Surprise! What car thread no. 4815

Having a second kid on the way I think I'm finally done playing the beater game. As much fun as playing "will it start?" is, I think I've had enough. So I'm in the market for a newer car. The newest car I've ever owned was a 93 so I'm not real up to date on what's what. What I'm really looking for is an appliance. This would be a primary car driven 40-60 miles a day between me and the wife.

Here are the requirements I've got:

Price: $3k-$5k
2000 or newer (may make exception for Subaru's)
30mpg (may again make exception for Subaru's)
Can fit two car seats
Is reasonably reliable

Here's what I've seen so far, feel free to chime in with your opinions.

MKIV VW: They look nice and they're cheap. So-so gas mileage. Are they really as bad as everyone says?

2000-2003 Civic: I've owned many Hondas, I like Hondas. Good gas mileage, good reputation.

2000-2004 Hyundai's: I don't really know much about Hyundais except they can be had dirt cheap. I've heard they're pretty reliable these days.

late 90's Subaru wagons: I like wagons, I like AWD. I understand they're pretty reliable aside from some 2.5 head gasket issues.

2000-2004 Ford Focus: They're cheap and I like the look of the Wagons. I know the early ones had some issues, should I avoid?

03ish Mazda 3: I've seen a couple in our price range, what's the story?

2000-2003 Saabs: I like swedish cars. Seems like I've heard these are less than reliable though.

early 00 Protege: I like them and I've heard good things.

thanks for any insight,

Jacques

If you could stretch the budget a wee bit (8-10k) I'd say....

But, there are a couple on your list that will be just fine.

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

As awesome as a BMW wagon would be, $5k is our upper limit.

Check out maxima's. I just got a 99 SE 5 speed for my mom, and its plenty sporty. Lots of room too. Might not be a big requirement right now though. Its in the 25-30mpg range. It does have a V6 so its easy to get greedy but cruising and highway helps out.

They are very soilid and safe cars too.

Id steer away from saabs, they seems spotty on reliability. The little electronics break and little stuff like that. Everything else seems like a solid choice.

~Alex

hmm, all I drive are beaters and I don't worry about them starting. I maintain them so its not an issue. my 95 3.3 caravan has only not started on me when I had the battery die in the summer. It was going and gave warning signs I didn't catch. Replaced the battery and it gets driven daily by the wife now.
If you want true reliability stick with early 90s japanese cars. They are much built than the newer crapola they are selling on their early reputation.

Subaru parts are expensive. They wear out faster than they depreciate, and $1k doesnt go very far in fixing all the worn out components. VWs after than MK2 are meh, the mk3 is better than the mk4 imo.

Reading your post again, I think you should be more flexable on the year requirement. Cars that are meant to be kept on the road a long time pretty much ended before 2000, you are likely to have better luck with a nice 1990 car than a 2001 car for the same price.

You're going to have a hard time finding a civic in that price range without epic miles.

Here is a total appliance - dull and efficient. With two kids, it could very well be the right tool for the job.
2001 Chevy Venture Minivan with 75k miles. The total stripper version; crank windows (no gremlins) and not tinted glass (easy to convert.) Edmunds suggests a $3-$4k retail
Not 30 mpg but I bet you could see 24 mpg in combined driving.
Lots of space and functionality for the price.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=290687924&dealer_id=3292868&car_year=2001&doors=Four+Door&systime=&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&body_style=VANS&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=50&min_price=44&drive=&rdm=1292730078962&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=49685306&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=n&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=64&transmission=&default_sort=newsortbyprice_DESC&max_mileage=100000&address=45401&color=&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=5500&awsp=false&make=&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=34&standard=false

My sister drives a 1992 jetta, it cost $2100, and now for about $6k total its as good as any other car you could get for that much, and probably alot better than many. It is my opinion that much past 2000 cars are too disposable to be worth much of anything past about 100k miles. There are exceptions of course, but most of them arent appliance cars.

DaveEstey wrote: You're going to have a hard time finding a civic in that price range without epic miles.

Have seen plenty of early 2000s cars in that price range.

Avoid the Saab when I was researching for my new car everything pointed me away from the Saab.

Don't buy any SAAB built after 1992. After GM's involvement brake issues started showing up at my buddy's garage. Aren't they rebadged Subies now?

Dan

The 2000 Focus was the most recalled car in the country at the time. I think they got a lot better by 2001, but still had issues. The 2002-up should be fine, but at some point, they started decontenting them to cut costs. I'm halfway looking for a cheap ZX3 right now for rallycrossing.

As for Hyundai, I don't know about the larger models, but from what I understand, the Accent is a pretty sturdy car.

If you're willing to take the hit for gas mileage, an excellent condition Panther (Grand Marquis or Crown Vic) could be had in your price range, and make a pretty good hauler.

Also, might find a Protege5 in your range.

