$4-5k reliable car

[hotrodalex]

I know a guy who is looking for a car, doesn't want to spend more than $4-5k. He's not a car guy or anything, so it doesn't have to be anything exciting. Just something that will work as a reliable means of transportation. My dad said a Toyota or Honda, but I said Mazda Protege since I figured it'll be just as reliable and less expensive. What do you guys think?

[the Teuton]

If I were him, I'd get a Saab convertible with a turbocharger. Nothing could go wrong...

In all honesty, kids don't smack around Toyotas the way they do with Hondas. I'd think a good Corolla could last him nearly forever.

[hotrodalex]

Corolla could definitely work, I just don't know what condition Corolla you can get for $4k and if you could get something newer and just as reliable if you go with a different brand.

[the Teuton]

Corolla could definitely work, I just don't know what condition Corolla you can get for $4k and if you could get something newer and just as reliable if you go with a different brand.

It'll definitely be in the 2000s.

The alternative is getting a 2006 Focus or something like that. How new do you want this car to be?

[CALL_911]

I'd go for a 2006ish Focus, as Jake said. I also like the Protege idea.

If it were me, an early '00s 9-3 doesn't sound bad...

[MX793]

If I were him, I'd get a Saab convertible with a turbocharger. Nothing could go wrong...

In all honesty, kids don't smack around Toyotas the way they do with Hondas. I'd think a good Corolla could last him nearly forever.

Kids will beat on pretty much any car they have at their disposal, particularly if it's "their" car.

Find something that was owned by an elderly driver who was the original buyer.  Odds are it will be low mileage, unmolested, and in decent shape.

Protege wouldn't be a bad car unless you're in the rust belt.  Later ones were somewhat rust-prone (something to do with a more environmentally friendly painting process, Mazda3s have a similar problem).

To be honest, if this is somebody who doesn't care at all about cars and just wants something to get from A to B, it's hard to beat the early to mid 2000s Ford Taurus.  Plentiful, cheap, reliable, and you'll likely get one that is newer and lower mileage than a comparably priced Toyota or Honda.

[hotrodalex]

I'd go for a 2006ish Focus, as Jake said. I also like the Protege idea.

If it were me, an early '00s 9-3 doesn't sound bad...

Okay I'll look around for Focuses and tell them that too.

A 9-3 would be cool if he was into cars, but he's not. Just needs an appliance, really. (I'm sure he'd enjoy a fun car, but doesn't want to deal with it)

[hotrodalex]

Protege wouldn't be a bad car unless you're in the rust belt.  Later ones were somewhat rust-prone (something to so with a more environmentally friendly painting process, Mazda3s have a similar problem).

We're pretty much in the rust belt - just south of Cincinnati.

[sportyaccordy]

Sentra, Altima, Focus

[Eye of the Tiger]

Saturn LS2 V6 with dual fart cannons.

[Payman]

Protege5 with 5 speed. Reliable, practical, and a little sporty.

[MexicoCityM3]

look to the east. pretty much anything will do

[2o6]

Zetec or Duratec Focus.


Avoid SPI motors. They will blow up.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Zetec or Duratec Focus.


Avoid SPI motors. They will blow up.

Stop saying SPI motors will blow up. All motors will blow up.

[2o6]

Stop saying SPI motors will blow up. All motors will blow up.

Nearly all SPI's I saw before I bought mine were on the brink of death, and would have needed a full rebuild for the top of the motor.


I have a friend who has an SPI LX model, and it's starting to exhibit symptoms of SPI failure.




I say again: They will blow up.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Nearly all SPI's I saw before I bought mine were on the brink of death, and would have needed a full rebuild for the top of the motor.


I have a friend who has an SPI LX model, and it's starting to exhibit symptoms of SPI failure.




I say again: They will blow up.

Is "SPI failure" a particular affliction that these engines exhibit? And I will say, I had a friend with an SPI that did not blow up, and I've seen many more on the roads that were not blown up.

[2o6]

Is "SPI failure" a particular affliction that these engines exhibit? And I will say, I had a friend with an SPI that did not blow up, and I've seen many more on the roads that were not blown up.

Valve seat drop, especially in cylinders 3 and 4.


Seriously, nearly all SPI's I looked at had either died or were on their way to death. Zetec focuses are snapped up so quickly, but SPI's will sit for a long time. There was a beige '01 Sedan that I wanted really badly, that was sold in literally fifteen minutes of the posting. People were racing to get it within an hour radius.