# What vehicle would \*you\* buy if you were given $28K? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 3, 2003, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370 "2003-06-03T14:52:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/41 "2003-06-04T00:35:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mouthbreather \* > \*\*I’m just going off the top of my head here, but wouldn’t you need to go older than 3 or 4 years to get one of those mammajammas for 28K? \*\* Surprisingly, no. I was shopping’em a few months ago and discovered that Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and NADA were all quoting $8,000-10,000 above true market. ---
**Author:** ![tastycorn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@tastycorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tastycorn)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/42 "2003-06-04T01:35:35Z")
If they had em here, would get the 300 hp legacy sedan (forget the exact badge). Love the WRX (and RS), but need something a little bigger. Of course, you could just get a 2000 Legacy GT and beef up the turbo and clutch. Also, I still love the SVX. We have 92 that turns heads every where we go. Absolute blast to drive as well. ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/43 "2003-06-04T01:43:17Z")
First choice: Volkswagen Passat with all the trimmings. That’s my responsible car thinking I will have a child within the next four years, so I need a car to cart said child around. Second Choice: A Mazda Miata - red - convertible. They’re just so damn cute! Ava ---
**Author:** ![lilbtagna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4491bb/32.png) [@lilbtagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilbtagna)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/44 "2003-06-04T01:46:18Z")
Nissan 350Z, base model in Daytona Blue. If I could add $7000, I’d get the same care in the touring model…I’ve been in love with the Z since I saw the concept a few years ago. _Sigh_ ---
**Author:** ![SnoopyFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@SnoopyFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnoopyFan)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/45 "2003-06-04T02:00:02Z")
Toyota Prius, fully loaded. ---
**Author:** ![robgruver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@robgruver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robgruver)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/46 "2003-06-04T02:07:56Z")
A bright, obnoxious yellow 2003 VW Beetle Convertable with a big smily face on the side and a daisy in the vase. I would use whatever is left over for one helluva sound system. Man that would be sweet. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/47 "2003-06-04T02:35:34Z")
I’d be tempted with the Cooper but I looked at the Supercharged version and the engine was crammed in there. The back of the car also looks like a death-trap. WRX or Evo might be fun but not sure of the styling. The Passat with the W8 is probably my choice of touring cars. Back seat roofline is too low for a 4 door. This would be a serious contender for any Jag if not for that fact. I just blew the head gasket on my 88 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe so it’s getting a new motor as soon as I find a donor. I love that car and my goal is 350-400 wheel hp. It could pull a .88 G skidpad from the factory which was better than the Mustang of that year. Not quit a Corvett but I’ll only have about 10 in it when I’m done. Since I’m not rich I have to build my toys. You can get a lot of bang-for-the-buck if you buy used and fix it up. I’m also putting a 160 hp engine in a Piper Colt. It is very affordable with 3 other partners. Working on it is half the fun. ---
**Author:** ![raz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@raz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raz)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/48 "2003-06-04T02:36:05Z")
**robgruver** , I just wanna say that you freaking rule. ---
**Author:** ![Creaky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/49 "2003-06-04T03:02:10Z")
I’d buy a Vespa scooter, and bank the rest. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Grelby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a5b964/32.png) [@Grelby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grelby)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/50 "2003-06-04T03:23:09Z")
You guys are simply not going to believe this, but… First choice would probably be '93 or maybe a '97 Honda Civic hatchback, stick shift. Not to make stupid mods and street race, just to have as my everyday car and drive around in. _sigh_ I miss our Civic… plus, I could keep a good $20,000, easily :D. For a new car, I’d be willing to go with a Sentra, but I think that I would probably go for either a Prius or Civic Hybrid. Those things are cool. Prefer the Prius, except for a stupid e-brake design (foot pedal) and lack of availability of standard transmission. ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/51 "2003-06-04T03:46:14Z")
An older **Lexus ES or LS** … ---
**Author:** ![peritrochoid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@peritrochoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peritrochoid)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/52 "2003-06-04T03:59:37Z")
Well, my user name says it all 😃 : Mazda RX-8! Would gladly substitute a nice, solid 3rd gen RX-7 as well. second choice? hope like crazy that my VW dealer cuts me a break on a new R32 Golf! ---
**Author:** ![Sqube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aca169/32.png) [@Sqube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sqube)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/53 "2003-06-04T05:22:51Z")
I’d have to go with either the Mazda RX-8 or the Nissan 350Z. Or, like I think someone else already said you could go for one of the older M3s. ---
**Author:** ![viking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@viking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/viking)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/54 "2003-06-04T05:42:37Z")
A small compact pickup. Something like the Toyota Tacoma or the little Mazda or Nissan pickups I see around sometimes. The final decision would probably depend on how good the coffee cup holder were. Can you tell how much I know/ care about cars? Mostly I’ve been driving the Echo 'coz they’re $20 a day from Budget, and the coffee cup holders are annoyingly hidden under the dash, requiring far too much attention diverted away from driving towards getting and replacing your coffee mug. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/55 "2003-06-04T06:11:50Z")
Subaru WRX, or possibly a Nissan Murano. ---
**Author:** ![broys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5e9695/32.png) [@broys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/broys)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/56 "2003-06-04T08:17:07Z")
2003 Chevy Silverado Z71. Extended cab with the 5.3L v8. Then I would sell my Bravada and use some of the money to build myself the ultimate computer. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/57 "2003-06-04T09:27:56Z")
> [@](#): > > Also, I still love the SVX. We have 92 that turns heads every where we go. Absolute blast to drive as well. Woohoo another SVX owner around here, I love my baby, but not quite the clearance to go offroading. My tranny is still holding on at 125k. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/58 "2003-06-04T15:28:50Z")
“The prices on those things sure have dropped. Last I checked, they started at $80,000.” No, they are much cheaper these days but you can’t get one for $28k I might get one of those electric GE cars that do 25mph. They are $10k but I saw at Costco you could get one for $4k. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/59 "2003-06-04T19:01:45Z")
This is not a hypothetical question for me. I bought an Acura TSX last week. I’ll have to wait a while before I get it though. We looked at cars for over 18 months before deciding. ---
**Author:** ![bittersweet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@bittersweet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bittersweet)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/60 "2003-06-04T20:19:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by An Arky \* > \*\*A VW Passat would be, and was my choice. And you can have some money left over if you play your cards right. \*\* Ditto goes for me. A nice blue color. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370.md?page=4)