I've owned 17 cars and spent more than 10k acquiring each exactly one time - a '99 trooper with 10 thousand miles on it.

 

The best deal was an 1996 Infiniti J30 that needed the 100k maintenance done, which cost me about 600 bucks after I bought it for $3700.  I'd recommend that vehicle to anyone. UNREAL Bose stereo system.  So-so gas mileage, but great performance.

 

I just had a 2001 highlander for about 6 months that I bought for 4 grand and sold for 4500 after I put 400 bucks into it.  It was reliable, but a tinny little thing that blew all over the highway at 70.  Essentially a Camry station wagon.

 

I currently drive a 99 Toyota Land Cruiser that may be my favorite vehicle ever.  Bought for 8,300, put 2 grand into it right away for all the maintnenance the prior owner skipped, and I have added 60k miles to the 150k that came with it.  Bulletproof, but gets 13/17 mpg.

 

If you want to go the under-10k route, here are my recommendations:

 

Mazda miata or 3.

Honda civic/accord

High mileage, well maintained Japanese luxo-sedans like the Infiniti Q45, Lexus LS 430, Acura 3.2

Scion anything

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