i think the 5th gen prelude fits the bill too. reliable, quick (capable of 15 flat quarters or even less if you are a skilled drag racer), great fun in the twisties, and stylish.

 

Gen5 Prelude SH. A good friend of mine has a 97 and he loves it. At 100k the car runs like a top. So you should have no problem paying for the car and go to school simultaneously.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by PWRMKR
[B]

http://www.drivenbyboredom.com/bling.htm

on topic...

 

just cuz yous a hater....

 

I guess I'll be old man responsible here....

If you really are paying for your own car and if you really care about helping your old man out then let me suggest the following:
1) Swallow your ego. You're in college. All you need is basic, reliable transportation. Buying a fast car or a car to impress the girlies has absolutely nothing to do with your stated goals.
2) But a 1998 Civic EX MT. I don't know what blue book is but I have to believe its way under your stated ceiling and the $ you save you can give to your old man. A civic is dead reliable, fun to drive, cheap to own and doesn't depreciate all that much.
3) There's plenty of life ahead of you to own a fancy car.
4) Trust me when I say that the money that you save today by not spending on a nicer car will pay you back in spades when you put it into your first house 5 years earlier than your peers who are driving RSX's, WRX's and the like.
5) Think medium to long term and not short term.