YACT: Most reliable beater for $4k?

[virtueixi]

You want a domestic beater? Is this for you or your wife? I know a guy and he's a big domestic beater.

 

[Siddhartha]

You will probably have to network to find a reliable car at this price point. Ask friends, family, and co-workers if they know of a good 10-15 year old car in good shape.

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: Dr Smooth
You will probably have to network to find a reliable car at this price point. Ask friends, family, and co-workers if they know of a good 10-15 year old car in good shape.

10-15 years old!?!

Try a 6-9 year old Saturn S*2 (the twin cam), Geo/Chevy Prizm, or Escort/Escort ZX2.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

$4k does not mean beater

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

get a used import, they will last much longer and in that price range you'd like to avoid repairs

 

[crt1530]

Chevy/Geo Prizm. Toyota Corolla guts/reliability with domestic depreciation.

 

[LAUST]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: Leejai
Honda Civic VX

Ding ding ding, we have a WinnAr.

Reliable, affordable, and downright miserly on fuel.

MPG (city) 44
MPG (highway) 51
MPG (combined) 47

Take that, Toyota Prius.

- M4H

I 3rd that

C'mon people it's his FIRST car a FWD Civic will get him anywhere he NEEDS to go, gets him good milage and it's cheap to maintain. what more can a first buyer ask for?

 

[LAUST]

another good choice

 

[vi edit]

I've got a really nice '94 Camry w/ 133k on the clock I'd sell you for $3,500. Auto tranny though.

 

[DrumminBoy]

A used import is exactly what you want. Sentra, Civic, Corolla maybe even. All get great gas mileage, and are really reliable. A manual, even with such small engines, can still be pretty fun too. I went this route...spent 1k on a manual '92 Civic 2 years ago, haven't regretted it yet.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I've got a really nice '94 Camry w/ 133k on the clock I'd sell you for $3,500. Auto tranny though.

good deal IMO, will be reliable too

 

[Scootin159]

I paid $4000 for my Porsche. Have only put about $300 into it in the last 2 years & 20k miles for 'repairs'. Granted I have also put about $2000 more into 'upgrades' for it & working to get it to 'mint', but it would still run just fine without any of those.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Scootin159
I paid $4000 for my Porsche. Have only put about $300 into it in the last 2 years & 20k miles for 'repairs'. Granted I have also put about $2000 more into 'upgrades' for it & working to get it to 'mint', but it would still run just fine without any of those.

what about insurance? how old are you and whats your driving record like?

 

[Scootin159]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: Scootin159
I paid $4000 for my Porsche. Have only put about $300 into it in the last 2 years & 20k miles for 'repairs'. Granted I have also put about $2000 more into 'upgrades' for it & working to get it to 'mint', but it would still run just fine without any of those.

what about insurance? how old are you and whats your driving record like?

The insurance isn't worse than any other car. Well I take it back, it's the worst of any of my cars, because I have collision on it, but if I didn't have collision it would be within a few bucks of any of the other cars.

I have 0 points on my licence (now), but 2 claims (one 13 months ago, and another 36 months ago, both ~$10,000 total).

 

[InverseOfNeo]

alpha, where do you live?


I have a 93 camry that runs great that I was thinking of selling for about $4200. Gets great gas mileage. Has a pretty good sound system as well.

BTW, it has about 116k and auto tranny.

 

[thedarkwolf]

$4k buys a real nice car not a beater. $1k and less is more in the beater range.

 

[kt]

You can pretty much get a pretty decent shape early 90's Accord or Camry for around $4k. You probably be able to find more manual with Accord's though.

 

[psteng19]

My 1995 Sentra (auto) bought in 2000 w/45k miles for $4500.
Or my 1996 Sentra (manual) bought in 2003 w/120k miles for $1500.
Both doing fine.

 

[Kanalua]

Some kind of Honda: Accord or Civic, early 90s model...

 

[CombatChuk]

My first car was a 1998 Dodge Neon. Didn't have any problems with it, just changed the oil when necessary and kept it clean. Lasted me 40,000 miles (80,000 total) before I crashed it last year (R.I.P), now got a 2003 Neon SXT and lovin' it...

 

[Ns1]

95-97 civic is in that price range

 

[FrustratedUser]

Olds 88 ('92 - '98).

Big, comfortable, reliable.

 

[vegetation]

I would suggest something like a 91-94 Sentra SE-R. You could probably pick up a good condition low mileage vehicle for 4k, or an older high mileage for half that price. Fairly good gas mileage (25-30) , cheap to insure, easy car to work on yourself for maintenance.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: SampSon
Jeep and reliability do not go hand in hand, ever.

Very true, on roadtrips they are the most common vehicle i see broke down on the side of the road (i count out of boredom).

 

[NeoPTLD]

Surely, a beater that haven't been beat on in the past.