Good used car recommendations

[Mizzike]

I am searching for a used car. No more than $4000. Just a reliable fuel efficient sedan/coupe, that, with good regular care, will survive for at least another 3-4 years. I have found a few seemingly decent ones in my area, but I am having trouble singling it down. I am not much of a car expert. Any recommendations, as to what cars are known to be dependable even at high mileage?

[One-Way]

Re: Good used car recommendations

With my experience in working with cars, you cannot go wrong with a Honda Civic or a Toyota Camry/Corolla.

For what you need, it will definitely last and if it needs any repairs/tune-ups, they won't be costly.

[Mizzike]

Re: Good used car recommendations

Thanks. As of now, my dad is trying to make me go look at a 99 Camry.......with 220,000 miles on it O_O. I mean, I know Hondas and Toyotas tend to last long, but that seems like a bit...much.

At the moment, I'm looking at a 2000 Hyundai Elantra, seems to have a pretty good history, good features (a/c, cruise control, power locks, steering, and windows, bucket seats, driver/passenger airbags, antilock brakes, CD player) , 103,000 miles (80,000 on the engine), 4 cyl. - good gas mileage, lots of work done though - new water pump, thermostat, radiator, alternator, ignition coil, spark plugs and wires, crank sensor, fuel filter and others. I just wonder overall if Hyundais are known to last as well as their Asian counterparts. :?

[Sip]

Re: Good used car recommendations

One-way is wise beyond his years

What are the options you are considering? Sometimes with used cars it is also a matter of luck and what you can find. Certain brands are definitely better but that doesn't mean you should only consider brand. You need a trained eye to look the car over and not just at how clean the paint is ... have to get under it, drive it, look at the engine and various fluids carefully etc.

[Sip]

Re: Good used car recommendations

Ok you posted as I was typing ... 220,000 miles is a lot. It may live for a while but also it may not. That one will be a gamble. If it is manual transmission, it may last quite a while but if it's an automatic, the transmission may go at any time (if it hasn't been rebuilt).

As far as "Asian", you can't classify Hyundai in the same category as Toyota ... the korean cars are decent when new, they are also getting better. But I personally wouldn't buy one with that many miles (over 100,000). It's hard to say without looking at the cars since this one sounds like has had a rebuilt engine ... but still, I'd steer away from the Korean ones that are that old.

[Azad]

Re: Good used car recommendations

Thanks. As of now, my dad is trying to make me go look at a 99 Camry.......with 220,000 miles on it O_O. I mean, I know Hondas and Toyotas tend to last long, but that seems like a bit...much.

At the moment, I'm looking at a 2000 Hyundai Elantra

Toyota Camry is your best choice but 220.000 is pushing it. Stay away from the Hyundai. They have a good warranty but the cars are not reliable. You next choice should be a Civic or Tercel.

[Mizzike]

Re: Good used car recommendations

Ok you posted as I was typing ... 220,000 miles is a lot. It may live for a while but also it may not. That one will be a gamble. If it is manual transmission, it may last quite a while but if it's an automatic, the transmission may go at any time (if it hasn't been rebuilt).

Yeah I was thinking this. I never thought seriously about considering it, my dad for some reason is pushing for it. :\

As far as "Asian", you can't classify Hyundai in the same category as Toyota ... the korean cars are decent when new, they are also getting better. But I personally wouldn't buy one with that many miles (over 100,000). It's hard to say without looking at the cars since this one sounds like has had a rebuilt engine ... but still, I'd steer away from the Korean ones that are that old.

Yeah that's what I meant - I didn't know if Korean cars tended to last better or worse compared to Japanese ones.

[One-Way]

Re: Good used car recommendations

Everything that I needed to say has been said.

In the range of miles you are looking for, making sure you find out what has been done with the car. If it's had a lot of work done, that's probably good considering the major tune-up that was needed has been taken care of.

It would also be wise to have a mechanic you are familiar with to take a look at the car for you. My uncle owns a shop so if I ever needed a car, I'd have them inspect it and make sure it's running good.

[Mizzike]

Re: Good used car recommendations

Thanks for the tips.

With the elantra and the Camry out of the way, what would you say about a 98 Nissan Sentra with 119,000 miles? I don't have access to the history report yet but according to the basics would you say its something to stay interested in?

[Sip]

Re: Good used car recommendations

My friend had an old nissan sentra (stick shift) that he would rape on a daily basis ... that thing had nearly 200,000 miles (I think) and it still never missed a beat. For the price range, if you want some order of preferred brands, I would say probably Toyota, honda, nissan, and mazda (the smaller ones like 3) are good choices.

There is also carfax that might give you valuable information. Sometimes you can find someone that has an account that can run the VIN# for you and get you the info. If you are on any car forums, you can ask to see if anyone has an active carfax account that can check for you so you don't have to pay.

Again with automatics, after 100,000 miles it is a gamble. Many last a long time but you never know. Stick shift is much more predictable since if it's running good, most likely it's ok. A lot of people never bother to service automatic transmissions so if the seller has service records, that is definitely a plus. Other thing you should watch for is timing belt ... on some cars it's 60,000 miles, on others it's every 100,000 miles when it should be changed. If it hasn't been changed, it's another cost you have to factor in which could be a few hundred dollars with labor ... otherwise, that can leave you stranded somewhere possibly with a big repair bill.