[justjohn]

Hi everyone. Driving an automatic Prizm right now which has been alright but is in mediocre shape and I really want a manual. Looking to spend about $6,000 max, hoping more like $3,000.

Here are a couple examples of things I've been looking at. Would love your thoughts on what to go for.

Echo
Not that many in my area. Got a dealer selling a clean 2001 with 115k on it for $3950 which looks about $500 over the value and they say "no haggle price."

Focus
Lots around me, got a 2005 supposedly good condition but CD player and something else working sporadically. 70k miles asking $4900. Blue book comes up $5500 clean, get excited, edmunds comes up $4600. Now confused.

Civic HX
No HF around me that aren't beaten to death, and only decent HX seem to be at dealers. Got a 2002 130k, looks mint, dealer asking 5800. Blue book $6500 retail, get excited, edmunds $4,000. What the heck.


I know the honda lean burns are kind of the holy grail around here, but I feel like kind of a tool paying that much more for a car with 130k on it. Also, bothered by the huge discrepancies between kbb and edmunds. Any insight on that and general recommendations would be much appreciated.