Need a new car

[Syrch]

I want to get my fiancee a new car. She is going to be driving about 60 miles a day to and from work and thats all the car would be used for. We don't want to spend more then 5k on the car also. Do you guys have any suggestions? year/model/milage? Everyone tells me civic but for that price its hard to find one thats not already over 100k miles if not 150k+ miles.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

my standard recommendation is a toyota/honda/nissan econobox. 100k means nothing to the drivetrain, watch out for body rust and the interior.

 

[Syrch]

If i pick up a 97 civic or such what should i look for in the engine? Im a truck guy so these econo cars are foreign to me.

 

[Arkaign]

Just for work? 4cyl truck w/5spd. Super easy to work on, very little to fail.

Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chevy, whatever. Actually, avoid the Ranger with the 8-spark-plug 4-cylinder, it's a bit of a hassle to work with, but otherwise, plenty of good choices out there.

Great thing about having the little truck is that it will be useful in lots of ways, but won't cost you out the butt in gas.

 

[Syrch]

I was thinking that arkaign as i had a S10 with the v6 in ti and literally beat the thing into the ground but it never gave any issues. Only thing is if we did want to drive it on the weekend for whatever reason we'd need a 4 door. I have a f150 with a 4.6L in it so im covered as far as hauling/towing anything i might need.

 

[996GT2]

In addition to Civic/Corolla, etc you could look into a 5th generation Accord. Might be a little more comfortable for longer trips and is also a little bigger in case you need to carry 5 people in comfort. Gas mileage is not much worse than a civic, and you can still get 30+ mpg on the highway with a 5 speed manual model. I did a little searching on Arizona's craigslist and found quite a few well equipped ones with power windows, locks, cruse control, etc on sale for < $5000.

Edit: I'm currently driving a 96 Accord that was bought new off the dealer lot 12 years ago...over that time, my parents (and now me, for the last 2 years of HS) have put 192,000 miles on it. With the scheduled dealer services/oil changes, the car still runs (and looks) like new. The main point of concern for automatic vehicles like this is the transmission, which can go out at around 200-250k if not well cared for. Also, you want to check the typical rear quarter panel rust that's common on many older Honda/Acura vehicles. A little bit of rust won't be that bad, but if there's a lot of rust body integrity can be compromised.

 

[theeedude]

NA Mazda Miata

 

[Syrch]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
In addition to Civic/Corolla, etc you could look into a 5th generation Accord. Might be a little more comfortable for longer trips and is also a little bigger in case you need to carry 5 people in comfort. Gas mileage is not much worse than a civic, and you can still get 30+ mpg on the highway with a 5 speed manual model. I did a little searching on Arizona's craigslist and found quite a few well equipped ones with power windows, locks, cruse control, etc on sale for < $5000.

Edit: I'm currently driving a 96 Accord that was bought new off the dealer lot 12 years ago...over that time, my parents (and now me, for the last 2 years of HS) have put 192,000 miles on it. With the scheduled dealer services/oil changes, the car still runs (and looks) like new. The main point of concern for automatic vehicles like this is the transmission, which can go out at around 200-250k if not well cared for. Also, you want to check the typical rear quarter panel rust that's common on many older Honda/Acura vehicles. A little bit of rust won't be that bad, but if there's a lot of rust body integrity can be compromised.

Something like this?

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/602210390.html

Of course i'd take it to the shop to have it inspected. I agree with rust but im hoping that living in phoenix will be a savor there

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: Syrch

Originally posted by: 996GT2
In addition to Civic/Corolla, etc you could look into a 5th generation Accord. Might be a little more comfortable for longer trips and is also a little bigger in case you need to carry 5 people in comfort. Gas mileage is not much worse than a civic, and you can still get 30+ mpg on the highway with a 5 speed manual model. I did a little searching on Arizona's craigslist and found quite a few well equipped ones with power windows, locks, cruse control, etc on sale for < $5000.

Edit: I'm currently driving a 96 Accord that was bought new off the dealer lot 12 years ago...over that time, my parents (and now me, for the last 2 years of HS) have put 192,000 miles on it. With the scheduled dealer services/oil changes, the car still runs (and looks) like new. The main point of concern for automatic vehicles like this is the transmission, which can go out at around 200-250k if not well cared for. Also, you want to check the typical rear quarter panel rust that's common on many older Honda/Acura vehicles. A little bit of rust won't be that bad, but if there's a lot of rust body integrity can be compromised.

Something like this?

