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Kitchen Sink => No Moto Content => Topic started by: IZ on December 17, 2010, 09:42:55 PM

Title: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: IZ on December 17, 2010, 09:42:55 PM
any recommendations for a car good on gas mileage and preferably newer than 2000. 

I was thinking Sentra, Mazda 3, Corolla, Scion, etc. 

Suggestions
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: lethe on December 18, 2010, 05:29:23 AM
I've had the middle two, a 2002 Corolla and a 2006 Mazda 3 to be precise.
The Corolla got great gas mileage (up at or close to 40 mpg on a regular basis), handled okish and on mine the engine went bye bye at 240,000.
The Mazda got a little less mpg, regularly getting around 36 for me but was a lot more fun car in that I could chase much sportier cars down any road so long as they did have enough straights to blow me away. I got rid of that this past August with 250,000 miles on it and it still ran well, it was getting a little cranky on startup though.

A Scion is a Toyota so I'd expect much the same results.

The Sentra? Never had one but I have seen quite a few Nissans seem to get really old really quick as they get some age/mileage on them. Not a fan of them myself just based on observing some other's experiences.
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: Le Pirate on December 18, 2010, 06:32:13 AM
My roomate in college had a sentra (SE-R I think). Fun little car, but the engine grenaded at 40k miles I think. Cracked the block due to a failure of something in one of the cylinders. Precise info, huh?


I'd go with the yota or the mazda 3. I've heard the mazdas are a hell of alot more fun.

I had a el cheapo mitsubishi for years, and it was bullet proof...you might consider one of them too

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but here goes:

I'd avoid a 6000 dollar volkswagen, for sure  [laugh]

Just incase you were thinking about it.
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: muskrat on December 18, 2010, 06:38:17 AM
Honda Civic should be added to the list.  Mama had one and it averaged 35+ mpg no matter what driving style.  You could also score a Mini for slightly but it will have lots of miles and you have the dreaded transmission problems unless it was already replaced.
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: redxblack on December 18, 2010, 06:46:04 AM
You might be able to get an older, fairly loaded Camry for around that much.
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: Billyzoom on December 18, 2010, 08:09:10 AM
My wife has a 2004 Sentra and it has been just fine, but it doesn't get the mileage I suspect you'd want.  It's in the 25-28 mpg range.  If you get a great deal I'd snap one up, but I think there are better choices out there.  Personally I'd shoot for the Civic first, then maybe the Mazda and a corolla.  To me the corolla is just lacking any character, but it's like a refrigerator..does what it's supposed to and does it well.

I would second, third, and fourth the no Volkswagen note.
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: Howie on December 18, 2010, 08:25:41 AM
$6000 used car?  Condition and history is more important than brand. 
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: Drunken Monkey on December 18, 2010, 10:57:57 AM
A Major Consumer Magazine lists these cars under 4K as Most Reliable
Acura Integra '00
Chevrolet Prizm '00-02
Ford F-150 (V8, 2WD) '00
Honda Civic '00
Hyundai Accent '04
Mitsubishi Galant '00
Subaru Impreza sedan '00
Toyota Corolla '00-01; Echo '00-02

And these cars under 6K
Acura CL '01; Integra '01; RL '00; TL '00
Buick Century '04; Regal '03
Hyundai Sonata (V6) '03-05
Infiniti G20 '00, '02; I30 '00
Lincoln Continental '01-02
Mazda B-Series (2WD) '00-01; Protegé '02
Mercury Grand Marquis '00-02; Sable sedan '04
Mitsubishi Lancer '02-03
Nissan Frontier (2WD) '00; Xterra '02
Pontiac Vibe '03
Subaru Impreza wagon '03
Toyota Avalon '00; Camry '00-01; Camry Solara '00-02; Celica '00; Corolla '02; Echo '03-05; Prius '01-02; Sienna '00-01
Volkswagen Jetta TDI '01

As for cars to avoid, the list is too long, but I'll note that the Japanese barely had any models on the AVOID list:
Toyota Tacoma (4-cyl.) '09; Tundra (V8, 4WD) '09*
Honda Passport '01-02
Acura: No models made the list.
Mazda B-Series (4WD) '05, '08; CX-7 '07; MPV '02; RX-8 '04-05; Tribute (V6) '09; Mazdaspeed3 '07; 5 '06
Lexus GS (AWD) '07-08; GX470 '08
Isuzu Rodeo '01-02
Nissan Armada '04-06, '08; Frontier (4WD) '05; Pathfinder '05, '08; Quest '04-08; Titan (2WD) '08; Titan (4WD) '04-06; Versa Sedan '08; Xterra '05

Quote from: howie on December 18, 2010, 08:25:41 AM
$6000 used car?  Condition and history is more important than brand. 

