What kind of car...

[Moooo]

Okay, lets say a certain person is looking for a cheap, reliable car to take him places. Lets say this person wants to spend somewhere in the range of 3000 bucks, and would like to be able to drive the car another 3 years or so. I had a car I just bought for 500 that did the same thing, but I know for every one that does, there's another 3 that don't. Plus just because it lasted doesn't mean it was the most pleasant vehicle to drive.

I'm torn between going american, and getting someting under 10 years old with about 100,000 miles on it, or going import, getting one more like 15 years old with about 150,000 on it (I think as far as reliability, that is about an equal playing field). The American car will be a bit more refined, but I have great luck with imports.

If I go foreign, I'd take pretty much anything I can get, as long as its not a pickup. As far as american, I don't know which cars are the more reliable of the domestic persuasion. I saw a Dodge Stratus that looked nice, but someone told me they suck. Also, I saw a Neon, but I was told the same thing about it, along with being told the same about late 90s malibus and cavaliers. I don't really want a Ford unless it's before 2000, just because most everything before that looks downright hideous.

So, since most everyone has an opinion on something like this, please give a confused Moooo some insight on where a good direction would be (especially with what sort of late 90s American car to get).

Moooo

P.S. I don't want a sports car, cause you pay too much for what you get and they're usually RWD, which I need this car 365/year.

[luv]

I drive a 2000 Ford Contour. Got it for $7499 almost 5 years ago. Nothing really wrong with it besides routine maintenance, with the one exception of the fuel pump. It was still under warranty though (thank goodness). Older model Honda Accords are good. I drove a 93. Loved it (until I wrecked it).

[Miles]

94-95 Civic or Accura Integra might be a good place to start.

[Bugeater]

You should be able to get a mid-90's base model Toyota Camry or Honda Accord for that kind of money. As far as domestic, I've had several Dodge Caravans and they've been good to me but I don't know much about the rest of Chrysler's lineup. I wouldn't buy a 90's GM product.

[luv]

You should be able to get a mid-90's base model Toyota Camry or Honda Accord for that kind of money. As far as domestic, I've had several Dodge Caravans and they've been good to me but I don't know much about the rest of Chrysler's lineup. I wouldn't buy a 90's GM product.
Ummm...someone's gonna have your hide for saying that! :p

[Moooo]

You should be able to get a mid-90's base model Toyota Camry or Honda Accord for that kind of money. As far as domestic, I've had several Dodge Caravans and they've been good to me but I don't know much about the rest of Chrysler's lineup. I wouldn't buy a 90's GM product.

Yeah, I've been looking at Accords pretty heavily, and also Camrys. I would REALLY like one with a five-speed, because not only are they usually about 500 bucks cheaper, but I'm a big fan of them. I don't know how an automatic transmission works, and I do know how a manual one does, not to mention all the imports I've had were manuals and all of them went for over 200,000 with only clutch changing (which I'm cool with).

Moooo

[Miles]

The American car will be a bit more refined, but I have great luck with imports.


Refined doesn't exactly fit the discription of most any American auto.

[Bugeater]

Ummm...someone's gonna have your hide for saying that! :p
Hey, I could have easily left the "90's" part out, but I'm feeling nice tonight.

[luv]

Yeah, I've been looking at Accords pretty heavily, and also Camrys. I would REALLY like one with a five-speed, because not only are they usually about 500 bucks cheaper, but I'm a big fan of them. I don't know how an automatic transmission works, and I do know how a manual one does, not to mention all the imports I've had were manuals and all of them went for over 200,000 with only clutch changing (which I'm cool with).

Moooo
Honda Accord. :thumb:

Although Civics around that time were cool, too. And Preludes.

[Miles]

Yeah, I've been looking at Accords pretty heavily, and also Camrys. I would REALLY like one with a five-speed, because not only are they usually about 500 bucks cheaper, but I'm a big fan of them. I don't know how an automatic transmission works, and I do know how a manual one does, not to mention all the imports I've had were manuals and all of them went for over 200,000 with only clutch changing (which I'm cool with).

Moooo

How are the prices for 94/95 Integra's with a 5 speed around your area? Seems like that may be something that may fit well for you.

[luv]

How are the prices for 94/95 Integra's with a 5 speed around your area? Seems like that may be something that may fit well for you.
Welcome to Springfield. Along with churches, chinese buffets, and junior colleges/colleges/universities, there are used car lots on whatever empty corner is left.