914Driver wrote: Don't buy any SAAB built after 1992. After GM's involvement brake issues started showing up at my buddy's garage. Aren't they rebadged Subies now? Dan

Just the 9-2x. It is a WRX.

The poster formally known as 96DXCivic wrote:

DaveEstey wrote: You're going to have a hard time finding a civic in that price range without epic miles.

Have seen plenty of early 2000s cars in that price range.

I sold my 98 EX sedan with 86k miles for $7k, it was listed for 2 days at that price. Maybe your market is different from mine.

jrw1621 wrote: Here is a total appliance - dull and efficient. With two kids, it could very well be the right tool for the job. 2001 Chevy Venture Minivan with 75k miles. The total stripper version; crank windows (no gremlins) and not tinted glass (easy to convert.) Edmunds suggests a $3-$4k retail Not 30 mpg but I bet you could see 24 mpg in combined driving. Lots of space and functionality for the price. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=290687924&dealer_id=3292868&car_year=2001&doors=Four+Door&systime=&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&body_style=VANS&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=50&min_price=44&drive=&rdm=1292730078962&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=49685306&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=n&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=64&transmission=&default_sort=newsortbyprice_DESC&max_mileage=100000&address=45401&color=&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=5500&awsp=false&make=&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=34&standard=false

the MPG will depend on your driving, best I ever got was 27 on 100% highway fully loaded
Only issues I had on mine were, radio display, air shocks, power sliding door being fussy and the trans deciding to go into failsafe on me once. Sold it at that point.

I put about 40K miles on a 2000 Focus that I'd bought with 40K already on the clock. The only problems I had were an issue with water leaking onto the passenger side floor when it rained (there was a place called Focus Salvage that offered a kit that fixed that) and a stuck parking brake button (replaced the whole handle with an SVT handle from Ford Racing for $35). It also had a few squeaks and rattles, but that was about it. One of the more trouble free cars I've owned... although this is coming from a guy whose judgment can be bad enough that using a 200,000 mile, 20 year old Corvette as a daily driver seemed like a good idea at the time.

SWMBO nixed the Crown Vic idea when I suggested it.

Figured as much with the Saabs. If we do go the minivan route it will likely be a Honda Odyssey as 2000 models are falling into our price range.

I've seen a couple Protege5's in our budget and I really like them for some reason, anyone have personal experience?

I've seen a couple 2003 Hybrid Civic's for around $5k as well, should I run away screaming?

thanks all!

Jacques

If you're looking at '00 Odysseys, check out the transmission. They have a pretty high failure rate, especially when they're used for towing. If it has a hitch and a doesn't have a transmission cooler, run away.

Having owned a Saab 9-3, I don't know that I'd recommend one for someone in your situation. Ours wasn't exactly reliable for the time we owned it.

I'll second the Maxima recommendation, or even suggest an Altima. If both car seats are forward-facing, you're probably in good shape, but if one is rear-facing, I'd suggest bringing the car seats to test fit whatever you're considering.

In reply to DaveEstey:

http://bgky.craigslist.org/ctd/2116339967.html

http://bgky.craigslist.org/ctd/2107578510.html

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/2119938658.html

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/2119154148.html

I need to move.

The LHS cars are a good choice, or a Ford Escort Wagon.

internetautomart wrote:

jrw1621 wrote: Here is a total appliance - dull and efficient. With two kids, it could very well be the right tool for the job. 2001 Chevy Venture Minivan with 75k miles. The total stripper version; crank windows (no gremlins) and not tinted glass (easy to convert.) Edmunds suggests a $3-$4k retail Not 30 mpg but I bet you could see 24 mpg in combined driving. Lots of space and functionality for the price. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=290687924&dealer_id=3292868&car_year=2001&doors=Four+Door&systime=&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&body_style=VANS&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=50&min_price=44&drive=&rdm=1292730078962&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=49685306&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=n&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=64&transmission=&default_sort=newsortbyprice_DESC&max_mileage=100000&address=45401&color=&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=5500&awsp=false&make=&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=34&standard=false

the MPG will depend on your driving, best I ever got was 27 on 100% highway fully loaded Only issues I had on mine were, radio display, air shocks, power sliding door being fussy and the trans deciding to go into failsafe on me once. Sold it at that point.

Best I have ever gotten out of mine is 26. That was coming back from Miami with two Chevy 4200 I6s in the back. Still going at 185K on the original engine and transmission. It's the wife's DD. We have had a few problems with it, but nothing expensive. Lower intake gaskets(10 hours to replace), A/C compressor and the rear air shocks. There are some tricks to working on them so if you buy one ask.

Another thing, my son drives a 99 Escort. It has been dead nuts reliable. Not the fastest thing in the world, but gets 38-40 MPG. It's pushing 160K now and he's driving it 80 miles round trip to work every day. The only thing we have had to do to it is an A/C compressor, front struts and outer CV boots.