Home and Auto Best and Worst vehicles under $6K - Page 3

Groves · 05-20-2025, 08:33 AM

What are the darlings of the sub-$6,000 car market? What are the tempting stinkers?

My household knows that when I need knowledge & wisdom, with a side-salad of snark & buffoonery, I seek if from you all.

"I'll ask Chiefs Planet"

Child No. 3 had a 2005 Prius just go belly up. Main battery, we'll probably pay to find the bad cells to make it more sellable. So now they're in the market for a vehicle.

I used to be current in my "No subarus after 200k" and "No Buick Encores with the Ecotech" and "No Jeeps ever" type of 'wisdom', but I'm out of date. I know it's always a tradeoff between condition and miles and reliability.

I need your help.

ThaVirus · 05-20-2025, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

Welcome to ppst COVID pricing, where everything shot up like 80% and has only dropped like 30% but people act like it's a deal and pay the price, so manufacturers don't feel the need to step back in line because people keep buying.

I’d heard stories but never bothered to check for myself.

I just looked at a local Toyota dealership and they’ve got 2025 Corollas going for $24k. I can’t understand paying $16k for a 2018 over just biting the bullet and getting a 2025 with 0 mileage for $24k.

Also, in the general population’s defense, the car industry has us by the short and curlies. If your car craps out, you don’t always have the option of playing hardball and waiting out the market. Most will need transportation ASAP.

booger · 05-20-2025, 10:17 AM

https://youtu.be/6VbxnaQh_Pk?si=3VZhY_MGTMZGqAPt

I don’t say it out loud often but I could potentially see myself driving a Toyota Highlander with the 3.6 V6. All seats folded down to throw the pony sized dog in. Pricey though. Where you might save some on these specific type vehicles is asking yourself do I really need 4x4 or will I get what I need out of fwd only. You just have to pick it apart and decide for yourself

jd1020 · 05-20-2025, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Also, in the general population’s defense, the car industry has us by the short and curlies. If your car craps out, you don’t always have the option of playing hardball and waiting out the market. Most will need transportation ASAP.

Sure, but the average length of owning a car is something like 5-7 years I believe. What the hell cars are people buying if they NEED a new one in 5 years. The ****ing thing is still under warranty most likely.

Its mostly just people buying for status. Im still driving the only vehicle, not including motorcycles, I've ever owned. I bought a 2002 S10 in 2009 for $8k. I want to say it had 50k miles on it. Sitting at 165k now and last year the AC went out so I took it to my mechanic and he was questioning me on fixing it. He quoted me around $1k and we were just about to head into winter, but it was the compressor that went out and the bearing was starting to shit itself which is wrapped in the serpentine belt. He was talking to me about leasing cars because that's what his daughter does. I told him to fix it. I trust him as a mechanic but that's just the type of financial advice that is flooding USA. Just stupid. The truck still runs great. I'm not finding a better vehicle for $1k and in today's market that's like 2 monthly payments on a decent used car.

burt · 05-20-2025, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazu

add Nissan Altimas to your list of cars to stay away from.

Why?

jd1020 · 05-20-2025, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burt

Why?

Nissan only makes decent trucks. The transmissions they put in their FWD cars is straight trash.

burt · 05-20-2025, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

Yeah Accords are great, but you're right, if the T belt breaks, it can bend the valves and that's when things get really expensive. Always make sure the T belt is in good condition.

4 cyl Accords have had a timing chain since 2003

burt · 05-20-2025, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booger

Salvage aka rebuilt title vehicles that have been totaled for simple stuff like hitting a deer you can get good deals on. Lots of growth in small repair shops/dealers who work with insurance companies to acquire vehicles to fix and resell from what I’ve seen. Lots of time just a new bumper cover and hood or other body panel and the fix quotes are so high they total a very good vehicle. Just make sure you check with your insurance and your bank if taking out a loan to make sure you cover the costs etc. Do your homework with that but it is another market option folks can look at. Won’t make sense for everyone

I had a salvage title Mitsubish Eclipse from 172k to 325k. Was a gem!

burt · 05-20-2025, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

Nissan only makes decent trucks. The transmissions they put in their FWD cars is straight trash.

That was only early in the 2000's. Upon further investigating, there HAVE been a few hic-cups with Nissans over the years. Glad I have a lifetime warranty on my drive train!

jd1020 · 05-20-2025, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burt

That was only early in the 2000's.

Still true today. Their transmissions do not get good reliability ratings. Go Mazda if you want to go the cheaper Japanese route.

ThaVirus · 05-20-2025, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

Sure, but the average length of owning a car is something like 5-7 years I believe. What the hell cars are people buying if they NEED a new one in 5 years. The ****ing thing is still under warranty most likely.

Its mostly just people buying for status. Im still driving the only vehicle, not including motorcycles, I've ever owned. I bought a 2002 S10 in 2009 for $8k. I want to say it had 50k miles on it. Sitting at 165k now and last year the AC went out so I took it to my mechanic and he was questioning me on fixing it. He quoted me around $1k and we were just about to head into winter, but it was the compressor that went out and the bearing was starting to shit itself which is wrapped in the serpentine belt. He was talking to me about leasing cars because that's what his daughter does. I told him to fix it. I trust him as a mechanic but that's just the type of financial advice that is flooding USA. Just stupid. The truck still runs great. I'm not finding a better vehicle for $1k and in today's market that's like 2 monthly payments on a decent used car.