[Bugeater]

Yeah, I've been looking at Accords pretty heavily, and also Camrys. I would REALLY like one with a five-speed, because not only are they usually about 500 bucks cheaper, but I'm a big fan of them. I don't know how an automatic transmission works, and I do know how a manual one does, not to mention all the imports I've had were manuals and all of them went for over 200,000 with only clutch changing (which I'm cool with).

Moooo
We sold our '93 Accord last summer with 180K on the original auto transmission, so I wouldn't sweat that too much. Although the manual will do better on gas.

[Moooo]

How are the prices for 94/95 Integra's with a 5 speed around your area? Seems like that may be something that may fit well for you.

like 5 grand! My 500 dollar car was an 87 Integra. That's kinda why I'm loyal to the Honda family.

But they're expensive other than that. The only one's I've found in the paper that are under 3 have like at least 175,000 miles on it. And I'm not going there again. This car needs to last for 3-5 years, hopefully without going over 200,000 (or 150,000 if its a domestic).

Moooo

[Miles]

like 5 grand! My 500 dollar car was an 87 Integra. That's kinda why I'm loyal to the Honda family.

But they're expensive other than that. The only one's I've found in the paper that are under 3 have like at least 175,000 miles on it. And I'm not going there again. This car needs to last for 3-5 years, hopefully without going over 200,000 (or 150,000 if its a domestic).

Moooo

Have you looked outside of your market? I have no idea where you live but larger cities seem to have more reasonable prices on used cars.

[luv]

like 5 grand! My 500 dollar car was an 87 Integra. That's kinda why I'm loyal to the Honda family.

But they're expensive other than that. The only one's I've found in the paper that are under 3 have like at least 175,000 miles on it. And I'm not going there again. This car needs to last for 3-5 years, hopefully without going over 200,000 (or 150,000 if its a domestic).

Moooo
Integra is an Accura, not a Honda. Or am I missing something?

[Moooo]

Have you looked outside of your market? I have no idea where you live but larger cities seem to have more reasonable prices on used cars.

I've looked at Springfield (yuck) and Kansas City. Other than that, no.

Integra is an Accura, not a Honda. Or am I missing something?

Acura is the luxury division of Honda, like Lexus is to Toyota, Infiniti is to Nissan, etc...

Moooo

[Miles]

Damn just ran a search on autotrader and Integra's are way overvalued. I was looking at used GS-Rs about 8 years ago and cant believe the value they have held.

[Miles]

Integra is an Accura, not a Honda. Or am I missing something?

They are basically a nicer version of the Civic. Same company and built off the same platform.

[TinyEvel]

like 5 grand! My 500 dollar car was an 87 Integra. That's kinda why I'm loyal to the Honda family.

But they're expensive other than that. The only one's I've found in the paper that are under 3 have like at least 175,000 miles on it. And I'm not going there again. This car needs to last for 3-5 years, hopefully without going over 200,000 (or 150,000 if its a domestic).

Moooo

RIght on!
My first car was an 87 Integra, I bought it in 92 with 90K already on it. I gave it to my brother in 2003 with 210K miles on it, was awesome, never had to replace any part of the drivetrain on it, just clutch and struts right at the end.

So I'd recommend a Honda or Toyota but you'll get a better deal (lower miles, more current) on a civic or corolla than camry or accord. Look for one driven easy, by an old person or church-going woman. I was going to buy another Integra after I walked from mine, but almost every one in the paper was riced-out by FF2 wanna-be's

[luv]

http://www.carsforsale.com/Find_a_Vehicle/vehicle_search_results.asp

[Moooo]

Damn just ran a search on autotrader and Integra's are way overvalued. I was looking at used GS-Rs about 8 years ago and cant believe the value they have held.

...yeah. Same goes for Preludes. Not worth it, IMO.

Moooo

[luv]

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/mo-springfield-honda-civic.html;_ylt=AsCC7YrAX82ae6EfvxmnRIcFEcUF?cs=price&&b=

[Miles]

...yeah. Same goes for Preludes. Not worth it, IMO.

Moooo

Yeah was just looking at them as well. Found a few for 3900 (prob pay around 3300-3500) but they had around 150k on them. Both of those cars are damn reliable though and were still fully built in Japan. Im thinking that the Civics during that time may have been built in Japan as well.

[Moooo]

Yeah was just looking at them as well. Found a few for 3900 (prob pay around 3300-3500) but they had around 150k on them. Both of those cars are damn reliable though and were still fully built in Japan. Im thinking that the Civics during that time may have been built in Japan as well.

