A good first car?

"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot) 04/07/2016 at 08:00 • Filed to: None

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Yesterday I was talking to one of my neighbors at a church function, she’s getting her license soon and wants to buy her first car but knows nothing about cars and she says neither do her parents. I figured I should ask Oppo for their thoughts on a good, reliable car.

She doesn’t need anything fancy, just something to get to point a to point b. We’re in Michigan, and her budget is less than $3k. I thought maybe a old Honda, but those aren’t easily found in this state. My second suggestion would be to go with any GM car that had the 3800, because it’s supposed to be super reliable.

Anyways, what is oppo’s thoughts?

Party-vi > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:07

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How hard is it to find a 1999 Civic?

Steve in Manhattan > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:08

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I would take the time to find a good used Civic or Corolla. Even 10 year old examples, I believe, have side curtain airbags. Reliable and reasonably safe.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:09

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A Cavalier/Sunfire would be solid.

...hear me out.

The 2.2 is dead reliable, it’s small and easy to park, they get good gas mileage, despite what everyone says it makes decent enough power, and they’re plentiful for under $3k.

Plus nothing of huge value is lost as a teenager destroys it.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/07/2016 at 08:13

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The engine is kind of reliable, but everything around it is shit

-Works at a Chevy dealer

OPPOsaurus WRX > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:14

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late 90's explorer. Cuz when she crashed into a parked Chrysler Concorde it will destroy the Concorde and she will come out without a scratch. I totally did not do that when I had my first car. well ok it got a scratch but if the bumper wasnt bent as much I could have driven away

jariten1781 > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:14

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Literally anything that was produced in mass quantities and is still around is good. Corollas, Civics, Accords, Camrys, Sentras, F150s, whatever. Actual reliability on a 3000 dollar car is a total crap shoot since it’ll be on its third or fourth owner with no maintenance traceability so you just want something with an abundance of parts availability and that the shops have tons of experience fixing.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 04/07/2016 at 08:15

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You just described basically all General Motors products from the 90s.

-had a ‘94 Safari as their first car.

CB > Steve in Manhattan 04/07/2016 at 08:15

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Going to back this suggestion up.

Funktheduck > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:18

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Older Honda or Toyota. They’re perfect commuters (as long as it’s not a Honda V6 auto) and generally super reliable. Perfect for people who don’t know or care or just needs a car that is a car.

Or a Miata of course.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:19

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Late 90's /early 2000's accord. Stupid reliable and safe. One was my first car.

zeontestpilot > Party-vi 04/07/2016 at 08:19

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If you search hard enough you’ll find one, but the MI is crawling with older cars from the big three. I figure it'll be easier to find a solid big-3 car than something from Honda. I may be wrong, but I don't see a lot of older cars on the road, at least not in my area.

zeontestpilot > Steve in Manhattan 04/07/2016 at 08:20

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I do like Corollas, I find them pretty decent. I just can't help but wonder if there's a decent price one out there.

Steve in Manhattan > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:23

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It might be better to spend a bit more to get something as reliable as a Corolla. In any event, they should have their mechanic do a PPI. Stem to stern.

zeontestpilot > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/07/2016 at 08:24

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That reliable, huh. I'll have to pass it along to her then.

zeontestpilot > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/07/2016 at 08:26

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That reliable, huh. I’ll have to pass it along to her then.

zeontestpilot > jariten1781 04/07/2016 at 08:27

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That’s something I considered with my own car. The nice thing about Pontiacs is that there should be a lot of them in junkyards.

Steve in Manhattan > jariten1781 04/07/2016 at 08:32

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I’d say avoid the V6 variant of the Camry - putting a water pump in costs a fortune.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:35

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This is the one time when Miata isn’t always the answer, and Corolla is.

An 8th gen, ‘98-’02, with relatively low miles (somewhere in the 120-150k range) should be easily attainable for $3,000 or less. That’s the same generation I had for my first car, and it really is an excellent first car.
-Reliable
-Fuel efficient
-Fairly cheap for repairs (the few you might have anyway)
-Not fast enough to get you into too much trouble. They’ll top out at around 120, but you’ve REALLY gotta work to get it there. Not that I ever did that or anything...

