YACT: Best car for $5,000?

[preslove]

My old volvo is dying (oil leaks ftl ) My budget is 5 grand. Basically, I want something that requires the least amount of $ for repairs and upkeep for at least the next two years that I'm in grad school.

Suggestions? Ford Focus? Hyundai Accent? Toyotas and hondas seem too inflated for my budget.

 

[raildogg]

Honda Civic - best blend of driver enjoyment, reliability and gas mileage.

 

[FrustratedUser]

You forgot bland styling. Either way it's a good choice.
You could also go with a Yank tank like the Olds 88. Reliable, big, comfy and cheap.

 

[ISAslot]

neon, just watch for old people on the 3rd day, and avoid poles

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: raildogg
Honda Civic - best blend of driver enjoyment, reliability and gas mileage.

FTW

If you wanted domestic...my brother had an old 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cierra. It lasted him forever without trouble. Actually, it survived a few thefts and much vandalism (Detroit), but the engine never quit...even whenhe traded it in....it's just that the thieves stole/cut all his seats, and riding on a paint bucket was not comfortable.

 

[preslove]

Originally posted by: ISAslot
neon, just watch for old people on the 3rd day, and avoid poles

NOT HELPFUL! :|

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Originally posted by: raildogg
Honda Civic - best blend of driver enjoyment, reliability and gas mileage.

FTW

Ok. I understand that hondas are nice, but I could get a domestic/korean care for the same price that is several years newer, with several thousand fewer miles. Are hondas REALLY that much better?

 

[MikeMike]

Chevy Prizm

reliability of a Toyota, with Chevy resale

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: raildogg
Honda Civic - best blend of driver enjoyment, reliability and gas mileage.

That or a focus - service and parts are somewhat cheaper

 

[preslove]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
Chevy Prizm

reliability of a Toyota, with Chevy resale

And the availability of a delorean

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: raildogg
Honda Civic - best blend of driver enjoyment, reliability and gas mileage.

That or a focus - service and parts are somewhat cheaper

Really?






Also, are there sites that tell you the maintenance schedules for different cars?

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: preslove

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
Chevy Prizm

reliability of a Toyota, with Chevy resale

And the availability of a delorean

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: raildogg
Honda Civic - best blend of driver enjoyment, reliability and gas mileage.

That or a focus - service and parts are somewhat cheaper

Really?






Also, are there sites that tell you the maintenance schedules for different cars?

do autotrader.com i can find a hundred or so.

 

[clickynext]

Originally posted by: preslove

Originally posted by: ISAslot
neon, just watch for old people on the 3rd day, and avoid poles

NOT HELPFUL! :|

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Originally posted by: raildogg
Honda Civic - best blend of driver enjoyment, reliability and gas mileage.

FTW

Ok. I understand that hondas are nice, but I could get a domestic/korean care for the same price that is several years newer, with several thousand fewer miles. Are hondas REALLY that much better?

Yes, especially in the price range you're talking about.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: clickynext

Originally posted by: preslove

Originally posted by: ISAslot
neon, just watch for old people on the 3rd day, and avoid poles

NOT HELPFUL! :|

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Originally posted by: raildogg
Honda Civic - best blend of driver enjoyment, reliability and gas mileage.

FTW

Ok. I understand that hondas are nice, but I could get a domestic/korean care for the same price that is several years newer, with several thousand fewer miles. Are hondas REALLY that much better?

Yes, especially in the price range you're talking about.

When it comes to a Honda Civics, "several thousand fewer miles" doesn't mean much in the face of 300K miles. Lets see your Hyundai or Ford last that long.

 

[ballmode]

Integra GSR

Camaro Z28

Toyota Avalon/Camry V6

 

[desy]

Most NA cars will easily last as long as a Cvivc, I had a Civic nothing 'magical' about it.
Best bang for $ cars are late 90's Lumina's and Escorts. Mid 90's Tauruses 'not the 3.8l'
and early 90's Volvo 240's
Since you have had a Volvo why not go back? Usually Sentra's can be bought a little cheaper as well and are solid cars.

 

[Mermaidman]

Buick Regal, Olds Intrigue, Chevy Impala, etc

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: desy
Most NA cars will easily last as long as a Cvivc, I had a Civic nothing 'magical' about it.
Best bang for $ cars are late 90's Lumina's and Escorts. Mid 90's Tauruses 'not the 3.8l'
and early 90's Volvo 240's
Since you have had a Volvo why not go back? Usually Sentra's can be bought a little cheaper as well and are solid cars.

Umm the auto transmissions in the Tauruses and Escorts were flaming piles of crap.
The motors and MTX (in the escort anyways) were generaly ok though.
With the Lumina you would need to watch closely for the leaking intake gasket problem, if it develops it is very costly to fix, good cars otherwise.

 

[desy]

Mechanical problems aside , you can get a lot of car for not a lot of money
Hence the bang for $, I never proclaimed them to be the most reliable but a great compromise between purchase price and maintenance costs.

As a side bar and I hate enecdotal information.
I have spent a third on maintenance on my 94 Corisca compared to what my brother has 93 Acura, both with about 200K miles on them and mine still runs better.

 

[Legend]

Originally posted by: preslove

Originally posted by: ISAslot
neon, just watch for old people on the 3rd day, and avoid poles

NOT HELPFUL! :|

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Originally posted by: raildogg
Honda Civic - best blend of driver enjoyment, reliability and gas mileage.

FTW

Ok. I understand that hondas are nice, but I could get a domestic/korean care for the same price that is several years newer, with several thousand fewer miles. Are hondas REALLY that much better?

Yes, especially versus Korean. Hondas are very low maintenance. If you take care of it, they can last 300,000 miles/20 years. That's why they sell for so much money used.

 

[overst33r]

i got mah 2000 corolla w/79K now...for well under that...so you should be able to find something worthwhile.

 

[Willoughbyva]

GM with 3800 V6. The GM 3800 is a great engine. Just don't get one with the composite (forgot what it was) intake.

Perry

 

[clickynext]

Ever looked at Mazda Protege? They're great cars. Quite reliable and not as expensive as honda.

 

[RU482]

in the sub $5000 range, a Buick could last forever and a Toyota could last a week

 

[desy]

Thats why the Escort is better, same underneath as the protege but devalued cause its a NA car.
I agree the Chev's with 3800 are wonderful mostly Buicks, He'd take a hit on gas tho.

 

[clickynext]

Originally posted by: desy
Thats why the Escort is better, same underneath as the protege but devalued cause its a NA car.

desy from mpsport?

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit

Originally posted by: desy
Most NA cars will easily last as long as a Cvivc, I had a Civic nothing 'magical' about it.
Best bang for $ cars are late 90's Lumina's and Escorts. Mid 90's Tauruses 'not the 3.8l'
and early 90's Volvo 240's
Since you have had a Volvo why not go back? Usually Sentra's can be bought a little cheaper as well and are solid cars.

Umm the auto transmissions in the Tauruses and Escorts were flaming piles of crap.
The motors and MTX (in the escort anyways) were generaly ok though.
With the Lumina you would need to watch closely for the leaking intake gasket problem, if it develops it is very costly to fix, good cars otherwise.

You mean the intake on the 3800 V6 right? (plastic part)
It is costly to have fixed at a shop, $600+, but is rather easy to change yourself. The parts are $150 - $175 and I changed it in 3 hours.

Fuel muileage is not all bad. I get 29 highway and around 19-22 around town.