Reliable 4 door sedan for under $5k
#1
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Reliable 4 door sedan for under $5k
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.
thanks in advance.
#2
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mid 90s Accord?
#3
אני עומד עם ישראל
How much is a late '90s Subaru Outback going for these days? Late '90s Camry?
#4
Team Owner
Camry/Accord/Altima/Maxima make sure a mechanic looks it over first.
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#7
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Honda Civic sedan.
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#8
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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?
WHERE should we start looking...trying to get this asap. should i just keep checking craigslist and online auctions/websites?
#9
AZ Community Team
+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.
#11
Three Wheelin'
#12
I drive a Subata.
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a Civic Sedan.
#13
Early Shifter
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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wrong with a 93 - 97 Volvo 850, S/V70's would surely fit the bill as well and be a little more rounded off and not as outdated looking.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Older models are reliable as well and carry Volvo's safety reputation but they tend to get very outdated in terms of styling/appearance.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
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
Last edited by ohsixMTee; 01-26-2012 at 11:46 AM.
#15
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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!
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!
#18
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#20
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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.
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.
Last edited by quanaman; 01-26-2012 at 01:58 PM.
#21
Senior Moderator
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.
#23
Fahrvergnügen'd
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!
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!
I still vote for the Maxima. Those things are tanks.
#25
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doesn't need to be FWD...just something safe and reliable.
#26
Three Wheelin'
+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.
#27
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
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.
#32
I drive a Subata.
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I actually had 2000 Accord for 3 years too. It was a great car.
#34
Racer
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...
Don't get the 1996-1999 though... Those got horrible IIHS scores...
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