Want reliable car, budget: 7k USD - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Glava · 11-11-2004, 06:22 PM

Yep, it's another one of thoe "which car do I buy" threads, but every situation is different.

With a budget of $7,000 US, I would like to buy a reliable used sedan, preferably of Japanese extraction (though not necessarily built there). Any recommendations? Am I wrong by excluding American and Korean brands?

shakran · 11-11-2004, 06:56 PM

if you like japanese cars, then buy a japanese car. For your price range, be looking at Legends, Accords, Maximas, J30's, Camrys, and Lexuses (Lexi?).

Whatever you do, get a carfax account. $25 for a month of looking up vins. When I bought a car 2 years ago it saved my ass - -the first 6 I looked at had salvage titles that had been laundered.

yakimushi · 11-11-2004, 08:25 PM

I'm a bit biased but I'd say a 2002 or better Focus. The sedans are inexpensive and if they do break parts are real cheap since there are so many of them on the road.

Don't let anyone BS you about the Focus having rediculous amounts of problems. Those were limited to the 2000 and 2001 models (which you should not even consider buying). Stick to 2002 and newer and a Focus will be a very dependable car.

Rodney · 11-11-2004, 08:35 PM

Even a good car can have a lemon year. Maybe it was bad for the first two years, then good. Or, maybe it was good and one year all the transmissions went bad, and then the year after that was good again.

So, once you decide what car you want, use whatever resources you can -- Consumer Reports Car Issue is a good one, and there are probably online resources that somebody can talk about -- to find out if they've had any bad years. Then avoid "good deals" on cars from those years.

powerclown · 11-11-2004, 09:12 PM

Think Honda.

MSD · 11-11-2004, 09:58 PM

It's not a good idea to exclude American cars just because they're American. There are plenty of good cars coming out of our manufacturers, and with the exception of Honda, most Japanese and European cars have just as many problems. It's no longer the early 80's, let's give the old stereotype a rest.

skibum · 11-11-2004, 09:58 PM

Think Maxima. Decent power, dream to drive, reliable, built well. Love mine.

LeviticusMky · 11-13-2004, 09:33 PM

I've been looking into the same type of situation for my fiance, we're looking at about 8k in budget, and thus far the best thing that we can come up with is the Saab 9-3.

Great car, very reliable, plus it's a bit kooky and fun. Also sporty. Comes in two-door manual, for MPG consderations.

I've owned two Saabs, a 9000 aero and an old 900 and they have both been great cars. Not all euro cars are overpriced and underwarrantied. The one we're aiming at is a 1999 Saab 9-3 Two-door, for $7599.

11-11-2004, 06:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Glava Betitled	Want reliable car, budget: 7k USD Yep, it's another one of thoe "which car do I buy" threads, but every situation is different. With a budget of $7,000 US, I would like to buy a reliable used sedan, preferably of Japanese extraction (though not necessarily built there). Any recommendations? Am I wrong by excluding American and Korean brands?

11-11-2004, 06:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	if you like japanese cars, then buy a japanese car. For your price range, be looking at Legends, Accords, Maximas, J30's, Camrys, and Lexuses (Lexi?). Whatever you do, get a carfax account. $25 for a month of looking up vins. When I bought a car 2 years ago it saved my ass - -the first 6 I looked at had salvage titles that had been laundered.

11-11-2004, 08:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
yakimushi Addict	I'm a bit biased but I'd say a 2002 or better Focus. The sedans are inexpensive and if they do break parts are real cheap since there are so many of them on the road. Don't let anyone BS you about the Focus having rediculous amounts of problems. Those were limited to the 2000 and 2001 models (which you should not even consider buying). Stick to 2002 and newer and a Focus will be a very dependable car.

11-11-2004, 08:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	Even a good car can have a lemon year. Maybe it was bad for the first two years, then good. Or, maybe it was good and one year all the transmissions went bad, and then the year after that was good again. So, once you decide what car you want, use whatever resources you can -- Consumer Reports Car Issue is a good one, and there are probably online resources that somebody can talk about -- to find out if they've had any bad years. Then avoid "good deals" on cars from those years.

11-11-2004, 09:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
powerclown Junkie Location: Detroit, MI	Think Honda.

11-11-2004, 09:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	It's not a good idea to exclude American cars just because they're American. There are plenty of good cars coming out of our manufacturers, and with the exception of Honda, most Japanese and European cars have just as many problems. It's no longer the early 80's, let's give the old stereotype a rest.

11-11-2004, 09:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
skibum Crazy Location: Colorado	Think Maxima. Decent power, dream to drive, reliable, built well. Love mine.

11-13-2004, 09:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
LeviticusMky Crazy Location: Minnesota	I've been looking into the same type of situation for my fiance, we're looking at about 8k in budget, and thus far the best thing that we can come up with is the Saab 9-3. Great car, very reliable, plus it's a bit kooky and fun. Also sporty. Comes in two-door manual, for MPG consderations. I've owned two Saabs, a 9000 aero and an old 900 and they have both been great cars. Not all euro cars are overpriced and underwarrantied. The one we're aiming at is a 1999 Saab 9-3 Two-door, for $7599.