Yeah. I also saw a car called a Toyota Paseo. It looked kinda girly, but at this point I don't care, not to mention it said 40+mpg! I don't know if certain Toyotas are better than others or not, but once again the one I had had 260,000 on it when I got rid of it.

Moooo

[Miles]

Yeah. I also saw a car called a Toyota Paseo. It looked kinda girly, but at this point I don't care, not to mention it said 40+mpg!

Moooo

They are very econo box looking but may not be bad if you don't care about that. It was basically a smaller and cheaper version of a Tercel. No idea on the reliabilty ratings though.

[Moooo]

They are very econo box looking but may not be bad if you don't care about that. It was basically a smaller and cheaper version of a Tercel.

Score... Size matters not. Gas mileage does...

Moooo

[Miles]

Score... Size matters not. Gas mileage does...

Moooo

I would figure it has no real back seat but that may not be a factor (i could care less how comfortable people are back there). Its not really known as one of their bullit proof cars so I would definitly check the reliability ratings.

[Moooo]

I would figure it has no real back seat but that may not be a factor (i could care less how comfortable people are back there). Its not really known as one of their bullit proof cars so I would definitly check the reliability ratings.

Says its as solid as a Civic. But then again, it said that a Celica is more reliable than a Civic on the website I'm looking at, so...

Moooo

[Bugeater]

Damn just ran a search on autotrader and Integra's are way overvalued. I was looking at used GS-Rs about 8 years ago and cant believe the value they have held.
I think everything on Autotrader is overvalued. I was using it when I was looking for cars last year, and when I did find something that looked like a good deal and contacted the dealers, I always got the "we just sold that one, but if you come in we can probably find you something else".

[Moooo]

I think everything on Autotrader is overvalued. I was using it when I was looking for cars last year, and when I did find something that looked like a good deal and contacted the dealers, I always got the "we just sold that one, but if you come in we can probably find you something else".

YEAH!!! Take the value of a car, add 15% to it, and then you have the autotrader price. F THAT!

Moooo

[Miles]

I think everything on Autotrader is overvalued. I was using it when I was looking for cars last year, and when I did find something that looked like a good deal and contacted the dealers, I always got the "we just sold that one, but if you come in we can probably find you something else".

When I was looking for a car last summer that site was very useful. Some of the dealers I contacted from it were fairly unreasonable and wanted more than market for their cars. Even when you point out they wanted too much.

However the individuals that were selling on there were a great option. I ended up buying my car from one of them and got a great deal. Also sold my current car at the time quickly for a decent deal for the guy buying it.

[Bugeater]

YEAH!!! Take the value of a car, add 15% to it, and then you have the autotrader price. F THAT!

Moooo
Well, it doesn't mean you can't beat them down on the price, but the bait & switch crap pisses me off. There is some private party stuff on there too, but it's mostly dealers.

[Miles]

Well, it doesn't mean you can't beat them down on the price, but the bait & switch crap pisses me off. There is some private party stuff on there too, but it's mostly dealers.

Guess it may depend on your market but I found plenty of private party stuff on there.

[luv]

http://www.acuraofspringfield.com/Preowned-Inventory.aspx?InventoryId=10113867

:drool:

If only it were like a year from now. I'd be all over that in a hearbeat!

[Miles]

http://www.acuraofspringfield.com/Preowned-Inventory.aspx?InventoryId=10113867

:drool:

If only it were like a year from now. I'd be all over that in a hearbeat!

Nah you don't want a montero.

[luv]

Nah you don't want a montero.
It's an SUV made in this century that I can afford.

[Moooo]

Nah you don't want a montero.

I was looking at RAV-4s, but they're a little tough to get into for under 5 grand.

Moooo

[Bugeater]

When I was looking for a car last summer that site was very useful. Some of the dealers I contacted from it were fairly unreasonable and wanted more than market for their cars. Even when you point out they wanted too much.

However the individuals that were selling on there were a great option. I ended up buying my car from one of them and got a great deal. Also sold my current car at the time quickly for a decent deal for the guy buying it.
It probably depends on what you're looking for. I was looking for a 5-6 year old Camry or Accord, which seem to be high-demand used cars. Good deals on those seem to be few and far-between.

[Moooo]

It's an SUV made in this century that I can afford.

OOOOH! You can get a Ford Exploder!

Moooo

[luv]

OOOOH! You can get a Ford Exploder!

Moooo
Nah. If I was gonna get a Ford, I'd get an Escape.