But yeah, definitely her best bet. Only common issues I ever really saw with them were power window motors burning out, replaced one wheel bearing, and some will get a pressure leak code that’s the result of a deteriorating gasket on the fuel sender unit. That last one was something I experienced with mine. Our long time and very trusted mechanic said it’s the first time he’d ever seen that happen on a car, but he saw it in 2 other Corollas of the same generation within 2 years of my car doing it. Not anything detrimental though.

That car is still running and within the family. It went from my brother, to me, to his wife/my sister-in-law, and now to her family. It’s got to be well above 180k now and running strong. We also used to have a ‘91 Corolla wagon that my dad daily drove with 220k on the clock.

Seriously, Corolla.

zeontestpilot > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 04/07/2016 at 08:43

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Will definitely have to pass it along then, thanks.

Stapleface > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:44

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She's going to want something that is going to get beat on and still take the abuse. Camry/Accord/Corolla/Civic are the best bets, but you mention that you have a lot of the big three rolling around. In that case, something like a Taurus/Sable or a Cavalier/Sunbird might not be a bad idea either. As mentioned, there's a million of them out there in the yards, so parts will be plentiful. Where in MI? Anything worthwhile on the local Craigslist?

they-will-know-my-velocity > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:45

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If reliability is the only concern - Pre-2000 - Camry/Accord/Civic/Corolla

Post 2000 pretty much every major brand is reliable. Avoid cars with specific needs like BMW or Jags unless prepared to maintain them and keep away from Hyundai/Kia until 2006 or so.

MultiplaOrgasms > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:47

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HiLux Diesel

The Dummy Gummy > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:50

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Second this.

Twinpowermeansoneturbo > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:51

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There's a dog in the back of that Volvo...

zeontestpilot > Twinpowermeansoneturbo 04/07/2016 at 08:53

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Is there?

zeontestpilot > MultiplaOrgasms 04/07/2016 at 08:54

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If that was an option, I'd get one for myself.

Twinpowermeansoneturbo > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:54

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Yup on the left side. If you zoom in with an iPhone or something it's very clear. No helmet on him either, at least get him one of those cones or something.

Nibby > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 08:57

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kinja’d

zeontestpilot > Stapleface 04/07/2016 at 08:59

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Ann Arbor to Lansing area. CL might be a great avenue for car shopping, but she’s 16 and I’m not sure if her parents trust CL. Heck, she doesn’t even know I’m asking around oppo, I figured might as well get her in a decent car.

There are also a bunch of cars being sold on the side of the road. Commuting to work there's at least 5.

zeontestpilot > they-will-know-my-velocity 04/07/2016 at 09:00

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I'm also keeping maintainence in mind, cars add up easily.

Stapleface > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 09:04

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Side of the road is sometimes the best place to find a deal. And I hear you about Craigslist. I browse it quite often, but have probably only ever bought maybe 5 things off of it.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 09:10

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Third or fourth gen Camry. dead reliable 4 cylinder, V6 option if you feel you need it (you don’t). Plus they seem to be pretty rust resistant and aged well if taken care of.

zeontestpilot > Stapleface 04/07/2016 at 09:11

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They have some good stuff, but sometimes you have to travel to a bit to see the cars.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 09:12

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2005 Ford Mustang V6 Convertible. I have one I’ll sell you. Super reliable.

But seriously, the answer is always Toyota Camry.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 04/07/2016 at 09:13

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pantiac sunfi TOYOTA COROLLA!

I actually suggested Camry, but yeah a Corolla will do just fine.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/07/2016 at 09:18

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I’ll vouch for that. My wife’s first car was a Cavalier with 120,00 miles. She had it for 6 years and added 45,000 miles. with the biggest repair being a window motor replacement. I hated that car, it was miserable to drive for any one who enjoys driving, but for some one who doesn’t mind driving a refrigerator with a chunk of 70's iron under the hood, it’s okay.

zeontestpilot > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 04/07/2016 at 09:22

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If you can get it under $3k you have a deal.

