any recommendations for a car good on gas mileage and preferably newer than 2000.
I was thinking Sentra, Mazda 3, Corolla, Scion, etc.
Suggestions
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.
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.
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.
You might be able to get an older, fairly loaded Camry for around that much.
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.
$6000 used car? Condition and history is more important than brand.
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]
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)
damn and I was thinking of getting an Armada too..
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
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
Hey I'm part Spaniard..
-_-
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)
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.
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)
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] )
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 :)
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.
[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?!
He should feel right at home in the car that I posted.