Best Used Cars Under $8,000

[Saul Good]

I see a lot of used car advice requests on here. Kelley Blue Book has just published their list of best used cars under $8,000.

Http://autos.yahoo.com/news/kelley-blue-book-names-top-10-used-cars-under--8-000.html

I was surprised at how diverse the list was.

[007]

I would just get the Kia off that list. It will have the fewest miles on it.

[Fritz88]

Honda. Toyota. Hyundai.
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[Hammock Parties]

80s diesel benz.

[Bane]

IN!

[jAZ]

Just got a 2003 Toyota Camry with 91K miles for for $7500. It's amazing how expensive used cars are these days. I picked up my 2000 Maxima in 2003 for $12K. Now a similar 3 year old Maxima is $19K.

Crazy market.

[007]

Just got a 2003 Toyota Camry with 91K miles for for $7500. It's amazing how expensive used cars are these days. I picked up my 2000 Maxima in 2003 for $12K. Now a similar 3 year old Maxima is $19K.

Crazy market.

and yet the mileage still sucks.

[CoMoChief]

and yet the mileage still sucks.

Most newer Toyotas you can run for almost 200k if you maintain them.

91k on a camry is like 50k on a domestic car. Toyota just makes a better vehicle.

[dilligaf]

Most newer Toyotas you can run for almost 200k if you maintain them.

91k on a camry is like 50k on a domestic car. Toyota just makes a better vehicle.

This!

[booyaf2]

There isn't a car sold today that you can't run for 200k if you maintain them.

[Frazod]

My 2006 Impala will be paid off in two months. It's got 56,000 miles on it and is in excellent condition - I plan on driving it until the wheels fall off, which at this rate shouldn't happen for a long time.

It will be very refreshing not to have a car payment.

[El Jefe]

Most newer Toyotas you can run for almost 200k if you maintain them.

91k on a camry is like 50k on a domestic car. Toyota just makes a better vehicle.

I read this and here customers say this all the time, and the fact of the matter is that it isn't true. Failure rates on honda's and toyota's aren't that much longer than domestic, and I will tell you this, the Honda and Toyota's are vastly more expensive to fix. We see Honda's and Toyota's in our shop all the time with transmission problems and other problems at or around 100k. You may have a toyota or Honda that runs 200k for you, I had a 2000 Buick that ran 212k miles with never having transmission work or motor work being done, but that doesn't mean every LeSabre will run 212k miles without problems, it's merely an exception to the rule.

[El Jefe]

There isn't a car sold today that you can't run for 200k if you maintain them.

LOL!!!!

[CoMoChief]

My 2006 Impala will be paid off in two months. It's got 56,000 miles on it and is in excellent condition - I plan on driving it until the wheels fall off, which at this rate shouldn't happen for a long time.

It will be very refreshing not to have a car payment.

good luck....those cars are generally poorly made....start having issues around 90k. hope u have better luck than that. not trying to bash your car, just basing this from what i've seen in auto ins field.

[Brock]

I was surprised at how diverse the list was.

I think they purposely went with a wide array of purpose driven vehicles. They have a pickup, an SUV, a quasi-luxury sedan, etc.

[Saul Good]

Just got a 2003 Toyota Camry with 91K miles for for $7500. It's amazing how expensive used cars are these days. I picked up my 2000 Maxima in 2003 for $12K. Now a similar 3 year old Maxima is $19K.

Crazy market.

Its a crazy market because, under cash for clunkers, a large percentage of the cheap used cars were destroyed. As a result, used car prices went through the roof. Also, with the bad economy, people are making do with their cars longer instead of buying new thus further straining the used car supply.

[Saul Good]

I think they purposely went with a wide array of purpose driven vehicles. They have a pickup, an SUV, a quasi-luxury sedan, etc.

True. It was the range of manufacturers that was surprising.

[Rausch]

I don't know about the 04 Civic but the 98/99/2000 civics were all $3it.

I now own a 98 and the only reason I still have it is because it's paid off...

[BigMeatballDave]

There isn't a car sold today that you can't run for 200k if you maintain them.

