Oppo Asks: First-Time Cheap, Reliable Transportation

"Amoore100" (amoore100)
10/06/2016 at 18:42 • Filed to: Oppo Asks, First Car, Toyota, Honda, Reliable

Well, I guess this is what happens when everyone starts getting their driver’s licenses...we all need something to drive! Recently, yet another one of my friends asked for some advice choosing something as her first car since both her parents work and she needs some way to get to work and school without relying on the unreliable bus routes. She wasn’t sure how much to spend, so I recommended spending around $4K on a vehicle and saving one grand for any repairs or maintenance which is common when first buying a used car. The requirements this time:

$4Kish

Reliable, auto transmission

Preferably sedan or hatch

Regular gas, cheap to run

I know that the usual Civic, Integra, Corolla, etc. choices are obviously available, but I want to carefully avoid recommending anything with common issues, i.e. the oil-burning early-2000s Toyotas or the notorious Honda V6 transmissions. Her family currently has a Sienna and an Elantra so they’re firm believers in Asian engineering.

Currently, my best inclination is !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! super-clean 2000 Camry with 153K on the clock; is there anything we should be looking out for?

Also, I know I said sedans and hatches, but !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is technically a hatch...

What does Oppo think?

Here’s our local CL if you want to do some poking around...

DISCUSSION (77)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 18:49

Camry camry camry

‘86 Cavalier

Camry

Seriously though. Tons of 90s Camrys for sale for 3k or less.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/06/2016 at 18:50

The Cavalier quip was not in jest though. My wife had one for years and it was immortal.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 18:51

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5816021051.html

That’ll handle well, too.

S65 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/06/2016 at 18:57

Seriously though, why NOT the Camry??

interstate366, now In The Industry > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 18:58

Stay away from automatic Preludes. They may not be V6s, but they have the same transmission issues.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 18:58

Mazda 3? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/5757894323.html

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/06/2016 at 18:59

Truth.i hated my wife’s 01 caviler, but it was unstoppable. She owned it from 120-160,00 miles and the biggest problem it ever had was a worn out window motor.

Also technically it’s a Toyota! Well it was in Japan anyway.

Honeybunchesofgoats > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:03

Town Car, Town Car, Town Car.

Sure the mileage isn’t great, but it checks all the boxes otherwise.

Berang > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:05

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/cto?max_price=4000&auto_make_model=subaru

RallyWrench > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:08

The CR-V should have its rear diff serviced regularly, but they’re good. The Camry will run forever, period.

Honeybunchesofgoats > Honeybunchesofgoats
10/06/2016 at 19:08

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5805319819.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/5798888031.html

Stapleface > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:14

Here’s another vote for the Camry or Corolla. While I prefer Hondas, the fact of the matter is their transmissions are suspect with higher mileage.

To add something of use to my post, she also might want to check out the Protégé, 626, or Mazda 3 or 6

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/06/2016 at 19:20

Can confirm. Former 2nd-gem Cavalier owner. Shit car but impossible to kill.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:20

1988 Nissan Pathfinder

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/for-those-who-are-interested-1787507635

Amoore100 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
10/06/2016 at 19:22

As I car shop for my friends I have come across many an interesting and desirable ride for cheap which I find myself really wanting. First it was a turbo Chrysler New Yorker, then it was a turbo Volvo 780, and now this. Damn you!

Amoore100 > Stapleface
10/06/2016 at 19:23

Good suggestion, there are a number of beat Protégé’s and 626's running around our school parking lot so that’s led me to believe that it would be hard to find a nice, clean one, but I’m sure they’re out there; just gotta keep searching!

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:25

I recommend Proteges to people since you don’t have to pay the “Toyota/Honda Tax”. The trick is finding one without rust.

Amoore100 > RallyWrench
10/06/2016 at 19:25

Good to know. I figured the CR-V was about as simple as it gets, but I forgot that those early ones actually had AWD considering that pretty much any new CUV is just a FWD poser-mobile today.

Amoore100 > Berang
10/06/2016 at 19:25

Head gaskets? That’s the only thing keeping me away from an early 2000's Subie.

