Suggestions for new used car...... Poll inside...

Well I should be getting the check for my car soon. I have around 5-7k to spend for a used one. I need something that will last me a while and i cant figure out which vehicles are POS or not...

Was thinking about the following:
Focus
Civic
Neon
Sentra
Jetta
(I could scrounge up more money)


*edit*
yes i know my poll sucks

 

[Mr N8]

For reliability in that price range, I would look at a Civic or a Corolla. I would prefer to drive a Focus SVT or Jetta, though.

 

[StageLeft]

Toyota, followed by honda, followed by Nissan, followed by Trek (they sell bicycles).

 

[royaldank]

You've probably never considered it, but you can get a nice Buick for that price. Probably a 98 Century with good milage. Very roomy, nice interior, and smooth rides.

I never thought I'd buy a Buick until I inherited a LeSabre. Ended up buying an '01 Century for the wife two years later. They are old people cars, but I love the huge inside, smooth ride, and nice dashboard and radio.

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: royaldank
You've probably never considered it, but you can get a nice Buick for that price. Probably a 98 Century with good milage. Very roomy, nice interior, and smooth rides.

I never thought I'd buy a Buick until I inherited a LeSabre. Ended up buying an '01 Century for the wife two years later. They are old people cars, but I love the huge inside, smooth ride, and nice dashboard and radio.

The 2000 Buick Regal is ranked #3 in reliability for that model year by JD Power. Something to consider, anyway.

 

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Toyota, followed by honda, followed by Nissan, followed by Trek (they sell bicycles).

How are the toyota echos?

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Phocas

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Toyota, followed by honda, followed by Nissan, followed by Trek (they sell bicycles).

How are the toyota echos?

Toyota quality at a low price. The only con is that it's a ugly as hell car, and drives like crap on the highway. They are spacious though and reasonably peppy, at least with the 5 speed.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: Phocas

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Toyota, followed by honda, followed by Nissan, followed by Trek (they sell bicycles).

How are the toyota echos?

You're better off with a corolla; not quite so 'flaming'

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Skoorb is on the money. For used go Toyota. I wish used Toyota diesel sedans
were available in the USA.

 

[vi edit]

Mazda Protege

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: Phocas

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Toyota, followed by honda, followed by Nissan, followed by Trek (they sell bicycles).

How are the toyota echos?

You're better off with a corolla; not quite so 'flaming'

Flaming? How so??

Maybe a flaming environmentalist, but that's about it.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: MogulMonster

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: Phocas

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Toyota, followed by honda, followed by Nissan, followed by Trek (they sell bicycles).

How are the toyota echos?

You're better off with a corolla; not quite so 'flaming'

Flaming? How so??

Maybe a flaming environmentalist, but that's about it.

I think he means that there is nothing masculine about an echo and I agree!

 

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: Phocas

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Toyota, followed by honda, followed by Nissan, followed by Trek (they sell bicycles).

How are the toyota echos?

You're better off with a corolla; not quite so 'flaming'

lol thats just what i was doing, i forgot what they looked like. The corollas dont look horrible.

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: MogulMonster

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: Phocas

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Toyota, followed by honda, followed by Nissan, followed by Trek (they sell bicycles).

How are the toyota echos?

You're better off with a corolla; not quite so 'flaming'

Flaming? How so??

Maybe a flaming environmentalist, but that's about it.

I think he means that there is nothing masculine about an echo and I agree!

That's true. I guess its a step above the Ford Aspire, though.

 

Are neons crappy? I hear mixed things.....

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Phocas
Are neons crappy? I hear mixed things.....

I would say so. I think I'd almost rather have a Cavalier. That said, the Buick idea I like. A lot harder to hot-rod a Buick then a little sedan. On the other hand, the 3.8L V6 is pretty darned torquey even w/o the supercharger. The Echo is just flaming, as others have said. I say used Chevy Prizm

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Phocas
Are neons crappy? I hear mixed things.....

You couldn't pay me to drive one.

