Which Car For $10,000 ???

Dave N · 09-16-05, 09:30

A few posts down you can read where I was looking for a super-cheap car to drive to work, because my truck is just getting too expensive to feed with gas. I came to the conclusion that buying a <$2000 car probably wouldn't get me much, and it would take too long to realize any savings from the saved gas money.

So, I am considering selling my truck and buying a $10,000 (more or less) economical car. If I did this I would no longer have an auto loan payment to make, and I would be saving around $100 per month in gas to boot. Here are my requirements:

1. At least 30 mpg on the highway
2. I don't want a "geek" car

(a la Matrix, etc.)
3. $10,000 (may go a couple $G higer for the "perfect" car)

That leaves quite a bit open, but I'm leaning towards a 02/03 Mazda Protege because they get good reviews and seem to be a better bargain than a Corolla, Civic, etc. A turbo diesel Volkswagon would be nice for the MPG, but they are more expensive and higher miles.

This group seems to have pretty diverse tasts, so tell me what you like and why

Lowejackson · 09-16-05, 09:40

How about an Alfa 164. 4 people can travel in comfort at speed and has one of the best engines ever made

truzoom · 09-16-05, 09:53

If we were only so lucky to get Alfas in the states..a 156 GTA would be in my possession

You can't really go wrong with any of those small econoboxes. Most seem really reliable, good on gas, and affordable. You might want to throw a hyundai or kia into the mix too, as they seem to be building quite a reputation.

ebpcivicsi · 09-16-05, 09:59

IMHO, you can't wrong with the build quality, relaibility, fit and finish, and subsequent resale value of the civic, or any Honda in that price range.

I am of course bias.............

White95Max · 09-16-05, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave N

That leaves quite a bit open, but I'm leaning towards a 02/03 Mazda Protege because they get good reviews and seem to be a better bargain than a Corolla, Civic, etc.

I love my Protege. I believe the EPA rating is 28/34, but I get over 30 with all city driving. I got 39.89mpg once, when I was going 60mph with the cruise on, no A/C, for almost the entire 130-some miles of the trip.
The 02s and 03s all have the 2.0L, regardless of the trim level. You'll make me jealous with a laser blue mica 03 ES!

Dave N · 09-16-05, 10:48

Thanks for all the replies so far!

Quote:

Originally Posted by White95Max

I love my Protege. I believe the EPA rating is 28/34, but I get over 30 with all city driving. I got 39.89mpg once, when I was going 60mph with the cruise on, no A/C, for almost the entire 130-some miles of the trip.
The 02s and 03s all have the 2.0L, regardless of the trim level. You'll make me jealous with a laser blue mica 03 ES!

Yeah, the 2.0 doesn't get quite as good of gas milage, but you get more power. This is one thing I really enjoy about my truck -- you step on the gas and GO!

BTW, in two of my local papers right now:

2003 MAZDA PROTEGE LX, red, almost new, only 2500 miles, automatic, moon roof, 6 CD package, alloy wheels, $12,500

2003 Mazda Protege LX, 4 door, auto, power, CD, keyless, great MPG. Extended warranty. 34K. $9200

I'm still in the thinking stage, and will probably miss out on these two even if I do decide to sell my truck.

4830Deuce · 09-16-05, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebpcivicsi

IMHO, you can't wrong with the build quality, relaibility, fit and finish, and subsequent resale value of the civic, or any Honda in that price range.

I am of course bias.............

I use to have a civic...loved it and would be a great buy...I beat the living SH*t out of it and never had a problem with it...Image if u took care of it! My dad also has a toyota that has 170 g's on the odo and all hes had to do is regular maintenance on it...Im going to be in the market for a new chepo soon and its going to be a honda or a toyota for sure!

drewski59 · 09-16-05, 11:22

I second the used Protege.

Great value and reliability, and it's more fun to drive than a civic or corolla(stock).

Picus · 09-16-05, 11:32

I really like Protege's too, so if you like those I'll forth of fifth that vote.

Otherwise for your requirments I'd quickly narrow down my options to Hondas, Toyotas, or Nissans.

I'm not sure where il Illinios you are but a quick Auto Trader search reveals that you can probably get a 2000 Camry with about 35k miles, a 2001-2002 Altima with 40ish k, or a 2000 Accord LX with 50k for ~$10,000. Of the three I'd personally lean towards the Altima, it's got the most HP and torque, and seems like the best value to me. Of course there are always the civic/corolla/sentra options, but it depends on the guts you like. I just find 115hp is too little for me, but what do I know?

If you really want to get whacky you could look at 2000ish Acura TL's or Infiniti I30's, but the city mileage might suffer.

ebpcivicsi · 09-16-05, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4830Deuce

I use to have a civic...loved it and would be a great buy...I beat the living SH*t out of it and never had a problem with it...Image if u took care of it! My dad also has a toyota that has 170 g's on the odo and all hes had to do is regular maintenance on it...Im going to be in the market for a new chepo soon and its going to be a honda or a toyota for sure!

Hehe, here's my history with Honda:

87 civic 187,000 miles, routine maitenance, for Honda's that = timing belt @90,000 miles, drive belts, water pump, CV boot/axles, plus items that wear out (brake pads etc). Sold her in 96 for $3500.

94 accord 188,000 miles, routine maitenance, sold for $4300 last October.

00 Civic SI, 140,000 mile, routine maitenance, still driving her daily.

awdirtdrifter · 09-16-05, 02:01

My family was always (still is) almost all Honda/Acura. I had a '92 Civic hatchback for 8 years that I beat on every day and it never gave me any problems. And yes, they ARE fun. Go to an autocross and see how well the fifth gen Civics do. Great mileage also.

That said, my wife's first car was a 91 Nissan Sentra. We sold it to her brother a few years ago with almost 300,000 miles on it and she's still running well! Original motor, tranny, clutch, etc. and lots of city (SF) driving. That thing started right up every morning.

Like someone stated earlier, cant' go wrong with Honda, Toyota or Nissan. Probably the same with the Mazda--I just don't have a lot of personal experience with them. I had a WRX too for a while and that was fun and reliable as well, but not the best mileage.

Dave N · 09-16-05, 02:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Picus

I'm not sure where il Illinios you are but a quick Auto Trader search reveals that you can probably get a 2000 Camry with about 35k miles, a 2001-2002 Altima with 40ish k, or a 2000 Accord LX with 50k for ~$10,000. Of the three I'd personally lean towards the Altima, it's got the most HP and torque, and seems like the best value to me. Of course there are always the civic/corolla/sentra options, but it depends on the guts you like. I just find 115hp is too little for me, but what do I know?

I'm kind of thinking the same thing, HP wise. I drove a 5-speed 115 hp Nissan for 5 years, and I had to drive that thing like a race car just to keep up with city traffic. Also the a/c on smaller cars isn't the best, and I do like my a/c. My Silverado has the best a/c out of any car I've owned. I'd hate to give up that comfort. I've been looking on the internet at mid-sized cars, and actually the Oldsmobile Alero seems to get decent customer reviews on Edmunds. It's really cheap used too -- maybe that's a bad thing...