Sub-$5k car?

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Shoobie

Member
Feb 20, 2004
115
0
0
Originally posted by: Pocatello
A used Civic or Corolla, avoid the Focus, if possible, especially the 2000 models.
Click to expand...

Why exactly should I avoid a Focus?

EDIT: Thanks for the linkage. :)
 
JEDI

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
29,391
2,738
126
Originally posted by: KingNothing
Get a Geo Prizm with a 5-speed. Not a Chevy Prizm, a Geo Prizm. It's the exact same car as a Corolla, but with much lower resale due to the name. Great little car.
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whats wrong with chevy prizm?

i have a 2002 chevy prizm LSi. invoice was $16k, i piad 11k with incentives. a year later, blue book was 9k. i can imaging it being even cheaper now. and the 2001 is EXACTLY the same as the 2002. Since 2002 was the last year of this car, they didnt spend any $ on it.

so i bet the 2001 PRizm is even cheaper.

oh year, prizm = rebadged corolla
 
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Actaeon

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2000
8,657
20
76
Originally posted by: Shoobie
Originally posted by: Pocatello
A used Civic or Corolla, avoid the Focus, if possible, especially the 2000 models.
Click to expand...

Why exactly should I avoid a Focus?

EDIT: Thanks for the linkage. :)
Click to expand...

From 2002 and up, they are pretty good. 2000 had major problems, 2001's were better, but 2002 and up were the years to get. I see nothing wrong as long as you get a ZX3. But, I really don't think its in your pricerange (7k or so).
 
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Actaeon

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2000
8,657
20
76
I know I'm going to be the only one who suggests this, but...

I got my 97 Saturn SC2 for $4700 may of last year. Pretty good car, its cheap, easy to fix (though, it did break every once and a while, but it seems to be okay now), good gas milage, and looks nice (by my standards). It only had 74k miles, and I've driven about 10k miles on it with only one major problem (tranny messed up, cost about 300 to fix). They don't have loads of horsepower, but they are pretty decent autocross cars (stick to the DOHC "2" series, and don't even bother with the SOHC "1" series). As a matter of fact, the SC2 won last years national championship in its class. Though if you want 4 doors, you can try and find a SL2. I was 17 when I got the car (18 now), pretty much everyone liked it in HS, and was suprised it was so cheap. One of my favorite thing about the car is, whenever you need to get it fixed, Saturns from 91-2002 were pretty much the same car. Repair parts are very easy to find. Don't forget the dent resistant doors. Its great looking at my car, and seeing no dents... because it isn't possible with the plastic exterior!

The SC2/SL2's are cheap, safe (new drivers often crash), plentiful, insurance is low, fairly easy to work on (do most of the work myself), good gas milage, pretty new/good looking (imo anyway :p), and they fit your budget perfectly. I'm sure you can find a newer one, with lower miles than I did for your price range.

If you have any questions about these particular cars, don't hestitate to ask :).
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,179
649
126
Saturns are good cars mechanically. I just am far from impressed with the build quality. Last one I was in was a 2002 SC2 and the interior looked pretty crappy to me. Sure didn't seem like that car should have sold for $17k or whatever.
 
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