Looking for a cheap but reliable car for daily use. $6k is the limit. I would love a hatchback since ive never owned one but is not neccessary.

Im looking at :
2003 Focus (zx3/zx5)
2000 Civic (anything after that yr i find girly)
2000 Corolla
2000 Accord
2002 Sentra
and a few others

i would like to hear some suggestions on what i should buy. I really love the Focus, it has the most "hot hatch" appeal under $6k and is the most fun to drive. but im not sure about reliability...

I dont know what i should do??

 

Accord or Civic depending on amount of room needed. I owned a 2001 Accord and had no issues with it over the six years I owned it. Was wifey's daily driver. Was 110% reliable.

 

Could add a well maintained Subaru to the list.

 

Mazda3

 

Neither would fall under $6k...atleast not where i live...

 

Im leaning towards the Focus here...theres some REALLY nice done up ones on cardomain lol...that is kind of persuading me rite now to get a Focus ZX3...there cheap to buy and to mod and i heard they handle pretty well.

Somebody stop me if they think im making a big mistake...

 

Possibilities:

2004 Mazda 3
2000 Subaru Legacy
1999 Volvo V70

These should be within your price range, but in BC, the availability might be a bit tough.

 

Acura Integra.

 

^what i was gonna say.

 

Honda Civic EK, reliable and good on gas. Only down fall, chances of being stolen.

 

The ones with lower mileage are above $6k

Im trying to stay within 100k kms

 

^

 

I had 2002 Accord I4 EX for more than 3 years.

Not a single problem with it.

 

99 maxima 5 spd

 

We owned a 2001 Chrysler Intrepid for more than 3 years without a single problem

I know u cant go wrong with Accord/Camry/Corolla but i would rather have something with a shorter wheelbase so atleast it handles better...easier to dart around in traffic or fit tight parking lots etc...


Had a 04 Max as my previous car...never returning to the maxima with all the problems...one of the worst used cars to buy IMO

 

Integra then

 

I had a 2K civic and LOVED it! Very reliable, easy and cheap to tune up. Great on gas, cheap tires, etc etc

If I could find a 4 door teg with low miles I would be all over it...

 

pt cruiser

 

^

 

 

Done and Done. Awesome car! I still love that body style. Black on black with a BOSE system and the car is set. The wheels even look good on it.


4 door teg with a 5 speed is a shweeeet ride...rare.....but a great reliable car.

 

youve just described my dream daily driver haha.

i had a fully loaded 00 maxima (love the 5th gens) it was a piece of crap but i bought it from somebody who basically made the car the antonym of well maintained. i would buy a max again in a heartbeat i just had 1 bad experience

op the 04's are a diff story. they were a first year model firstly, and they have a history of annoying problems. you really wouldnt be going wrong with a 4th gen 99 (plus its the last year of that model so it had 5 years to work out its issues. plus youd get a v6 190 hp (not impressive by these days i understand) with 30 mpg highway capability... i have driven the 5th and 6th gens extensively and have an 09 altima and still want one haha.

 

Well Maxima's are fun to drive especially 5th gens with VQ35 but they have horrible gas mileage....im looking for a 4 cylinder which will be driven approximately 150-200km a day

 

I had a four door Integra as a daily.... very very comfortable and I got 27+ mpg, 32 on a long highway-only trip

 

Dude, I'm telling u, EK man......cheap, and for your "darting" its plenty small.

 

Isnt the EK the little hatchbacks u always see with the fart cans and type R stickers? I cant really see myself driving that...it looks cramped and slow...

The 99/00 bodystyle civic coupe is still on the list though...but its hard to find them in good shape and not abused by ricers...

 

A few people have said Integra

BUT

They dont build them anymore so it will probably be expensive to find parts etc.

 

How do we feel about the Mazda Protege 5?

 

What? Integras have such a high and extensive market dude, you can find anything for them. And EK's are a little slow but you can always make them fast. You wanted a car with good gas mileage, EK is good gas mileage, cramped? Maybe, depends on how tall you are, I'm average 5' 8" and fit fine inside with plenty space.

 

I dont know man...u can get so many cars in better shape with lower mileage for the price you pay for integras

 

imo, integras are sweet vehicles for the price.

if you don't know that... hmm.. dunno what to tell you.

 

Maybe for a $10k budget...im looking for something under $6k

Already searched for integras and theres nothing around $6k with less than 100k km's (exept for rebuilds)

 

damn. sucks to be in Canada. can you guys not haggle there?

 

Good luck man

 

Cars are a lot more expensive in Canada. One positive, which will never overshadow how expensive cars are to buy here is that a dealer cannot mark-up a car, ever. You cannot charge over MSRP. Otherwise, it sucks big time. $$$$$$! And yes, you can haggle as much as you want.

 

not sure if you're still looking my my 01' TL-P is still for sale, has only 82k on it, new all season tires, BRAND NEW TL rims, wheel balance, alignment. Smooth shifting tranny in great shape. I want exactly $6,000.00 for it. I better mention this now, it's a rebuilt salvage title. I got it already in good condition, it just needed new brakes,tires,rims... which I did it all for a little over $1,000.00 =)

 

Well, if the OP wants to do this, he just needs 3000 miles of gas fare to get there and back (Cleveland to Vancouver BC is close to 2000 miles, one way).

 

My friend just picked up a Sentra SE-R with like 90k for a little under $7000, 6 Speed..175 HP, I would take it over a Focus any day. The interior build quality on a Focus just sucks, whenever the subs hit in my cousin's Focus I feel as if the door panels going to break off

Besides that, you could def find a nice Prelude for that price.

 

Im actually looking at a couple of 02 Sentra SE-R's. Those things are surprisingly powerful and fun to drive. Much more power down low compared to Honda's and they are alot cheaper

 

go on Craigslist, search for cars between 5,000 to 7,000. Make sure you have the car checked by a mechanic before you but...

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rd...397480334.html