SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

my girlfriend's little sister needs a new car and her budget is $5k. she has a one year old son so it needs to be something safe and reliable. anybody have any thoughts/advice and where should is start looking for her? besides the obvious craigslist/autotrader/etc...keep in mind were only talking $5k here.

thanks in advance.

CCColtsicehockey

mid 90s Accord?

Hapa DC5

How much is a late '90s Subaru Outback going for these days? Late '90s Camry?

doopstr

Camry/Accord/Altima/Maxima make sure a mechanic looks it over first.

silver3.5

1999-2001 corolla! very reliable and excellent on gas!

Rockstar21

iTrader: (1)

you could probably swing a 98-02 no problem for around or under $5K.

i'd stick with the 4cylinders on those for sure though.

oo7spy

Honda Civic sedan.

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

thanks guys for all the ideas.

WHERE should we start looking...trying to get this asap. should i just keep checking craigslist and online auctions/websites?

Legend2TL

+1, that's what I'm looking for my daughters as their car. Simple to operate, no gadgets, and low cost of ownership. My dad had a 2000 Accord SE that he had a collision (he rear ended a pickup truck) so I know they are also safe.

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

I bought my mom a 98.

silver3.5

My dad bought a 2001 as his daily beater! When my tank is on E, I drive the corolla and what a world of difference on gas.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

a Civic Sedan.

ohsixMTee

iTrader: (2)

In terms of safety and being reliable you can't go wrong with a 93 - 97 Volvo 850, S/V70's would surely fit the bill as well and be a little more rounded off and not as outdated looking. Stay with 98 though, 99+ went electronic with the throttle and got a bit more complicated. Through 98 they are extremely easy to work on, several good OEM parts sites make maint. fairly cheap if you DIY like fcp.com, eeuroparts.com. Compared to a Honda the parts will still seem expensive though....

Older models are reliable as well and carry Volvo's safety reputation but they tend to get very outdated in terms of styling/appearance.

You'd for sure come in WAYYY under 5K with an 850 and slightly under for an S/V70. I'd pick an NA model to make repairs less complicated. It would just all depend on miles/condition/maint. records.

They're boxy cars and surely aren't for everyone. Obviously since I swung to the Japanese side. lol

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

ford pinto

Aman

Be careful with the 6th generation Accord, because I think even the four cylinder had some transmission issues. Still a great car, though.

I found that resale values on Ford Escorts and Focuses drop like a rock, so you can probably pick up a decent condition 2004ish Focus for $5,000. Good cars from what I've heard.

Good luck!

vas25tl

Camry/Accord/Maxima, can't go wrong. Just find the right now and at that price range, they probably sell pretty quick on Craigslist.

Zelaya

iTrader: (1)

Hey Aaron, is she looking for FWD or don't matter.

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

thanks for all the suggestions guys, i am on the hunt.

doesn't need to be FWD...just something safe and reliable.

Abe_Froman

iTrader: (5)

PM "quanaman".

quanaman

iTrader: (4)

Damn. I have two cars I'm trying to get rid of, one isnt clean/reliable enough and one is too expensive.

02 Honda CRV, EX, AWD bought from original owner, 100k miles, all service records from the dealer...Its nice, just needs a little cleaning. I was looking for 7500 minimum...listed on CL for I think 8500.

I'm also selling my dad's 00' camry...4cyl LE. He bought it new at Toyota in 01 with 5k miles or so I think (it was a demo). Its got 120k miles and all work done including timing belt and stuff like that. Its a little dirty but its definitely reliable, I've taken it on plenty of trips to NY, NJ, PA, etc. cause its so good on gas. We got him his dream truck (07 Tacoma double cab) as a retirement gift last year so my brother's been driving it a little here and there but that's it...We were looking for $5700 on that one.

F23A4

I had a 99 LX sedan (hence the screen name) which I picked up new back in 99. My mother inlaw bought it from me later in 2002 and still has it: 250k and counting. On occasion I do drive it and it's still VERY solid for a 13 year old car. ...and honestly, its interior quality beats my old 07 AV6 EX-L AND my current 12 Accord EX sedan.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

As to where to search...Cars.com is my addiction. I'd use that before autotrader...simpler interface and I think it is more widely used.

charliemike

I thought that was true. Good call on the 6th Gen.

I still vote for the Maxima. Those things are tanks.

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

i'd go Corolla/Civic for compact or Camry/Accord for midsize...

had a 97 Rolla that went 200k+ mi's with minimal service... bought it second hand for a few thousand and only did oil changes on it... i'd also check the local classifieds...

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

I'll point out, my mom's 98 corolla was smashed by a red light runner. Hit the drivers side front at police estimated 40mph by a F150. Car was trashed, both airbags went. Only thing my mom had were airbag burns. Pretty safe little car.

pickler

+1 for a 99 corolla. i had a 2000 corolla with the vvti 10 years back and it was a peppy little car but it burnt oil. the older 98-99 models dont burn any. just make sure whatever you buy is safe and check all maint records and have it inspected.

mrmako

I owned a 98 Volvo V70. Bought it a year old in 99, only had a thermostat and a power window motor go bad. 5 years later I sold her to go to Japan. Very reliable I5 engine. The seats are designed for impacts (WHIPS). I'd give it a look.

SwervinCL

I had a 98 and I loved it. Saved my families life too.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

Accord or Maxima.

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

98ish accord. I loved those cars when they first came out. I4 is a very reliable powertrain.

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

any subaru.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

I actually had 2000 Accord for 3 years too. It was a great car.

ABP_04TL

iTrader: (2)

Accord!!! 6Th Gen(98-02) ftmfw!!!

i agree with the i4, V6 suffer from tranny issues

jchan2

I would also suggest a 2000-2001 Infiniti I30/Nissan Maxima. Those cars are so underrated. the '02+ I35/Maxima may not be down into the $5k range yet, but a higher mileage (150k+) might be by now.

Don't get the 1996-1999 though... Those got horrible IIHS scores...