My sister needs a car...

[TheIntrepid]

My sister's '99 Camry CE, formerly mine, is approaching 250,000 km and since it's been driven hard by my mom, then me, then my cousin, and now my sister, the transmission's on its way out.

Pics for reference:




We're looking to replace it with a more reliable 4-door, import sedan newer than MY 2000 for about $6-7000 CAD. We're willing to spend more if it will get us a superior car. This thing should be able to last her another 4-5 years minimum, and have an automatic transmission. It doesn't matter how slow or boring it is, as the fastest thing she's ever driven is her former '94 Camry LE V6, which is now with my cousin.

These are the choices I've jotted down so far:

-00-03 Jetta
-00-03 Corolla

Please no Honda models.

[heelntoe]

honda civic?

[Eye of the Tiger]

I applaud you and your family for considering a car besides a Camry.

VW TDI FTW.
Or a Miata.

[TheIntrepid]

Thanks for the suggestion, Nick. A Miata is not a 4-door sedan, and insurance rates would be high for her, as a 16-year old female driver with 1 accident claim.

[Tave]

Why no Honda?

[ifcar]

A seven-year-old Jetta is not a good choice for "boring but reliable." It's an upscale and moderately fun car with the tradeoff of reliability.

Corolla, Echo, Elantra, and Protege are the basic choices after the various unexplained exclusions are factored in. She should just drive them and pick a favorite.

[Laconian]

Why do you keep pasting pictures of Camry dashes? They're more depressing than the rainy weather!!

I would pick a used last-gen Sonata, since the exterior dimensions and power should be familiar to her after driving the Camry. Some people freak out when they ride in a car they feel is too small.

And FYI, Miata insurance is cheap cheap cheap!

[TheIntrepid]

A seven-year-old Jetta is not a good choice for "boring but reliable." It's an upscale and moderately fun car with the tradeoff of reliability.

Corolla, Echo, Elantra, and Protege are the basic choices after the various unexplained exclusions are factored in. She should just drive them and pick a favorite.

I always thought that TDIs were known for being reliable, contrary to the VW petrol engines.

Corolla and Protege are good suggestions. The Echo is horribly ugly, and she won't drive a "Hyundai". My sister, isn't she?

[ifcar]

It's not the engines that are VWs' biggest problem, it's the electrical systems. The engine may well keep going for hundreds of thousands of miles, but the rest of the car won't go with it.

Are those your concerns about the other cars, or your sister's?

[FlatBlackCaddy]

The TDI's are better than the 1.8t from what i hear.

Buy your looking for a reliable car for her to use for the next 5 years.....

A 01 jetta with 266K on doesn't fit anywhere into that criteria.

While the motor is solid, the cars in general have issues as well.

[TheIntrepid]

It's not the engines that are VWs' biggest problem, it's the electrical systems. The engine may well keep going for hundreds of thousands of miles, but the rest of the car won't go with it.

Are those your concerns about the other cars, or your sister's?

Her concerns. Actually, everyone in the family dislikes the Echo. Personally I wouldn't mind an Elantra GT (last-gen).

[ro51092]

I always thought that TDIs were known for being reliable, contrary to the VW petrol engines.

Corolla and Protege are good suggestions. The Echo is horribly ugly, and she won't drive a "Hyundai". My sister, isn't she?

Son, get your facts straight. Engines aren't VW's problem, electrics are.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Thanks for the suggestion, Nick. A Miata is not a 4-door sedan, and insurance rates would be high for her, as a 16-year old female driver with 1 accident claim.

smart ass   


How about a Buick Centruy, those have incredibly low insurance rates, are reliable, and are even classier than a Camry.

[nickdrinkwater]

If you don't fancy the Jetta how about another Camry?  It seems to fit the bill.

[SJ_GTI]

I like VW's, but I wouldn't ever reccomend a used VW with 266k kms on the clock (even if it is diesel). As others have said, even if the engine is perfectly fine to run into infinity, the rest of the car is going to have the same problems as any other car.

Nowadays, car engines usually aren;t much of an issue (if they have been properly taken care of). Before he crashed it, my other brother was driving a 1989 Oldsmobile Toronado with well over 200k miles (about 320k kms) on the odometer and the one thing that was fine on that car was the engine.

[AKL]

I'd suggest a used Elantra, Corolla, Protege?

The Elantra will be the cheapest of the three. You can get a 2004 Elantra for a VERY cheap price. Used Civics and Protege's are still relatively pricey. I haven't really checked the Corolla's price, but considering its a Toyota i'd assume its pricey to.

The Elantra will be my choice really. But since your sister is against Hyundai's 

[Laconian]

I don't understand how one can be picky about brands when trawling the bottom of the barrel. It's not like you're buying a status symbol or anything. If a car's good, it's good, end of story.

[J86]

I don't understand how one can be picky about brands when trawling the bottom of the barrel. It's not like you're buying a status symbol or anything. If a car's good, it's good, end of story.

a-yup

[Eye of the Tiger]

I would drive one. Seriously.

[TheIntrepid]

http://toronto.craigslist.org/car/359496825.html

2002 Intrepid SE

Automatic, 4 dr., 2.7 litre 6 cyl. burgandy exterior, charcoal black interior, Power Windows, Bucket Seats, Power Seats, Air Conditioning, AM-FM radio, almost new tires exceptonaly well maintained fast but great on gas. Just certified and E tested. I bought this car for my daugther for University but she is going to live on campus instead of commuting
$ 6750.00 only 99,000 km

[Laconian]

But the 2.7 is ass, right?

Sell her your car :)

[TheIntrepid]

Yeah, the 2.7 is dismally slow. I won't drive one if you paid me to. No foglights either, so the entire front end looks like ass.

SE



ES


A riced out ES, but you get the point.

[The Pirate]

Why no Honda?  FWIW, they certainly can be overpriced on the used market, and better deals are to be found elsewhere, but it'd be a very solid buy for the right price.


Nissan Altima?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Yeah, the 2.7 is dismally slow. I won't drive one if you paid me to. No foglights either, so the entire front end looks like ass.

SE



ES


A riced out ES, but you get the point.

They both look like ass

Actually, the black one is alright, but only because I like black.

[NomisR]

Corollas are the best cars ever!!  Get a Corolla!! 

[ifcar]

http://toronto.craigslist.org/car/359496825.html

2002 Intrepid SE

Automatic, 4 dr., 2.7 litre 6 cyl. burgandy exterior, charcoal black interior, Power Windows, Bucket Seats, Power Seats, Air Conditioning, AM-FM radio, almost new tires exceptonaly well maintained fast but great on gas. Just certified and E tested. I bought this car for my daugther for University but she is going to live on campus instead of commuting
$ 6750.00 only 99,000 km

Does that mean that American cars are allowed after all?

And why get a large car if a Corolla is big enough?

[Eye of the Tiger]

American brands should be allowed, why not? Limiting your search to only "import" sedans is just blind stupidity.

[The Pirate]

NACar, my brother test drove a Buick Regal GS yesterday.  I hope he buys it.

[Eye of the Tiger]

NACar, my brother test drove a Buick Regal GS yesterday.? I hope he buys it.

[Raghavan]

I'd suggest either a Focus or a Protege.