Find a beater....

So I've been tasked with finding a decent, reliable beater in the 3-4500 range for some friends that moved out here from the east coast. Lost internet at home due to lightening this morning, so I don't have a lot of free time right now. They are turning in their VW Jetta wagon TDI and are wanting to get 2 cars. The other appears to be a Mazda3 new, so that leaves the second car.

What we need: reliable, easy to maintain (Ill likely get that task SO NO GERMAN CARS!), honda/toyota/Hyundai/Kia. Preferably in Indiana, but within a couple hours of Indy not a big deal. No oddballs... these are the epitome of appliance cars.

EDIT: 4 doors a must, car seat for them (silly breeders!) and they don't want a 2dr.

This is what I'm basically looking at: http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5743190524.html http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ctd/5743095378.html http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5704221819.html http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5747829826.html

i dont have anything to contribute except to say i wish one day i can call a $4500 car a beater haha

Just a comment from the peanut gallery-

A rear-facing car seat + corolla = not a good time at all for any front seated passenger. I'd do everything possible to jump to a camry in this situation. IF the kids are older (and front facing), then it's the perfect appliance.

Saturn SL2 is the answer here, or SW2 if they want wagon goodness. RELIABLE as gravity if you keep oil in them.

Single kid, now front facing no plans for future children.

They have come from the east coast, realized housing costs here are a small fraction of their previous and now have extra income. THis is something that needs to bereliable for a few years, and decent enough you don't feel like you need a tetanus shot to drive.

I told the wife "sell them yours and we'll get you something nice." That went over like a lead balloon.

Gen 1 xB

04 Prius

Acura TSX

Honda Element

Scion tC

08 Sportage

09 Sonata

Hyundai XG350

Kia Sedona

All reliable appliances that appear to be in decent shape for beaters. I hope this helps.

If they don't care about anything save for reliability- Corolla with as few miles as their budget allow.

If they want something that isn't a completely gutless turd to drive- Late model protege/protege 5 (love these) and Sentra before CVT would be excellent, reliable options.

Why not an older mazda3 as well?

Reliable as a stone and kinda fun!

Also found the Hyundai twin to the wife's Rio with under 100k for that price too. Seems like all the Corolla's/Civics and accords are all 10+ years old and have a crap ton of miles compared to the Koreans.... I think I remember why I shopped for them used so much before. You can get a lot newer, with less miles for the same price

I think the ultimate appliance beater right now is the Toyota Avalon. You can get a big, roomy car with lots of comfort features for not much cash. Like this:

https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5700371727.html

Being a FWD Toyota they're easy to work on and quite reliable.

1st gen Mazda 3 or 6 would be my vote.

Soo, not this?

http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/5748049440.html

But in all seriousness, how about this wagonette?

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/5749061497.html

golfduke wrote: A rear-facing car seat + corolla = not a good time at all for any front seated passenger.

I have a rear facing seat in my SL2, which is definitely smaller than any $4500 Corolla. It's not a problem. Maybe if the passenger is like 6'4" and you are going to do a 6 hour drive... then sure, it isn't ideal.

That said, I'd probably be looking at a 4cyl Camry anyway. In a rural area there is pretty much no advantage to the Corolla.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5744436840.html
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5748100826.html
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5744335277.html
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5740587306.html

KyAllroad wrote: Soo, not this? http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/5748049440.html

Would YOU work on it?

KyAllroad wrote: But in all seriousness, how about this wagonette? http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/5749061497.html

headgaskets

ProDarwin wrote:

KyAllroad wrote: But in all seriousness, how about this wagonette? http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/5749061497.html

headgaskets

To non-car people I have a real problem recommending old Subies.

The best 4 banger Camry they can find, look on the nice side of town for good examples.

Can't beat an AWD Matrix Wagon:

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5747379060.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5716407151.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5751470373.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5750126387.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5729750439.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5740878029.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5733676960.html

Didn't know Elantra Touring are this cheap now:

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5743190524.html

In reply to 92dxman:

Yeah, that ET is stupid clean and cheap. I think that is the direction I'll turn them. That's a great car for that money. Throw on a timing belt and change the fluids. Good to go.

Good plan. Wagon would probably be a good choice so they can haul stuff if situation arises.

92dxman wrote: Good plan. Wagon would probably be a good choice so they can haul stuff if situation arises.

PLus that's what they had before.