Best used Car $5,000......Go!

[freebeard]

Any old thing so long as it's a '4 Door Sedan'?

Originally Posted by veloceracer

It wouldn't surprise me any that a small car from 1969 would require a bit more care than anything even just a decade newer. The Bug was designed before or possibly during WWII, after all.

My Beetle is only 2 years newer, a '71; but its got McPherson struts in the front with a stress bar and a billet aluminum distributor housing full of Ford electronics.

OTOH you don't see your Camrys and Passats with their own racing class in the Baja 1000. SCORE Class 11 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[WesternStarSCR]

I am not the OP, but am in a similar situation.

So, not that this shocks anyone, but I am having a hard time finding this combo:

1. Detroit Area

2. 2004 or 2005

3. Manual Transmission

4a. Honda Civic (LX or DX)

or

4b. Toyota Corolla


From previous posts, I am very grateful to the recommendations of using carcomplaints.com.

I had no idea about 2006 to 2009 Civic with engine block cracking, or the transmission issues on the 2001 to 2003 Civic.

It seems that 2004 and 2005 seem to be the sweet spot for reliability before the 2006 redesign. I almost bought a 2006 for a 'too good to be true' price... ugh.

You can find decent ones. Most are above $6,000. Closer to $7k or $8k.

I am still looking for that diamond in the rough. Have to drive some 50 miles to test drive though...

Do yourself a favor if anyone else is looking for an 8 to 10 year old car:
1. Have patience
2. Don't put down a deposit too quickly
3. Check BBB and Google+ ratings of dealers
4. Use AutoCheck
5. Use Carfax
6. Use carcomplaints.com
7. Get an independent mechanic (if possible)

Good luck to whoever else is looking as well...

Cheers, Sean

[Jay-Rod]

91 civic LX sedan I have gets 40 mpg I had an 89 civic si hatch that regularly got 50+ mpg on the highway.

[ecomodded]

I payed $5000 for my 1998 beetle( I payed top dollar because I wanted the diesel girls car to be black ).
But I suggest a early 2000's diesel golf , they cost between $5000 to about $3000, even lower if you buy from a car auction or sitting in someones driveway.

[The Other Andy]

Crown Victoria

Doesn't really get any more reliable than that. Fuel economy? Umm...

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by The Other Andy

Crown Victoria

Doesn't really get any more reliable than that. Fuel economy? Umm...

I have a friend that gets ~26 out of his 92 Victoria so they don't do that bad I guess

[The Other Andy]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

I have a friend that gets ~26 out of his 92 Victoria so they don't do that bad I guess

I think (and am too lazy to look it up) that that was the first year of the most aerodynamic Panther bodystyle. I may be incorrect.

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by The Other Andy

I think (and am too lazy to look it up) that that was the first year of the most aerodynamic Panther bodystyle. I may be incorrect.

You are correct good sir. His aunt (original owner, sold it to him for 700$, nothing wrong with at all) said she got 30mpg on the Kansas highways at 55mph (you know the really flat ones).

[KrautBurner]

I'm very happy with my $2200 2001 Prius (owned it 2 months)
I've put a set of $300 tires on it and driven it 60 miles/day since

looking on C/L, it looks like you can find them for about $4-5K all the time

I'd also be looking at older diesel Rabits and Caddy's

[ecomodded]

That's a great price Kraftburner for a good car like the Prius.