Nolan Knight > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 09:31

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What about a first-gen Ford Focus? There are a ton on cl for cheap in the Detroit area

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 09:35

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Is that a dog in the boot of that Volvo?!

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 09:36

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Civic EX 4-door from 96-00. 127hp d-series that is nigh-indestructible. Ubiquitous, and the sedan tends to be cheaper and not ragged out. Available with a very good manual or good auto transmission. Easily located for $2500-3000. Parts are cheap and anyone can work on them so maintenance and repair costs will be cheap.

NYankee1927 > MultiplaOrgasms 04/07/2016 at 09:36

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BOOM waiting for this. The American gas version will work as well. Cheap, dead nuts reliable and slow so they can’t get in too much trouble. Other bonuses include only being able to carry 1 friend and now you have a truck in the family!

C62030 > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 09:43

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MIATA IS ALWAYS THE-

Ah, screw it. Buy a Corolla.

zeontestpilot > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 04/07/2016 at 09:44

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Someone mentioned that too. And apparently that dog loves to live on the edge because it isn't wearing a helmet.

zeontestpilot > Nolan Knight 04/07/2016 at 09:44

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That's a distance from here, but not a bad idea. Those are pretty reliable?

Land_Yacht_225 > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 09:58

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1. Panther platform, like a Grand Marquis.

2. Personally, I never recommend the Camry, I always say Avalon because everybody deserves a nice comfortable car.

3. Buick Lesabre Limited.

zeontestpilot > Land_Yacht_225 04/07/2016 at 10:00

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Panther would be interesting, but she'd definitely need snow tires since it gets pretty bad out here. Might be too much to invest in.

JGrabowMSt > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 10:13

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2004+ Honda Civic or Accord.

Dirt goddamn cheap insurance in a lot of places, stupid simple to maintain, runs on tears and can be acquired for very reasonable prices. Buy from a private seller instead of a stealership though. Stealerships gouge the ever living hell out of Honda prices because of their “reliability” and lifespan.

It’ll be a modern car, seat 5 comfortable, get from point A to point B with no fuss, and get great gas mileage to boot. Useful modifications such as rear disc brakes are available, but I’ll be honest, on a little car like that, rear drums work just fine.

I would not recommend anything larger, but I also would not recommend buying a similar generation Hyundai because their maintenance plans are needy, to say the least (60k timing belt changes). And as far as an econobox goes, the 04+ Civics and Accords don’t look too bad. If I was in a pinch, I would consider getting one as a daily.

Land_Yacht_225 > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 10:19

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My anecdote is this: my first car was a 94 Park Avenue Ultra that spent its whole life in Michigan before coming across the lake to Wisconsin. The bolts that held the engine cradle to the body of the car let go in less than a year, and that was a $3,000 car in 2010. The 3800 is a great engine, but the subframes don’t go the distance up north.

A body on frame car would be more rust resistant, and you would be more likely to get a structurally sound car.

JGrabowMSt > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 10:21

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Funny enough, because you’re in the rust belt, think of it the other way around. The big 3 relied on mediocre (at best) rust proofing on their cars. Most asian market cars apply liberal use of stainless steel and aluminum which wont rust half as bad. Replacement parts are also way cheaper on most asian market econoboxes.

Your boy, BJR > zeontestpilot 04/07/2016 at 10:30

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XV10 Camry. Not sure how well they hold up up there, but my GF has had one for 10 years and it’s probably the best all around car ever. Super easy to work on (between me and her dad, it’s never been to a shop, and both I and him have been out of the professional mechanic life for years), comfortable, reliable, not the worst looking thing, comes in 6 flavors (I4 sedan, I4 coupe, I4 wagon, V6 sedan, V6 coupe, V6 wagon) parts are dirt cheap and plentiful, gets good mileage, easy to see out of, safe. It's like the perfect first car.

zeontestpilot > Land_Yacht_225 04/07/2016 at 10:32

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So a truck?

zeontestpilot > JGrabowMSt 04/07/2016 at 10:33

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Huh, wasn't aware of that.