Whats a good reliable car for a college student like myself

[iamlew]

Got about 5k to put on a car, looking for something with a decent mpg (20+) Still fairly fun to drive, doesn't need to be crazy or anything, more importantly will be fairly reliable. I've always driven beaters and I decided to buy something a bit nicer until im out of college.

 

any suggestions on cars to check out?

[SuperSteve57]

2006 VW Jetta 1.8 turbo.

[MainstreaM]

anything toyota. They may be kinda boring but very dependable.

 

Kane

[ScooterDude92]

what he said get a yoter with a 22re motor and it will go for 400000+

[Killtodie]

anything honda. They may be kinda slow but very dependable.

 

Kane

 

fixed

[Guest]

Stick to Toyota, Nissan, Honda. Personally, I'd go with a '97 up Nissan Maxima, yeah it's V6 but it's still good on gas and hella reliable. The best part is that you can find one in really good shape for 4K and under. My friend just sold his '97 with 166K miles, it was hella clean and the engine was immaculate, no leaks anywhere. Toyota Camry as well, '97-01 model can be found for 5K and under in really good shape.

[BrazilBoy]

I had a 98 200sx SER....That was a very fun and reliable car...Plus it comes stock with a SR20 so it was balzy too..

 

http://www.maverick.to/se-r/ser.jpg

[Fanta]

Honda Civic

Honda Accord

Nissan Sentra ( like Brazil posted )

Nissan Maxima ( they just don't die! )

Toyota Corolla

Toyota Camry

 

Those are honestly the six cars I would recommend and stand behind.

[FijiPhil]

I have a 96 accord 4 cylinder 5 speed. Yeah its slow, but its not so bad, especially with a 5 speed. Good gas mileage, well over 270,000 miles and I beat the snot out of it every day You can prolly scoop one up for under 3k in nice shape.

[Metric-man]

Blue book on first gen Tacomas dropped 3000.00 this year.

If your a student a truck is invaluable, except your friends always want help moving,

it ain't bad for hauling engines to the machinists or picking up parts from the salvage yard,

If you live where there is inclement weather you'll thank yourself.

And to top it off if you have any rust issues with the truck Toyota will buy it back for 1.5% more than you paid for it.

(They extended the rust warranty to 15 years). buy a 2001-2004 possibly a 1999 but no earlier for a Stock truck.

4X4 will cost a little extra, and a 3.4 V6 will give you a little more value and towing capacity.

[Komeuppance]

Blue book on first gen Tacomas dropped 3000.00 this year.

If your a student a truck is invaluable, except your friends always want help moving,

it ain't bad for hauling engines to the machinists or picking up parts from the salvage yard,

If you live where there is inclement weather you'll thank yourself.

And to top it off if you have any rust issues with the truck Toyota will buy it back for 1.5% more than you paid for it.

(They extended the rust warranty to 15 years). buy a 2001-2004 possibly a 1999 but no earlier for a Stock truck.

4X4 will cost a little extra, and a 3.4 V6 will give you a little more value and towing capacity.

 

Gas mileage is terrible on the v6's!! I'm sure the way I drove didn't help.

 

But, you can get a canopy and put a bed back there FTW.

 

-Robert

[Guest]

Gas mileage is terrible on the v6's!! I'm sure the way I drove didn't help.

 

But, you can get a canopy and put a bed back there FTW.

 

-Robert

 

Yes the V6 do give crappy gas mileage, no matter how you drive em. Now the 4 banger gives good gas mileage and as mentioned a snug top and a bed in the back and you're in business!

[jmmy]

240sx, just don't mod the hell out of it

[Metric-man]

Yes the V6 do give crappy gas mileage, no matter how you drive em. Now the 4 banger gives good gas mileage and as mentioned a snug top and a bed in the back and you're in business!

 

I get 25 fwy 20 city in my 99 is that crappy ?

 

Edit: but is is a prerunner not a 4X4

Edited October 4, 2010 by starion_cult

[dmyers151]

Late 90's/early 00's Ford Escort with a 5spd.

 

I drove one all through college in upstate NY, never let me down.

[19cturbo]

Late 90's/early 00's Ford Escort with a 5spd.

 

I drove one all through college in upstate NY, never let me down.

 

 

i had a 93 gt, and that thing was peppppy, i smoked all kinds of cars in it lol.. with great gas milage, until i tore the tranny out. my fault of course..

[Fanta]

I learned on a 94 Escort GT. They just never die!

[iamlew]

Sweet, thanks guys, will check out the nissans and escort gts. I was leaning towards a yota already but wanted to keep options open for sure. I have a winter vehicle, not road legal but the cops up here don't bother you in the snow.

 

I figure I'm transferring a few hundredmiles from my safety nets, a reliable vehicles a good start

[AlexNYC]

Stay away from FOUND ON ROAD DEAD (FORD).

[yzrider]

VW tdi's? I just picked up a '98 tdi cheap and love it so far. 500+ miles to a tank and about 40 to fill from almost bone dry empty.

[Alsandr]

VW tdi's? I just picked up a '98 tdi cheap and love it so far. 500+ miles to a tank and about 40 to fill from almost bone dry empty.

I've been told those are nightmares to work on.

[Turborusty]

Any Escort you find this late in the game is going to be trashed or have 1/2 a million miles. I would automatically discount that as a no-go. In fact, that would fall into your category as a beater.

 

 

Turborusty

[Caliber308]

Honda Accord.

 

CALIBER 308

[Guest]

Honda Accord.

 

CALIBER 308

 

That's good also. But Hondas and CLEAN are very hard to put together, specially at the 5k mark. Around 5K and Honda, all you get is other peoples garbage, salvage title or beat to snot cars or poorly repaired Hondas.

[Caliber308]

That's good also. But Hondas and CLEAN are very hard to put together, specially at the 5k mark. Around 5K and Honda, all you get is other peoples garbage, salvage title or beat to snot cars or poorly repaired Hondas.

 

I bought my wife a Accord hatchback for $5000.00 and it lasted 11 years until the trans died.But you are correct, Five grand for a used Honda doesn't buy you much.

 

CALIBER 308