I disagree. The worlds most pampered Kia Sedona is still going to be a POS  [puke]



Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: Drunken Monkey on December 18, 2010, 11:01:08 AM
BTW: If you're going to spend 6K on a car, consider spending the $19 on a subscription to consumer reports.

They're non-profit and they give the best, most scientific reviews of everything. Even if they are safety weenies (but hey, that's their job)

Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: cokey on December 18, 2010, 11:11:26 AM
damn and I was thinking of getting an Armada too..
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: Howie on December 18, 2010, 03:32:37 PM
Quote from: Drunken Monkey on December 18, 2010, 10:57:57 AM

I disagree. The worlds most pampered Kia Sedona is still going to be a POS  [puke]





OK, you got me with that one :P
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: RAT900 on December 19, 2010, 05:21:57 AM
Quote from: cokey on December 18, 2010, 11:11:26 AM
damn and I was thinking of getting an Armada too..

The name Armada calls to mind the massive naval defeat suffered by Spain in 1588
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: cokey on December 19, 2010, 09:59:47 AM
Hey I'm part Spaniard..
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: lethe on December 19, 2010, 10:03:25 AM
Quote from: cokey on December 19, 2010, 09:59:47 AM
Hey I'm part Spaniard..
ha ha, you lost  [cheeky]
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: cokey on December 19, 2010, 02:15:00 PM
-_- 
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: The Bacon Junkie on December 19, 2010, 05:10:11 PM
Quote from: lethe on December 19, 2010, 10:03:25 AM
ha ha, you lost  [cheeky]

[laugh]







[bacon]
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: zooom on December 20, 2010, 06:09:09 AM
my questions are these...

-what are your needs? (clearly identify these from your wants-write out 2 lists if you have to for to help deliniate this better)

-what is the main usage or purpose for said vehicle?


-how much of a buffer are you left with after the initial $6K expenditure for repairs ( after all-it is used and therefore the unknown subject as to why someone has decided to part ways with said vehicle intially)

Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: TAftonomos on December 20, 2010, 06:44:36 AM
I picked up a 98' Mercedes E300 turbo diesel for $4500 a few months ago.  Budgeting a few $$$ here and there for new tires, brakes, and some suspension bits for the front end, I'll end up with a pretty decent car for under 6k.

30mpg from a large 4 door that handles OK and is as safe as a tank?  Can't ask for more really.
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: RAT900 on December 20, 2010, 12:05:12 PM
Eschew the Yugo

Here is a list of the 50 ones to be avoided

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1658545_1658533_1658529,00.html (http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1658545_1658533_1658529,00.html)
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: Rameses on December 21, 2010, 01:12:46 PM

C'mon people, let's be realistic.

This seems more "fitting".

And waaaay under 6 thousand.

















(http://littletikescar.co.uk/res/img/cozy_coupe_3_white.jpg)


;D



(Those tires're also nail resistant.  [thumbsup] )


Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: El Matador on December 21, 2010, 02:12:29 PM
Quote from: lethe on December 19, 2010, 10:03:25 AM
ha ha, you lost  [cheeky]

As someone who is currently writing this at a bar in madrid, drinking 1 euro beers and enjoying free tapas, while looking at the senoritas, I beg to differ.

We may have lost the battle but you lost the war :)
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: Speedbag on December 21, 2010, 07:20:57 PM
Quote from: Rameses on December 21, 2010, 01:12:46 PM
C'mon people, let's be realistic.

This seems more "fitting".

And waaaay under 6 thousand.

















(http://littletikescar.co.uk/res/img/cozy_coupe_3_white.jpg)


;D



(Those tires're also nail resistant.  [thumbsup] )




AND he'll fit in it.
Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: IZ on December 21, 2010, 08:10:57 PM
 [cheeky]


Funny.  However, the car isn't for me.  It's for my wife's retarded friend who bought a POS, no-name-brand scooter.  He's had it less than a year and in that time, it's been in the shop numerous times!  He asked me to help him find a scooter and then he went without me to buy one.  He didn't any research whatsoever and bought the damn thing off the internet.   He even bought the extended warranty for $500.  It amounts to nothing!  That was the first vehicle he's ever purchased.  We thought we finally had him talked into buying a car now but he's going to have the engine rebuilt on the scooter..for $1000!   He bought the thing for $1500.  WTH?!

Title: Re: Good, used cars under 6K
Post by: Rameses on December 21, 2010, 08:54:23 PM


He should feel right at home in the car that I posted.