Reliable, affordable used car for under $5000?

[notfred]

My girlfriend needs a newer car. There's not a huge list of requirements:

Power steering
Automatic transmission
Air Conditioning
Built after 1990

Everything needs to work like it's supposed to. When you turn on the defroster, the windshield should clear up in a few seconds. Not take half an hour or get foggier. Simple things like that.

There's no real power requirement. a 120hp 4cyl or similar would be fine.

Jsut reliable, comfortable transportation. $3000 - $5000 is the price range.

 

[rayray2]

Honda Accord
Honda Civic
Toyota Camry
Toyota Corolla

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: rayray2
Honda Accord
Honda Civic
Toyota Camry
Toyota Corolla

Neither Hondas nor Toyotas are really very cheap. You know how they're always talking about high resale value? It's true!

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: rayray2
Honda Accord
Honda Civic
Toyota Camry
Toyota Corolla

Neither Hondas nor Toyotas are really very cheap. You know how they're always talking about high resale value? It's true!

1992 Toyota Camry = $3,750-4,750

IThe rest should be comparable.

Viper GTS

 

[Rent]

95' Grand AM GT / Caviler Z24
91' Beretta GT
91+ Taurus

Ect ect

If you look you might see something along the lines of Geo Prism/Toyota Corolla in that price range. Not quite sure it hits the 120hp mark though.

 

[hungrypete]

find a low mileage early to mid 90s Geo Prism. They aren't the greatest ride in the world, but they are fairly safe and reliable, and about the size of an accord or camry.

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: hungrypete
find a low mileage early to mid 90s Geo Prism. They aren't the greatest ride in the world, but they are fairly safe and reliable, and about the size of an accord or camry.

You should be able to get a 1997 for well under $5K.
They are basically a rebadged Toyota Corolla.

 

[UglyCasanova]

Originally posted by: hungrypete
find a low mileage early to mid 90s Geo Prism. They aren't the greatest ride in the world, but they are fairly safe and reliable, and about the size of an accord or camry.

Nooooooo! That is what I drive right now and I hate it. It is a 90' Prizm with 70,000 miles. It is reliable, I'll give you that, but I HATE this car!

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Cyberian

Originally posted by: hungrypete
find a low mileage early to mid 90s Geo Prism. They aren't the greatest ride in the world, but they are fairly safe and reliable, and about the size of an accord or camry.

You should be able to get a 1997 for well under $5K.
They are basically a rebadged Toyota Corolla.

The newer models are known as the Chevrolet Prizm (instead of Geo).

They are basically a rebadged Toyota Corolla just A LOT cheaper.

 

[hungrypete]

hehe you only hate it cuz its a geo

 

[GasX]

try a ford contour. 4cyl and 6 cyl can be found in that price range

 

[vi edit]

'94 Camry.
'94-'95 Nissan Altima
'95 Mazda 626
'96-'97 Mazda Protege

 

[notfred]

I'm not going to buy a Geo. or a Kia, or a Hyundai.

 

[UglyCasanova]

Originally posted by: hungrypete
hehe you only hate it cuz its a geo

no sh!t .

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: RossMAN[/i
The newer models are known as the Chevrolet Prizm (instead of Geo).

They are basically a rebadged Toyota Corolla just A LOT cheaper.

Yup!
They switched over to Chevy in 1998

 

[Ryan]

1990-94 Nissan Maxima. "nuff Said

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
try a ford contour. 4cyl and 6 cyl can be found in that price range

Stay away from the Contour/Mistakes, if you are looking for a Ford product I would recommend a Escort GT or the Taurus SHO (V6).

 

[geno]

this one

ok ok, I'll help for real

Try looking for a 94+ Accord, 97+ Neon, Toyota Camry, hell, what about a mid 90's N/A DSM?

ok there I go again...gotta stop suggesting cars that don't fit

Automatic SHO?

 

[toph99]

any mazda
taurus(get the V6, the 4 banger is a slug)
crown vic just make sure you get one from an old man who had it dealer maintained it's whole life, not one that's been messed up like mine

 

[isekii]

i say a 93-95 civic ex

good gas mileage
very reliable..

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: geno
this one

ok ok, I'll help for real

Try looking for a 94+ Accord, 97+ Neon, Toyota Camry, hell, what about a mid 90's N/A DSM?

ok there I go again...gotta stop suggesting cars that don't fit

that is a KILLER car geno.... :Q

 

[KK]

Taurus would be my choice. Of course thats a biased opinion. Nothing but fords here, 94 ranger, 98 taurus, and 01 windstar. Still got them all with no trouble, knock on wood.

KK

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: KK
Taurus would be my choice. Of course thats a biased opinion. Nothing but fords here, 94 ranger, 98 taurus, and 01 windstar. Still got them all with no trouble, knock on wood. KK

Ugh....but tauruses are sooooooooo FUGLY! :disgust:

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: Yield


that is a KILLER car geno.... :Q

Thanks, I want it *gone* so I can buy a car that's even more killer

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: KK
Taurus would be my choice. Of course thats a biased opinion. Nothing but fords here, 94 ranger, 98 taurus, and 01 windstar. Still got them all with no trouble, knock on wood. KK

Ugh....but tauruses are sooooooooo FUGLY! :disgust:

Well, that may be true, but like anything, you get used to it. But they're Very reasonably priced as the domestic vehicles lose most of their value after 5 years.

KK