Budget Car help?

"BJohnson11" (brettjohnson01)
03/18/2014 at 22:17 • Filed to: None

So my girlfriend is looking for a car to get soon. She's in college, is on a pretty tight budget, and needs something reliable. I'd say her budget is something in the $4000 range, with maybe a little wiggle room, but not much. She wants something with a slightly elevated seating position and gets reasonable gas mileage, but I'd stress reliability as a main priority. I was thinking something along the lines of a late 90s 4Runner or tacoma, or potentially an early 00's Ranger. I've been finding some Volvo wagons and what not, but I'm a little hesitant about reliability. Any suggestions? As penance, here's the sleeperest of sleeper Novas.

DISCUSSION (32)

PardonMyFlemish16 > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 22:20

Might be able to get an old Matrix or RAV-4 for that price.

Tom McParland > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 22:21

Suzuki SX4...slightly tall ride-height, AWD and pretty sturdy. Problem is they can be hard to find.

DollaMoneyAve > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 22:22

I like where your head is at, with the Tacomas and Rangers and such. The Rangers are typically cheaper than the Tacomas in my experience, but I could be wrong though. Small pickups are the shit mang.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 22:22

Ungh... I fucken love that car.

Bandit > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 22:23

2nd gen trans am. Mine never really broke down and it got better fuel economy than some cars.

Chase > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 22:24

As the owner of a 2002 Ranger that recently hit 190k, I can highly recommend one. Although, if mileage is a concern I wouldn't recommend the one with the 4.0l V6 like mine. My best mileage ever was 19.3 last summer, doing nearly all highway, and in the winter while at school (in the city) it is more like 13ish

BJohnson11 > Chase
03/18/2014 at 22:26

Do they make a smaller V6 (I forget)? I have a friend that had a little 4 cylinder with a 5 speed and he always contested that he thought the V6 would get better mileage at least around town because it didn't have to work as hard as the I4 to get up to speed.

SteyrTMP > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 22:28

A Forester. I'd recommend my wife's '97/98 Legacy Outback, but that's not as high as she wants, and I don't know your location.

BJohnson11 > SteyrTMP
03/18/2014 at 22:29

I was thinking Subaru. Forester or Legacy (it might be tall enough for her). What are some common reliability issues with Subarus/good years of them to buy?

hethoughtofcars > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 22:34

Don't forget the Baja! No girl I've ever been with has understood the appeal of the Baja, but I still think it's awesome:

Kinja'd!!!

BJohnson11 > hethoughtofcars
03/18/2014 at 22:38

Girl hates El Caminos (I know, because I love them), so I have a feeling the Baja wouldn't go over well.

On a related note, my next door neighbors have a brat thats just bitchin'. I've long wanted to ask them if they'd sell it.

hethoughtofcars > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 22:41

In all serious the Baja is one of Consumer Reports top rated used cars between $4-6K. Of course the Legacy/Outback is too, but obviously the Baja is the most fun.

hethoughtofcars > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 22:44

My girlfriend loves El Caminos but can't stand Bajas. Odd. Might be the predominance of plastic body cladding on some models like that one in the pic.

I would completely go for a BRAT....however, I think the law might have something to say about me strapping my 6 year old into his child's seat back there... :P

SteyrTMP > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 22:47

The one we're selling has 280k on the clock, although it's had an engine transplant... the engine is from a legacy gt. Ive been trying to track the engine so I can figure the miles, but I've changed timing belts on both her car and my 2007 Impreza, so I can safely say that the timing belt is something to check. If it hasn't had one at 120k, expect one. That's about 300-400 bucks and an afternoon. Other than that, there aren't any mechanical issues I know if. I replaced struts in both her car and mine, and I replaced the clutch on mine. I found out the hard way that the older Subarus are easier to change clutches, and you can pull the halfaxles out without removing the spindles and axlenuts, whereas I had to take the axlenuts off of mine so I could pull the half shafts out to pull the transmission. I can't think of anything else, if you have any questions, just ask. I don't know where you're at, but I'll help any work needed if you're in my area, if not, I'm sure there's oppostles in your area that'd help for food or beer.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 22:55

If your in the $4,000 range, your pretty much looking at 1st Gen Honda CR-V's, Toyota RAV-4's and Ford Escapes, if your looking at the cute 'ute market, with MPG's and reliability being a concern. Any pick-up your realistically looking at, maybe, low 20's on the highway, much less in the city. You can always go the Civic/Corolla/Sentra route, with a well taken care of Focus or Protege thrown in for good measure. Those are easy to find in your price range, and they won't be completely thrashed for that kind of money. Someone mentioned Subaru's, which would also be a good choice, with older Forrester's and Impreza's having the added advantage of AWD, if that's a concern. A well taken care of GM car, if it's low mileage is that rare car that can last for many miles, but can take some hunting to find. That, of course, depends on if your GF is willing to drive a 90's Buick or Oldsmobile. I'm partial to the Olds Intrigue, but that's just me.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 22:59

Find a IS250/300 1st gen. Altezza lights!

