Need to purchase a used car

[zinfamous]

So, short story: GF and I were rear-ended last week, her car being totaled in the process. Still waiting to clear all issues with insurance, including pay-out check for her car.

now it looks like I'll be getting the car this time and we'll re-adjust insurance policies. Anyhoo, this is what I tend to look for:

Budget: $2-5k

Honda
Acura
Toyota
Nissan
Mazda?

I'm a longtime Honda owner, very satisfied. Not including the more recent 2000 Maxima that was gifted to me (sold ~3 years ago), my previous car was a 90 Accord EX, 5spd. loved that car.

So, it's been a while since I went car hunting, so I'm wondering if there is something else I should be looking into to narrow my search. I'm now resigned to the fact that I need to stick closer to the 100-120k mileage range to find something within my budget.

questions:

1: 100-130k mileage: other than timing belt replacement, what type of records should I look for?

2: I've liked the Mazdas that I've test-driven in the past, though I have no experience with family or friends owning one. Is it worth considering as they can be found cheaper in the same class of cars as Honda/Toyota? Is the rotary engine still an issue in finding a good mechanic? My knowledge on this is very limited and at least 10 years old...

3: seeing a lot of Acuras--particularly Legends in my area, '94-99, ~120k mileage, going for $3600-4600. Is this really as suspicious as I think it is? Anyone with good Acura experience have some advice with what to look for...(as well as any of these manufacturers.)

4: Some other make that I'm woefully neglecting in my search?

I'm hoping for a car that will last at least 5 years, with "relatively" little trouble beyond the expected routine maintenance and cost of aging...

Thanks!
:beer:

--------------UPDATE 6-30---------------


welp, picked it up!

2008 Mazda 3 i Touring. 27k miles, Black/tan (cloth).

I'll take me own pics soon enough.

paid $12,900 = 14,500 after.

...yep, failed the budget (3.5x over! :Q), but I feel like it's win in the end?

Couldn't find anything in the well-used department that I liked, plus....the GF is so thrifty, that I've managed to save ~1/2 my monthly pay. So, seeing as how I don't have any debt to speak of, I figured I'd finally go the finance route, build some more credit, get something newer and still fun, plus save on repair costs with something still under warranty.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Ford Focus

Unless you are buying a mazda rx-7/8 which you aren't you don't need to worry about rotary engines.

 

[thescreensavers]

Subaru is also Japanese btw

also to the OP AT will recommend you American cars like they are amazing. Stick with your plan imo

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: thescreensavers
Subaru is also Japanese btw

also to the OP AT will recommend you American cars like they are amazing. Stick with your plan imo

yeah, I've no love for American cars of the previous 2 decades or so. there were a handful of Fords that went through the family at one time or another. the mantra for Ford is: NEVER AGAIN.

I have looked at Subaru, I like the drive-train data, of course, but most everything around here is a wagon (don't want), and I'm not sure if the all-time 4WD is a great idea for me? Again, I'm somewhat ignorant about Subaru so not sure how true this is for everything they make.

Thanks for the info, DarkWolf--I thought that I was somewhat off on my assumptions. I've seen some really sharp looking Millenias in the area that I'd like to take a peek at.

One problem I've found for this area is way too many riced-up ghetto-thumpers people are trying to unload--not surprised, though (Bay Area)

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: thescreensavers
also to the OP AT will recommend you American cars like they are amazing. Stick with your plan imo

:laugh:
Is that some kind of joke?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: zinfamous
So, short story: GF and I were rear-ended last week,

And that's where I stopped reading. :laugh:

 

[halik]

I thought Acura Legends have transmission issues?

Stay away from Integras unless you like having your shit stolen, probably the same can be said about civics depending on where you live.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: halik
I thought Acura Legends have transmission issues?

Stay away from Integras unless you like having your shit stolen, probably the same can be said about civics depending on where you live.

you think 1/2 mile from Oakland is sketchy?

and I know what you mean about integras. This is my "favorite" listing so far. par for the course out here:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1236944445.html



Oh, and thanks for the heads-up on the Legend. See, I had no idea. Same hold true for TL?

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: zinfamous
So, short story: GF and I were rear-ended last week,

And that's where I stopped reading. :laugh:

TMI?

