First car possibilites

[AKL]

Do you want a compact or midsize?

[sandertheshark]

Oh, and I'm also looking atlate 90's-'00 Saturn SL2's.

Seriously?  I'd rather hold on to a Camry than get one of those.  But if you think you want one, this popped up when I did that cars.com search:
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-sunroof%7CE-ALL%7CG-100000%7CB-5000%7CH-%7CN-N%7CR-50%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CX-popular%7CZ-75202&aff=national&paId=237214836&recnum=1&leadExists=true

[CJ]

I saw that one and I kinda like it.  I just really want a car that hasn't been wrecked.

I would prefer a midsize, but a compact works the same way.  They're all cars.

[TheIntrepid]

Oh, and I'm also looking atlate 90's-'00 Saturn SL2's.

Yet you rule out Intrepids.

[AKL]

Yet you rule out Intrepids.

It is smaller than the Trep.

[CJ]

The Intrepid is a POS and I don't want it.  Those Saturn's, on the other hand, are very reliable and very low mainanence.  YOu have to keep a wrench on Chryslers.

[CJ]

Also, mid 90's Tacoma single cabs with a V6, 5-speed, and 4-wheel drive.

[Raghavan]

Also, mid 90's Tacoma single cabs with a V6, 5-speed, and 4-wheel drive.

Those are really expensive still, and are bad on gas.
I'd go with a 2WD, 5 speed I4 if i were you.

[CJ]

Single cab or double cab, really.

[Raghavan]

Single cab or double cab, really.

Still bad gas mileage.

[AKL]

Also, mid 90's Tacoma single cabs with a V6, 5-speed, and 4-wheel drive.

Why do you need a truck?

[CJ]

I don't.  Last year, I was looking at these and they really seemed to be the way to go.  That was also when I could find one with relatively low miles and cost less than $4,000.  But they don't anymore, so they're off the list.

[CJ]

I think I'll add 1995-1997 Acura Integra's on the list.  They seem to be relatively cheap.

[ifcar]

I think I'll add 1995-1997 Acura Integra's on the list.  They seem to be relatively cheap.

Remember, age is also important, not just mileage.

[CJ]

I just really want a car that hasn't been wrecked and this is a good way to do it.  I'll probably search dealership lots when the time comes to buy, but right now I'm just looking at what I like.

[Raghavan]

Doesn't your brother already have an Integra?

[CJ]

Yes.    They're cheap, reliable, and are easy to find. 

[Colonel Cadillac]

Ok, I plugged that (<$5000 and <100k mi. +sunroof) into cars.com for the Dallas area and found a '94 Volvo 960, a '97 Nissan Maxima, a '94 Infiniti J30, a 2000 Mazda 626, and a '98 Civic.

The Volvo 960 had a really nice I6, is safe, RWD, and is a pretty nice car. Possibily not the most fun, but a very solid car.

[CJ]

Those 960's are wonderful!  If I could find one in great shape around here, or on eBay, I'd jump for it. 

[Colonel Cadillac]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-960-Sedan-Black-Exceptional-Outstanding-Buy_W0QQitemZ170148955427QQihZ007QQcategoryZ6458QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Perfect

[CJ]

Oh my.  That IS perfect.  I must find one of these in a year.

[ro51092]

Huh....I'm looking at a '98 Passat 2.8 GLX and it looks to be a pretty darn good deal.  Pretty cheap to boot.  I think the B4 is a serious contender now.

1998 is a B5

[SVT_Power]

just make sure u dont get a rare car like i did

[The Pirate]

Of the three on your list, I'd go with the Hyundai.


Older European cars, while they may be reliable, are going to require repairs and maintenance periodically and it's not going to be cheap.  You mention being on a very tight budget, which would rule out an older, high mileage European car IMO.

[CJ]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ONLY-83k-MILES-SERVICED-WARRANTY-INCLUDED-i33_W0QQitemZ290159040158QQihZ019QQcategoryZ31878QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Check that sucker out! 

I know there are risks with older Eurpean cars, but there's just so much character in them that it'd be worth it.

[TheIntrepid]

850s are nice. My mom had a white 1993 850GLT back in the day.

[AKL]

Of the three on your list, I'd go with the Hyundai.


Older European cars, while they may be reliable, are going to require repairs and maintenance periodically and it's not going to be cheap.  You mention being on a very tight budget, which would rule out an older, high mileage European car IMO.

I agree. You need to be able to afford not only the car but the costs it will inevitably bring with it.

Don't forget they're not cheap to repair either.

[TheIntrepid]

I agree. You need to be able to afford not only the car but the costs it will inevitably bring with it.

++

I really wanted a B5 Passat to be on my list, but I am too scared of problems. That's why the Infiniti is there. Just as fun AND reliable.

[Submariner]

A TD will not die.  They just won't.

I mean, it has it's downfalls.  Same day acceleration, an unpleasant and obtrusive exhaust note, and long winter startups are a problem, but buying a TD is essentially buying a car that will last for as long as you keep it, if not longer.

Plus, it's awesome.

You can find good condition W-126 300 SE or SD's for about five thousand too, might want to look into them.

[Panama_Chopster]

A TD will not die.  They just won't.

I mean, it has it's downfalls.  Same day acceleration, an unpleasant and obtrusive exhaust note, and long winter startups are a problem, but buying a TD is essentially buying a car that will last for as long as you keep it, if not longer.

Plus, it's awesome.

You can find good condition W-126 300 SE or SD's for about five thousand too, might want to look into them.

Torque compensates the lack of power in the fun to drive department, not to mention good gas mileage and being a diesel also less maintenance costs.