I need cheap & reliable used car, any suggestions?

Question

Alright I need a car for college, my parents can't afford to pay for my expenses, so I only have around 5,000 US dollars to spend on a car. I'm looking for something practical, within my budget, reliable (very important), and good on gas. I don't care about resale value it just needs to fit the above needs.

I'm considering these cars:

Mazda protege: I hear about how great this car is very often.

Honda civic: for 5k i can get a old one, but for 5k i can get a newer protege which is probably more reliable?

Ford Focus: I see these for sale alot, low miles, lightly used for really cheap, but I hear fords are unreliable.

Chevy aveo: I saw one for very cheap with low miles, but I don't know the reputation for it.

I'm open to your suggestions as well, I should probably mention I'm going to be on my own insurance plan and I'm only 19. I got no parental plan to fall back on.

Answer 1

Civics are good cars, but overpriced in the used market because of their popularity and the gas prices. You can get an American car that's 3 years newer for the same price, and will last just as long as the Civic (i.e. a 2000 Escort with 80k miles on it will give you at least 50k more miles, a 97 Civic with 120k miles will give you around 50k more miles).

Plus, they just had an article on Yahoo today that said that the 95 Civic has been the most stolen car in America for the last 4 years straight (and no, they're not the most common car out there either). So when you buy a used Civic, you're getting an overpriced car with a bullseye on it.

The Focus is a good car and you can get it for a good price, but the first couple of years had issues. Stay away from anything older than 2002.

I don't know much about the Aveo, sorry.

Go to the local bookstore and look at the Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide (you don't have to buy it if you want to be cheap). They have lists of the best used cars in different price ranges.

Answer 2

Well u can never go wrong with a civic the protege might be newer but the civic is a all around a better car and the aveo is ok but i think u should get a civic.

Answer 3

I would lean towards the Civic for the obvious reasons already mentioned, but I'll also throw out that the Ford Focus is a very good car - much better than the Escort - fun to drive, and probably more affordable than a Civic.  The Aveo hasn't been around as long, but I haven't heard anything terrible about them.  As far as gas mileage goes, it will be as good or better than a Civic, but it's also the smallest of the cars you listed.

Answer 4

i'm selling my mustang convertible.

e-mail me for details

Answer 5

When it comes to your Price Range compared to the Most Reliable car you can get....Think Honda all the way.

How many Protege's do you see that are 10+ years old or have 200+k Miles on them still running around?....not many!

I still have my 94 EX Accord Coupe that was the First Honda I ever bought and it has 212k Miles and runs great....

You should be able to find a 98-01 Accord or Civic in the price range you want....just make sure you car faxd whatever you look at and get the overall mechanicals checked out before you buy it!

Good Luck!

C.Bond