Amoore100 > Honeybunchesofgoats
10/06/2016 at 19:27

Good suggestion, but I fear that it may be a bit out of her league in terms of size considering both the fact that she’s never driven anything bigger or more powerful than a Prius and that the American driver’s ed system is generally shite.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:27

1997 Lexus LS400. This car will run forever. There’s at least three on here and one has 300,000 miles and mine has 223,000 miles. They’re tanks. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5816342970.html

RallyWrench > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:28

They made those in FWD too, but it said AWD in the ad. These have a cute little Playskool My First Differential in the back, only engages when the front slips. They chatter if you don’t service them. The transmissions should be serviced fairly regularly as well.

Amoore100 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/06/2016 at 19:28

Hmmmmm, the age makes me suspicious since I’ve never seen one that new for that cheap, but it seems to check out. Could be an interesting possibility, thanks for the suggestion!

Amoore100 > interstate366, now In The Industry
10/06/2016 at 19:29

Good to know. I was looking at Preludes since even though they’re not sedans they could still be a viable option, so thanks for that tidbit of advice.

Honeybunchesofgoats > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:29

Good point.

On the other hand, I can say from experience that once you learn to parallel park a Town Car, you can parallel park anything.

Amoore100 > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2016 at 19:30

I like it! Added to the list! Do you know of anything to look out for on 626s?

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:30

For simple/cheap/reliable, a Yaris is a great choice. Here’s two in your area. Both are newer, cheaper and at least one of them has less mileage.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/5799173690.html

http://stockton.craigslist.org/cto/5795832443.html

Or a Toyota Echo for even less:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5801051364.html

Or how about a nice Toyota Tercel wagon:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5787742677.html

Amoore100 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/06/2016 at 19:32

That’s basically my train of thought, just replace Cavalier with Civic. Unkillable as they may be, I don’t really feel like putting her through the misery of early 2000's GM plastic and a level of refinement that GM engineers decided was unnecessary.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/06/2016 at 19:34

Mazda RX7!!!

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5772705813.html

Amoore100 > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
10/06/2016 at 19:35

Nice, I was considering the Yaris saloon. That Echo is amazingly clean, too! Alas, I fear that in terms of appreciation that Tercel wagon would be better in my hands rather than hers...

Amoore100 > Honeybunchesofgoats
10/06/2016 at 19:35

Hey, I learned to parallel park a 3rd gen Odyssey! Fewer blind spots, but even more girth. Mirrors and patience is all it takes, really.

Amoore100 > RallyWrench
10/06/2016 at 19:36

So just typical Honda early-2000's gearbox quality at work...

Amoore100 > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/06/2016 at 19:37

I wish, but I feel like any recommendations for premium gas would go unheeded, not to mention that they probably aren’t at all economical even running on the best unleaded there is.

RallyWrench > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:38

Eh, they’ll go a long time if you take care of them. Some of the Civics, Accords, and Odysseys had real trans problems, but these are just sensitive.

Amoore100 > Jarrett - [BRZ Boi]
10/06/2016 at 19:38

This is California. Unless it’s from out of state or two miles from the ocean, I can guarantee no rust.

Amoore100 > RallyWrench
10/06/2016 at 19:39

Well I’m trying to find something that can withstand a certain amount of abuse because these are the people who didn’t service their Sienna until a fan belt split and burned up in the engine bay.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:40

Yeah...you could probably get away with running it on regular, but mileage is not a strong suit. That being said, premium isn’t even that much more expensive.

RallyWrench > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:42

Camry or RAV4 if they want an SUV, then.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Honeybunchesofgoats
10/06/2016 at 19:43

Continental Mark V!!!!

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5799237563.html

Amoore100 > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/06/2016 at 19:45

It’s not the actual cost, it’s the perceived cost. Anyways, you’re preaching to the choir since I have to deal with a man who thinks that Plus is just fine for his 211K mile turbo-five Volvo.

Amoore100 > RallyWrench
10/06/2016 at 19:46

Rav4; good suggestion. SUV’s aren’t a priority for her, but who’s to say no to a cheap, low-mileage, and ultra-pristine example of anything?

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:46

And now for some bad advice...

1977 Lincoln Continental Mark V:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5799237563.html

1985 Mazda RX7:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5772705813.html

YOU MUST PICK ONE OF THESE TWO!!!!

