YACT: Best used mid 90's econ car?

[Red]

As most of ya know, I'm selling my '02 Civic to get something less expensive. I know I could search and find 100 other threads like this, but I don't give a crap because I know you like to talk about cars just as much as I do. I called my bank yesterday and they said starting January 1st, the oldest car they will give a loan on is 1996. I don't want to spend much (if any) over $5,000. Looking on autotrader, it looks like these are my options (in order of my personal preference):

1. Camry, Maxima, Accord, 96ish w/ 100k-ish or higher miles
2. Corolla, Sentra, Altima, Civic - 98ish w/ 70k-ish miles

Now, I've actually really started to look at Mazdas. I think MX-6s are absolutely gorgeous and from what I've been reading, they are reliable as anything. What about 97ish 626s? I remember hearing something about how the powertrain is half-Ford so keep away from them, but I dunno.

What do you guys think? I want a reliable car with decent gas mileage. To be honest, I don't give a crap about handling... I don't go fast and do go fast around turns, so keep the skidpad crap outta here =) I want an automatic.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

I would buy privet party only, original owner, properly maintained Toyota.
Have the auto-trans fully serviced right after I got it (fluid,filter & adjustments done).

Of all the used cars I have done side work on Yotas are the best IMHO...........

 

[Red]

Originally posted by: galvanizedyankee
I would buy privet party only, original owner, properly maintained Toyota.
Have the auto-trans fully serviced right after I got it (fluid,filter & adjustments done).

Of all the used cars I have done side work on Yotas are the best IMHO...........

So, if I find a private party, 98 Corolla properly maintained, original owner with 60k miles or so for $5,000 I should jump on it once my car sells?

 

[psteng19]

I bought a '95 Sentra in 1999 (4 yr old) w/45k miles on it for $4500.
Good car, minor problems here and there.

I just bought a '96 Sentra in 2003 (7 yr old) w/120k miles on it for $1500.
It runs better than my '95

 

[ViperMagic]

Originally posted by: Redhotjrm

Originally posted by: galvanizedyankee
I would buy privet party only, original owner, properly maintained Toyota.
Have the auto-trans fully serviced right after I got it (fluid,filter & adjustments done).

Of all the used cars I have done side work on Yotas are the best IMHO...........

So, if I find a private party, 98 Corolla properly maintained, original owner with 60k miles or so for $5,000 I should jump on it once my car sells?

Yes

 

Probably the same cars suggested in the other 243 car threads of this nature.


Personally I really like the Mazda 626. I've driven one up and down the eastern US many, many times.

 

[Quixfire]

Well I thought you settled on the Maxima?

I personal choice for a mid 90's econ car would be a 95-96 Escort GT. But you have been misinformed on the Mazda MX-6 it's all Mazda. They are great cars if you can find one at a decent price, very low production number and excellent service history have made these cars hard to find and costly to purchase.

That's why I'm looking for a 94-99 Celica to replace my aging Escort GT.

 

[StageLeft]

I think the mazda will be less than the others on reliability (I've heard bad things about their powetrains. i think it was the 626 automatic that had a crappy auto. I know that some friends of our with one had it die a little while ago at 80k and it cost $2200. Of course I doubt he's ever changed the transmission fluid). Given that money is a key determinant of your purchase I'd go with the corolla/sentra/civic cars. They have less miles and repairs on them are generally less than the same repair on the other vehicles you mentioned, plus insurance and gas will cost less.

 

[Red]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Well I thought you settled on the Maxima?

I personal choice for a mid 90's econ car would be a 95-96 Escort GT. But you have been misinformed on the Mazda MX-6 it's all Mazda. They are great cars if you can find one at a decent price, very low production number and excellent service history have made these cars hard to find and costly to purchase.

That's why I'm looking for a 94-99 Celica to replace my aging Escort GT.