Yep. My last car was a 2001 Grand Prix. It had 150000 on it. Engine still ran perfect but I think the transmission was going out so I got rid of it.

[Lzen]

Honda. Toyota. Hyundai.
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Not so fast. There are 2 Fords on the list.

Man, I wish I had bought that Ford Escape instead of the Hyundai Sante Fe.

[patteeu]

Just got a 2003 Toyota Camry with 91K miles for for $7500. It's amazing how expensive used cars are these days. I picked up my 2000 Maxima in 2003 for $12K. Now a similar 3 year old Maxima is $19K.

Crazy market.

Do you think paying people to junk their used cars through the "Cash for Clunkers" program might have something to do with that? I'm not trying to get political, but that was a negative consequence that was predicted at the time.

[patteeu]

Most newer Toyotas you can run for almost 200k if you maintain them.

91k on a camry is like 50k on a domestic car. Toyota just makes a better vehicle.

You ought to be able to run most new cars of almost any make for 200k if you maintain them. My F150 just rolled over 180k, and I'm counting on at least 20k more out of her.

[Frazod]

good luck....those cars are generally poorly made....start having issues around 90k. hope u have better luck than that. not trying to bash your car, just basing this from what i've seen in auto ins field.

I've owned several mid-sized GMs over the years and have had good luck with them. I also commute by train, so I don't drive a lot. The car was a year old and had 15K miles when I bought it - since then, I've put just over 40K on it in five years. Even if it starts going to hell around 90K, that won't happen for a long time.

[007]

Most newer Toyotas you can run for almost 200k if you maintain them.

91k on a camry is like 50k on a domestic car. Toyota just makes a better vehicle.

I'm talking MPG

[scho63]

Just got a 2003 Toyota Camry with 91K miles for for $7500. It's amazing how expensive used cars are these days. I picked up my 2000 Maxima in 2003 for $12K. Now a similar 3 year old Maxima is $19K.

Crazy market.

Cash for clunkers drove up prices for used cars along with the crappy economy. People all over the US were destroying good cars for the sake of a government check.

[Deberg_1990]

Not so fast. There are 2 Fords on the list.

Man, I wish I had bought that Ford Escape instead of the Hyundai Sante Fe.

The Ford Escape was always a decent mini suv. One of the few that had a 6 cylinder option. Sadly, Ford has decided to "girl it up" and stop offering a 6 cylinder in the new ones.

[007]

I have yet to have a vehicle go over 110k without transmission or engine problems. Yes, they were properly maintained and driven.

I've had a Toyota, Subaru, Mazda, VW, Plymouth and Chrysler vehicle.

I'm convinced that the best time to get rid of a vehicle is at 100k.

[btlook1]

good luck....those cars are generally poorly made....start having issues around 90k. hope u have better luck than that. not trying to bash your car, just basing this from what i've seen in auto ins field.

We have a 2004 Impala that has 167K on it and it's still going strong, I think it's only been worked on 4 times of so, hasn't ever left us stranded. Planning on driving it to work for another 6 months to a year then getting rid of it.....

[ModSocks]

If I had 8k for a used car, I'd likely get an Accord Coupe. Or a truck.

There are a ton of nice cars out there you can get for 8K

[Dayze]

I got a great car for just slightly more than 8k; got a 08 Rabbit with 41k miles on it for 10k. Agree; there are great cars out there for really reasonable prices if one is willing to be flexible on features/color/accessories etc.

unlike my wife....

[Frosty]

My problem with buying used Toyotas and Hondas in this price range is that they are very over-valued and are generally trash (in a condition that would make them a $2000 - 3000 in any other make). This is particularly true of Civics, which all seem to have way too many miles or have been riced out or something.

[patteeu]

I have yet to have a vehicle go over 110k without transmission or engine problems. Yes, they were properly maintained and driven.

I've had a Toyota, Subaru, Mazda, VW, Plymouth and Chrysler vehicle.

I'm convinced that the best time to get rid of a vehicle is at 100k.

No offense, but I wouldn't rule out the idea of a driving issue if it's happened that many times in a row.

[bevischief]

Have 265,500 miles on my Toyota truck. No major issues.

