May have to finally get wheels

"CB" (jrcb)
09/18/2016 at 20:07 • Filed to: Car shopping

With potential work and volunteering, it’s about time to get something. Any suggestions? Main criteria are inexpensive to maintain and cheap to insure. Due to my age group, that means no Civics, no WRXs, no Neons, nothing of that ilk. Any good suggestions for something under $5k?

EDIT: No Miatas.

DISCUSSION (63)

Honeybunchesofgoats > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:12

Kinja'd!!!

I’m extraordinarily biased, but I have an undying love for Town Cars, and you don’t really get cheaper or more reliable to maintain. My beloved Town Car is how I get to be both a responsible adult and own and DD a Jag.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:13

LS400. All day.

dogisbadob > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:14

Camry, Corolla, Echo, or Yaris :)

CB > dogisbadob
09/18/2016 at 20:16

Not bad choices.

CB > Honeybunchesofgoats
09/18/2016 at 20:16

Fuel economy is kind of ehhh, but I dig the idea.

TheHondaBro > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:17

Was gonna say Camry. Sonic the Hedgehog beat me to it.

CB > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
09/18/2016 at 20:17

In that price range, it’s either “the dash is doing weird shit, but it should be okay?” or 400k kilometre machines. I’ll keep it in mind.

wiffleballtony > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:17

I don’t want to be that guy. MIATA.

CB > wiffleballtony
09/18/2016 at 20:18

Congrats, you are now that guy. The Miata is at the bottom of the list for a number of reasons, number three being Oppositelock.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:18

R50 or R53 Mini. Tons of fun and insurance isn’t insane (one of the good things about them being branded by bros as a “gay” car).

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:19

Get a LS400. I bought mine for $5000 and it's fantastic.

LongbowMkII > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:19

Miata.

jminer > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:19

A Focus hatchback will do nicely. I have a 01 ZX3 that was fantastic, drove it for years. I actually just picked up a 12 Focus hatchback. While it’s going to be hard to find a GEN3 for $5k, you can find a whole bunch of 1st gens for $2-3k in good shape.

Although, you didn’t tell us your preferences or needs other than transportation. If you give a bit more information you’ll get better (and less random) advice.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:22

Mine is so close to 300k miles and still a dream.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:22

Matrix XRS/Vibe GT

LongbowMkII > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
09/18/2016 at 20:23

Inexpensive to maintain.

CB > jminer
09/18/2016 at 20:23

I saw an ‘05 hatchback for $2000, which seems like a top contender.

Requirements: decent enough fuel economy (20 kilometre drive each way), room for four since I might be driving with others, and decent on insurance, since for the most part it looks like a lot of vehicles will cost me at least $300 a month (woo big city life).

Honeybunchesofgoats > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:23

That’s true. It gets 20-22 MPG (Which is better than my Jag’s 16-17, but the fact that I constantly accelerate like an idiot in the Jag may have something to do with that).

CB > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
09/18/2016 at 20:24

Those are also ones I’ve been looking at.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:24

Inexpensive to buy, maintain & insure? You know the answer, why fight it? Get a rolling couch, with leather seats if you’re lucky.

Kinja'd!!!

Assuming you live in N. America.

CB > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
09/18/2016 at 20:25

I live in Canada, and briefly considered a $900 Oldsmobile as an option.

S65 > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:25

Crown Victoria

Kinja'd!!!

Chevrolet Express

Kinja'd!!!

Honda Accord

Kinja'd!!!

Lexus ES300/250

Kinja'd!!!

CB > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
09/18/2016 at 20:26

Ehhhh Longbow has a point. Reliability is up in the air with those, especially on the lower end of the price spectrum.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:26

Suzuki SX4? some newer ones may be over your budget. so try getting an older model.

VW golfs are pretty good too. Havent heard anything bad about them in terms of reliability. also, if you get a 2.5, DAT NOISE. (these cars are best with a manual, BTW)

Mazda 3's are also decent cars, but watch out for the rusty ones, those are dealbreakers, and probably a pain just to do brakes on your own with the rust. if you can, find one with a 2.5, as those are less prone to spin rod bearings than the 2.3 (2.5s are found in the ‘Smiley’s).

7th and 8th generation civics are also pretty good on insurance, just stay away from an Si (SiR for 7th), and youll be good.

CB > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
09/18/2016 at 20:26

Everything is high mileage or busted. I trust them to be tanks, just don’t trust them that much.

CB > LongbowMkII
09/18/2016 at 20:26

No.

CB > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
09/18/2016 at 20:28

Totally forgot about the SX4, but I dig it. No to VWs due to reliability issues from my step-sister’s car and both my girlfriend’s VWs. 3s have always been on the radar.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > LongbowMkII
09/18/2016 at 20:29

Parts aren’t that bad (unless you break something from the BMW parts bin). If you keep up with maintenance they are plenty reliable.

CB > S65
09/18/2016 at 20:29

No to the Express. I live beside a school. Victoria is eh due to fuel mileage. Other two are good recommendations (although the Accord might be expensive on insurance).

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:31

You didn’t mention gas mileage... what about a land cruiser?

CRider > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:31

Kinja'd!!!

GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM

CB > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
09/18/2016 at 20:32

Since it’ll be a daily driver, some fuel economy would be nice. Gonna give a hard no on this one.

