Recommend me some cheap but reliable used cars-Edit: might buy Scion XA on 2nd page

SAWYER

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
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42
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I have decided to buy me a cheap used car instead of fixing my Civic. I dont have a set budget but have been eyeing different cars ranging anywhere from 4-7k. I dont need anything special, I would like something with decent mpg and known reliability, I have been considering mid 2000's Malibus or Impalas, how are they? I was also looking at some mid 2000's Altimas and Maximas but supposedly they had transmission issues. I am not concerned with high miles as long as it has been taken care of.

A guy in my town has an 04 Avalon with new timing belt, water pump, regular service for $4500. It is really nice and looks practically new but the only downside is it has a rebuilt title from at wreck at 16k miles, has 160k now. I dont mind a rebuilt title though, plus it is owned by an old man who has taken care of it. I will also open to a Camry or Accord for sure, I have owned both before and they were great.
 
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Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
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Do you mind a monthly payment? Nissan makes a Versa in sedan format for $12k (I've actually seen them on sale for less than MSRP), it's a really great little car for the money:

http://www.nissanusa.com/cars/versa-sedan

The base model has A/C & a CD player, next step up adds cruise control. The 5-speed gets 36 MPG highway & the CVT gets 40. You get a warranty & since it's a new car, you don't have to worry about heavy maintenance for a long, long time. It's a nice option to consider...
 

Jimzz

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2012
4,399
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Yea the last gen impala's were good reliable cars. Very boring, think Toyota car with a chevy badge boring. But if taken care of reliable.

Look for cars that are boring or had problems but fixed them like the Impala (boring so people ignore it) or Hyundai's that were made around 5-9 years ago (had problem before but started to get their s__t together). We found a 2005 Hyundai elantra for my nephew. The 2004-2006 elantra are good to look at.
 

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
12
0
If the Camry is a boring car, then the Malibu is Grandpa's boring car. Especially the lower end (cheaper) from the sixth and seventh gen. I'd get a Camry over one of those any day. I think they just drive better and are more reliable. Impala is probably better if you're going for a GM.
 

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,977
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what civic do you have and why have you decided not to fix it? what are the list of repairs needed?
 

Dr. Detroit

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2004
8,345
791
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Any GM vehicle with the 3800 Series II or III engine are practically bulletproof & parts are cheap and easy to work on.
Grand Prix
Monte Carlo
LeSabre
Bonneville
Park Ave
Regal
Impala

For some compacts:
Mazda Protege
Ford Focus (Duratec 2.3L)
 

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,977
4
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Yeah but all of those vehicles aside from the compact cars have high operating expenses. Fuel economy is a huge factor in a vehicle's cost especially if you remove the depreciation factor. Don't try to sell 30mpg highway as being "fuel efficient" when fuel efficiency really is to be determined by CITY fuel economy.
 

SAWYER

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
16,742
42
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what civic do you have and why have you decided not to fix it? what are the list of repairs needed?

01 Civic and I think my transmission is going out. I just spent 1000 last year on head gasket, water pump and timing belt. I don't want to spend another 1000 plus
 

kitatech

Senior member
Jan 7, 2013
484
3
81
I have decided to buy me a cheap used car...

A guy in my town has an 04 Avalon with new timing belt, water pump, regular service for $4500. It is really nice and looks practically new but the only downside is it has a rebuilt title from at wreck at 16k miles, has 160k now. I dont mind a rebuilt title though, plus it is owned by an old man who has taken care of it. I will also open to a Camry or Accord for sure, I have owned both before and they were great.

The car's gone 144k miles since the accident so I would think that says it's still in good shape regardless...as for the timing belt/h2o pump...if it included the tensioner and related fluids, that's an $800-1k repair...great for the next owner...better yet, have the plugs been changed...?

Offer $4k... ;)
 

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,977
4
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01 Civic and I think my transmission is going out. I just spent 1000 last year on head gasket, water pump and timing belt. I don't want to spend another 1000 plus

how many miles on the car? How much do you think you can get for the car?
 