RallyWrench > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:52

It’s good to expand the search too. Really, they’re all good vehicles, but the CR-V needs a bit more specific care in my experience with them.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 19:54

Ughhhh. I usually put at least midrange in my “lesser” cars but the LS and S600 only get premium.

Amoore100 > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
10/06/2016 at 19:55

Ohh, I have plenty of bad advice.

Kinja'd!!!

MINT 1987 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER TURBO - $3987

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Kinja'd!!!

1989 VOLVO 780 COUPE BERTONE - $3000 (santa cruz)

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Kinja'd!!!

96 Saab 9000 cs - $2500 (santa rosa)

Amoore100 > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/06/2016 at 19:59

Indeed, the V50 gets midrange since it ain’t a turbo and Volvo says 89 is as low as you should go. With the V70's age and performance-related hardware, I would personally go premium but it isn’t my prerogative to nag him about it and so far it hasn’t seemed to have suffered, so I’m keeping quiet for now.

Busslayer > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 20:04

My goto for this is the 2005-07 Ford Focus. They are dead reliable, no timing belt crap to deal with, cheap maintenance parts. The interiors hold up well also. You will see tons of them on CL with 200k+ miles. The are decently entertaining to drive as well. I bought an 05 five years ago w/100k miles and have beaten the snot out of it and have had to do zero repairs to it now with 154k and still my DD. A few months ago I bought my kids another 05 - $3k w/62k miles and it even has heated seats.

Here’s one.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5800713638.html

Amoore100 > Busslayer
10/06/2016 at 20:06

Awesome, great suggestion! I was avoiding them since around here most are half-beat to death, but it looks like you’ve found perhaps the last remaining survivor! Is there anything to watch out for on this gen Focus?

Busslayer > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 20:35

Nothing really. They are really pretty bullet proof. The ones before 2005 used timing belts and were slow.

I just remembered I had to replace the end links on the front sway bar. The wear out and you will hear a rattle/clunk in the front end. That is kind of typical. $25 /side.

Here is the $3k one I just got for my kids.

Kinja'd!!!

Captain of the Enterprise > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 20:38

Do what I did and buy a Corolla

Kinja'd!!!

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 20:51

Mazda3 mazda3 mazda3! Seriously the 2.3L is very reliable. About the biggest issue with these is rust, but that shouldn’t be a big deal in your area. Your CL has several good looking ‘08-ish ones listed at $5k that can probably be negotiated to $4k.

Amoore100 > Captain of the Enterprise
10/06/2016 at 20:53

What about a Scion tC, aka Corolla coupe? (She decided Corollas are too dowdy, now is looking at tC’s...sigh...)

Captain of the Enterprise > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 21:00

I’ve never had one and they have the 2.4 instead of the 1.8 so I’d have to do research on them to see if they have problems. I think they tend to be more expensive as well. Try carcompliants.com to look into problems. It’s what I use in additions to forums and edmunds reviews.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 21:13

On the V6, make sure the timing belt/water pump service is up to date. It is a pricey job to pay someone to do. With time and heat, the vacuum lines running under the intake manifold are prone to disintegrating. If they are intact, that variable resonance intake will really sing. Valve cover gaskets are prone to leaking into the sparkplug wells. Figure a used KL V6 will need to have a Saturday morning spent pulling the intake manifold, replacing the vacuum lines on the underside of the intake, putting on some fresh valve cover gaskets and a new set of plugs and wires.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 22:02

A 92-96 S, with the F22, might be OK, depending on mileage, since with that engine it’s just an Accord in yoga pants, but they’re getting up there in age. The 97-01s are the ones with transmission problems, and they require premium anyway. So do the 92-96 Si’s.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 22:27

I owned a tC for 125k painless miles. They’re cheap to own, but insurance can be overpriced relative to performance.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 22:33

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ctd/5808704752.html

Toyota Avalon. They’re big. They’re dull. They’re fill of every safety item Toyota’s ever get.

They’re the ultimate first car. Good gas mileage. Road trips are almost too easy. And they own the title for reliability.

Ridiculous cars.

On the plus side, they are large enough to get you into th he next stages of life whether that’s moving from apartment to apartment, or carrying kids around in the back seat.

