Best Car for around $2500 Max

[imhotepmp]

Being a senior in college and not having a car really sux. So i decided that ill stop buying all this hardware, and start saving. Im thinking about spending around $2500 max for a used car. Any recommendations? I need something reliable forst and foremost. I was thinking along the lines of maybe a honda accord, or maybe a toyota camry of corolla? Are these cars reliable.
Also what mileage is good and which is bad. Obviously i shouldnt buy a car that has 100k+ miles, but where should i draw the line? Thanks for any help. All comments are welcome.

imhotepmp

 

[Soybomb]

Dodge made a ton of turbocharged cars from 1984-1993. They are pure awesome. Nice and peppy out of the box, easily hopped up, cheap, and with oil changed you can get 200k+ miles out of the engines, 250+ isnt unheard of either. They're gonna be cheap too, say $2000 on average where I live for like a 90's turbo shadow, daytona, acclaim, etc. That leaves $500 for new tires, new stero or whatever you want......

 

[vi edit]

For 2500...ummmm....maybe an early 90's grand am, tempo, or cavalier. You might be able to find a escort w/ around 50-70k miles for that price.

For that money, you'll be hard up for an import w/ under 100k miles. Their resell values are too damn high to be practical.

Can you drive a stick? That will help save a couple hundred bucks as well.

 

[imhotepmp]

From what i heard arent Toyota and hOndas mcuh more reliable than American Cars, or is that what they want us to believe?

ALso would it be easier and cheaper to get replacements and repairs for domestic cars than imported?

imhotepmp

Nope cant drive a stick..there goes an extra $300
is it hard to learn without breaking it?

 

[woodie1]

Where I live there are Hondas and Toyotas in that price range. Most are 100k cars but what the hey they run for 200k+.

Parts for American cars are cheaper but my old beater Toyotas rarely needed anything anyway.

 

[Buddha Bart]

I've not only been in your place myself, i've helped friends in your place. Your best bet is to look for an 88 (-/+ a year) Acura Integra.
Check the timing belt, and make sure the person has records of it being changed properly, make sure the water pump has never had to be replaced, and you should walk away with a very reliable car. I won't call the fast or anything, but they actually do have a fair amount of pep.
And for the love of god buy japanese. Not even most germans will last that long, except mabey a BMW, but they'll be too expensive for you anyway.

bart

 

[Lozer]

get a Type-R. nuff said

 

[BiB]

You can get two Type-R's for that price.

 

[Soybomb]

Especially lozers kind, I can get matchbox cars for like $1 or less I'm sure
Nah they just want you to think imports are more reliable, if you took an equal sampling of well cared for domestics and imports, I'll bet you'd see they come out even. Besides I like having very cheap available parts.

 

[pen^2]

how about for a grand lower than imhotepmp's max?

 

[Chooie]

for $1500 I'd try to get something like a mid 80's S10 blazer or Bronco II.

 

[FlashG]

What imhotepmp and woodie1 said,

I have a 140K +mile Accord and love it. I plan on giving it to by 18 yr old son, after he graduates from HS, for college.

Don't forget to ask for maintenance records and have someone check it out mechanically.

BTW,
A lot of people do hand these down to family and friends.

 

[GreenGhost]

What's Type-R?

Repossessed?
Rebuilt?
Refurbished?
Rotten?

 

[geno]

Either go for an earlier import or get an early 90's dodge/plymouth like Soybomb suggested. They're fun to drive - especially the turbo/V6 versions (lots of power and light weight make for a fun ride). They're easy to maintain. As long as you take care of it - it'll last you a long time. Some people will tell you that they fall apart on you because its American - but thats if you don't take care of it - the Japanese cars are the ones that put up with this kind of abuse a little better.

 

[bigben]

LOZER,
he could get a type R, but his dad doesn't work for a car company and he couldn't get a superduper ricedout makebeleive, iwhishtheyexisted type R that apparently can beat Modenas on the track

 

[Ornery]

Here's my suggestion for a nice safe, roomy, comfortable, rugged cruiser. It will hold up well even if it's run hard. Parts are easy to come by and install. Your local police department probably used a similar Ford for the same attributes:

Blue Book Retail Report

1988 Mercury Grand Marquis LS Sedan 4D
http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/kw.kc.tp?kbb&&32&split

Engine: V8 5.0 Liter
Trans: Automatic
Drive: Rear Wheel Drive
Mileage: 130,000

Equipment:
Air Conditioning
Power Steering
Power Windows
AM/FM Stereo

Retail Value $2,425

 

[lupin]

Pre-1990 Golf are fun little cars with character that can be had for <$2,500.

Ask Yakko, or johny guru for more details.

 

[monckywrench]

Agree on the pre-1990 VWs. Golfs/Rabbits/Sciroccos run forever and wear parts are very reasonably priced. I have an 81 Scirocco with over 260k (speedo died at that mileage in 1996!) that is driven daily. They are a breeze to work on if you do it yourself. As with any engine that uses a timing belt, change it whenyou buy the car if you are not SURE when it was last done.