[cookster50]

2000 Saturn SL1 with 233000 miles on it and still going. Suck it!

[Silock]

1998 GMC Jimmy with 225k. Going strong! Oh, and I fucking hate GM.

[crispystl]

I had an Acura Integra with 300,000 and it still ran like a striped ass ape.Traded it in for a Malibu and it blew a head gasket at 140,000. Piece of shit. Needless to say I drive a Honda now.

[Psyko Tek]

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/ford-crown_victoria-cars8120796386560873866;_ylt=Aot40U5nwxBc4NYiKvw3o68zWI54;_ylv=3?sortcol=absoluterank&sortdir=down&modelyearub=2004&modelyearlb=2004&askpriceub=any&askpricelb=any&deliverymileageub=any&deliverymileagelb=any&listingtype=used&model=crown_victoria&make=ford&distance=any

I could drive this one
:evil:

[SAUTO]

The Ford Escape was always a decent mini suv. One of the few that had a 6 cylinder option. Sadly, Ford has decided to "girl it up" and stop offering a 6 cylinder in the new ones.
Fuck a ford escape with a 3.0. That is all.
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[Bugeater]

No offense, but I wouldn't rule out the idea of a driving issue if it's happened that many times in a row.
I seem to remember him saying something about Mrs Guru having a leadfoot.

[hometeam]

The reason used cars are so much higher now is thus~

When the gas hit all time highs, the economy was hitting all time lows, and dealerships everywhere where folding, many peoples jobs(including mine) where saved by "cash for clunkers". 700THOUSAND vehicles that where worth 4500 or less where taken off the road. Many where total beaters, but many where actually good old used cars.

As soon as "cash for clunkers" ended, and the car market came back some (this happened over the next 6 months or so) used car prices rose pretty dramatically, rising more as they got closer to that 4500 or below mark. By taking out those cars the unintended consequence was that it pushed up used car prices from the bottom. This, coupled along more economic stagnation, and the rapid devaluation of the dollar, changed the used car market forever.

While I am on the supply side of this, I recognize that now, what has happened is really not good for us, or our customers.

[hometeam]

Also, as a person with a ton of experience in the business, I appreciate a good car regardless of make or model.

That being said, most manufacturers really are turning out alot better cars than they used too. The only (common) brands that I would never put myself or my family in is;


CHRYSLER (includes JEEP, Dodge etc)
VW
BMW
Audi

[Saul Good]

The reason used cars are so much higher now is thus~

When the gas hit all time highs, the economy was hitting all time lows, and dealerships everywhere where folding, many peoples jobs(including mine) where saved by "cash for clunkers". 700THOUSAND vehicles that where worth 4500 or less where taken off the road. Many where total beaters, but many where actually good old used cars.

As soon as "cash for clunkers" ended, and the car market came back some (this happened over the next 6 months or so) used car prices rose pretty dramatically, rising more as they got closer to that 4500 or below mark. By taking out those cars the unintended consequence was that it pushed up used car prices from the bottom. This, coupled along more economic stagnation, and the rapid devaluation of the dollar, changed the used car market forever.

While I am on the supply side of this, I recognize that now, what has happened is really not good for us, or our customers.

Yep. Destroying $2,000,000,000 worth of usable cars didn't serve the low income workers well in the long run. Who would have guessed?

[Saul Good]

Also, as a person with a ton of experience in the business, I appreciate a good car regardless of make or model.

That being said, most manufacturers really are turning out alot better cars than they used too. The only (common) brands that I would never put myself or my family in is;


CHRYSLER (includes JEEP, Dodge etc)
VW
BMW
Audi

No BMW? I almost bought an X5. What's wrong with them?

[hometeam]

No BMW? I almost bought an X5. What's wrong with them?

I would say they are most unreliable right behind the king of all suck, Chrysler. Not only that, they are very expensive to maintain, and repair.

[crispystl]

Yep. Destroying $2,000,000,000 worth of usable cars didn't serve the low income workers well in the long run. Who would have guessed?

No shit. I always buy cheap cars and drive the until the wheels fall off and after the malibu crapped out I couldn't believe how expensive used cars had become.

