Looking for a good used car, recommendations?
 

I'm looking for a good used car for my wife's short commute to work. I would like to hear fellow TFP'ers recommendations. It needs to be under $12,000 and an emphasis on reliability. Any car with "Neon" in the name is out of the question due to bad experience with not one, but two of those. Thanks.

stay japanese.

try a civic, accord, or camry.

What type is she looking for? Something flashy? Something with good MPG? Would you prefer to stay away from all American cars after your experience?
When most people hear "reliability" they think Japanese, but depending on who you ask they may be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. There are a lot of good Euro and American vehicles out there and 12,000 is a pretty reasonable budget that includes tons of possibilities!

If you want reliable, go with a honda. I got an Accord with 120,000 miles and still running strong. A friends got a civic with 200,000 miles and still drives fine. Just make sure the previous owner did basic matainance, then youll be set. If you dont want japanese, then go with a ford focus. I think there reliable, but i never owned one so.....

We need a little more info., I know it's a short commute but I am sure she just doesn't want any ole car. What's her idea of a car? then we can go from there. For the 12k range, you have alot of possibilities. Will this vehicle be solely use for commuting? how about in the weekends? Where do you live? maybe a dual purpose vehicle will make more sense, ie. a truck or a wagon if you have pets or kids. Fill us in on some more info. Hell, how about a motorcycle!

She currently drives a 1998 Plymouth Neon SOHC w/auto trans. We have replaced the head gasket once and recently noticed drops of oil under it again. This is about a $700.00 repair around here (southern Indiana) if you can find a mechanic willing to work on a Neon. So, with 84K mi. on the car we are thinking trade instead of repair again. Her commute is only about 15 mi. per day roundtrip and it does double as the family car. She's thinking Grand AM/Alero or Sunfire but would consider anything that isn't a Neon.

I've learned my lesson from my first two cars: when buying used, stay far away from american cars. Honda and Toyota are just way more reliable for much longer, plain and simple.

New however, you'd probably see equal reliability with japanese, euro, and american cars, for the first few years at least.

I would stay away from the grand am's or alero's.....i've done way too many v6 intake gaskets...sunfire...eh....Good reliable used car...97-03 pontiac grand prix gtp....lots of power..decent mpg...plus for short trips gas mileage wouldn't be that bad...

You know, I've never found American cars to be a problem. Every car that I've bought has either been German or American. I absolutely love Grand Marquis and TownCars.

I'd say look for a mid-to-late-90s Mercury Grand Marquis. Most likely, they've been taken care of, and there's not anything too complicated that can go wrong. That being said, I'd suggest (as with any used car) to get at least a one year full-parts warranty. It'll save your ass, I promise.

We will seriously consider your recommendations and look at a japanese late model. Thanks for the comment on the Sunfire, my wife likes the look of those, so we may visit the local dealers used lot. ...Thanks to all who replied; your help has been much appreciated.

I think you could get a Toyota Echo.

40 MPG
A very suprising amount of room.
Very Reliable.
Nice ride.
Great, cheap car, for around 10k.

I highly recommend them for a commute car. My girlfriend has one, and loves it. It might be bloopy, but its still a great commute/city car!

Honda, Honda and Honda.

Oh, yeah, did I mention Honda?

late model geo prizm (chevy badged corolla)

the 3.8 powered W-body gm's (impala, monte carlo, regal, century, grand prix, etc) are a safe bet as well.

$ 12,000 ? you should be able to find a nice ride for her. just bought a 95 nissan 240 sx for the youngest daughter its a standard.black all the optioms 3,500.00 ac dual sunroof 49,000 miles.super clean and all original.

I have the perfect car for you! $12,000usd takes it.

Perfect for a short commute! (not the best on gas with a 400)

http://204ballers.com/d204cc/members...randville1.jpg

More images at http://204ballers.com/d204cc/members/dave/dave.htm

It is for sale, but probably not what you're looking for! :cool:

Toyota's been extremely reliable for me. I got mine for $3000 at a used Toyota shop here. They last forever as long as you take care of them.