 

[Tom]

travel in safety

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/1227422158.html

 

[cheesehead]

Don't buy a Civic or Acura. High desirability = inflated prices and theft potential. While the Civic and Fit are both great deals if you buy them new, the used prices just suck.

If you can find a good one, a Ford Focus is not a bad bet either - the engine is just a stripped-down Mazda design, and very reliable. Around here they're a bit overpriced, but if you can get one with low miles and a decent interior for a good price, go for it.

Also consider a Geo Prizm - the only thing in it made by GM is the radio. As such, it's just another Corolla, except with a rubbish badge and a 1/3 lower pricetag.

Consumer Reports very much likes Mazdas. You can get a 626 with under 90,000 miles for $4k if you hunt around. The Protege series is also well-rated, but smaller and just as expensive as the larger 626.

Originally posted by: zinfamous
I have looked at Subaru, I like the drive-train data, of course, but most everything around here is a wagon (don't want), and I'm not sure if the all-time 4WD is a great idea for me? Again, I'm somewhat ignorant about Subaru so not sure how true this is for everything they make.

The fuel economy on a Subaru takes a hit from the 4WD system, but they're safe, reliable, durable, and relatively cheap (they depreciate like bricks.) I can't see why you wouldn't want a station wagon - unless you pony up for a WRX or STI, it's going to be very very slow anyway and a wagon is often cheap to insure. They also have impressive longevity - I've seen a few being sold on Craigslist with over 200,000 miles.

Originally posted by: halik
I thought Acura Legends have transmission issues?

Stay away from Integras unless you like having your shit stolen, probably the same can be said about civics depending on where you live.

My uncle had one for eons - no trouble. That said, Acura = overpriced.

 

[alkemyst]

edmunds has reviews on older cars.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: thescreensavers
also to the OP AT will recommend you American cars like they are amazing. Stick with your plan imo

:laugh:
Is that some kind of joke?

I hope so. For $2k you'll get a civic that's been neglected and has ridiculous mileage. The extra cost of some of the used japanese cars is crazy.

I own one '97 gm and one '97 jeep. Both have been more reliable than my '99 camry.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Tom
travel in safety

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/1227422158.html

sold to this guy!

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
Don't buy a Civic or Acura. High desirability = inflated prices and theft potential. While the Civic and Fit are both great deals if you buy them new, the used prices just suck.

If you can find a good one, a Ford Focus is not a bad bet either - the engine is just a stripped-down Mazda design, and very reliable. Around here they're a bit overpriced, but if you can get one with low miles and a decent interior for a good price, go for it.

Also consider a Geo Prizm - the only thing in it made by GM is the radio. As such, it's just another Corolla, except with a rubbish badge and a 1/3 lower pricetag.

Consumer Reports very much likes Mazdas. You can get a 626 with under 90,000 miles for $4k if you hunt around. The Protege series is also well-rated, but smaller and just as expensive as the larger 626.

Originally posted by: zinfamous
I have looked at Subaru, I like the drive-train data, of course, but most everything around here is a wagon (don't want), and I'm not sure if the all-time 4WD is a great idea for me? Again, I'm somewhat ignorant about Subaru so not sure how true this is for everything they make.

The fuel economy on a Subaru takes a hit from the 4WD system, but they're safe, reliable, durable, and relatively cheap (they depreciate like bricks.) I can't see why you wouldn't want a station wagon - unless you pony up for a WRX or STI, it's going to be very very slow anyway and a wagon is often cheap to insure. They also have impressive longevity - I've seen a few being sold on Craigslist with over 200,000 miles.

Originally posted by: halik
I thought Acura Legends have transmission issues?

Stay away from Integras unless you like having your shit stolen, probably the same can be said about civics depending on where you live.

My uncle had one for eons - no trouble. That said, Acura = overpriced.

I've liked the 626s that I test-drove several years ago; 5spds, even. I'm looking at a few very nice-looking Millenia right now.

as for Subaru, i don't mind a wagon, really, it's just a matter of parking (Berkeley). not too bad here, certainly, and a Subaru wagon would be great considering the type of terrain and possible activity in this part of the world...but it's not like I live in Oregon

Acura may be overpriced, but i've found a few 120k, 98 TLs listed for under 4k, so I'm definitely interested. but as for Ford, anything more than $0 = overpriced. I wouldn't be caught dead with a Focus attached to my name.

