Best used car to get?

[Ultima]

After some looking around on Edmunds, the following cars don't seem too bad but I don't really know a whole lot about them, perhaps some Anandtechers out there could enlighten me about them or other worthy cars not mentioned here

Which of the following MT 1995-model cars do you feel is the best purchase? Reliability comes first, so does safety (Don't want to die nor do I want to spend thousands in car repairs ). After that is fuel economy and decent performance. I don't really care about backseat passenger room.

In order of price:


Geo Metro__________ $1400 __________ 39/43 // Only added cause of sweet city MPG and low price
Saturn SC1 Coupe____ $2700 __________ 28/40
Dodge Neon Sports 2dr $2700 __________ 29/38
Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 $3000 __________ 25/37
Mazda Protege______ $3100 __________ 31/39
Pontiac Sunfire GT____ $3200 __________ 22/33

BTW if it gets less than 20/32 MPG or it doesn't have MT available then I don't want to hear about it. Ideal price is $3000.

Edit: Dammit, can't add a poll. Oh well...

 

[Z24]

Cavalier Z24 and Sunfire GT are essentially the same car. They're also the fastest in the bunch. I don't know about long-term reliability, but there are tonnes of them out there, so I'm sure parts are easy to come by.

 

[Migroo]

I'm not familiar with most cars you mention, as most arent available in the UK (they are, but probably under a different name).

I have heard good things about the Mazda Protege though.

I have to suggest though, since it seems to be the same type of car - have you considered a Civic? Honest question. Mine has been completely reliable for me.

While parts availability might be a good argument for some cars - the reliable cars dont need replacement parts if you are careful, so take that into consideration too!

 

[Ultima]

<< I'm not familiar with most cars you mention, as most arent available in the UK (they are, but probably under a different name).

I have heard good things about the Mazda Protege though.

I have to suggest though, since it seems to be the same type of car - have you considered a Civic? Honest question. Mine has been completely reliable for me.

While parts availability might be a good argument for some cars - the reliable cars dont need replacement parts if you are careful, so take that into consideration too! >>



Yeah, in fact Civic was my first choice until I saw that the 1995 Civics are a good $4500 or so. A little out of my league you could say...
Sure they have great economy and reliability but I don't think the extra $1500 is worth it for the amount of driving I'd be doing - I may be wrong, of course.

 

[Pepsi90919]

geo metro



but i couldn't imagine being in one of those things going 120km/h down the highway around the corner with a swift wind. that would be scary.

 

[iamwiz82]

Look around for a 98-99 Neon R/T. They run about the same as the Z24, but have stiffer suspension, so its not for those who want to ride easy. I'd say the Protege has the softest suspension of those listed, though.

 

[Ultima]

bump

 

[BooneRebel]

I'd suggest looking around some more. While all of those listed are reliable transportation, there is quite a bit more out there within your price range, 1995 or newer. Here are a handful on Ebay with auctions ending shortly:

1995
95 Infiniti J30t,4dr,Clean,Loaded, No Reserve
95 Isuzu Trooper LS,Auto 4X4,81K Low Miles
1995 Chevrolet : Camaro
1995 Honda : Civic LX

 

[Migroo]

<< Yeah, in fact Civic was my first choice until I saw that the 1995 Civics are a good $4500 or so. A little out of my league you could say...
Sure they have great economy and reliability but I don't think the extra $1500 is worth it for the amount of driving I'd be doing - I may be wrong, of course. >>



Ah, very good point. I wasnt aware of the prices

Have you considered an earlier pre-95 car? The 5th generation is a good model and started in 1992. Sure the cars will be older but with so many about you can find a minter easily - reliability is not a problem. (speaking from experience)

Just a warning, I should say that I'm highly biast (I prefer Japanese cars)...

 

[StageLeft]

I'd buy protegy or Metro. I'm sure the protege is the best built of all, but the metro is extremely cheap and like you said has awesome mileage. Just don't hit somebody on a bike cause you'll end up worse.

 

[Migroo]

LOL Skoorb

Can someone tell me what a Geo Metro is? Not living in the US means I've never seen one. Pics?

Thanks

 

[StageLeft]

To get pics (tiny car) go to www.cars.com and search for used cars. For a zip plug in 90210 and just look under geo metro and u can see pics.

 

[RossMAN]

I'd get either the Dodge Neon or Mazda Protege.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Saturns never rust

 

[andylawcc]

how bout the Nissan Sentra?

and out of your choices, I would go for the Protege...
don't you think the Metro is "just a little bit too small" [to put it nicely] or "its a freaking piece of rotten turd" [to put it harshly]

 

[ConantheBarbarian]

The most USED reliable car in my opinion is 1990+ Honda Accord. I have one and so do several of my friends. Our miles range minimum 100k miles + and still running in mint condition and they look nice to. Never had any problems and still going and if something does happen you can check out fleabay for replacements or hop-ups. You can have yourself one for around $2k-$3k with over or little less then 100K miles. When its time for you to get another car honda accords have excellent resell value just check out fleabay auctions and you'll be surprised at the amount they are being sold for.

 

[Ultima]

I listed the Geo Metro cause it gets wicked gas mileage and is half the price of the other cars. Wonder why they're not around anymore... maybe too many students got blown off the highway? ;p No seriously though you gotta admit they kick ass for the $$$ that you pay.

Anyway, I never bothered to check the Nissans thinking they'd be expensive like the Hondas but turns out I was wrong! Sentra isn't any more expensive than the American cars and gets much better ratings! In fact, it seems to be the best car of the lot.

 

[Ultima]

Checking out Hyundai's now on Edmunds.. damn are they cheap! Any idea why? Same reason the Geo's are cheap?

 

[Ultima]

hmm, edmunds doesn't seem to say much on this but on carpoint the 96 is when they switched models... so thats probably why they were so cheap
Anyway, a 96 Elantra for $2500 doesn't seem so bad. What do you guys think about the Hyundai's? That Nissan Sentra seems like a pretty good deal too.

 

[yos]

Considered a 93-95 Eagle Talon/Eclipse? You can get a Turbo/AWD if great condition for under 4g's... plus the car's engine is rock solid and there are a LOT of people that know a great deal about these cars... check out DSM Trader... That would be my next used car...

-Yos

 

[Ultima]

Hmm, Eagle talon doesn't seem so bad. MPG is a bit low but reliability and ratings seem spot on.
Hmm, DSM trader doesn't work for me

Hey, where do all of these companies go anyway? Eagle doesn't seem to be making new cars, neither does Geo.

 

[spartacuskzm]

I know it's not on your list, but why not finance a brand new KIA (about $9,000) over 5 years. At 0% interest (if they're still offering that), your payment would be about $150 per month. For the $150 not only would you have a new car AND a warranty (very nice), but you'd also be building your credit. Just my $.02 worth.

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2002/kia/rio/4drsedan15l4cyl5m/prices.html

I know absolutely NOTHING about this car, but I didn't know squat about the others either.

Good luck, whatever you do. Just realize that the repair bills on used cars can sometimes make a newer car seem cheap.

 

[QTPie]

Toyota Corolla.

I had an 86 Corolla b4 which was 264K mi when I sold it for $400 (still running great at that time)
Cheap maintainance, too.

 

[cavemanmoron]

get ahold of your insurance person,ask them to give you price comparisons on the diff cars your considering, The Neon,is a very sporty fast car and i think is considered a "sports" car by the insurance companies
edmunds links me to "auctions" i thought it would link to for sale ads....

 

[Mikelh]

Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla

You're going to be forced to spend the extra $1,500 in repairs when you buy the lower end GM, Ford or Dodge vehicles.

Check the repair records!