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/602210390.html

Of course i'd take it to the shop to have it inspected. I agree with rust but im hoping that living in phoenix will be a savor there

Yeah, that looks to be in pretty good shape. The V6 should be pretty reliable, since it was based on the same 2.7 liter design as used on the earlier Acura Legend. However, repairs and replacement parts might cost a more for the V6 than for the 4 cylinder, and gas mileage will be a few mpg lower with a V6/auto combination versus an I4/auto or manual combination. You do get all the options with a V6 model though, including moonroof, power seats, windows, locks, cruise control, CD player (and maybe changer), etc.

 

[Arkaign]

Hmm, if you've already got the truck covered, then it's hard to beat an Accord/Civic/Corolla/Camry.

4cyl versions with manual will be the most reliable/lowest maintenance & operation cost.

If you're going for a 6cyl, I have to recommend looking at Maximas. They last a loooong time, have very tough motors (chain, not a belt), and their depreciation is a lot more severe than Honda/Toyota products. As a result of that depreciation, for the price of a basic 4cyl '00 Accord, you can get a loaded '00 Maxima for example, usually with lower miles to boot.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

01+ Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Accent or Kia Spectra. Cheap, reliable, good gas mileage.

 

[DaveJ]

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones
01+ Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Accent or Kia Spectra. Cheap, reliable, good gas mileage.

QFT. They will be cheaper than a Japanese model and probably have lower mileage as well. I have a 2005 Elantra and it's an excellent little car.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
In addition to Civic/Corolla, etc you could look into a 5th generation Accord. Might be a little more comfortable for longer trips and is also a little bigger in case you need to carry 5 people in comfort. Gas mileage is not much worse than a civic, and you can still get 30+ mpg on the highway with a 5 speed manual model. I did a little searching on Arizona's craigslist and found quite a few well equipped ones with power windows, locks, cruse control, etc on sale for < $5000.

Edit: I'm currently driving a 96 Accord that was bought new off the dealer lot 12 years ago...over that time, my parents (and now me, for the last 2 years of HS) have put 192,000 miles on it. With the scheduled dealer services/oil changes, the car still runs (and looks) like new. The main point of concern for automatic vehicles like this is the transmission, which can go out at around 200-250k if not well cared for. Also, you want to check the typical rear quarter panel rust that's common on many older Honda/Acura vehicles. A little bit of rust won't be that bad, but if there's a lot of rust body integrity can be compromised.

I helped my fiancee buy a 95 Accord EX 5-speed for similar usage to the OP's fiancee. We paid $3300 for one with 155,000 miles. She was driving a beater 87 Camry and I really wanted her to have something that weighed more than 2000 pounds and had proper seatbelts, airbags, and ABS. She also got power everything, a moonroof, and a six-speaker CD player, which were all big upgrades for her. She averages a bit over 30 MPG in mixed driving. So far so good.

I sold my 91 Accord at 225K, and it was still running good although it had an oil leak. This one is in better shape for the mileage than mine was at that time, so I expect this car will last us for a few years without too much trouble.

 

[desy]

99 or 00 Escort,
Mazda Protege with NA brand depreciation

 

[thedarkwolf]

ford focus

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Just for work? 4cyl truck w/5spd. Super easy to work on, very little to fail.

Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chevy, whatever. Actually, avoid the Ranger with the 8-spark-plug 4-cylinder, it's a bit of a hassle to work with, but otherwise, plenty of good choices out there.

Great thing about having the little truck is that it will be useful in lots of ways, but won't cost you out the butt in gas.

60 miles a day with these gas prices, you don't want a truck, even a small one.

 

[DougK62]

Get a Grand Prix/Impala/Buick/whatever with the 3.8 V6. You'll get way more for your money.

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: DougK62
Get a Grand Prix/Impala/Buick/whatever with the 3.8 V6. You'll get way more for your money.

One of my friends got a 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue last year for about $5-6k. The car had the 3.8 V6 and had less than 80k miles on it, so he thought it was a good deal. Originally, I tried to convince him to get a Corolla or Civic, but he took the extra features of the Olds instead. Granted, even I thought it was a pretty good buy, since the car came loaded with a bunch of options like leather interior, power windows, locks, moonroof, etc. HOWEVER...he's had nothing but problems since then, including a rear window that won't go up/down, windshield wipers that don't go down when turned off, and a CD player that skips randomly with ANY CD.

Those are just the electrical issues...the car has also had more important mechanical issues like a failed power steering pump and brake problems...all of this was before the car even broke 80k miles... These days, I can instantly recognize his car in the school parking lot as the Intrigue with upright windshield wipers and tape on the rear window (since it won't close).

After his experience, I would give up the extra features any day for the rock solid reliability of my Accord...even with over 2x the mileage, it has had none of the issues that my friend's Oldsmobile has had.