Well, I really like Max's but I just don't know. Quix, I was talking about Mazda 626s about the Ford powertrain thing. MX-6s are fully Mazda I assume, but I'm not sure about 626s. 94-99 Celicas are nice, but a bit out of my price range, they seem to fetch over $5k. The MX-6 seems really nice, I'm just cautious of anything non Toyota/Honda/Nissan =)

 

I think the mazda will be less than the others on reliability (I've heard bad things about their powetrains. i think it was the 626 automatic that had a crappy auto. I know that some friends of our with one had it die a little while ago at 80k and it cost $2200. Of course I doubt he's ever changed the transmission fluid). Given that money is a key determinant of your purchase I'd go with the corolla/sentra/civic cars. They have less miles and repairs on them are generally less than the same repair on the other vehicles you mentioned, plus insurance and gas will cost less.

My gf's 626 has 190K on it. Not a single major problem yet.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: ViperMagic

Originally posted by: Redhotjrm

Originally posted by: galvanizedyankee
I would buy privet party only, original owner, properly maintained Toyota.
Have the auto-trans fully serviced right after I got it (fluid,filter & adjustments done).

Of all the used cars I have done side work on Yotas are the best IMHO...........

So, if I find a private party, 98 Corolla properly maintained, original owner with 60k miles or so for $5,000 I should jump on it once my car sells?

Yes

YES Definitely.

Or you could get an older (96) Camry for around $4500, I found 7 Camry's for under $5,000 within a 50 mile radius from 41099.

 

[Red]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: ViperMagic

Originally posted by: Redhotjrm

Originally posted by: galvanizedyankee
I would buy privet party only, original owner, properly maintained Toyota.
Have the auto-trans fully serviced right after I got it (fluid,filter & adjustments done).

Of all the used cars I have done side work on Yotas are the best IMHO...........

So, if I find a private party, 98 Corolla properly maintained, original owner with 60k miles or so for $5,000 I should jump on it once my car sells?

Yes

YES Definitely.

Or you could get an older (96) Camry for around $4500, I found 7 Camry's for under $5,000 within a 50 mile radius from 41099.

So would you get a higher mileage older Camry or a newer, fewer my Corolla? The Camry is obviously a better car, but which would you choose to drive given an older/more miles car?

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Redhotjrm

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Well I thought you settled on the Maxima?

I personal choice for a mid 90's econ car would be a 95-96 Escort GT. But you have been misinformed on the Mazda MX-6 it's all Mazda. They are great cars if you can find one at a decent price, very low production number and excellent service history have made these cars hard to find and costly to purchase.

That's why I'm looking for a 94-99 Celica to replace my aging Escort GT.

Well, I really like Max's but I just don't know. Quix, I was talking about Mazda 626s about the Ford powertrain thing. MX-6s are fully Mazda I assume, but I'm not sure about 626s. 94-99 Celicas are nice, but a bit out of my price range, they seem to fetch over $5k. The MX-6 seems really nice, I'm just cautious of anything non Toyota/Honda/Nissan =)

The MX-6 and the 626 is the same car minus two doors. They do not share a powertrain from Ford; it is the other way around. Ford used Mazda engines and transmissions in the Escort GT, Probe and Probe GT. But Ford modified the ignition system on the Probe, which is why they aren't as good as the MX-6 or 626.

What Skoorb said about the automatic transmissions failing are not true, but if they do fail they are expensive just like any other imported automatic transmission. I would recommend a manual just for the fun of driving one.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Redhotjrm

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: ViperMagic

Originally posted by: Redhotjrm

Originally posted by: galvanizedyankee
I would buy privet party only, original owner, properly maintained Toyota.
Have the auto-trans fully serviced right after I got it (fluid,filter & adjustments done).

Of all the used cars I have done side work on Yotas are the best IMHO...........

So, if I find a private party, 98 Corolla properly maintained, original owner with 60k miles or so for $5,000 I should jump on it once my car sells?

Yes

YES Definitely.

Or you could get an older (96) Camry for around $4500, I found 7 Camry's for under $5,000 within a 50 mile radius from 41099.

So would you get a higher mileage older Camry or a newer, fewer my Corolla? The Camry is obviously a better car, but which would you choose to drive given an older/more miles car?

I'm no car expert but it depends on a number of factors:
The Corolla is a different class of car than the Camry is.
If they were mostly highway or city miles, highway is preferred.
Generally newer cars are better BUT if the older Camry has mostly highway miles I'd get it in a heart beat.
Run a CarFax.com on all potential cars.
Just one owner? Younger or older?
Used as their only transportation or just mostly leisure driving?
Have a trusted mechanic check it out first and ask questions before handing over the money.