 

[theeedude]

Having owned a POS Ford Taurus and said "never again" myself, on top of my list for <$5K daily drivers would be none other than the Ford Focus.
I can get a fairly reliable modern car with reasonable miles for what would get me a long in the tooth, less fun to drive Honda or Toyota from 10 years ago, which did not then come in the important to me hatchback form.
Runners up would be more rare Mazda Protege5 and Pontiac Vibe, if I could score a good deal on low mileage sample.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Having owned a POS Ford Taurus and said "never again" myself, on top of my list for <$5K daily drivers would be none other than the Ford Focus.
I can get a fairly reliable modern car with reasonable miles for what would get me a long in the tooth, less fun to drive Honda or Toyota from 10 years ago, which did not then come in the important to me hatchback form.
Runners up would be more rare Mazda Protege5 and Pontiac Vibe, if I could score a good deal on low mileage sample.

For the OP's price, he can only get a really old Honda or Toyota with a ton of miles.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: zinfamous
I've liked the 626s that I test-drove several years ago; 5spds, even. I'm looking at a few very nice-looking Millenia right now.

as for Subaru, i don't mind a wagon, really, it's just a matter of parking (Berkeley). not too bad here, certainly, and a Subaru wagon would be great considering the type of terrain and possible activity in this part of the world...but it's not like I live in Oregon

A 626 or Millenia would be a solid choice.
What exactly is your parking concern with a wagon?

 

[LS8]

Ford Fusion with the I4 and 5-spd gearbox.

 

[cheesehead]

If I haven't already mentioned it, the Vibe is a lot like the Geo Prizm - it's made in California, but all the bins of parts are quite clearly labelled "Japan". It's just another Toyota, except that nobody wants a Pontiac these days.

Originally posted by: zinfamous like I live in Oregon

Acura may be overpriced, but i've found a few 120k, 98 TLs listed for under 4k, so I'm definitely interested. but as for Ford, anything more than $0 = overpriced. I wouldn't be caught dead with a Focus attached to my name.

An Acura is a sports car. A ten-year-old sports car, regardless of mileage, can safely be assumed to have been driven extremely hard. It doesn't matter if the Acura in question is a minivan - cars with sporty badges carry a lot of presteige with young men who drive badly and wear their baseball caps backwards. You want something of the sort only owned by octogenarians and soccer moms, who generally have lighter left feet.

Also, while the Focus is a bit cheap, the engine on the later version ("duratec") and gearbox are as good as anything as you'll find on a low-end Mazda. And even less complicated.

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
A 626 or Millenia would be a solid choice.
What exactly is your parking concern with a wagon?

They're a little longer - about a foot and a half, I'd say. And visibility can sometimes be a little odd.

Which means you should go find one of the rare Subaru Legacy sedans. Good car.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: zinfamous
I've liked the 626s that I test-drove several years ago; 5spds, even. I'm looking at a few very nice-looking Millenia right now.

as for Subaru, i don't mind a wagon, really, it's just a matter of parking (Berkeley). not too bad here, certainly, and a Subaru wagon would be great considering the type of terrain and possible activity in this part of the world...but it's not like I live in Oregon

A 626 or Millenia would be a solid choice.
What exactly is your parking concern with a wagon?

finding enough space to park with a wagon--mostly parallel parking. It's better here than when I was in Chicago, by far, but it still lessens one's options.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Having owned a POS Ford Taurus and said "never again" myself, on top of my list for <$5K daily drivers would be none other than the Ford Focus.
I can get a fairly reliable modern car with reasonable miles for what would get me a long in the tooth, less fun to drive Honda or Toyota from 10 years ago, which did not then come in the important to me hatchback form.
Runners up would be more rare Mazda Protege5 and Pontiac Vibe, if I could score a good deal on low mileage sample.

my GF's beloved car that was totaled was actually a Mercury Tracer--the Escort clone. Certainly not the type of car I would want, but she was/is in love with that thing. And, well, it did get us from Chicago to SF with no trouble. She's had zero issues with it the 5 years that she owned it; though it didn't get a lot of daily action living in Chicago.

 

[sandorski]

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[kami333]

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or

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?? means domestic as in inside the country, not made in the country.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: kami333
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or

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?? means domestic as in inside the country, not made in the country.

I don't know Japanese, just put something through BabelFish Copy/Pasted.