Yeah, I think it’s a mixture of those circumstances. You’re right that most people out there are buying new cars unnecessarily frequently, but having your car take a shit unexpectedly can become damn near an emergency very quickly.

We sound like we have the same philosophy. I’m driving an ‘03 that I bought in 2010! She’s been through a few hurricanes that ****ed the paint all up so she doesn’t look very pretty anymore but she still runs great.

Funny anecdote, my wife is one of the people you’re talking about. She bought a Mercedes because everyone in her family drives one. Ridiculous. A couple weeks back my battery died so I went and bought a new one. When I installed it, there was no power at all. I told her that could mean a few different things, maybe a bad connection on the terminals, blown fuse, etc. Just a bunch of small stuff. She’s like “….. well what are you going to do?” Like I was going to go out and buy a new car because mine wouldn’t start lol

Anyway, turns out the terminals were incredibly corroded. Cleaned them up and she started up just fine.

Chris Meck · 05-20-2025, 10:44 AM

“I said,Jesus Christ! where’d you get that cadillaaaaaaaac?!”

htismaqe · 05-20-2025, 10:48 AM

We are in that lot that buys new (or certified pre-owned) every 5-6 years. Why? Because of the warranty.

I hit a deer a couple of years ago. Mostly cosmetic damage. $15,000. Parts are ridiculously expensive. Having a car break down in this day and age almost requires a 2nd mortgage to pay for it. I simply won't own a car that isn't under warranty.

burt · 05-20-2025, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

We are in that lot that buys new (or certified pre-owned) every 5-6 years. Why? Because of the warranty.

I hit a deer a couple of years ago. Mostly cosmetic damage. $15,000. Parts are ridiculously expensive. Having a car break down in this day and age almost requires a 2nd mortgage to pay for it. I simply won't own a car that isn't under warranty.

didja see.....LIFE TIME DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY!!!

scho63 · 05-20-2025, 10:57 AM

Golf cart best

**loochy** · 05-20-2025, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

We are in that lot that buys new (or certified pre-owned) every 5-6 years. Why? Because of the warranty.

I hit a deer a couple of years ago. Mostly cosmetic damage. $15,000. Parts are ridiculously expensive. Having a car break down in this day and age almost requires a 2nd mortgage to pay for it. I simply won't own a car that isn't under warranty.

eh, a warranty doesn't pay for collision

that's insurance

05-20-2025, 08:33 AM
Groves Turning the Corner Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Springfield, Missouri Casino cash: $-1021459	Best and Worst vehicles under $6K What are the darlings of the sub-$6,000 car market? What are the tempting stinkers? My household knows that when I need knowledge & wisdom, with a side-salad of snark & buffoonery, I seek if from you all. "I'll ask Chiefs Planet" Child No. 3 had a 2005 Prius just go belly up. Main battery, we'll probably pay to find the bad cells to make it more sellable. So now they're in the market for a vehicle. I used to be current in my "No subarus after 200k" and "No Buick Encores with the Ecotech" and "No Jeeps ever" type of 'wisdom', but I'm out of date. I know it's always a tradeoff between condition and miles and reliability. I need your help.
Posts: 2,391	2 0

05-20-2025, 10:17 AM	#32
booger Don't Tug on Superman's Cape Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: clear out in the sticks Casino cash: $-2511450	https://youtu.be/6VbxnaQh_Pk?si=3VZhY_MGTMZGqAPt I don’t say it out loud often but I could potentially see myself driving a Toyota Highlander with the 3.6 V6. All seats folded down to throw the pony sized dog in. Pricey though. Where you might save some on these specific type vehicles is asking yourself do I really need 4x4 or will I get what I need out of fwd only. You just have to pick it apart and decide for yourself __________________ 1 Thessalonians 5:3 “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” KJV
Posts: 12,981

05-20-2025, 10:44 AM	#41
Chris Meck MVP Join Date: May 2001 Location: midtown KC Casino cash: $-1475090	“I said,Jesus Christ! where’d you get that cadillaaaaaaaac?!”
Posts: 19,489

05-20-2025, 10:48 AM	#42
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $8049900	We are in that lot that buys new (or certified pre-owned) every 5-6 years. Why? Because of the warranty. I hit a deer a couple of years ago. Mostly cosmetic damage. $15,000. Parts are ridiculously expensive. Having a car break down in this day and age almost requires a 2nd mortgage to pay for it. I simply won't own a car that isn't under warranty.
Posts: 104,529	2 0

05-20-2025, 10:57 AM	#44
scho63 Politically Incorrect Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $-1050000	Golf cart best __________________ *"The only difference between sex for free and sex for money is that sex for free costs you a WHOLE LOT more!"* ~Redd Foxx~ ~~2018 2019 2020 20212022 2023 2024~~ 2025 Adopt a Chief - Clark Hunt and Brett Veach "The men who drafted Patrick Mahomes"
Posts: 55,164