CB > CRider
09/18/2016 at 20:33

Finally, a reasonable suggestion. Suck it, Old Man Winter!

interstate366, now In The Industry > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:34

4-door 4-cylinder Accord.

CRider > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:35

Kinja'd!!!

GROM GROM.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:39

You can get a really nice, well maintained R50 for $5000. Mine was $3000 + 2 old kayaks and is in very good mechanical condition though it has some cosmetic issues. Parts aren’t that bad (unless you break something from the BMW parts bin). If you keep up with maintenance they are plenty reliable.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:40

How about a corolla.

CB > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
09/18/2016 at 20:40

Always a safe bet.

Captain of the Enterprise > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:41

Corolla

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:49

Early, say 86-91, C4 corvette with an auto.

Interesting, in the price range, surprisingly good highway fuel economy, (without ZF 6 speed/dual mass flywheel that doesn't exist anymore $$$$ clutch replacement, no opti spark drama) reliable enough, and just might be surprisingly cheap to ensure. The thing about old man's cars is that old men don't tend to crash (regardless of what they drive), and the insurance rates on old man's cars reflects that. My 93 daily driver is the cheapest to insure car I've had in my entire life. My old truck currently costs considerably more to insure every month for less coverage. Maybe avoid the 84ish crossfire.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:50

If you want something practical, cheap and reliable, unless you have something against the Koreans, may I be the weird guy to suggest you look into an older model Accent hatch like mine (I’m biased)...?

They’re no sports car, but fine for a daily - cheap to insure, very reliable, cheap to find parts for, peppier than you’d think with a manual transmission and easy to find for decent prices.

2-doors may be a dealbreaker, but the hatchback gives you more utility. I imagine the current-gen 2011+ models are out of your price range, but I’d imagine the ‘06-’10 models should give you some choice. Canadian SR models give a bit of a sporty edge as well if you can find them

CB > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
09/18/2016 at 20:52

These are honestly on the short-list right now. Seem pretty inexpensive for the mileage.

vicali > S65
09/18/2016 at 20:57

I’m going to agree with Zoiberg .. Celica’s are in your price range and if you found a cleanish one you would be in luck.

Also have you checked for Acura el’s they are usually less than civics and are a bit better taken care of I've found.

Also the king of beater runabouts are the Mazda protégés..

Captain of the Enterprise > CB
09/18/2016 at 20:58

Kinja'd!!!

vicali > vicali
09/18/2016 at 20:59

Oops meant for CB..

Audistein > CB
09/18/2016 at 21:02

Ninth generation Corolla XRS or Matrix XRS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9K7pS…

I’d call the insurance company first though.

If you want something comfortable, a second gen Acura TL Type-S would be a solid choice and and you can find clean ones for under $5k. Has leather, power seats, etc. as well as a smooth V6. The Type-S has 260 hp but should still be good for insurance.

2nd Generation Subaru Impreza 2.5i wagon is awesome. Many say it’s the best car you can get for $5k all around. You’ll probably end up with a “bugeye” pre refresh car, but the later ones can also be found in good shape for $5k with the right seller.

Saab 9-2X wagon is the same car rebadged. A non-Aero Saab is the same as the Impreza 2.5 but is much cooler due to being a Saab. Jalops will bow at your feet if you get one, especially with a stick.

jminer > CB
09/18/2016 at 21:18

The 05's are a little tight for 4 adults. Mine was a 3 door, the 5 door will let people in an out of the back easier. If they’re 6'+ fitting in the back will be tough, smaller adults will be fine though.

I got 30-33mpg in mine on the highway and ~25 city while not driving conservatively. I can’t speak to insurance cost for you, but it’s a compact so it should be about as cheap as you can get.

CB > jminer
09/18/2016 at 21:21

Groovy. It’s a five-door, so yeah, a bit more space. Mileage sounds good to me, too.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > CB
09/18/2016 at 21:48

Mine’s a base model with absolutely no options whatsoever and I got it for around $6900 all-included with 54,000kms, which I think was definitely pretty fair. I do mean NO options though XD.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > CB
09/18/2016 at 21:55

Buick LeSabre. Late 90's, early 2000's. Best of the 3800-powered GM sedans. Should be under budget for a clean well maintained one. Boringly reliable, cheap and easy to fix, relatively safe (airbags, abs, tcs, descent crash test scores), surprisingly efficient (~30mpg highway), comfortable. Just watch out for rust in the sills and under the front seats.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > CB
09/18/2016 at 22:00

For that kind of money you could probably get a Mk5 Jetta 2.5 or even a first year Mk6 Jetta S. The Mk5 would be the better driving car, but the Mk6 Will be larger and more livable.

CB > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
09/18/2016 at 22:04

No VWs. Bad prior experience with three of them (a New Beetle and two Jettas).

MuchWagon > CB
09/18/2016 at 22:16

Fit.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > CB
09/18/2016 at 23:34

High mileage isn’t an issue. Mine has over 357,000 km on it and ToyotaGuy’s more than that. If you find a well looked after example not much can go wrong.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > CB
09/19/2016 at 04:16

Was going to suggest the MR2 Spyder (bias all around!), but apparently they weren’t sold in Canada?!?!!?

More serious suggestion: just about any hatchback. Small enough to dart through traffic and park easily, but still (somewhat) practical. Focus is the obvious choice, but the Volvo C30 and base Impreza hatch might have come down in price enough?