If you are near 41099 I found a 96 Camry LE for $4500 seems nice.

 

[Red]

Originally posted by: Quixfire

Originally posted by: Redhotjrm

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Well I thought you settled on the Maxima?

I personal choice for a mid 90's econ car would be a 95-96 Escort GT. But you have been misinformed on the Mazda MX-6 it's all Mazda. They are great cars if you can find one at a decent price, very low production number and excellent service history have made these cars hard to find and costly to purchase.

That's why I'm looking for a 94-99 Celica to replace my aging Escort GT.

Well, I really like Max's but I just don't know. Quix, I was talking about Mazda 626s about the Ford powertrain thing. MX-6s are fully Mazda I assume, but I'm not sure about 626s. 94-99 Celicas are nice, but a bit out of my price range, they seem to fetch over $5k. The MX-6 seems really nice, I'm just cautious of anything non Toyota/Honda/Nissan =)

The MX-6 and the 626 is the same car minus two doors. They do not share a powertrain from Ford; it is the other way around. Ford used Mazda engines and transmissions in the Escort GT, Probe and Probe GT. But Ford modified the ignition system on the Probe, which is why they aren't as good as the MX-6 or 626.

What Skoorb said about the automatic transmissions failing are not true, but if they do fail they are expensive just like any other imported automatic transmission. I would recommend a manual just for the fun of driving one.

Not looking for fun, looking for convenience =) So I shouldn't be weary of an MX-6 or 626 auto tranny? Thanks!

 

Not looking for fun, looking for convenience =) So I shouldn't be weary of an MX-6 or 626 auto tranny? Thanks!

Of the automatics, yes.
The manuals are much more reliable.
Which goes for just about any car I believe.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Mid to late 90's Toyota's hold their value very well for a reason, quality, there VG cars.
Last night I was shopping 93-95 MR2s. 8 to 14K, I was surprised. Maybe this coming spring.
If you drive alot the Corolla will get better MPG.......:sun:

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: SammySon

Not looking for fun, looking for convenience =) So I shouldn't be weary of an MX-6 or 626 auto tranny? Thanks!

Of the automatics, yes.
The manuals are much more reliable.
Which goes for just about any car I believe.

That's why autos suck, redhot!!

 

[Red]

Yes, which is nice, but I'm not sure if the gas mileage difference will be THAT different between a 96 camry and 98 Corolla. I drive 15k miles a year. Let's say gas costs $1.50 gallon.

Corolla @ 30MPG = $750 per year in fuel
Camry @ 25MPG = $900 per year in fuel ... over 5 years I would be spending an extra $750 in fuel. Not TOOO bad, but a difference.

Now, let's change the variable a bit... 25k miles per year with different vehicles:

Golf TDI @ 45mpg = $833 per year
Some big SUV @ 15mpg = $2500 per year. $8333 extra wasted in fuel because you're in an SUV. Ouch!

 

[Siddhartha]

There is a really clean 1995 Lexus SC 400 in a local used car lot I see every day. It is going for $12,525 and has 70,000 miles.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Redhotjrm
I shouldn't be weary of an MX-6 or 626 auto tranny?

No.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Dr Smooth
There is a really clean 1995 Lexus SC 400 in a local used car I see every day. It is going for $12,525 and has 70,000 miles.

Yeah I saw a 01 Porsche 911 turbo locally for a scant $75k. Redhot should buy it!!

 

[43st]

I have a '93 Mazda 626 with 140k-ish on it. It get's about 38-40 mpg on the highway and it's been a reliable car.

It's getting a little long in the tooth now but it's super cheap to maintain and the insurance is also low. I'd love to get a new(er) car but it's just not worth it since I drive so little.

Pick up a copy of the latest Consumer Reports car report. They're usually very good and spoting trouble spots in cars, they also recommend model years to avoid.

 

[DT4K]

I'd stick to Honda and Toyota. They will be the most reliable. Nissan's are good too, but not quite up to the same level.