If her parents’ cars die at some point they can borrow this and not look foolish either.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Amoore100
10/06/2016 at 23:40

$4k for a Mazda 3 with reasonable miles should be realistic. This one seems on the optimistic end of things.

Amoore100 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/06/2016 at 23:44

Really? I’m hard pressed to find an auto hatch for less than $5K without a salvage title or 200K+ miles. The damn things are rare around here.

Amoore100 > PotbellyJoe and 42 others
10/07/2016 at 00:14

Excellent suggestion! She’s so far being led willingly in this direction...

Eggplant > Amoore100
10/07/2016 at 00:50

Some of those had sunroof issues (rattles and stuff). That said, in terms of dowdy, the tC isn’t much better than the Corolla. Toyota’s lineup wasn’t exactly exciting during the 2000s (and to a large degree, it still isn’t). Has she considered a Mazda?

Seriously though, this is her first car, so she has zero insurance history. This could get pricey for what she is getting, as potbellyjoe mentioned.

Amoore100 > Eggplant
10/07/2016 at 01:00

Trying to steer her back into four-door-land, first with an Avalon, then with an ES before she thought they were all too big and now we’re back to the Integra. This could take a while.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Amoore100
10/07/2016 at 08:50

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5816930464.html

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Amoore100
10/07/2016 at 09:01

It’s #FieroFriday, so she should get one of those.

Amoore100 > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
10/07/2016 at 09:33

That’s more of a me special and believe me, if we had the cash that would be sitting in our driveway tomorrow.

TysMagic > PotbellyJoe and 42 others
10/07/2016 at 10:01

This is an excellent suggestion! Just at 100k and from a dealer who bothers to take a reasonable amount of pictures. This is a winner in my book

LongbowMkII > Busslayer
10/07/2016 at 10:19

Super low miles for $3k. Nice.

LongbowMkII > Amoore100
10/07/2016 at 10:20

That bertone coupe!

Pick that one! Pick that one!

notsomethingstructural > Amoore100
10/07/2016 at 13:03

Get a Matrix. They at least have some personality. XRS trim has the 2zz motor, not my favorite but if it’s good enough for the Elise... Good cargo and passenger space, can’t recall any major issues with them. I think the XRS takes premium, but whatever. Lower trims are less fun (and take regular) but still have personality. Not a personality I’d want in my 40's, but in my 20's? Gimme dat matrix.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5807166053.html

Bytemite > Amoore100
10/07/2016 at 13:16

Oh you live in the south bay too? I would suggest 1st gen Rav4 with the canvas top!

RT > Amoore100
10/07/2016 at 16:36

See start of video:

I’m not too good at finding things on CL, though I would recommend a Mazda6, Legacy or even Accord over most Camrys. :/

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Amoore100
10/07/2016 at 16:53

Just search Lexus. You got a crap load of GS’s, some better than others. The 300 is pretty cheap to maintain, looks good, and drives nice. I get about 18.5 mpg, so mileage could be better, and it takes premium. But I love mine and they last forever (at least I hope they do).

Amoore100 > RT
10/07/2016 at 19:02

Or you’re just salty that Toyota doesn’t give the Camry to you Brits ;)

RT > Amoore100
10/08/2016 at 04:55

For some reason I see a few XV20 Camrys around here, though I assume it’s a grey market thing.

I do like the XV10 Camry, and I heard the newer V6 ones are decent to drive. It’s just that the Camry’s a bit of a blank slate, and its rivals often do things better than it, this is coming from a Corolla fan too.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Amoore100
10/08/2016 at 11:08

My first recommendation would be Toyota Corolla.

Amoore100 > RT
10/08/2016 at 13:21

Very true, although one thing going for the Camry is space since she recently mentioned that her parents might borrow her car from time to time as well (and their family has three children)

RT > Amoore100
10/08/2016 at 16:19

Although if it’s going to cart a family around, I’d recommend something with a high driving position, since the parents will like and the kids can be put in much more easily. Hence why I recommend the Legacy.

Space isn’t much of an issue, if the car has five seats and enough interior room (like most mid-size cars) it should be enough. Camry is a bit bigger I guess, but not sure it would make much of a difference at this scale.