Best car for ~$6kish

[850CSi]

Going to need to buy my wife a car this summer. Was contemplating leasing something, but I think going used is the better option. Don't want to finance, and we think we'll probably have around $5k to spend. My uncle is a dealer/goes to auctions so I'll be able to stretch that $5k - I'd say anything with a KBB private party value of $6-7k and under will be realistic.

Important factors:
1. Reliability (Since she can't drive my car, I need something that won't break down - and if it does, it needs to be relatively cheap to fix)
2. Slushbox ( - but if this wasn't a requirement, this would be a "best fun car I can flog for $3k" thread)

(and that's really it, other things that are relevant:)
3. Gas mileage (her commute will be relatively short, so I won't automatically rule out something that isn't very good on gas. But it would be nice to have something that does better than my car so I could put less mileage on my car and travel with this one)
4. Not a Camry or a Corolla (just don't like them)
5. Not hideous
6. Not shitty on the inside

I'm thinking pretty much something like a Civic, Focus, or Mazda 3. Alternatively, it seems like you can find really good deals on RLs, TLs, and Exploders.

(If it wasn't a potential maintenance nightmare, I'd just buy her an E39)

What do y'all think?

[Rupert]

I wouldn't get an Explorer. <_<

I think you have it right. The boring reliable cheap cars are the same as they're been in every other thread on this topic ever.

[850CSi]

The question for me is this: just how reliable is an almost-decade old Civic/[insert Japanese econobox here]? I mean can I literally expect to pick one up with like 120k miles, put another 40k miles on it over 3 years, and not run into any major repairs?

I'm also wondering if there's anything I should watch out for re: cars that have particularly high insurance rates.

[SVT666]

Explorer is good.  I really like it and it's very reliable and comfortable, but if you want good gas mileage, it should be pretty low on the list.

[SVT666]

The question for me is this: just how reliable is an almost-decade old Civic/[insert Japanese econobox here]? I mean can I literally expect to pick one up with like 120k miles, put another 40k miles on it over 3 years, and not run into any major repairs?

I'm also wondering if there's anything I should watch out for re: cars that have particularly high insurance rates.

Civic is probably your best bet for high mileage reliability.

[Payman]

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Mitsubishi/Eclipse/SCARBOROUGH/Ontario/5_15345399_ON20090401110901468/?showcpo=ShowCPO

[Rupert]

I mean can I literally expect to pick one up with like 120k miles, put another 40k miles on it over 3 years, and not run into any major repairs?

Define major, but no.

[850CSi]

Is there anything I'm missing that makes something like this a bad idea?

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=27516&endYear=2006&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&maxPrice=6500&mmt=%5BACURA%5B%5D%5BCL_MODELS%5B%5DRL_MODELS%5B%5DTL_MODELS%5B%5D%5D%5D&modelCode1=CL_MODELS&makeCode2=ACURA&modelCode2=RL_MODELS&showcaseOwnerId=0&startYear=1998&makeCode1=ACURA&modelCode3=TL_MODELS&makeCode3=ACURA&searchRadius=100&minPrice=2000&listingId=332486178&listingIndex=2&Log=0


or

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=27516&endYear=2006&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&maxPrice=6500&mmt=%5BACURA%5B%5D%5BCL_MODELS%5B%5DRL_MODELS%5B%5DTL_MODELS%5B%5D%5D%5D&modelCode1=CL_MODELS&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&makeCode2=ACURA&modelCode2=RL_MODELS&showcaseOwnerId=0&startYear=1998&makeCode1=ACURA&modelCode3=TL_MODELS&firstRecord=26&searchRadius=100&makeCode3=ACURA&minPrice=2000&listingId=333961530&Log=0

(obviously a Civic with the same year/mileage would be somewhat cheaper)

[Payman]

She doesn't have to be stuck with an econobox in that price range. Last gen Toyota Celica, Mitsu Eclipse like I posted, Hyundai Tiburon, etc are good options if she wants some style with her reliability and economy.

[850CSi]

Hmm it seems like Foci with around the same age/mileage as my car are attainable. I think that's probably the way to go.

[Payman]

Is there anything I'm missing that makes something like this a bad idea?

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=27516&endYear=2006&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&maxPrice=6500&mmt=%5BACURA%5B%5D%5BCL_MODELS%5B%5DRL_MODELS%5B%5DTL_MODELS%5B%5D%5D%5D&modelCode1=CL_MODELS&makeCode2=ACURA&modelCode2=RL_MODELS&showcaseOwnerId=0&startYear=1998&makeCode1=ACURA&modelCode3=TL_MODELS&makeCode3=ACURA&searchRadius=100&minPrice=2000&listingId=332486178&listingIndex=2&Log=0


or

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=27516&endYear=2006&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&maxPrice=6500&mmt=%5BACURA%5B%5D%5BCL_MODELS%5B%5DRL_MODELS%5B%5DTL_MODELS%5B%5D%5D%5D&modelCode1=CL_MODELS&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&makeCode2=ACURA&modelCode2=RL_MODELS&showcaseOwnerId=0&startYear=1998&makeCode1=ACURA&modelCode3=TL_MODELS&firstRecord=26&searchRadius=100&makeCode3=ACURA&minPrice=2000&listingId=333961530&Log=0

(obviously a Civic with the same year/mileage would be somewhat cheaper)

No, they look like decent choices.

