My friend has $3000 to spend on a car. Any suggestions? He is looking at a 1998 Nissan Altima at the moment

 

1989 Supra
1989 Rx-7
Honda Civic

 

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/bestb...s.bestcars.2.*

 

Honda civic.

 

Some may laugh, but I say go with a Volvo 940 or 740 or possibly an 850. They are really great cars. Or maybe an Acura Legend. All of these vehicles have tons more character than an Altima.

I'd just say go for a car that has character and that he can become emotionally attached to. These make for the best first cars, I'd say.

 

Good luck finding one. I've seen a few but none for sale

 

Please do realize that you shouldn't be mainly interested in what type of car it is, but rather the condition \ quality of the car. What good is an 89 Rx-7 if it runs like shit ? I agree with spud, a Volvo is a great car, a volvo was actually my first car. I had an 86 740...with the Turbo, and I loved it. Good luck though

 

I've found a lot. And a lot of old Supras. I've found a lot of cars in Washington, but no MR2.

 

Older integra w/manual tranny. Those things are a blast to drive and extremely reliable. He should be able to pick up a pre-1994 one for that price.

 

He may be able to get a 1994 integra ls with high miles. Other than that, civic, or corrolla

 

Keep in mind the Acura's, civic's Toyota's will be high in insurance because these cars are the most popluar to steal.

Condition is what i'd base it on. You can find some ok cars with under or just above 100K miles for $3K. If it's a first car you don't need something that looks good. Cause I'm sure it will be beaten.

 

What about an early model Accord? Say 1990-1994? I think you can get a 90 or 91 Accord EX-R for that price, but I'm not sure if it will have good miles.

 

Or he can get the 98 Altima. Those things have horrible resale values, but the cars are pretty good. For the price of an older honda/toyota, you can find a newer nissan. Also consider the mitsubishi galant, has like the worst resale value any japanese sedan. But is actually a fairly reliable car.

 

You can sometimes find a 94-95 Integra gsr w/ high miles for $3000. But you should definitely find an older Integra w/ high miles for that range.

 

I got my mom a 95 Altima with only 55K miles for $4500 2 years ago. She beats it I'm sorry to say. Now it has dents all over it & the paint's in bad shape because of her, but she put 25K miles on it & hasn't had a single problem.