 

[desy]

Olds is know for electrical problems
I'd only get the Buick or Impala from the 3.8l choices

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: 996GT2

Originally posted by: DougK62
Get a Grand Prix/Impala/Buick/whatever with the 3.8 V6. You'll get way more for your money.

One of my friends got a 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue last year for about $5-6k. The car had the 3.8 V6 and had less than 80k miles on it, so he thought it was a good deal. Originally, I tried to convince him to get a Corolla or Civic, but he took the extra features of the Olds instead. Granted, even I thought it was a pretty good buy, since the car came loaded with a bunch of options like leather interior, power windows, locks, moonroof, etc. HOWEVER...he's had nothing but problems since then, including a rear window that won't go up/down, windshield wipers that don't go down when turned off, CD player that skips randomly with ANY CD, not to mention more important mechanical issues like a failed power steering pump and brake problems...all of this was before the car even broke 80k miles... These days, I can instantly recognize his car in the school parking lot as the Intrigue with upright windshield wipers and tape on the rear window (since it won't close).

After his experience, I would give up the extra features any day for the rock solid reliability of my Accord...even with over 2x the mileage, it has had none of the issues that my friend's Oldsmobile has had.

That's far from a typical experience. If you're buying used, you always run the risk of inheriting someone else's masked problems.

 

[PCMarine]

Originally posted by: desy
Olds is know for electrical problems
I'd only get the Buick or Impala from the 3.8l choices

QFT

Early 2000s Impala, Malibu, Taurus, etc. Ford/chevy/etc have been making these staple domestic sedans for years and years so huge problems shouldn't occur. Plus these cars usually come with bulletproof / fuel efficient (but underpowered) pushrod motors (like GM's 3800). Plus they are dirt cheap used, as you should be able to pick a few year old model with < 75K miles for under $5K.

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: DougK62

Originally posted by: 996GT2

Originally posted by: DougK62
Get a Grand Prix/Impala/Buick/whatever with the 3.8 V6. You'll get way more for your money.

One of my friends got a 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue last year for about $5-6k. The car had the 3.8 V6 and had less than 80k miles on it, so he thought it was a good deal. Originally, I tried to convince him to get a Corolla or Civic, but he took the extra features of the Olds instead. Granted, even I thought it was a pretty good buy, since the car came loaded with a bunch of options like leather interior, power windows, locks, moonroof, etc. HOWEVER...he's had nothing but problems since then, including a rear window that won't go up/down, windshield wipers that don't go down when turned off, CD player that skips randomly with ANY CD, not to mention more important mechanical issues like a failed power steering pump and brake problems...all of this was before the car even broke 80k miles... These days, I can instantly recognize his car in the school parking lot as the Intrigue with upright windshield wipers and tape on the rear window (since it won't close).

After his experience, I would give up the extra features any day for the rock solid reliability of my Accord...even with over 2x the mileage, it has had none of the issues that my friend's Oldsmobile has had.

That's far from a typical experience. If you're buying used, you always run the risk of inheriting someone else's masked problems.

I realize it may not be the typical experience, but among my friends those with cars known to be reliable have had almost zero problems...quite a few drive Accords (4th, 5th, and 6th gen), and I haven't heard of any problems to date. On the other hand, those with American and European cars have had problems come up here and there...my friend's Oldsmobile was probably the most prominent case, but a few other examples my friends have had include electrical issues in a Mercury Sable and VW Jetta and steering problems on a C-class Mercedes. I'm not trying to say all American cars are inherently unreliable (some are quite good)...I'm just giving my own views based on personal experience.

Since the OP said he was just looking for a highway cruiser that got good gas mileage and was reliable, I would personally recommend a car that I've known in my experience to be reliable. If the OP said he was looking to get the most he could for the money, then I would suggest that he look into some domestic sedans...but for fuel efficient highway cruising I don't think you could beat an older Accord...after all, that's what my parents did for the first 5 or 6 years of our 96 Accord's life (150 miles per day), and the car still runs like new after almost 200k miles.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Just for work? 4cyl truck w/5spd. Super easy to work on, very little to fail.

Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chevy, whatever. Actually, avoid the Ranger with the 8-spark-plug 4-cylinder, it's a bit of a hassle to work with, but otherwise, plenty of good choices out there.

Great thing about having the little truck is that it will be useful in lots of ways, but won't cost you out the butt in gas.

60 miles a day with these gas prices, you don't want a truck, even a small one.

In my experience, the light 4cyl trucks with manual tranny are pretty easy to get high 20s out of, which is competitive with pretty much all auto-tranny cars, V6s, etc.

But the OP has already said that he's got the truck thing covered, so a budget 4cyl car would probably be the next best bet.