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Could I buy a decent Civic or accord for $5000?

N

notfred

Lifer
If I get a certian job I'm hoping for, I may be in the market for a second car. Basically, I'd need reliable transportation to/from work (long commute). It needs to be comfortable and air conditioned, that's about it. What kind of cars fit into this category for $4000-$5000?
 
it isn't a civic or accord I'm guessing
rolleye.gif
 
The supply of sub 100k mile fox body mustangs is kinda limited right now, and I'd like to keep mine in that category 🙂

oh, and it gets 16mpg on premium gas.
 
Used Civics and Accords are quite desired by people. They know that used cars can tend to be unreliable, so they go after the cars known to be the most reliable. That pushes the prices up on used cars. It is common to buy a new Civic and sell it 2 years later for about the same price - then repeat. This is great for buyers of new Civics. However it sucks for those who want to buy a used Civic. You have to go quite old to find a decent Civic or Accord for under $5k. They just don't depreciate much in value...
 
You could get an excellent condition lower/mid-90's Civic for that much, or a mid-condition lower/mid-90's Accord for that much.
 


<< You can get a '90 Civic for under $3K. >>

some like the hatchbacks are not worth $500 wholesale.

Keep a look out for a private party selling a car and you might be able to get a great deal on a one owner!

If it is a long drive I'd go Accord much better drive. But if gas goes up a civic would fair better.

Also... Civic and Accords can Be driven forever! Good Choice! I've had a 200k accord and my father in law has a 93 civic Si with 200K and it looks brand new. and currently driving a 126k accord all are excellent. the only other car that might be close to these would be a Camry or a Corolla they will also go for awhile. Camry is great on the interstate cushier than the accord's double wishbone suspension.
 
I'd look for a '95 'is Nissan Altima

*Gasp* I said Nissan....and Altima Oh what am I ever to do????

The altima is bigger than a civic, and more comfortable, just as reliable, and you can get a pretty decent one for right around that price. You can find sentra's for even cheaper.
 
You can probably get a 94 or 95 civic with 60 - 80k on it pretty easy.
Don't ignore some american used cars though, domestics tend to lose their value faster and you can get some deals on a used domestic.
For example, for what you'd pay for a 94 or 95 civic would get you a 97 or 98 Saturn with 36 - 50k on it. As for reliability if your concerned about a domestic you can still get a newer domestic with an extended warranty for what you'd pay for an older used civic.
When going for new it may make sense to buy an import, but buying used... your far more likely to get a good deal on a domestic car.
 
Prizim is the same (less plush) as the corolla but cheaper due to the name only. so that would be a good choice.
 
Yeah, there definitely tends to be a Honduh popularity tax... for 5K you can probably find a higher mileage EG style Civic... I forget what years those things are around, a '95 is a good bet. You can also consider the Del Sol or a pre-90s CRX if you only need basic transportation for yourself like you say. The Del Sol might be nice in the summer too. But try to stay away from the B16 VTEC engined ones since they usually drive up the price mucho, unless you want one to hop up. I did manage to find one fer $4500 ('95 Del Sol VTEC) in my area on Ebaymotors... didn't buy it though.
 
Check the sig.

you want to by a bike. No better AC than taking the freeway at 75MPH. It also a 01 with less than 1K miles and 3.5 years warranty left.
$5K
 
I would go for an older Nissan Maxima, the 3rd generation (88-94) were one of the toughest cars made, you can ram them into stuff and it wont even leave a dent. The Maximas are very reliable too, their engines are great.

My sister drives an 88 maxima, with 120k miles, that thing has been abused like no other. her ex-husband went on high speed drug chases in that thing, and littlerally just beat the crap out of it, and it still purs along.

edit - the maxima is also a bigger car, and thus much safer, which was the main reason why I was suggesting it. I would never drive a civic or any other compact car for safety reasons.
 
the 4th generation accords you will be able to find in that range, bear in mind that they will last and last like the energizer bunny, My aunt has one with a little under 250,000 miles on it, no major problems yet!
 
Why not go for a Corolla? You should be able to find some mid 90s in excellent condition for a good price since Corollas don't have the inflated prices that Civics have.
 
I would suggest a 94 or 95 Accord LX 5-Speed. Dead reliable and a great commute car. Shouldn't be too much of a problem to find one in that price range. Because of your Mustang I'm guessing that you know what to check out in a used car.

ZV
 


<< I'd look for a '95 'is Nissan Altima

*Gasp* I said Nissan....and Altima Oh what am I ever to do????

The altima is bigger than a civic, and more comfortable, just as reliable, and you can get a pretty decent one for right around that price. You can find sentra's for even cheaper. >>



I'm just as shocked as you are :Q

Have you found a car yet notfred?

I'd also consider a '94 or newer Toyota Corolla, comfortable, great fuel economy and very reliable.
 


<< I ended up getting a different job, close enough to walk to, so I don't need the commuter car 🙂 >>



Bummer, well at least you saved $5k.
 


<< Don't rule out the Geo (Chevy?) Prism. You should be able to get a 1997 for less than $5K.

Edmunds >>



Prizm should be one of Chevy/Geo's most reliable cars even today, because it's not General Motors. It is a Toyota Corolla(or was it something else) OEM'ed for GM.
 
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