Just got license. Need car sub 5k. Want car that isnt a gas hog, looks decent, cheap, durable, easy to drive. Any suggestions?
P.S. Post your first car.
P.S. Post your first car.
YACT: First Car
- Thread starter Frew
- Start date
used civic or corolla would be your best bet or if you're like me you'll get an old toyota pick up for 1k
My first car was a 1997 Saturn SC2. I got it in May of 2003, and drove it until Early October 2004. It was $4750, and it was fully loaded except for no sunroof and no ABS. Power everything + Keyless entry, its a pretty decent car for the price. Good gas mileage too.
My mother got into a car accident and she needed another car. I was getting more involved in autocrossing, so my mother drives the Saturn now, so I moved on to a 1994 Mazda Miata. The Miata offers alot more potential than the Saturn did for Autocross.
My Saturn was a GREAT first car, it was plastic so it wouldn't dent, good gas milage, and it was fully loaded for cheap. Repairs were cheap and easy too.
If you don't mind its a domestic, I suggest look into one as a cheap first car.
My mother got into a car accident and she needed another car. I was getting more involved in autocrossing, so my mother drives the Saturn now, so I moved on to a 1994 Mazda Miata. The Miata offers alot more potential than the Saturn did for Autocross.
My Saturn was a GREAT first car, it was plastic so it wouldn't dent, good gas milage, and it was fully loaded for cheap. Repairs were cheap and easy too.
If you don't mind its a domestic, I suggest look into one as a cheap first car.
The Stigenator
Lifer
- Oct 9, 1999
- 15,216
- 3
- 81
Pick up an old international for under 1000. Take it to maaco for paint. Drop it off at a mechanic for shi!t it needs. And some new tires. Under 5k. They rarely bust, parts are cheap, and you can 4 wheel with the best of em.
I am not a "car guy" so I dont want this to be a project. I want a reliable, pretty much matience free car.
Oh its not. Thats why I said pick one up cheap and take to a mehcanic. You dont have to lift a finger.
Still driving my "first" car (Only 21): 1993 Chrysler Concorde. Fully loaded: leather, ABS (when it worked 
), power everything, etc. Big as a boat, but comfy. Picked it up @ dealership as it was waiting to be sold wholeasle. Needed a new control arm at first, replaced a couple other relatively minor things; but engine & tranny going strong @ 169,000 miles. Only cost $2000 I love my grandpa car
), power everything, etc. Big as a boat, but comfy. Picked it up @ dealership as it was waiting to be sold wholeasle. Needed a new control arm at first, replaced a couple other relatively minor things; but engine & tranny going strong @ 169,000 miles. Only cost $2000 I love my grandpa carHonda, Honda, Honda, Honda.
That is all.
Oil changes every 3K, stay up-to-date on the maintenance schedule and don't abuse it and it should be ok. I'm currently driving a GM which has SOMEHOW made it past the magical 100,000 mile marker.
That is all.
Oil changes every 3K, stay up-to-date on the maintenance schedule and don't abuse it and it should be ok. I'm currently driving a GM which has SOMEHOW made it past the magical 100,000 mile marker.
Nebor
Lifer
- Jun 24, 2003
- 29,582
- 12
- 76
Just about any car, properly maintained, should RUN practically forever. The accessories and periphreals will fall apart over time, but an engine really isn't THAT complicated. Everyone pretty much has the basic concept down. As long as you don't fvck it up, it should keep going. I know someone w/ a 70s Chevy truck with 380,000 miles and the original motor, & tranny.
Nebor
Lifer
- Jun 24, 2003
- 29,582
- 12
- 76
Because American cars are seen as more disposable. By that token, you'll see more old European cars than you will old japanese cars. Because the owners cared enough to take care of them and preserve them.
I mean, obviously American cars start of lacking in certain areas.
RossMAN
Grand Nagus
- Feb 24, 2000
- 78,808
- 311
- 136
Look for:
Domestic models like Saturn, these will be cheap since they depreciate quickly. However their reliability can be questionable.
Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan or Subaru should all be good.
If you can find a Geo/Chevy Prizm, it's a rebadged Toyota Corolla made at the same plant in CA. So you get Toyota quality and reliability but without the high price.
A few quick tips:
1) Avoid SALVAGE cars unless you plan on driving it into the ground. Salvage titled cars are marked with the kiss of death. If you plan on re-selling this car after a few years, you may get $500 for it if you're lucky.
2) Run a Carfax on any car you are seriously considering.
3) Ask for documents/receipts from oil changes, maintenance. If the owner really cares for the car they will keep these documents to show the car has been properly maintained.
4) Bring a car mechanic with you to check out the car.
5) Ask for a signed BILL OF SALE just before handing over payment for the car.
6) Trust your gut.
7) Read CarBuyingTips.com and Edmunds.com
Domestic models like Saturn, these will be cheap since they depreciate quickly. However their reliability can be questionable.
Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan or Subaru should all be good.
If you can find a Geo/Chevy Prizm, it's a rebadged Toyota Corolla made at the same plant in CA. So you get Toyota quality and reliability but without the high price.
A few quick tips:
1) Avoid SALVAGE cars unless you plan on driving it into the ground. Salvage titled cars are marked with the kiss of death. If you plan on re-selling this car after a few years, you may get $500 for it if you're lucky.
2) Run a Carfax on any car you are seriously considering.
3) Ask for documents/receipts from oil changes, maintenance. If the owner really cares for the car they will keep these documents to show the car has been properly maintained.
4) Bring a car mechanic with you to check out the car.
5) Ask for a signed BILL OF SALE just before handing over payment for the car.
6) Trust your gut.
7) Read CarBuyingTips.com and Edmunds.com
1990 Jetta GL. Still drive it, since I'm only 17. It's a nice car with a sleek figure. Not fast enough for my taste, but the manual transmission makes up for it.
Colt45
Lifer
- Apr 18, 2001
- 19,720
- 1
- 0
early 90's vw golf or jetta.
or I suppose an audi 4000/90 quattro. the old ones are same as jetta, but they have a bigger audi engine, and the quattro's are AWD, which is nice.. should be able to find one cheap. like <$1k. most parts arent tooo too crazy expensive I don't think
Or just buy an old chevy boat or truck with a smallblock + 4spd. Take the money you save on parts and spend it on gas..
or I suppose an audi 4000/90 quattro. the old ones are same as jetta, but they have a bigger audi engine, and the quattro's are AWD, which is nice.. should be able to find one cheap. like <$1k. most parts arent tooo too crazy expensive I don't think
Or just buy an old chevy boat or truck with a smallblock + 4spd. Take the money you save on parts and spend it on gas..
Toastedlightly
Diamond Member
- Aug 7, 2004
- 7,213
- 6
- 81
I'd have to say a grand prix (i have one now). When my parents bought it, it was 5k. We added 75k miles onto it., for a total of 165k now. They work well, good gas mileage (20/g) and are very roomy.
civic/corolla. you're not gonna stand out in the crowd, but they are the best cars if what you need is reliability, gas mileage, and easy to drive.
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