[850CSi]

She doesn't have to be stuck with an econobox in that price range. Last gen Toyota Celica, Mitsu Eclipse like I posted, Hyundai Tiburon, etc are good options if she wants some style with her reliability and economy.

I was surprised at how cheap that Eclipse was.

I don't think she cares that much honestly. If it was a matter of taste, I'd be looking at SUVs because I think she likes those the most. (http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/3512664990.html - if maintaining it wouldn't cost me like $10k over three years, I'd simply buy her one of those because she loves them)

Obviously if I can get her something nice like a TL or RL at a minimal premium, I'd prefer that.

[Payman]

I was surprised at how cheap that Eclipse was.

I don't think she cares that much honestly. If it was a matter of taste, I'd be looking at SUVs because I think she likes those the most.

Obviously if I can get her something nice like a TL or RL at a minimal premium, I'd prefer that.

Toyota Rav4, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape?

[ifcar]

Focus and Elantra are probably be your best bets at that price point; figure in the 2005 range. $6,000 is probably too low for a nice Mazda3 or Civic.

And if fuel economy isn't a priority, the fleet queen domestic family sedans are usually available pretty cheap and have decent reliability records, and make for fine highway cars. The Century/Regal and Taurus/Sable are rated the highest of the crop in the CR reliability study, of the ones available for under $6,000 that aren't already bound to be ancient and high-mileage.

[850CSi]

Focus and Elantra are probably be your best bets at that price point; figure in the 2005 range. $6,000 is probably too low for a nice Mazda3 or Civic.

This is what I'm finding as well - seems like the Civic/3 hold their value much better than the Focus does.

And if fuel economy isn't a priority, the fleet queen domestic family sedans are usually available pretty cheap and have decent reliability records, and make for fine highway cars. The Century/Regal and Taurus/Sable are rated the highest of the crop in the CR reliability study, of the ones available for under $6,000 that aren't already bound to be ancient and high-mileage.

Will look into this.

Toyota Rav4, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape?

These look like good options and I think she actually likes the Escape.

[Payman]

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Ford/Escape/AURORA/Ontario/5_16109904_ON20070704162427947/?ursrc=hl&showcpo=ShowCPO

[Laconian]

Also Tribute.

[850CSi]

Hmm I'll have to talk to her and see if she likes the idea of a small SUV enough that it's worth sacrificing 7 or 8 mpg. But I showed her the Escape and she actually liked it a lot.

My impression that something like a 1st or 2nd gen Range Rover would be an unmitigated maintenance disaster is well-founded, correct? i.e., there's a reason why this is so cheap: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3534550266.html

[850CSi]

Whoa, CR-Vs appear to be depreciation-busting missiles at first glance. Those things look like they really hold their value well.

[Payman]

Hmm I'll have to talk to her and see if she likes the idea of a small SUV enough that it's worth sacrificing 7 or 8 mpg. But I showed her the Escape and she actually liked it a lot.

My impression that something like a 1st or 2nd gen Range Rover would be an unmitigated maintenance disaster is well-founded, correct? i.e., there's a reason why this is so cheap: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3534550266.html

Yeah, they are pretty reliable, but parts are very expensive. I've had my eye on a few Discoverys in the $7-8k price range. I think I'd like one for a winter vehicle and some light off-loading.

[850CSi]

Yeah, they are pretty reliable, but parts are very expensive. I've had my eye on a few Discoverys in the $7-8k price range. I think I'd like one for a winter vehicle and some light off-loading.

IIRC the Discos are more reliable than the Range Rovers (though we had a Disco and it was a nightmare - but this was in a 3rd world country and I don't think the mechanic had any idea what the fuck he was doing). I've heard terrible things about those BMW Range Rovers.

I'll get her a 3rd gen 4-5 years from now when we won't go broke if the damn thing breaks down. (RR is her favorite car)

[Payman]

Whoa, show her this one. Reeeaaallll nice!

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Land%20Rover/Freelander/OAKVILLE/Ontario/5_15369417_20100827074346686/?showcpo=ShowCPO

[68_427]

Mazda 6.  Done.

[850CSi]

Whoa, show her this one. Reeeaaallll nice!

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Land%20Rover/Freelander/OAKVILLE/Ontario/5_15369417_20100827074346686/?showcpo=ShowCPO

lol, I showed her freelanders and she said she likes the Escape more.

I don't get it, but whatever.

[68_427]

The five speed auto in the TL will explode.  Will explode.

[850CSi]

Mazda 6.  Done.

Love those cars. Only reservation is my sister had one and she flipped it on the highway. I won't forget that drive to the hospital - I was doing triple digits and passed her flipped car in the shoulder. She apparently just crawled out and didn't get so much as a scratch.

It was a white 4 cyl. Really nice car.

[850CSi]

The five speed auto in the TL will explode.  Will explode.

Good to know. Does that also apply to Accords of that period? Civics used a 4-speed I think.

[68_427]

You can get a loaded one for that price too.

[68_427]

Good to know. Does that also apply to Accords of that period? Civics used a 4-speed I think.

V6 fwd Hondas have terrible transmissions.

[850CSi]

She likes the 6.

6, Escape, and Focus are the presumptive front runners. I *think* if I have her drive both, she'll prefer the way the 6 drives.

I'd much rather have the 6 because it has better gas mileage, it would become our travel car, and I wouldn't mind driving it at all on said trips.