SAWYER

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
16,742
42
91
Do you mind a monthly payment? Nissan makes a Versa in sedan format for $12k (I've actually seen them on sale for less than MSRP), it's a really great little car for the money:

http://www.nissanusa.com/cars/versa-sedan

The base model has A/C & a CD player, next step up adds cruise control. The 5-speed gets 36 MPG highway & the CVT gets 40. You get a warranty & since it's a new car, you don't have to worry about heavy maintenance for a long, long time. It's a nice option to consider...

I have seen a few of this used around 7-8 locally. here is a 2010 with a rebuilt title for 6900
http://jonesboro.craigslist.org/bar/4379526511.html
 

thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,015
114
106
Pontiac vibe/toyota matrix Both are the same car and are basically toyota corrola wagons. Not exactly fun to drive, toyota :), but reliable and you can find them cheap if you get lucky. Engine uses a timing chain too so no pesky belt to worry about. I bought an 03 vibe with mild dents on the passenger side and 200k miles for $2200 and it still ran and drove great.
 

desy

Diamond Member
Jan 13, 2000
5,442
212
106
Vibe, newer Focus 05+
The Avalon you listed should be OK
Impalas/Buicks not Malibus for sure
If you can find a decent deal and not inflated resale on any Toyota or Honda always a solid choice
A first gen Fusion is also a known good basic transporter
I owned a 07 Versa hatch, solid car with a 4 speed not the CVT, The Sedan was a lot more problematic than the Hatch for some reason
 
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SAWYER

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
16,742
42
91
Vibe, newer Focus 05+
The Avalon you listed should be OK
Impalas/Buicks not Malibus for sure
If you can find a decent deal and not inflated resale on any Toyota or Honda always a solid choice
A first gen Fusion is also a known good basic transporter
I owned a 07 Versa hatch, solid car with a 4 speed not the CVT, The Sedan was a lot more problematic than the Hatch for some reason

I have seen several 06-07 Focus's for around 3-4 but didnt know when the Focus's rep changed
 

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
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If you want something a little bigger and more well-equipped than the typical compacts most people are suggesting, maybe consider 7th generation (03-07) Honda Accords. As long as you stick with the 4-cylinder models, you shouldn't have many issues (the V6s had weak transmissions, but this wasn't an issue with the I4s). The I4s have a timing chain, so no need for timing belt replacements. Replacement parts are cheap and easy to find because the same engine (K24) is used in a bunch of other Honda cars, even today. It is also pretty well equipped in terms of features; an EX-L will have a moonroof, dual zone climate, CD changer, heated seats, etc.

IMO it also is a bit more fun to drive than the Camry and other midsize sedans.
 

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
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0
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Thanks for the info on the 4cyl Accord transmissions

I should also mention that for the V6 7th gen Accords, it's only the automatics which have transmission problems. 4-cyl automatics, 4-cyl manuals, and V6 manuals are all fine. Honda just can't seem to get their act together with their V6 automatic transmissions.



Here's a 06 EX-L with 93k miles for $6490. If you look more locally you can probably find an even better deal.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...[ACCORD%7CEX-L]][]]&listingId=353348185&Log=0
 
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MiataNC

Platinum Member
Dec 5, 2007
2,215
1
81
The Mid-2000s Focus was/is a great car.

Look for an SE or SES model with low miles and a manual trans. They come with a lot of nice options, and you can find them for $5-7K. Carmax stocks them for $7-9K, and they do a good job of only stocking well maintained cars and offer extended warranties.

I recommend sticking with stick-shift cars in your price range. Most high mileage older cars develop auto-tranny issues. You can avoid that by getting a stick. It is a LOT cheaper to change a clutch than to rebuild an auto.
 

SAWYER

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
16,742
42
91
I didnt know that about manual v auto, I will definitely consider a manual car then. I will also be paying cash so hopefully that will make me be able to get a better deal and I prefer an individual. I also really want that Avalon but I have not heard back , he already dropped from 5500

http://jonesboro.craigslist.org/cto/4384748027.html
 
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Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
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If Focus make sure it's Duratec (limited '04 models, all '05+). The older Zetec, and especially the old SPI motors were god awful. The '00 to '11 all had the same basic underpinnings and are very light cars. The 4-speed autos are mind-bogglingly average, but the 5-spd (Mtx-75) is very decent.