Recommend my next car

[Crafty35a]

With certain caveats:

- Price can't range much higher than 5k, so obviously I will be buying a used car.
- I drive a LOT. I have about a 110 mile commute round trip just for work every day. So it needs to be decent on gas, and reliable.
- I tend to lean towards foreign cars, primarily because I feel they are more reliable in my price range, but I'm certainly open to any suggestions.

My current car is an '87 Nissan 300zx, which I love. But I've put well over 100,000 miles on it in the 3+ years I've had it, and it's getting to the point where it's just going to cost me too much money to keep on the road. I'd rather get a new (used) car than dump a lot more money into my current ride.

What do you guys think?

 

[radioouman]

Corolla, Civic and Sentra are obvious choices to look at.

 

[DougK62]

Drive all of the reliable small cars and pick the one that's most comfortable. Civic, Cavalier, Corolla, Sentra, Focus, etc.

 

[Juno]

do you drive shift?

if so then civic and you will get a good gas mileage.

 

[Crafty35a]

Yes, I forgot to mention that, I definitely prefer manual transmission. Thanks for all the advice so far!

 

[Riverhound777]

I'd also have to go with a manual civic for your situation.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I'd say focus. $5k will go a lot further with a focus then a lot of the imports. What kind of car are you wanting just a boring economy car? Coming for a 300zx to one of those will be a bit of a let down .

 

[AMDZen]

Toyota, Honda or Nissan

 

[WolverineGator]

Anything built in the 1940s. Hey, if it's still around it must be reliable right?

 

[Crafty35a]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
I'd say focus. $5k will go a lot further with a focus then a lot of the imports. What kind of car are you wanting just a boring economy car? Coming for a 300zx to one of those will be a bit of a let down .

I wouldn't say I WANT a boring economy car, but I realize it may be a necessity this time. You're definitely right that the driving experience will be something of a letdown if I go with an economy car.

Really, I'd love to get an early 90's era 300zx. But those are pretty tough to find with reasonable mileage in my price range.

 

[overst33r]

Focus SVT, will be the most peppy and get good gas mileage.

 

[ksaajasto]

pinto, with 5k

 

[thedarkwolf]

Well you could always go miata . Still get decent gas mileage although not as good as you would think mid to upper 20s and its still fun to drive. You can find mid 90s one with under 100k sometimes well under 100k for $5k.

 

[deerslayer]

Originally posted by: DougK62
Drive all of the reliable small cars and pick the one that's most comfortable. Civic, Corolla, Sentra, Focus, etc.

Fixed. I would never tell anyone to by a cavalier (from personal experience).

 

[mitaiwan82]

Chevy/Geo Prizm...rebadged Corolla w/o the high resell

 

[xanis]

Honda Civic or Chevy Cavalier. Both are somewhat similar, cheap, and have easy to find parts should something go wrong.

EDIT: I own a '00 Cavalier and it gets about 30mpg city. The Civic is probably just as good on gas if not much better, so you can't lose either way.

 

[AMDZen]

Originally posted by: Xanis
Honda Civic or Chevy Cavalier. Both are somewhat similar, cheap, and have easy to find parts should something go wrong.

EDIT: I own a '00 Cavalier and it gets about 30mpg city. The Civic is probably just as good on gas if not much better, so you can't lose either way.

Except the cavalier is a total and complete POS.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: deerslayer

Originally posted by: DougK62
Drive all of the reliable small cars and pick the one that's most comfortable. Civic, Corolla, Sentra, Focus, etc.

Fixed. I would never tell anyone to by a cavalier (from personal experience).

Funny you say that. I just snuck the others in to be fair. A Cavalier is my #1 recommendation for people looking for something like the OP wants. You'll get a lot more for your money and it'll be just as reliable.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: AMDZen

Originally posted by: Xanis
Honda Civic or Chevy Cavalier. Both are somewhat similar, cheap, and have easy to find parts should something go wrong.

EDIT: I own a '00 Cavalier and it gets about 30mpg city. The Civic is probably just as good on gas if not much better, so you can't lose either way.

Except the cavalier is a total and complete POS.

I beg to differ... I've owned one for 2 years now and it's been a reliable and efficient car. Have you even actually owned a Cavalier?

 

[wetcat007]

Mazda Protege might be something to look at too.

 

[AMDZen]

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: AMDZen

Originally posted by: Xanis
Honda Civic or Chevy Cavalier. Both are somewhat similar, cheap, and have easy to find parts should something go wrong.

EDIT: I own a '00 Cavalier and it gets about 30mpg city. The Civic is probably just as good on gas if not much better, so you can't lose either way.

Except the cavalier is a total and complete POS.

I beg to differ... I've owned one for 2 years now and it's been a reliable and efficient car. Have you even actually owned a Cavalier?

My sister did, a 96 or 97 I believe. The thing was a rattle box. Rattles everywhere. The transmission was the worst I've ever seen, the 4 cylinder was worse then anything around its time other then maybe in Saturns. Man what a hunk of junk that thing was. Everything on it rattled at one time or another, the muffler came off. It was also completely worthless after only a couple years. But then GM does have about the worst resale value of anything out there. Honda you buy for 5k and sell it for 4k in a couple years.

 

[Crafty35a]

So I've done some more research and there's two cars that haven't been mentioned yet that I am interested in: Honda Prelude, and Acura Integra. Both seem to have superb ratings. The Prelude would definitely be fun to drive, with solid gas mileage, while the Integra is a bit more economical. Any opinions on these two?

 

[piasabird]

Used Nissan. My daughter is driving a Nissan 300z 1986. It runs like a rocket. Close to the ground and good milage.

 

[Vetterin]

My wife used to have an Escort and my daughter stills drives her 98 ZX2. Both have over 100K and still run great. Repair parts are also cheap.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

GM with the wonderful 3800 Series II motor.

Regal, Impala, Monte Carlo, Le Sabre, Parke Ave, Grand Prix.

You will be more comfortable and acheive 26-30 mpg on the freeway.