Cars

[Avatar4321]

Hey everyone. Im shopping for a car. Hopefully something used with good gas milage and costs less than $4000 or so. Anyone know any good models and years to look at?

 

[dmp]

Mid early 90s miatas - taken care of the engines will see 300K miles...they average 25-35mpg too

And...they are fun!

 

[Mr. P]

Consumer Reports APR 04 edition page 80 says....

These models showed better-than-average reliability.
For <$6000.

Buick Century 1997-98
Chev. Prizm 98-00
Ford Escort 97-01
Honda Civic 96
Nissan Altima 96-97
Saturn S-series 96..98-99

 

[Moi]

I don't know about price, but my old Maxima was over 13 years old and still trucking when I gave it away. That was certainly reliable...

 

[fuzzykitten99]

Hey everyone. Im shopping for a car. Hopefully something used with good gas milage and costs less than $4000 or so. Anyone know any good models and years to look at?

i loved my cavalier (97) when i had it, and I drove it from 75k to 165k without any major mechanical problems-the only problem was the alternator, and that is a usual wear and tear part. i bought it used, and got from 25 min to 39 max mpg. You could easily find a Cavalier for that price. I traded mine in because it was getting up there in mileage, and i decided to upgrade to a newer car, which is my 99 monte carlo. I get 25-28 mpg, but it is unlikely that you will find a monte for $4k unless it is older than 2000. mine is averaged at $5-6k retail depending on the market, because of relatively low mileage (less than 90k).

You may also be able to get a Saturn in decent shape. They don't cost much even brand new. They are excellent cars and have never heard anything bad about them. I know several people(friends & family) that have owned theirs for 7+ years, no major problems. Their mpg range depending on the engine option.

Really, your best bet is to shop dealerships (reputable ones), test drive, look online, do LOTS of research on the ones that you want. Do a CARFAX on each one. It will help weed out the trouble-cars.

One thing that you want to have in mind is insurance. Foreign cars, especially older Hondas and Nissans are insurance company nightmares because they are the biggest targets for theft-and their parts are expensive. I work for Progressive in the claims area, and the most common theft claims are for Hondas. They are easy to break into and strip out, and rarely are recovered because their engine parts are universal. Also, if you plan on adding lots of after-market stuff (stereo, body-kit, etc.,) get a separate insurance policy for that. Basic insurance only covers $1000 automatically-anything over that, you are SOL.

 

[dmp]

Never trust consumer reports - if you want a car, read about it in Car and Driver.

www.edmunds.com is a good resource, too.

 

[Mr. P]

Never trust consumer reports - if you want a car, read about it in Car and Driver.

www.edmunds.com is a good resource, too.

For this type stuff I'll stick to CR as a great source ...their about as non-bias as you can get.
Edmunds is good too but do they publish owner surveys on used cars? I forget seeing any.

But the bottom line is do the research and makeup you own mind.

I am curious though...why do you say, never Trust CR?

 

[Tom E]

Avatar,

getting a good car - go to a charity auction like goodwill etc.. many people like me donate good cars to these orginaztions, You might find some amazing deals on good wheels.

tom E.

 

[dmp]

For this type stuff I'll stick to CR as a great source ...their about as non-bias as you can get.
Edmunds is good too but do they publish owner surveys on used cars? I forget seeing any.

But the bottom line is do the research and makeup you own mind.

I am curious though...why do you say, never Trust CR?

CR can't tell a reader how much they'll 'enjoy' a car. CR is a bunch of coloured-in dots trying to measure hard-data, comparing one brand to another. For instance, they can tell you car 'A' has a V6 vsi Car 'B' having a 4Cyl. Car 'A' may get a full-circle for it. Nevermind the 4cyl car may have MORE power, and more torque. Car 'A' has struts at all four corners, where car 'b' has unequal length control arms, and coil-over shocks. Picking out a car should be like picking out a painting for your house - don't worry about the type of paint used; the material used for the frame...Find one the right size, and one that 'moves you'.

Owner surveys can be misleading. You generally have polarized views; for ppl to be motivated to respond they likely love or hate the car. A better resource is finding an online forum of owners. You'll see the good with the bad, and assuming the membership is of sufficient maturity, non-biased information.

And really..what would you rather drive?

this:

or

 

[Mr. P]

Neither...Just came into one of these two weeks ago. Only in black. Love it!
Edit (2004...350Z)

 

[dmp]

Neither...Just came into one of these two weeks ago. Only in black. Love it!
Edit (2004...350Z)

(He wanted to spend $4k, not $40k )

 

[Mr. P]

I know, that's why I listed some CR stuff for em.

 

[dmp]

I know, that's why I listed some CR stuff for em.

??

 

[Mr. P]

??

Consumer Reports APR 04 edition pag
e 80 says....

These models showed better-than-average reliability.
For <$6000.


*my first post in this thread*

 

[dmp]

sure.

 

[Fmr jarhead]

Neither...Just came into one of these two weeks ago. Only in black. Love it!
Edit (2004...350Z)

Yeah, whatever.....nice car, I guess......

Getting my new wheels as soon as I sell the bike!

 

[dmp]

Yeah, whatever.....nice car, I guess......

Getting my new wheels as soon as I sell the bike!

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwesome

If they were rear-wheel drive, Minis would be PERFECT

 

[Fmr jarhead]

Who cares if they are front wheel drive....so light....and with the right mods, 200 HP.....watch out.....the best part is I can park it in the back of my Dodge Ram if I have to....gonna need to get some ramps, though.

 

[dmp]

Who cares if they are front wheel drive....so light....and with the right mods, 200 HP.....watch out.....the best part is I can park it in the back of my Dodge Ram if I have to....gonna need to get some ramps, though.

wel, obvisously I care if they are front wheel drive... rwd's handling characteristics are preferred.

 

[Fmr jarhead]

rwd's handling characteristics are preferred.

Not if you prefer front wheel drive......