- Nov 19, 2001
- 27,727
- 16
- 81
My brother is looking for a cheap second car, for commuting. Anyone know any decent cars that are under $15,000?
small car, good price?
- Thread starter ThePresence
- Start date
- Nov 19, 2001
- 27,727
- 16
- 81
Hyundai Elantra GT - I was car shopping with my girlfriend the other night after all the dealers closed, and I couldn't take my eyes off this car - it's such a neat little rig:
Here's a pic.
Also, with 15" alloy wheels, A/C, traction control and ABS, it STICKERS for $14,494. Plus, it's a practical hatchback - can't go wrong there. Don't forget about the warranty either! (10 yrs./100,000 mi.)
Here's a pic.
Also, with 15" alloy wheels, A/C, traction control and ABS, it STICKERS for $14,494. Plus, it's a practical hatchback - can't go wrong there. Don't forget about the warranty either! (10 yrs./100,000 mi.)
- Nov 19, 2001
- 27,727
- 16
- 81
Heard about that one, a relative has it. The warranty is awesome. He's checking into that one, but he wanted other options....
Rallispec
Lifer
- Jul 26, 2001
- 12,375
- 10
- 81
what is the pricetag on the HX?
the sentra is great-- i put 36,000 miles on mine in 1 and a half years before i got my new car. drove it all over the place, every condition... it did great-- never went to the shop at all. great gas mileage too-- i avereraged about 35mpg in it.
Car - Starting MSRP
Kia Spectra - $10,995 (but has $2k rebate till end of July)
Kia Spectra GS - $11,395 (but has $2k rebate till end of July)
Nissan Sentra - $11,999
Hyundai Elantra - $12,499
Mazda Protege - $12,765
Honda Civic - $12,810
Suzuki Aerio - $13,499
Mitsubishi Lancer - $13,947
Hyundai Elantra GT - $13,999
Toyota Corolla - $13,370
Toyota Matrix - $14,670
Volkswagen Golf - $15,050
Kia Spectra - $10,995 (but has $2k rebate till end of July)
Kia Spectra GS - $11,395 (but has $2k rebate till end of July)
Nissan Sentra - $11,999
Hyundai Elantra - $12,499
Mazda Protege - $12,765
Honda Civic - $12,810
Suzuki Aerio - $13,499
Mitsubishi Lancer - $13,947
Hyundai Elantra GT - $13,999
Toyota Corolla - $13,370
Toyota Matrix - $14,670
Volkswagen Golf - $15,050
- Nov 19, 2001
- 27,727
- 16
- 81
Here you go! + $460 destination. AC is extra. According to Edmunds, people are getting about $600-1000 off on the HX, I think. My sister has one (2001 5 speed) and she's gotten almost 50 MPG before.
- Nov 19, 2001
- 27,727
- 16
- 81
The new sentra is a pretty nice car. I like older Miatas though. They're cheap, economical, quick, and sporty. The only drawback is the lack of space
- Nov 19, 2001
- 27,727
- 16
- 81
The Sentra GXE has a good price and plenty of features.
I'd buy a Civic myself though. I still like Hondas best.
I'd buy a Civic myself though. I still like Hondas best.
- Nov 19, 2001
- 27,727
- 16
- 81
GM has been hoaring out their chintzy 11 year old plastic Saturn for as little as $9995 lately. The only major change over the years has been to the polymer. The price tag is the only advantage.
EDIT: I will say that the drivetrain has proven to be durable enough. I just grabbed a 94 SL2 with 202,000 miles for $250. I shined it up and it looks nicer than my banged-up Civic. I only bought the Saturn because it looks presentable and it was cheap. It does handle alright, but I have no idea how they pulled that off. I've never seen such a cheap looking suspension system. They use the sway bar as the fore-aft locating link.
EDIT: I will say that the drivetrain has proven to be durable enough. I just grabbed a 94 SL2 with 202,000 miles for $250. I shined it up and it looks nicer than my banged-up Civic. I only bought the Saturn because it looks presentable and it was cheap. It does handle alright, but I have no idea how they pulled that off. I've never seen such a cheap looking suspension system. They use the sway bar as the fore-aft locating link.
I have also been looking for a car lately and most of the reccommendations you got, are what i got. I agree a lot of people like nissans, especially the sentra and altima. I could never really see why, but they I looked into them even further. They are pretty darn reliable and quite a bit cheaper then the competition. I also considered, and turthfully still am considering a Honda civic. As garfang has so addimently(sp?) stated the HX gets awesome gas mileage, is very reliable and looks good to. If it wasn't for the fact that it costs a few grand more then the sentra, I would be getting one. But they hold there resale value well, so if he sells it in a few years he can still get a pretty good chunck of change out of it. Man i find myself sitting here talking myself back into getting a civic, I may have to since i can't find any sentras I like around here. Good luck
RossMAN
Grand Nagus
- Feb 24, 2000
- 78,942
- 403
- 136
Determining the right car for your brother is not going to be easy. Everyone is going to give their own personal opinion and we're all a little biased. I'd say ask your brother to register to the Anandtech forums so he can participate in this thread.