 

[Bekker]

I know it is no turn-on, but I think they are offering new Cavaliers with such big rebates a new one can be had for around that price. I personally would prefer new because that way you do have a warranty and a new car smell. Also, check Dodge Intrepids and Ford Taurus since they depreciate so fast a near new one will be in about your range.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Phocas
Well I should be getting the check for my car soon. I have around 5-7k to spend for a used one. I need something that will last me a while and i cant figure out which vehicles are POS or not...

Was thinking about the following:
Focus
Civic
Neon
Sentra
Jetta
(I could scrounge up more money)


*edit*
yes i know my poll sucks

ugh dont get a focus! for what you want to spend you can actually find a decent taurus.

 

[Chumpman]

Why don't you get a 2000 Nissan Altima

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Bekker
I know it is no turn-on, but I think they are offering new Cavaliers with such big rebates a new one can be had for around that price. I personally would prefer new because that way you do have a warranty and a new car smell. Also, check Dodge Intrepids and Ford Taurus since they depreciate so fast a near new one will be in about your range.

Intrepid=No, horrible cars (poor reliability)
Cavalier=No, cheap econo box (poor reliability)
Taurus, maybe if you can find one that isn't a previous rental.

I would stick with Toyota or Honda.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Bekker
I know it is no turn-on, but I think they are offering new Cavaliers with such big rebates a new one can be had for around that price. I personally would prefer new because that way you do have a warranty and a new car smell. Also, check Dodge Intrepids and Ford Taurus since they depreciate so fast a near new one will be in about your range.

Intrepid=No, horrible cars (poor reliability)
Cavalier=No, cheap econo box (poor reliability)
Taurus, maybe if you can find one that isn't a previous rental.

I would stick with Toyota or Honda.

actually taurus are getting cheap. my father owns a used car dealership in IL and he hates it.

you can get a nice 2-4 year old taurus with ~50k miles or under for under 7k

 

Originally posted by: Chumpman
Why don't you get a 2000 Nissan Altima

Those wouldnt be bad if I could find one in my price range with less than 70k miles.



What kind of mileage is decent for a honda or toyota that i hope to get a couple years out of?

 

[dullard]

I'd personally only consider a car that is generally quite reliable when getting a used car. Sure any particular used car could be a lemon. But you significantly reduce your risk when getting a car from a maker who usually has very reliable cars. Instantly that disqualifies Pontiac (the grand Prix especially). That rule also then significantly highlights Honda and Toyota (and some Volkswagens).

Now that we narrowed it down, lets look at value. Typically if a virtually identical Toyota and a Honda started at say $20,000, in a few years that same Toyota will be $7,000 while the Honda will be $10,000. That is since Honda's depreciate so slowly. Therefore you get to choose from two identical used cars, but one is 1/3rd more expensive. The proper choice should be obvious. My vote goes to Toyota for that reason. When buying used Toyota is almost always the best value (for the opposite reason Honda is almost always the better value when buying new).

A Civic or Corolla should get you 30 MPG in town and 40 MPG on the highway (give or take a few MPG). Going up to the larger Accord or Camry will drop you 7 to 10 MPG from those levels.

 

Originally posted by: dullard
I'd personally only consider a car that is generally quite reliable when getting a used car. Sure any particular used car could be a lemon. But you significantly reduce your risk when getting a car from a maker who usually has very reliable cars. Instantly that disqualifies Pontiac (the grand Prix especially). That rule also then significantly highlights Honda and Toyota (and some Volkswagens).

Now that we narrowed it down, lets look at value. Typically if a virtually identical Toyota and a Honda started at say $20,000, in a few years that same Toyota will be $7,000 while the Honda will be $10,000. That is since Honda's depreciate so slowly. Therefore you get to choose from two identical used cars, but one is 1/3rd more expensive. The proper choice should be obvious. My vote goes to Toyota for that reason. When buying used Toyota is almost always the best value (for the opposite reason Honda is almost always the better value when buying new).

A Civic or Corolla should get you 30 MPG in town and 40 MPG on the highway (give or take a few MPG). Going up to the larger Accord or Camry will drop you 7 to 10 MPG from those levels.

Im gonna quite wasting my time and just focus (no pun intended ) on the corollas and the civics (altimas in my price range start at 70k+ miles).
/me gets back to autotrader......