Used Car Suggestions <=$10,000

rjstaaf · 09-30-06, 09:10

Hey guys,

The wife and I are trying to help our oldest daughter get a reliable car with a budget of $10,000. Although I am typically a domestic guy, I believe the imports are going to be more reliable at that price level. Here are the general requirements..

1. 4cyl for fuel mileage and the fact that a 4cyl model is generally cheaper.
2. Must be 4 doors.
3. Should be at least a 2004 model.
4. Automatic transmission.

We are trying to stay away from the small sub-compacts as we want something more substantial for her, something close to Accord size. So far we have been looking at the Hyundai Elantra, Kia Optima and the Saturn Ion.

We would appreciate any comments on these models or suggestions of others to look at. By the way, our daughter lives in Upstate, NY so suggestions on where to look would also be helpful.

EDIT

I posted this later in the thread but, thought I would update this post for those that may not want to read the entire thread.

We are strongly leaning towards the Saturn Ion. The Ion fits all of our criteria and we have had good luck with Saturn in the past. Here are a couple of examples we are looking at. Click on the images to go to the Autotrader ad.

Let me know what you all think??

Thanks

Joshua312 · 09-30-06, 09:16

You could try autotrader.com

They have a new search function now where you don't have to type in the make and model and just search by body style. I did a quick search and came up with these cars

For what it's worth my 99 Grand Prix has 138,000 miles on it, had it for the last 40,000 miles and have had nothing wrong with it..The 3800 Series III engines are built like buillits.

CroMag · 09-30-06, 10:10

If you haven't already done so, check out Edmunds.com. They have great data on used cars.

FWIW, I would give serious consideration to a Mazda 3. It will come in pretty close to your price range and they are very good cars.

Slinky · 09-30-06, 11:25

2003+ Ford Focus ZX5

I have a ZX3 and have had 0 problems.

...Maybe i'm biased though. Research!

qballjr13 · 09-30-06, 11:30

Take a look around, if you can find any dealers that actually have civics or corollas you might actually be able to buy a new one (obviously very basic) for around the $10K your looking for.

themightytimmah · 09-30-06, 12:21

The Mazda3 is a good pick, a friend of mine has one and it's a peppy little car, good looking too. Another friend of mine bought a Lancer, it's something you might want to look into. The Mazda3 is miles ahead of it IMHO, but also a bit more money.

SpoiledMan · 09-30-06, 01:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by qballjr13

Take a look around, if you can find any dealers that actually have civics or corollas you might actually be able to buy a new one (obviously very basic) for around the $10K your looking for.

Not going to happen for a new one unless it's damaged.

BoxsterCharlie · 09-30-06, 06:33

Based on roughly 15% depreciation per year which I always use as a guideline, you'd be looking at a car that was originally $15K or so in 2004. My picks in that range would either be a Civic or a Mazda 6.

Alternately, I have a friend who loves negotiation. He loves nothing more than to go into a GM dealer and get a 2-year old car for less than 50% of its original selling price. He picked up a mint Oldsmobile for his daily driver once that basically looked brand new. My jaw dropped when he told me got it for $7,800. So never underestimate the power of the underdog!

RTexasF · 09-30-06, 06:57

Unless you consider some domestics or get a bit more flexible as to the year model I feel that your choice is limited to those you posted initially. Any '04 Toyota or Honda will sell for much higher regardless of model. As suggested, Mazda is a possible but relax your guidelines a tad so as to have more choices.

paul79uf · 09-30-06, 08:21

www.cars.com and www.carmax.com are two other good sites to search

10k might be a stretch for an import 2004/newer.... you could always get a domestic and get an extended warranty

Grimm · 09-30-06, 08:46

I always suggest people look at V6 cars. Don't bother with a four banger. All you have to do is look around at the older cars on the road. 90% of them are V6's or V8's. 4 cylinders just don't last typically. A V6 doesn't get that much worse gas mileage, yet will probably last at least a couple years longer.

martinager · 09-30-06, 09:09

The mazda3 comes to mind as well. You might be able to get the price down as Ford Co is desperate for sales, and now is the time to deal with american auto makers.

THe Mazda3
Toyota Camry
Honda Civic
Toyota Carolla
VW Jetta!!!!!!!!!! // These are super reliable, And the newer models are going for cheep. VW has a somewhat cult following, and when new models come in, older ones get put up for sale. Seriously check out some VW deals.

If you dont mind looking at a 6. Remember, 6's when driven properly [granny style] are very efficient city drivers. Most notably because of their low end grunt they give, and they have an oh **** mechanism that can get you out of the way from time to time.

Is there any reason it has to be a 2004+ ?

If you will give it a chance, look at

Mazda6
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Altima
VW Jetta VR6
VW Passat

My first choice would be to look at the VW's. Very nice cars, and you can steal them for the prices people let them go for. You have the choice between the 1.8 turbo, turbo diesel [very nice on gas] and the VR6 V6 engines.