Trying to find the perfect car for my girlfriend

[Alienwho]

So my girlfriends parents want to get her a car because the one she drives now is on its last legs. They said they'd buy it for her now and she can pay her back 'when she can'. She's a college student and so they understand it's going to take her years and they're fine with that.

Now, the one who is going to end up paying for this car is me, because we're getting married next summer. So we're looking at cars that are cheap and reliable. I'm thinking the $7500 range bud I'd REALLY like to strike a sweet deal at $6000 or so.

When did hyundai start to clean up there act? I see all sorts of 03 elantra's which seem to be good for around $6000 with 50k with warranty. This seems to be the sweet spot.

Or I can go for older crappier japanese car which theoretically should be more reliable.

Or a newer (04ish) american car like the oldsmobile alero for the same price.

What do you guys think?

 

[overst33r]

With gas prices on the rise, you want a 4cyl. Civic, Corolla, Prizm, Matrix, Vibe are some that come to mind.

 

[jpeyton]

I can get a '99 Accord sedan for $6k where I live.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Ford Focus
Mazda Protege
Can't go wrong with anything from the GM family as it long as it comes with one of there bulletproof 3.8L. Grand Prix, Regal LS, Impalla,
Ford Taurus

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Ford Focus
Mazda Protege
Can't go wrong with anything from the GM family as it long as it comes with one of there bulletproof 3.8L. Grand Prix, Regal LS, Impalla,
Ford Taurus

yeah, college girls love Buick Regals!

actually, the protege is a good suggestion in addition to the above posts.

 

[chucky2]

Stay away from GM's 3.4L, they like to leak coolant into the oil from the factory, meaning GM has no good fix for them.

The GM 3.8L V-6 as mentioned is a very reliable engine, strong too.

I'd try and not get a Ford 3.8L V-6, they enjoy coolant in the oil too it seems. Ford's 3.0L V-6 is a reliable engine, don't know much about their 4 cylinders.

Depending on how much of that $7500/$6000 you already have, it may be better to just finance a new car and make payments on it after putting a good amount down. Graduating college you're going to be off the parents/college dime and onto your own, so when your car drops a tranny/engine and needs to be fixed, it's a whole lot nicer have the manufacturer foot the bill rather than you coming up with $2k.

Chuck

 

[sniperruff]

either the elantra or a 98'-01' altima or newer galant.

 

[PCMarine]

Ford Taurus. The 3.0L engines in them are bulletproof and the rest of the car generally holds up well. They are dirt cheap to buy used, and cheap on insurance as well... probably not the most exciting car, but it's cheap and you can haul a lot of stuff in a larger car like it.

 

[nateholtrop]

I'm recommend and Olds Intrigue. Those cars have the 3.8 and are rock solid. Also, the Taurus is a good recommendation.

 

[ViviTheMage]

got a 97 grand prix for my gf for 1k...been lasting forever!

 

[daveymark]

plenty of money for a 99ish accord or camry

 

[ponyo]

Miata

 

[evident]

1996 toyota camry

 

[bladder23]

old camry/accord

 

[mwmorph]

You could get a 2003 Focus in excellent condition or a 2005 in average condition for that much $$ and focuses have 5 year 100kmile powertrain warrantys.

I dove one for a while since it was a dealership loaner, not quick, but peppy enough, easy to drive, excellent visibility and a good seating position as well as being great on gas and it's got that all important "cuteness" thing women look for.

 

[Colt45]

early-mid 80's MB 300D. Costs something on the order of $5.79, indestructible, reasonably good on gas - er diesel, very safe.

It'll outlast anything else on the road, including brand new hyundai. I've heard of them getting > 2 million miles and still going, with just routine maintenance.



not wicked fast, a little dated, but reliable. Looks better than a lot of new cars imho, though - but I've got taste

 

[Doodoo]

Id go with a camry, accord, or civic. For the most part they're very reliable which is a plus if she's in college. My family has had 3 camry's and I use to have a celica. They all started leaking oil and had the flex pipe rust out around 175k miles though. I like toyota's because they're pretty easy to do maintenance on. Doing oil changes on my sis's accord was a pain in the ass because the oil filter was pretty far back and hard to reach.