[Saul Good]

I would say they are most unreliable right behind the king of all suck, Chrysler. Not only that, they are very expensive to maintain, and repair.

What do you think of newer Jags?

[hometeam]

Btw, anyone reading this thread anywhere near central Mo can come see me anytime they need a car :P

[hometeam]

What do you think of newer Jags?

I dont have any experience with anything newer than maybe 04, here in BFE, Jags are not very common.

Older Jags where quite unreliable too, new ones I cannot say, only that my mind is open to them being decent. Though, for the money you will spend, you can get alot more car.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

Thread Irony.

My Toyota Camry just rolled over 200k miles this past weekend.

Still running strong.

[Saul Good]

Thread Irony.

My Toyota Camry just rolled over 200k miles this past weekend.

Still running strong.

What year? We have one at 197k. I literally changed the alternator and timing belt for the first time last year.

[Hoover]

I have 300k on my two Toyota's.

2002 Carolla has 242k on it. Best thing I ever bought.

[Frazod]

One my friends has an old Subaru Impreza (actually old enough that it's a coupe) that has over 400,000 miles on it. He has 80 or 90 mile round trip commute every day. He sort of retired it as his daily driver, but it still runs great. I think he's saving it for his kids when they start driving.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

What year? We have one at 197k. I literally changed the alternator and timing belt for the first time last year.

'99

Replaced the alternator about a year ago. AC is cool...not cold. A couple of the speakers are shot...but I listen to sports radio so it doesn't matter much.

Has automatic start which comes in real handy during the winter.

Been offered cash on the spot to part with it...but it's been so good to me. I will drive it until it leaves me stranded on the side of the road.

[hometeam]

Im driving 2 cars.

my 205k mile 97 Civic.

my 650 horse 2000 T/A

guess which one I took the last 500 mile round trip to arrowhead :P

[Simply Red]

you should just buy a sk8 and a real nice bong.

[rtmike]

The used car market is the hottest it's been in years.

I bought an '05 Magnum R/T 2.5 years ago & it's value has actually risen a little. The dealership also mailed wanting to buy it back, not a big deal, they do that a lot anyways.

Now's a great time to buy new if an option.

That clunker program really took a chunk of rides off the market.

[hometeam]

The dealership also mailed wanting to buy it back, not a big deal, they do that a lot anyways.



At my dealership we typically send out those letters a few times a year. However we DO try and estimate that the car will be a good trade in to sell as used unit.

[DomerNKC]

Most newer Toyotas you can run for almost 200k if you maintain them.

91k on a camry is like 50k on a domestic car. Toyota just makes a better vehicle.this!

[Caseyguyrr]

i was thinking anything but a jeep

[Mr_Tomahawk]

Anyone have opinions on Mazdas?

I have found a couple good deals on Mazada3s. My toyota could last another 5 years or not...but I am always keeping an eye open for another beater. Would like a hatchback as I like the space...

[hometeam]

Mazdas = Ford before 2011 model year (and some shared parts still)


A mazda 3 is a Focus (or older, an escort) in a sporty jacket~ They are good cars.

I cant count how many 200k+ mile old ass escorts i have seen traded in.

[hometeam]

Hell, ill just give you your tier 1 reliability -

Honda, Toyota, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, Subaru.

There ya go

[rtmike]

And the only make I'll put my family in is a Chrysler product.

All makes build a model/drivetrain that is generally junk. That's why it's best to research.

[hometeam]

Chrysler is the biggest POS ever to walk the face of the earth. If your a chrysler guy, no doubt I cannot convince you, but hopefully everyone else listens~

[rtmike]

Like you, we're all entitled to our own opinion.

[hometeam]

Mine is based on years and years of every day experience with every common make and model of car. And fortunately for my case, both experts and consumers back me up.

I promise you, as a general rule, Chrysler products will net you less resale value, more cost of ownership, more reliability issues, more outright breaks downs, and less build quality than any other brand. That includes aforementioned unreliable brands like Audi, BMW, and Volkswagon.

[jAZ]

Its a crazy market because, under cash for clunkers, a large percentage of the cheap used cars were destroyed. As a result, used car prices went through the roof. Also, with the bad economy, people are making do with their cars longer instead of buying new thus further straining the used car supply.

