Reliable + Cheap daily driver needed.

[Kroze]

Can you list some some good & reliable car that require little maintenance and cheap? No Honda, Toyota, or Nissan because they are in such high demand that I can get something much nicer, more features, newer, less mileage, etc... for the same price

Requirements:

4 cylinders
power windows & locks
air conditioning
timing chain

So far i've found a couple of Saturn SL & SC models & Chevy Prizm (98+ uses timing chain right?)

 

[potato28]

Might be hard to find something like that, but do you care about a manual or auto?

 

[f1r3s1d3]

Ford Focus I'm not sure. I have a first gen Altima that I got for $2800 with 98.3k mi. Power everything, A/C, very peppy, timing chain, etc.

 

[LucJoe]

Looking for the exact same thing with one added requirement: lots of head room, I'm 6'5".

Any used car experts know the best bang for the buck in the used market these days?

 

[desy]

Late 90's Escort or Mazda Protege

 

[Shawn]

Why timing chain?

 

[desy]

Big? try a lat 90's Lumina

 

[thomsbrain]

You can find Toyota Echos with 50K-100K miles for $5000 or less. They were so fucking ugly that they didn't enjoy the resale value that other Toyotas have. I'm sure you'd have plenty of headroom, since they were designed after Toyota starting styling all their cars to look like they got squashed in at the sides and stretched on top.

 

[desy]

Actually a guy at work bought an Echo and he's over 6 2
He said he found more room for him in that than a rolla

 

[ayabe]

94+ Acura Integra - sporty, decent gas mileage, will run forever, cheap parts, etc, etc.

Edit -*NM* Didn't read the OP fully, :brokenheart:

 

[BassBomb]

Chains are common with nissan cars

 

[T2urtle]

i would look at a NISSAN 200sx SER 95-98 models... they are coupes for work great. price ranges from $500-2300 on most of them. this is one of those cars that aren't exactly high in demand but great cars overall.

 

[Jensenfc]

Originally posted by: desy
Big? try a lat 90's Lumina

Yep, I am 6'2" and fit really nicely into a 96 lumina. It has decent power, decent mpg (I get around 27-28mpg highway), and cheap.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Shawn
Why timing chain?

No maintenance recommended/required in most cases. I also like chains for that reason.

 

[T2urtle]

i like chains as well but it would not defer me from getting a car.

on average most belts need to be done at 100k and the normally cost $500 or $800 at the dealership.

 

[radioouman]

Saturn L-series (2002 or newer) with the 2.2 ecotec is a good choice.

 

[Funyuns101]

if a belt isn't a dealbreaker... buy this car so he can buy a Prius
win-win!

 

[w00t]

going with what everyone else drives isn't always bad

you are looking for cheap and reliable... when everyone has it cough civics parts are readily available

I'd say go with a honda/nissan/toyota buy from an older person too most likely has taken care of it well

 

[Arkaign]

What's the budget?

Focus with the Duratec have timing chain, and they are very fuel efficient. Most early Foci (the cheaper ones these days), came with SPI or Zetec motors though, and they have belts