[Miles]

I was looking at RAV-4s, but they're a little tough to get into for under 5 grand.

Moooo

If you were a chick that would be a nice option.

[Moooo]

If you were a chick that would be a nice option.

Like I said, I don't care.

I'm actually leaning towards the chick cars cause they usually don't fetch as much coin as a regular one.

Either that or go totally old man. HELLO BUICK CENTURY!!!

Moooo

[Miles]

It probably depends on what you're looking for. I was looking for a 5-6 year old Camry or Accord, which seem to be high-demand used cars. Good deals on those seem to be few and far-between.

Good point. I was looking at German and Japanese sports coupes with a manual transmission. Just from looking around for Moooo I am suprised by the prices of some of the imports.

[Bugeater]

Guess it may depend on your market but I found plenty of private party stuff on there.
There's some truth to that, I know if I expand my searches to 200 miles to include the Kansas City area I get a hell of a lot more results. People in the Omaha area must be stuck on using newspaper ads.

[Bugeater]

OOOOH! You can get a Ford Exploder!

Moooo
They're still making the Pinto?

[Miles]

Like I said, I don't care.

I'm actually leaning towards the chick cars cause they usually don't fetch as much coin as a regular one.

Either that or go totally old man. HELLO BUICK CENTURY!!!

Moooo

The RAV4 is something a guy shoudln't drive. The other smaller cars you can look at are not chick spacific at all. There is nothing at all wrong with a small ass economy car.

[Miles]

There's some truth to that, I know if I expand my searches to 200 miles to include the Kansas City area I get a hell of a lot more results. People in the Omaha area must be stuck on using newspaper ads.

I ended up driving 350 miles or so for mine. And that was with looking in the Dallas and Houston markets.

I remember looking in the Omaha area back when I was living there in high school. I ended up buying two cars from local dealers by pure luck but I had to expand my search area quite a bit when looking around.

[Pants]

www.cars.com (http://www.cars.com)

bestest car site evar

[CoMoChief]

Most Jap cars made in the 90's last forever. Most all of them get great gas mileage and hardly anything ever goes wrong with them.

[StcChief]

Refined doesn't exactly fit the discription of most any American auto.
Dated design, minimal quality (enough for warantee) better description

[HemiEd]

I have had good experience with Neons. Four years ago, I bought my Daughter who is down at Florida State, a used 99. I bought it from a dealer in Atlanta, sight un-seen off of Ebay. She has had no problems whatsoever. I gave $4,000 for it back then. She had a '97 before that with no problems, some idiot ran a red light and totalled it. My other daughter had great luck with a '95 Neon and now drives a new Stratus.

[Frosty]

You aren't going to find a decent Honda or Toyota in the $3000 range unless you are extraordinarily lucky. You might look into Nissans and Mazdas. The Proteges and Sentras are decent cars and tend to be a little cheaper than their Honda and Toyota counterparts. Suzukis can be fairly cheap, too.

Another place to look would be a late '90's Escort. Most of the drivetrain was Mazda and they are very reliable cars that have their value brought down because of the '80's Escorts and the Ford name. I had a '99 wagon and routinely got in the low 40s for gas mileage (it was a 5 speed). The Focus has also proven to be reliable, after it's first year of recalls.

Your idea of a Century isn't bad. Over on the Edmunds forum, in the Smart Shopper forum, the Buicks and Ford Taurus are the most frequenty suggested cars for the low buck used car question. For the money, they aren't nearly as bad as people make them out to be. I would check the forum, though, as there are certain engine/tranny combos to stay away from.

With the current gas prices, small, fuel efficient cars have really gone up in price. They are also harder to find. If you don't drive much and can live with the lower mileage so that you can get better reliability, your best value may be something with poorer mileage that someone is trying to dump.

[burt]

Welcome to Springfield. Along with churches, chinese buffets, and junior colleges/colleges/universities, there are used car lots on whatever empty corner is left.

Springfield...home to it's own flavor of Cashew Chicken....good stuff....

[burt]

They are very econo box looking but may not be bad if you don't care about that. It was basically a smaller and cheaper version of a Tercel. No idea on the reliabilty ratings though.

actually the Paseo was supposed to be "sportier" than the Tercel....same size.....

[Moooo]

actually the Paseo was supposed to be "sportier" than the Tercel....same size.....

Yeah, I'm really liking the Paseo. It's cheap, and Toyota... And it has A/C and gets good gas mileage!

Moooo