• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

YACT: Best car for $5,000?

preslove

preslove

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

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

NOT HELPFUL! :| 🙂

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Originally posted by: raildogg
Honda Civic - best blend of driver enjoyment, reliability and gas mileage.
Click to expand...

FTW
Click to expand...

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

That or a focus - service and parts are somewhat cheaper 🙂
 
Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
Chevy Prizm

reliability of a Toyota, with Chevy resale
Click to expand...

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.
Click to expand...

That or a focus - service and parts are somewhat cheaper 🙂
Click to expand...

Really?






Also, are there sites that tell you the maintenance schedules for different cars?
 
Originally posted by: preslove
Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
Chevy Prizm

reliability of a Toyota, with Chevy resale
Click to expand...

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.
Click to expand...

That or a focus - service and parts are somewhat cheaper 🙂
Click to expand...

Really?






Also, are there sites that tell you the maintenance schedules for different cars?
Click to expand...

do autotrader.com i can find a hundred or so.
 
Originally posted by: preslove
Originally posted by: ISAslot
neon, just watch for old people on the 3rd day, and avoid poles
Click to expand...

NOT HELPFUL! :| 🙂

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Originally posted by: raildogg
Honda Civic - best blend of driver enjoyment, reliability and gas mileage.
Click to expand...

FTW
Click to expand...

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?
Click to expand...

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

NOT HELPFUL! :| 🙂

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Originally posted by: raildogg
Honda Civic - best blend of driver enjoyment, reliability and gas mileage.
Click to expand...

FTW
Click to expand...

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?
Click to expand...

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

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.
 
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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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

NOT HELPFUL! :| 🙂

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Originally posted by: raildogg
Honda Civic - best blend of driver enjoyment, reliability and gas mileage.
Click to expand...

FTW
Click to expand...

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?
Click to expand...

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

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.
Click to expand...


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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top