I'm definitely in agreement with the genesis coupe... but there aren't really any "used" ones yet. I also agree with trying to refinance the car first.

But here's my $0.02:

German cars SUCK. They are 99% of the time WAY too expensive to maintain. I wouldn't say they have more problems than American or Japanese cars in general... but when they do, they are EXPENSIVE to fix. I had an Audi before, and it raped me. The maintenance is the same with a V dub.

American cars break all the time. Don't do it.

I had an Integra GSR before as well. Most reliable car I ever owned. Parts/mod were cheap, and it got killer gas mileage. So, for this I would say DEFINITELY go for the RSX-S. You can get an 03-04 with low miles for under 10k easy. I would also say go for the Si, but they haven't been out long enough to be as cheap as the RSX. It's the same car anyway really. RSX all the way!

 

all this Rsx talk makes me wanna pick one up to daily in

but that is true $350? is pretty cheap. stop eatting out and eat instant noodles more often

 

Ever consider an 03 Maxima? Plenty of luxury and performance for the $$. FWD yes, but has a VQ 3.5L motor and if you look around you can find one with ~60K miles for $9000 or so.

 

I'd still like to own an s2k one day, but around here they would be more expensive then my G.

Before I bought this car though.. I was looking at the RSX-S or a nice Accord Coupe (they can look quite classy depending on the year, and they offer a V6 and 6speed).

 

The ones on your list I've got experience in (year I drove in parenthesis), in order that I'd want them:
(2006) S2k is impractical and uncomfortable for long drives, but awesome
(2007) Mazda 3 hatch with a manual is a blast. If you get a (2009) Mazdaspeed3, you'll miss some of the luxury of the G, but speed3's are
(2007) Civic Si felt soulless and disconnected after driving the G35, but they're capable.
(2009 GXP, 2008 GT) G6? Ick, ick ick!

Since ownership costs are an issue for you, my recommendation by a large margin would be a the lowest miles Mazda3 hatchback you can find the 2.3 i4 they put in them is quite competent and the handling is tight.
Driving a Mazda3 and a Civic Si in the same day, I just cannot in any way recommend the Civic.

 

I would say the s2k but judging by your financial needs that is going to be no better than the g.

So I would def recommend the rsx-s, but most of the other cars on your list are good choices as well.

 

eh get a minivan.

 

how about a WRX? surprised no1 mentioned it

 

What price range are you looking in exactly? A $10K car is still about a $300/payment depending on interest rate.

Are you looking to pay cash? lease? or finance something? Do you want a $200/month payment? Or something in te $5000-7500 range?

If i had to downgrade to something cheap and affordable, i'd get a $5000 civic and drive it to the wheels fell off. i know plenty of people with 200K mile honda/acuras who do crap for maintainence. Stay away from anything German. As for American cars, it's hit or miss. Some of the Ford's i've owned have been the most reliable/cheapest to maintain vehicles i've owned to date. I really like the fusion. COuple of my friends have them and no probs at all.

 

Used wrx used rsx hell maybe you can get integra type r, integras are still great cars

 

I would get a GTI or an RSX or maybe even a CRX depending on budget but GTI's are pretty fast with aftermarket turbo parts + they have nice interiors too

 

ooh, good choice.

 

i used to own an integra and rsx-s. cheapest and most reliable cars ive owned. mods/maintenance are cheap and they get killer gas mileage. light and nimble. theyre very fun to drive. i miss that sometimes lol.

 

damn i wish i was paying $350/mo. add $100 to that. lol. and thats at 4.5 years and 6.5%. grrrrr just find you a nicer older car thats around $5k and under. and i'd agree, try out a scoobie. sti recommended.

 

If you want something cheap and reliable and only a few years old, go for a Scion tc coupe. Good on gas 160hp which is not bad for the weight of the car and you can get into one used just under 10k with 30-40k miles. They even flex making those annoying popping sounds from the trunk just like our G's do. You'd be looking at roughly $220 a month. The base rsx is another good option.