Best Car (from the poll) for under 8k

[CrackRabbit]

I am in need of replacing my ailing 91 G20, I love the car but I am not going to pour money into a 16 year old car. So I am looking at cars in the 5-8k range most are 4-7 years old.
I broke it down into two categories, compact and midsize, since it is kinda hard to just lump everything together.
So post your opinion and/or experiences of any or all of them.




Thanks,

CrackRabbit

 

[T2urtle]

gf has one bought it brand new in 03 worth 17k she has oz rally edition. Now its worth about 6k...

it is very underpowered thats for sure. NO issues with it aside from sway bar endlinks i had to replace at 30$ for a pair. No mitsu dealerships around. The radio buttons is very prone to wear. It ate the cd 4 times. But radios seem to be the problem on most cars.

THe car suits her very well. I dont like it all too much. being 2003 it doesn't have standard anti-theft. AC is sub-par. Radio is fair. Handling is just an average car. I'm a nissan guy myself and i would honestly keep the g20 as it has more luxry to the car. Unless you have an older one the newer are aleast 2 levels above the lancer. Cars are same size but a SR20 paired with a manual will feel great compared to the 4g xx it has

 

[CrackRabbit]

Thank you T2urtle! My g20 is a 91 model that has way to many miles on it and is in need of more work than it is worth.
I think I am going to turn this in to a comparison thread on all the cars I am looking at.

 

[foghorn67]

I voted for Focus.
Avoid pre 2003 Focus'. The only issue is the ignition cylinder. Prone to breaking, and causing the vehicle not to start.
If you buy one, demand an aftermarket model, and call a lock and key place, not the dealer.
I have a 2003, did some research on the exact same price range you are looking at.
The Focus is fun to drive, feels well connected to the road, communicative without being unrefined. No rattles, squeaks or anything like that. No leaks, no oil burning.
I do go through brakes like nothing else, but all my cars are like that. So it's a driver issue.
Also, check your state and see if the 2003-2004 Focus is the PZEV model. If it is, that's a plus. The PZEV model is a gem. More torquey and has power in the more usable rpm ranges compared to the ZTEC.
I have a ZX3 hatchback, barebones model, with a 5 speed manual. For 8k now, you can find one with more options like power win/locks, larger wheels, fog lamps, etc...
Pros:
Fun to drive/Perfect and predictable handling (people forget the Focus has a wonderful chassis/body for FWD economy car)
Refined/Cruises quietly/Quiet
AC has a morgue setting
PZEV model can scoot

Cons:
Ignition cylinder will fail

 

[BigSmooth]

My wife's daily driver is a 2000 Sentra (same as the ones you'd be looking at). I bought the car new and it has over 100K miles on it. It has served us well for what it is. It gets very good gas mileage. Mechanically, it has had zero problems, the one thing that has gone wrong with it was all electrical - a bad ECU, which in turn screwed up the alternator and battery. Our GXE has all the basic features like keyless entry, cruise, power windows, etc. I was able to replace the CD player with an aftermarket MP3-capable one pretty easily.

Downsides are a tight rear seat, road noise (although the engine is surprisingly quiet for the most part), and a lack of passing/merging power (a tradeoff for the MPG).

I would not necessarily take the Sentra among your choices, though. For the compact I would go with an Elantra since they're so cheap used and they're fairly reliable. The Sentra and Focus ('04+) would be next on my list. I don't know a lot about the Lancer.

For the midsizers I like the Altima but I would certainly consider a Taurus which would be newer, roomier, and just fine as a point A to point B appliance. The Grand Prix is OK but I think the Taurus is better in most ways. Avoid the Impala.

 

[shocksyde]

I own a 99 Nissan Altima (which is basically the exact same as a 2000 or 2001).

The generation (2nd) is known for its reliability. The engine is rock solid, and not too slow with 150hp (may be 155hp in the 2000-2001 Altimas). I get around 27mpg (mixed driving) currently, but just got down doing my own massive tune-up, so that number should go up a bit to maybe 30 if I'm lucky.

Edit: I did have a 93 Taurus. That piece of crap will ensure that I never buy a Ford.

 

[desy]

03 or later Focus
The Impala is a large car typically not considered a mid-sized but cheap enough and reliable. I know a Cabby who prefers those to Crown vics and gets 400-500K miles before he gets new.

 

[jagec]

Isn't the impala supposed to be the updated Caprice? Those were good cars.

 

[Tyrant222]

out of the choices listed I like the altima or the impala.