Yet Another What Cheap Car Should I Buy Thread

[railer]

I know these threads pop up frequently, but I searched back 6 weeks and didn't see one, so.......


I can scrape up up to 10k. I'd like to spend less.

I'm not a gas mileage nut. but mid 20's minimum would be nice.
Open to pretty much anything: 2dr/4dr, stick/auto. Little econo boxes are probably out. No corrola's, civics, etc.

I can get 2004ish Pontiac Grand Prix's for mid 6's at my local auction. I explain that to my wife and she visibly shudders at the thought, so let me explain:

I don't think those Pontiac's look too bad. And they're CHEAP. An equivelant year and mileage Maxima would be over 10k, for basically a similar car. (yea, the Max is better, but they're in the same general ballpark looks and performance wise).

I guess now that I write that down I am leaning towards mid sized slushboxes, but nothing too dorky looking. I'd take an older Acura TL over a newer Camry any day, based soley on the fact that every Aunt Ethel drives a Camry/Accord.

Nothing Euro; they're way to expensive to fix.

Thanks all!

 

[Vette73]

G6 looks pretty good. Also check out Buicks. Maybe a used Saturn Aura if the price has come down enough yet?

Mazda6 is not to bad.

 

[njmodi]

Maxima and G6 are not in the same league (performance, reliability, etc)... Maxima owns a G6 all day, ever day.... having said that... other options
- Mazda3
- Scion TC/xB
- Matrix/Vibe
- Mazda6
- Ford Focus

 

[krunchykrome]

In that price range, I would look for a used Ford Focus SVT.

 

[vi edit]

I'd look at an '05 or so Malibu or G6 before I looked at the Grand Prix. They are much more updated vehicles and a lot more refined. The 3.5L is very frugal for a V6 with plenty of spunk when you needed it. No premium needed either (like a Maxima desires).

If you look at objective data the reliability is good with those cars and they are well thought out and functional people movers. Resale seriously works in your favor over most imports.

My only complaint is the electronic steering - it takes a while to get used to and a major step backwards in road feel.

 

[railer]

Good points.

I like the Mazda's and the G6. And they're both old enough that I can afford them. .

I'll see what each brings at the auction. I suspect the Mazda will be a couple of grand more than the GM; I wonder how much bigger the G6 is than the Mazda3?

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: railer
every Aunt Ethel drives a Camry/Accord.

Aunt Ethel's Accord doesn't have a 244hp V6 and a 6-speed manual transmission.

 

[sniperruff]

maybe a 05-06 altima S/SL 2.5. roomy, good fuel economy and doesn't look half bad.

if you're willing to look for an older maxima, you can easily find one with the VQ30 under $10k (00-02).

i think the mazda6 has a pretty cramped backseat.

 

[SickBeast]

With the current price of gas you should go with the Prius.

I have an 06 Civic I'm happy with, but even with a 42L tank it costs me over $50 to fill it these days. :Q

 

[DarkThinker]

BMW 540i

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
With the current price of gas you should go with the Prius.

I have an 06 Civic I'm happy with, but even with a 42L tank it costs me over $50 to fill it these days. :Q

Using that logic your Civic is better than the Prius, because the Prius has a 45L tank and would cost even more to fill up.

However, that isn't logical which is why the EPA focuses on mpg numbers and not gas-tank-size numbers.

You might look at a Ford Focus or Mazda Protege as mentioned in this thread. I would personally add a Nissan Sentra to the list since it has a lower resale value than the Civic or Corolla but is still (probably) more reliable than the American competitors.

Edit: Just to clarify, I thought you said you wanted to spend $4k instead of $10k. I therefore change my recommendation to a 2002 or later Nissan Altima.