That's not how the dealer explained it to me. I'm not an expert, and I"m sure there are a number of different factors, but...

... the primary reason it's a crazy market is that during the peak of the financial crisis, the dealers discontinued their leasing programs for a couple of years. That throttled market for trade ins 3 years later.

Add to that the fact that people are holding off on buying new cars, and everyone is looking for the under $8000 car, and demand is high, and supply is low.

[hometeam]

That's not how the dealer explained it to me. I'm not an expert, and I"m sure there are a number of different factors, but...

... the primary reason it's a crazy market is that during the peak of the financial crisis, the dealers discontinued their leasing programs for a couple of years. That throttled market for trade ins 3 years later.

Add to that the fact that people are holding off on buying new cars, and everyone is looking for the under $8000 car, and demand is high, and supply is low.

^ leasing programs have nothing to do with it. CforC, coupled with your second reason is the root cause. There is absolutely no shortage of 2-3 year old 30k mile program cars, whether its from fleets, leases, or rental cars.

[007]

No offense, but I wouldn't rule out the idea of a driving issue if it's happened that many times in a row.

NO offense taken. Thats definitely not the problem though.

[007]

I seem to remember him saying something about Mrs Guru having a leadfoot.

Yes she does but 3 of those cars were pre Mrs Guru.:evil:

[Simply Red]

2000 Saturn SL1 with 233000 miles on it and still going. Suck it!

that's pretty badass, they made some nice cars.

[007]

Maybe we just don't drive enough. Some years we average about 7.5k per year on our cars and rarely ever hit 10k.

[stevieray]

if you take care of your car, it will last.

problem is, people aren't nearly as resourceful or responsible, and expect to be pampered without doing anything for themselves.

if you like japanese or american, good for you, but don't think that means every one else should too.

[Bugeater]

Mine is based on years and years of every day experience with every common make and model of car. And fortunately for my case, both experts and consumers back me up.

I promise you, as a general rule, Chrysler products will net you less resale value, more cost of ownership, more reliability issues, more outright breaks downs, and less build quality than any other brand. That includes aforementioned unreliable brands like Audi, BMW, and Volkswagon.
I've had six Chrysler products over the past 15 years and I could not disagree with that more.

[hometeam]

I've had six Chrysler products over the past 15 years and I could not disagree with that more.

And you can find many other people with the same story. When you determine how "good" a brand is, you have to look at the big picture. Every brand has cars that do or dont measure up to expectations, but becuase there are so many vehicles on the road you can actually look at the big picture and make a general statement with some degree of certainty.

[Frazod]

Maybe we just don't drive enough. Some years we average about 7.5k per year on our cars and rarely ever hit 10k.

That's about where I'm at. Taking the train helps dramatically. Beyond that, I just drive locally and make a couple of trips to Missouri a year. If we take a driving vacation, I always rent a car.

[007]

That's about where I'm at. Taking the train helps dramatically. Beyond that, I just drive locally and make a couple of trips to Missouri a year. If we take a driving vacation, I always rent a car.

I mentioned that to the wife a couple months ago. She thinks I am crazy to rent a car when we have two perfectly good ones to drive.:banghead:

[Frazod]

I mentioned that to the wife a couple months ago. She thinks I am crazy to rent a car when we have two perfectly good ones to drive.:banghead:

Not at all. I always use my AMEX points to pay for the rental car. A trip to the Black Hills and back can add up to over 3,000 miles. I'll put that on somebody else's vehicle.

I'll also rent a really nice car - last time I had a Cadillac SRX.

[Bugeater]

And you can find many other people with the same story. When you determine how "good" a brand is, you have to look at the big picture. Every brand has cars that do or dont measure up to expectations, but becuase there are so many vehicles on the road you can actually look at the big picture and make a general statement with some degree of certainty.
Eh, whatever. But I will say this much, none of my Chryslers have been "cars", so it is entirely possible that their cars do indeed suck ass.

[007]

Eh, whatever. But I will say this much, none of my Chryslers have been "cars", so it is entirely possible that their cars do indeed suck ass.