Chase > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 23:14

I4, 3.0 V6, 4.0 V6 (for my year at least). I really don't know much about the 3.0 though.
My truck does have the added disadvantage of being a 4wd extended cab model (weighs about~4500lbs I think) and has a driver with a fairly leaden foot

mattoverdrive > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 23:15

There were two V6s offered; a 3.0L and a 4.0L. I had a 94 Ranger that was a great truck, but with the 2.3L I4 I never got better than 18MPG, but I only drove it for short trips to Home Depot or Lowes, and never really took it on the freeway.

SteyrTMP > BJohnson11
03/18/2014 at 23:42

For $4000, expect between 2000-2004, possibly 1999. Try to find the higher trim models, and the one thing I forgot to mention earlier, around that era, if it hasn't been studiously maintained, blown head gaskets aren't uncommon... and are about 1200 in parts and whatnot, if I remember correctly. The previous owner of my wife's car must have been an old lady... not only does it smell like old people, but they were constantly going to the dealership every three months or so, probably oil changes and fluids, but whatever. At least try to find a car with a decent record.

Parth985 > BJohnson11
03/19/2014 at 00:03

Subaru outback or legacy they run for ever

RW53104 > BJohnson11
03/19/2014 at 00:07

Is there a reason she needs four wheel drive? You could probably get something in a bit better shape if it was 2wd. 4x4 tends to bring a premium.

I would suggest a rav4, CR-V, or Subaru if awd is a necessity. I also never understood the need for a "high seating position", but to each his own!

SteyrTMP > hethoughtofcars
03/19/2014 at 01:46

I'd like to know where you're finding one around 4-6k... I haven't seen one under 10k.

hethoughtofcars > SteyrTMP
03/19/2014 at 01:52

Yeah, I hadn't checked that out. Here's one for $5500, but the pickings are pretty slim. Probably $7-9K for a really solid one.

BJohnson11 > RW53104
03/19/2014 at 02:15

4wd is not necessary by any means. I realize the 4runner implied a need for 4wd, but no, by no means is it necessary.

BJohnson11 > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
03/19/2014 at 02:18

Yea I was trying to lead her to a civic or something of the nature just because they are so cheap, reliable, and efficient, but I think she really is leaning towards something a little bigger. She's not a bad driver by any means, but she does have safety on her mind (and rightfully so).

Her first car (she shared it with her sister, now her sister has it) was a late 90s Chevy Cavalier. Not the most amazing car by any stretch of the imagination, but it got the job done.

RW53104 > BJohnson11
03/19/2014 at 02:19

I think the best advice would be to have anything you're interested in professionally gone over by a trusted mechanic. Regardless of a brand's reputation, in the $4,000 price range vehicles tend to be old enough/high-mileage enough to discredit any reputation through poor maintenance, care, and driving. If you can't get it checked out, maybe just go with whatever vehicle seems to be the best documented/cared for.

BJohnson11 > hethoughtofcars
03/19/2014 at 02:19

I love them jump seats in the back. My neighbor's still has them and they just seem like such a blast.

BJohnson11 > SteyrTMP
03/19/2014 at 02:20

Very good to know, thanks for the input. I think something like a Forester or a Legacy (I found a couple on CL and she liked the Forester) would be right up her alley.

BJohnson11 > RW53104
03/19/2014 at 02:22

Well yes, that goes without saying. I wouldn't buy a used car for 2 grand or for 20 grand without taking it to a mechanic first. But I agree, a car's reliability is just as much a function of the car/brand as it is the previous owners.

SteyrTMP > hethoughtofcars
03/19/2014 at 03:09

I was looking for anything Subaru for my wife, once we sell the current Legacy and the van... I looked at a few Bajas around here, and I wanna say I saw one for 10k and a turbo for 15k. Albeit, both were in good shape, but still. It's one of the Subies that has held value pretty well.

SteyrTMP > BJohnson11
03/19/2014 at 03:21

Surprisingly, in spite of it's height, the Forester is lighter than the Outback and the Impreza. The Outback is based on the Legacy chassis, whereas the Forester on the Impreza chassis. Let her drive both. I was surprised at how much I like my wife's Outback. If it was a manual, I wouldn't part with it. The only Forester I've gotten a chance to drive was in pretty bad shape, and the suspension was shot, so it drove like a truck, so I haven't got a good feel for one yet.

Karrbon Fiber > BJohnson11
03/19/2014 at 03:27

I second the Ford Ranger. They went basically unchanged from 1998 till their end in 2011. 2001 saw a change in power trains. I'd go for a XLT reg cab or extended cab, 2wd, auto or stick, with a 2.3L duratec (introduced in 2001).