Best "low end" car?

[FreshPrince]

What's the best low end car in the market today?

Not looking for anything fancy...just something to get from point A to point B.

So far...the Corolla looks good.

 

[Corporate Thug]

budget?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Something used?

If new, a j-body would work. With the discounts and promos GM's throwing around, expect several grand off MSRP. Even more from a last-year's model.

- M4H

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Corolla or Accord - Both are very reliable short term and long term assuming you get it regular oil changes

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Corolla or Accord - Both are very reliable short term and long term assuming you get it regular oil changes

Accord isnt exactly low end...

 

[LAUST]

Civic is $13,000 brand new

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Corolla or Accord - Both are very reliable short term and long term assuming you get it regular oil changes

heh...that's not low-end.

I think the Suzuki Aerio, Kia Spectra (its a pretty nice car actually), Hynduai Elantra and Accent fit the bill.

Can't go wrong with either of them.

 

[opticalmace]

Elantra is a great deal.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Corolla or Accord - Both are very reliable short term and long term assuming you get it regular oil changes

heh...that's not low-end.

I think the Suzuki Aerio, Kia Spectra (its a pretty nice car actually), Hynduai Elantra and Accent fit the bill.

Can't go wrong with either of them.

Only thing wrong is they are the worst for resale (according to http://www.edmunds.com). I wouldn't get one brand new if I didn't plan on keeping it forever (for eventual use as a 2nd car.)

 

[Jeff7181]

Not sure as far as what you're looking for... but I plan on picking up a used F-150... 3-4 years old. Fairly cheap, fun trucks, and VERY cheap to insure. With all the power adder kits for them, it can be a bit of a hot rod too =)

 

[PCMarine]

How about a used Ford Taurus?

Since they have crappy resale value, you can get a lot of car for ~$5,000-10,000

 

[Corporate Thug]

i wouldnt pay 10k for a taurus if my life depended on it

 

[kalster]

i wud take corolla over a civic, somehow i dont find honda to be as robust as toyota

 

[FreshPrince]

Looking for new, around $13K.

 

[boyRacer]

A Scion.

 

[aircooled]

Nissan Sentra.

 

[Mani]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
A Scion.

I'm probably alone on this, but I like the xB. It's got boxy styling, but it's not fugly like the Element. It's a great value, has tons of storage space, promises toyota reliability, and supposedly is pretty fun to drive.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Corolla or Accord - Both are very reliable short term and long term assuming you get it regular oil changes

heh...that's not low-end.

I think the Suzuki Aerio, Kia Spectra (its a pretty nice car actually), Hynduai Elantra and Accent fit the bill.

Can't go wrong with either of them.

hehe... I've been looking at/reading about mclarens, saleens, ferrari's, porchse carrera GT's, etc. all day so yeah, my mind is elsewhere

 

[OS]

I like the corolla, the base engine is noticeably stronger than the civic's base engine. Plus A/C and CD is standard.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: Mani

Originally posted by: boyRacer
A Scion.

I'm probably alone on this, but I like the xB. It's got boxy styling, but it's not fugly like the Element. It's a great value, has tons of storage space, promises toyota reliability, and supposedly is pretty fun to drive.

Yeah the xB is more popular... i see maybe at least 5 a day. Must be a cool car just to drag your friends around. I like the xA more though.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: FreshPrince
What's the best low end car in the market today?

Not looking for anything fancy...just something to get from point A to point B.

So far...the Corolla looks good.

go for the 10-20 year old market segment.

I mean, I would take a 1990 Grand Marquis over a 2004 Escort in a second. And I would pocket the 10000 I would save.

 

[RossMAN]

You could find a 2003 Mazda Protege on clearance for around $13,000

 

[Corporate Thug]

the dealships in my area have 2003 lancers for 10k

 

[flot]

Why buy a new POS for $13,000 when you can get a 2-3 year old pretty decent car for $13,000 ????

I've never understood this. If you look at cars 3-5 years old, you'll often pay HALF of what they sold for new. So your $13,000 = $26,000 of car. Work the math out on your total cost of ownership, factoring in selling the car in 4-5 years and see how screwed you get when you buy a new car.

If you're determined to have a "newer" car than that - look at vehicles which are 1-2 years old. These are often up for sale from people who couldn't afford them, had a lifestyle change, or are habitual new car buyers. Even there, your $13,000 may buy you $17,000 worth of car - which again puts you into one higher "quality bracket" than you were before.

(I just bought a 2001 SUV with 5 months of warranty left.. original sticker ~ $33,000 - I paid $15,200.)

 

[RossMAN]

flot - Nice deal on the SUV, what model did you buy?