Recommendations for a first car?

[The Stigenator]

2001 focus

 

[bolido2000]

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
2001 focus

What part of "reliable car" you didn't get?

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Pablo
Mid 90's Jeep Wrangler with a hard top. Its a little primative, but that's what makes it such a great first car. If somebody taps you, no big deal. You hit a curb, no big deal. It snows, no big deal. Plenty of security products out there for it, and it gets decent gas mileage. Plus, resale value is good.

Get the 4.0 with the five speed and it, and it'll be reliable and O so easy to work on.

Just my two cents.

"Good gas mileage"?

What are you comparing it to, the Space Shuttle? 20 mpg freeway != good

 

[imported_earthslash]

I'd have to agree.. accord/civic/corolla are all good choices. I looked at all those when looking at my first car earlier this year. Ended up going with the Accord partly because of the leg room in the drivers seat (I'm sorta tall) and the fact that they are reliable. Corollas are a good choice though... cheaper than Accords and usually last a while. I've driven both a newer and older model and liked them both, just the room thing was my main problem. If you need something with a lot of 'power' though, these cars won't fit what your looking for.

 

[cucumber]

I second the GEO Prizm. I've had a 91' Prizm since96, and it was very reliable. THe only work ever needed was replacing the alternator, then the air condition compressor and water pump had to be replaced about a year ago. (expensive, but understandable for an old car...) . Of course the regular wear and tear stuff too (breakpads, etc...) The only complaint is that the interior plastic parts are crap. They constantly broke. Overall a long lasting car though.

I actually have mine up for sale since I moved to California a couple weeks ago. (The car's in Miami FL. My mom's boyfriend is keeping it for me untill it sells. I picked up and left on fairly short notice) I'm looking for a Camaro or Firebird now. I'm going from reliable econo car to a likely not so reliable sports car. I figure if I'm making this drastic move, I might as well go all the way..... I plan to have some fun before settling down and getting a more practical car.

Also check out Hyundai. I rented an Elantra about a year ago when the Geo was getting repaired and it seemed like a nice car. I realy don't know much about their reliability though, so others here might know more than I do .

 

[BD2003]

So the prizm is totally a corolla underneath?

I've been hearing the same things from my friends...civic, accord or corolla.

Being that its my first car, the absolute primary requirement is reliability. It needs to last me at least 3 years solid. I know the hondas are very popular cars, and I assume that has to add into the price a great deal.

I'd be very interested in buying a rebadged car, assuming it was newer for the same price. I plan on babying it no matter what car it is, but if a hyundai or prizm is a solid car even though its not a popular brand, I'd be interested in that as well. Any other well known rebadges? I figure the newer the better.

Whats the absolute highest miles on the car I should be thinking about buying? The last thing I want to do is have to bring a car in for repairs a week after I buy it....unfortunately I dont have a mechanic friend. How useful is carfax really in determining what the car has been through?

As far as where in LI I'm moving, I'm going to be attending stony brook university (again ), and I'm hoping I can find a good place in port jefferson, or the surrounding area.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Honda CRX.

Good gas mileage, great handling. And Hondas can last forever if you take care of them.

 

[dman]

Are you currently in a relationship of sorts? If not, you'll need to take that into account. I recommend a Miata, because chicks dig'em.



Miata still a good choice if you can find one, but, rwd & conv not so good for winter driving I guess.

 

[kevman]

1995 or 1995 Nissan Maxima. - fast, fun to drive and reliable. mines running like a champe at 145k miles with no majro problems.

 

[geno]

Civic or Corolla, perfect first cars that won't rape you on repairs or insurance

Mid 90's Maximas are good too, check those out

 

[mitaiwan82]

Originally posted by: cucumber
I second the GEO Prizm. I've had a 91' Prizm since96, and it was very reliable. THe only work ever needed was replacing the alternator, then the air condition compressor and water pump had to be replaced about a year ago. (expensive, but understandable for an old car...) . Of course the regular wear and tear stuff too (breakpads, etc...) The only complaint is that the interior plastic parts are crap. They constantly broke. Overall a long lasting car though.

I actually have mine up for sale since I moved to California a couple weeks ago. (The car's in Miami FL. My mom's boyfriend is keeping it for me untill it sells. I picked up and left on fairly short notice) I'm looking for a Camaro or Firebird now. I'm going from reliable econo car to a likely not so reliable sports car. I figure if I'm making this drastic move, I might as well go all the way..... I plan to have some fun before settling down and getting a more practical car.

Also check out Hyundai. I rented an Elantra about a year ago when the Geo was getting repaired and it seemed like a nice car. I realy don't know much about their reliability though, so others here might know more than I do .

Oh Ixnay on the Hyundai...I don't have a personal problem with them really, but my dad hates them with a passion. They have bad crash ratings and I think most people buy them cuz they're extremely cheap and offer a long warranty. IMHO, I rather just spend a little more on a Civic/Corolla for a car that will work well throughout its life.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: BD2003
So the prizm is totally a corolla underneath?

I've been hearing the same things from my friends...civic, accord or corolla.

Being that its my first car, the absolute primary requirement is reliability. It needs to last me at least 3 years solid. I know the hondas are very popular cars, and I assume that has to add into the price a great deal.

I'd be very interested in buying a rebadged car, assuming it was newer for the same price. I plan on babying it no matter what car it is, but if a hyundai or prizm is a solid car even though its not a popular brand, I'd be interested in that as well. Any other well known rebadges? I figure the newer the better.

Whats the absolute highest miles on the car I should be thinking about buying? The last thing I want to do is have to bring a car in for repairs a week after I buy it....unfortunately I dont have a mechanic friend. How useful is carfax really in determining what the car has been through?

Yes, I can actually vouch for the Prizm, having owned a 92 and an 01. We'd still have the 01 if the kids hadn't started getting too big for the back seat. They seem to take a hell of a beating and do well with being under-maintained. The stock stereo is actually pretty decent in them as well. I was shocked.

 

[dman]

Wasn't the Prizm mechanically the same as the corolla, at least in the later years... I seem to remember that. Might explain why it's a decent option, if it hasn't already been mentioned above...

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: dman
Wasn't the Prizm mechanically the same as the corolla, at least in the later years... I seem to remember that. Might explain why it's a decent option, if it hasn't already been mentioned above...

Yes, even my old 1992 Prizm was the same as a Corolla. I think Toyota was even on the engine block or somewhere in the compartment.