Here's my take on the most popular cars mentioned here.
Hyundai Elantra GLS - overall best bang for your buck but not as reliable as the Honda Civic/Nissan Sentra, not the best crash test results, not as sporty as the Nissan Sentra and the resale value sucks compared to the Honda Civic.
Hyundai Elantra GT - Next best overall value.
Honda Civic - Tied with the Nissan Sentra for my favorite. Check out the LX or HX trim models, do your homework and you can get a BRAND NEW 2002 Honda Civic LX for as low as $13,400 ... you can't beat the Civic in terms of overall reliability, fuel economy, crash test rating and best of all resale value.
Nissan Sentra - Very reliable, strong cult like following, lots of bang for your buck, a very quick pocket rocket, good resale value.
Toyota Corolla - There's a reason it's the best selling car ever, they never die!
So ask your brother to register to the forums so he can contribute but ask him what are the 5 most important (in order) attributes about this car that he wants?
Here's my take on the most popular cars mentioned here.
Hyundai Elantra GLS - overall best bang for your buck but not as reliable as the Honda Civic/Nissan Sentra, not the best crash test results, not as sporty as the Nissan Sentra and the resale value sucks compared to the Honda Civic.
Hyundai Elantra GT - Next best overall value.
Honda Civic - Tied with the Nissan Sentra for my favorite. Check out the LX or HX trim models, do your homework and you can get a BRAND NEW 2002 Honda Civic LX for as low as $13,400 ... you can't beat the Civic in terms of overall reliability, fuel economy, crash test rating and best of all resale value.
Nissan Sentra - Very reliable, strong cult like following, lots of bang for your buck, a very quick pocket rocket, good resale value.
Toyota Corolla - There's a reason it's the best selling car ever, they never die!
So ask your brother to register to the forums so he can contribute but ask him what are the 5 most important (in order) attributes about this car that he wants?
RossMAN
Grand Nagus
- Feb 24, 2000
- 78,942
- 403
- 136
Two more things.
If your brother wants the absolute best price you cannot beat this deal, a BRAND NEW 2002 Saturn SL for $9,995. I visited a Saturn dealership to take a test drive because they were offering free $25 Target giftcards by mail, while there I knew about the SL $9,995 sale, they didn't have one in stock so I test drove an SL1 which was alright. Unless price is the ONLY deciding factor I would not get a Saturn. Unfortunately I am weak, very weak, so I put down a $500 deposit on a Saturn SL now I have to go back to the dealership and request my deposit be refunded because I'm going to wait for a Honda Civic or Accord.
Although the Hyundai Elantra's have impressive warranties and have made huge improvements since the 80's/90's take a look at their still shoddy build quality, not so great crash test ratings, the stigma of owning a cheap Korean car and worst of all their piss poor resale value (granted you save a lot upfront but once you drive off the lot the car depreciates A LOT). I hope Hyundai continues to improve and proves all the naysayers wrong but in the mean time if I want an econobox I'll stick with Japanese.
If your brother wants the absolute best price you cannot beat this deal, a BRAND NEW 2002 Saturn SL for $9,995. I visited a Saturn dealership to take a test drive because they were offering free $25 Target giftcards by mail, while there I knew about the SL $9,995 sale, they didn't have one in stock so I test drove an SL1 which was alright. Unless price is the ONLY deciding factor I would not get a Saturn. Unfortunately I am weak, very weak, so I put down a $500 deposit on a Saturn SL now I have to go back to the dealership and request my deposit be refunded because I'm going to wait for a Honda Civic or Accord.
Although the Hyundai Elantra's have impressive warranties and have made huge improvements since the 80's/90's take a look at their still shoddy build quality, not so great crash test ratings, the stigma of owning a cheap Korean car and worst of all their piss poor resale value (granted you save a lot upfront but once you drive off the lot the car depreciates A LOT). I hope Hyundai continues to improve and proves all the naysayers wrong but in the mean time if I want an econobox I'll stick with Japanese.
Another vote for the Sentra.
I drive one and it's not perfect, had a bunch of tiny problems here and there, but nothing major like burning oil, or transmission failure.
I'd recommend Corollas and Civics too, if they weren't so damn pricey.
High resale value, reliable, blah blah blah blah...
Got my 1995 GXE with 45k miles 2 summers ago for $4600.
My friend's 1996 Civic LX with 50k miles had more problems than mine, and she paid $7800 for it the same summer :Q
Nissan is the auto industry's best kept secret.
Reliability of Toyota's and Honda's at a fraction of the cost
Nissan ~ Driven
I drive one and it's not perfect, had a bunch of tiny problems here and there, but nothing major like burning oil, or transmission failure.
I'd recommend Corollas and Civics too, if they weren't so damn pricey.
High resale value, reliable, blah blah blah blah...
Got my 1995 GXE with 45k miles 2 summers ago for $4600.
My friend's 1996 Civic LX with 50k miles had more problems than mine, and she paid $7800 for it the same summer :Q
Nissan is the auto industry's best kept secret.
Reliability of Toyota's and Honda's at a fraction of the cost
Nissan ~ Driven
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