Good, used cars under 6K

[IZ]

any recommendations for a car good on gas mileage and preferably newer than 2000. 

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

Suggestions

[lethe]

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.

[Le Pirate]

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 

Just incase you were thinking about it.

[muskrat]

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.

[redxblack]

You might be able to get an older, fairly loaded Camry for around that much.

[Billyzoom]

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.

[Howie]

$6000 used car?  Condition and history is more important than brand. 

[Drunken Monkey]

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

$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 

[Drunken Monkey]

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)

[cokey]

damn and I was thinking of getting an Armada too..

[Howie]

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

OK, you got me with that one

[RAT900]

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

[cokey]

Hey I'm part Spaniard..

[lethe]

Hey I'm part Spaniard..

ha ha, you lost 

[cokey]

-_-