My Plymouth Voyager got a bad lifter in it at 94k miles.

[007]

Oh, and I have had nothing but problems with my 2005 Honda Odyssey. Damn do I regret this purchase.

[Bugeater]

My Plymouth Voyager got a bad lifter in it at 94k miles.
Same thing happened to my Voyager, but it was around 120k. But it was a 4 cyl so it wasn't too surprising, that's too much vehicle for that small of an engine. That one was definitely the least spectacular of the bunch.

[007]

Same thing happened to my Voyager, but it was around 120k. But it was a 4 cyl so it wasn't too surprising, that's too much vehicle for that small of an engine. That one was definitely the least spectacular of the bunch.

Ours was a V6

[Bugeater]

Ours was a V6
Heh, must've been a 3.0, those were kinda iffy. The 3.3 and 3.8 were both infinitely better.

[007]

Heh, must've been a 3.0, those were kinda iffy. The 3.3 and 3.8 were both infinitely better.

meh, can't complain. We got nearly 11 years out of that thing. Sure would be nice to actually have a vehicle that WILL give me 200k though.

[Simply Red]

so what about a Saturn? ...they're legit.

[Simply Red]

tomorrow, I'm getting a tranny flush, coolant flush, tune up, oil change, ozone filter replacement.

$1,600

[Bugeater]

meh, can't complain. We got nearly 11 years out of that thing. Sure would be nice to actually have a vehicle that WILL give me 200k though.
I've only had one vehicle reach that mark, but I have another one that is sitting at 176k right now. It's still on the original tranny so we'll see if it gets there.

[Bugeater]

so what about a Saturn? ...they're legit.
Crap.

I'd consider a Sky for a mid-life crisis ride though.

[Simply Red]

Crap.

I'd consider a Sky for a mid-life crisis ride though.

I don't get it, everyone i've known that's had one had little issues and they lasted forever.

[Bugeater]

I don't get it, everyone i've known that's had one had little issues and they lasted forever.
Ok, maybe crap is a little harsh, but I've never heard anyone rave about their Saturn. We bought a new one in '96 and it was ok. Only had it for two years though and I liked the Corsica we had before it much more.

[cookster50]

so what about a Saturn? ...they're legit.

I'm actually surprised mine still runs, but at 233k, can't complain. Everything about it just "feels" cheap. But then again, I've never had any major problems. Just the little things here and there that you'd have with any car.

[hometeam]

tomorrow, I'm getting a tranny flush, coolant flush, tune up, oil change, ozone filter replacement.

$1,600

whaaaaat?!

what kind of car? I would get a second opinion. I mean hell even at my dealerships 85 dollar per labor hour I cant see it being close to that.

Thats like around 100/150 in parts and 1500 bucks in labor man.

Or, if your parts are alot higher, that may be where they are getting you. Parts departments in dealerships SIGNIFICANTLY mark up most parts.

[COchief]

tomorrow, I'm getting a tranny flush, coolant flush, tune up, oil change, ozone filter replacement.

$1,600

This post is unfugginbelievably stupid, are you out of your god damn mind? That bill should be a couple hundred bucks at most, plus most of that is shit they sell to stupid old women. WTF WTF!!! I can guarantee you if you drop off your vehicle for that the owner (definite scumbag) will be laughing his ass off at you.

Jesus F-ing Christ, turn in that god damn man card right now.

[cookster50]

This post is unfugginbelievably stupid, are you out of your god damn mind? That bill should be a couple hundred bucks at most, plus most of that is shit they sell to stupid old women. WTF WTF!!! I can guarantee you if you drop off your vehicle for that the owner (definite scumbag) will be laughing his ass off at you.

Jesus F-ing Christ, turn in that god damn man card right now.

Tranny's can be hard to get out of your car, they move in and won't leave. Or, so I've been told.........

[Easy 6]

Hell, ill just give you your tier 1 reliability -

Hyundai , Subaru.

LMAO

[Easy 6]

What do you think of newer Jags?

My dealership sends them off to auction post-haste, service nightmares.

[Pitt Gorilla]

I know of a GREAT car that you could have for only, say $7995!!