridiculously cheaper than another e46.

SUV, coupe, sedan?

Naw the altima jus keeps breaking down so no point in keeping a money pit. Mymechanic and I took a deep look into the engine and the timing belt is expanding so yea.

I loveeeeeeeee e46 I would get another one just because it's a great car

Preferably a coupe or a sedan

If you have $10k to spend, and you're going to get an E46, don't spend more than $8k buying the car. You'll need the other $2k to make it some semblance of reliable.

Really, anything Japanese or Korean is much more sensible for someone on a tight budget. Not intending to offend 95% of this forum, but it's pretty hard to argue with the "sensible" part.

I agree but its still not written in stone but I'm very undecided about the brand of the car.

What i tell everyone who drives a car only because it gets them from point A to point B, get a Toyota, Mazda or a Honda. Buy it used, with less than 30k miles on it. Still has warranty, usually comes with new tread if purchased from a dealer. Saves $5k off new and will go well over another 100,000 miles before it rusts out or breaks down.

True it can get u from point A to B but what's the point if your not comfortable in it

As much as I love the E46 I wouldn't buy another one and certainly suggest you don't. After two and a half years, I've spent about $4,000 on regular maintenance and the necessary prevantative maintenance. That's following thousands of dollars from the previous owner. Of course any car will need maintenance but a german car will require more, generally speaking, than their Japanese counterparts.

I'd stick to Nissan or Subaru. Generally known for their reliability and could still be considered relatively fun cars to drive. Buy Honda or Toyota if all you want are yawns. Best of luck whatever you decide.

True and yea because shes told me that agreeshe likes mustangs

Only problem I have with Subaru is that everything is made lightweight in a way, to me doesn't seem safe.

Plus you won't get a good deal on one, they will all have 100k miles for 10k. And will be pre 2004.

Stick to Nissan! Maybe a newer Nissan sentra, they are really affordable with like no miles.

Low-mileage ZHP with a good indy shop.

Originally Posted by Kokiz325i

True and yea because shes told me that agreeshe likes mustangs

Buy her a mustang - that is what she wants. Else buy something brand new.

I wish I could get a Zhp I love them and yea I'm thinking of gettin her a mustang like a 2005