I've heard the hyndai's are pretty reliable too...so you might want to take a look at those too.

 

[nwfsnake]

Spend 2K on car, 4K on boob job!

 

[BUTCH1]

Originally posted by: Colt45
early-mid 80's MB 300D. Costs something on the order of $5.79, indestructible, reasonably good on gas - er diesel, very safe.

It'll outlast anything else on the road, including brand new hyundai. I've heard of them getting > 2 million miles and still going, with just routine maintenance.



not wicked fast, a little dated, but reliable. Looks better than a lot of new cars imho, though - but I've got taste

Still, trying to find one in good condition 23yrs old might be a challenge..

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: nateholtrop
I'm recommend and Olds Intrigue. Those cars have the 3.8 and are rock solid. Also, the Taurus is a good recommendation.

iirc, the olds intrigue had the 3.6 'shortstar'

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: chucky2
Stay away from GM's 3.4L, they like to leak coolant into the oil from the factory, meaning GM has no good fix for them.

The GM 3.8L V-6 as mentioned is a very reliable engine, strong too.

I'd try and not get a Ford 3.8L V-6, they enjoy coolant in the oil too it seems. Ford's 3.0L V-6 is a reliable engine, don't know much about their 4 cylinders.

Depending on how much of that $7500/$6000 you already have, it may be better to just finance a new car and make payments on it after putting a good amount down. Graduating college you're going to be off the parents/college dime and onto your own, so when your car drops a tranny/engine and needs to be fixed, it's a whole lot nicer have the manufacturer foot the bill rather than you coming up with $2k.

Chuck

Yeah the 3800 is great, probably the best V6 out there.

The 3100 is another one that isn't so hot...

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: exdeath

Originally posted by: chucky2
Stay away from GM's 3.4L, they like to leak coolant into the oil from the factory, meaning GM has no good fix for them.

The GM 3.8L V-6 as mentioned is a very reliable engine, strong too.

I'd try and not get a Ford 3.8L V-6, they enjoy coolant in the oil too it seems. Ford's 3.0L V-6 is a reliable engine, don't know much about their 4 cylinders.

Depending on how much of that $7500/$6000 you already have, it may be better to just finance a new car and make payments on it after putting a good amount down. Graduating college you're going to be off the parents/college dime and onto your own, so when your car drops a tranny/engine and needs to be fixed, it's a whole lot nicer have the manufacturer foot the bill rather than you coming up with $2k.

Chuck

Yeah the 3800 is great, probably the best V6 out there.

The 3100 is another one that isn't so hot...

IIRC, the 3.1 GM is related to the previous 2.8? Both not so great. I can attest the 3800 is a tank, I just rolled over 200k last weekend with mine Burns maybe 1/2 quart of synthetic every 5k miles. The rest of the car is showing its age, but the motor keeps on going

 

[MovingTarget]

The older version of the 3.1 was a good engine. I had one in a 92 cavalier and that thing was amazing. It just depends on what you put it in. the malibu of the mid to late 90's wasn't very good nor was the corsica. The 3800 is a tank though, possibly one of the most durable engines around. Unfortunately with today's gas prices it gets more and more painful to have a car with one.

I'd suggest a 4cyl. Since she is still in college, an older honda/toyota will be fine, but so would some older gm 4cyls. They can be had for much cheaper than the imports. Once she graduates and gets a decent job you two can afford more. For now, even a metro would do. I hate to recommend a car that small, but with the way gas is going its best to hedge your bet.

 

[Vette73]

Look at the Chevy Cobalt. Good motor, eco-tec, and gets good milage. Resale is low so she could get a pretty nice one and have it last.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Totally OT - but had to check the thread to make sure you weren't calling the girlfriend "Cheap+Reliable".