best reliable car under 10k

[noobienoob]

I'm looking around for a car to drive 60 km to and from work each day, making 120 km a day. Hopefully, for under 10 k before taxes, the car will be a reliable commuter, logging in about 80 000 kms over the next two years, won't give me any problems aside from regular maintenance, and preferably cheap to maintain.

Any suggestions as to what cars I should be looking at and how much mileage, those cars should have logged in? Is this even possible?

Quick list:
- around or under 10 k before taxes
- reliable commuter, cheap and quick to maintain
- logging in 80 000 km over the next two years, doesn't matter if it breaks down afterwards
- automatic transmission

- good on gas, a bonus

Should domestic cars be even considered? Thanks

[andrewenterprise]

I'm going to say Jetta TDI, this is from personal experience.

Look for one thats been mainly highway driven, and make sure it has been taken care of (i.e. service records). Not only will it be better off, but it'll more than likely be cheaper to buy because of the fact that its got higher km. Also they're really good on gas too (when they say get 1000km/tank, its true, because i've gotten over 1200). Most of them in the $8000 range will have prolly over 200k, but don't let this scare you off, because if it was taken care of it would go another 200+. I've got over 385,000km on my 1997 Jetta TDI, and I've had absolutely no problems with it since I took possession.

I would personally steer clear of anything domestic, as especially in that price range they do not exactly have the cleanest track record. Other cars to consider would be Honda, and Toyota.

[Jon Lai]

I wouldn't consider a used domestic if I were you. Poor reliability in the long run and high maintenance costs. Or for that matter, any non-Japanese car too. For an old car like this (worth $10K only), you're going to want to pay as little maintenance costs as possible for the long run. Sure, with this money you could pick up a Benz, but it'll cost you a few grand just to put it back on the road.

Personally, I would say that sounds like a 01'-02' Corolla to me, with around 100-120K kilos. Toyotas are cheap to maintain (the regular oil check and perhaps the wear and tear parts). Corollas are also low in the insurance field, and subcompact cars always have better oil efficiencies. Regarding mileage, Corollas can easily go up to 300K no problem. With $10K, don't expect any used car under 100K kilos.

Any other thoughts/agreeing with me?

[BartBandy]

~00 or 01 Civic/EL. The 96-00 generation, if maintained, seem to hold up really well. The 01-05 models don't appear to be any worse. They all get great mileage.

[evolution921]

Corollas are also low in the insurance field

Not necessary, afaik, insurance for Corolla is about the same as Civic, I got quotes from various insurance companies within $50/yr of each other. Matrix was a few hundred $ cheaper than Corolla. Camry and Accord on the other hand are cheaper on insurance compare to Civic & Corolla but more than Matrix.

For that price range, my vote goes to Civic, Corolla or Echo. Can't go wrong with any of them.

[JohnB]

I wouldn't consider a used domestic if I were you. Poor reliability in the long run and high maintenance costs. Or for that matter, any non-Japanese car too. For an old car like this (worth $10K only), you're going to want to pay as little maintenance costs as possible for the long run. Sure, with this money you could pick up a Benz, but it'll cost you a few grand just to put it back on the road.

Personally, I would say that sounds like a 01'-02' Corolla to me, with around 100-120K kilos. Toyotas are cheap to maintain (the regular oil check and perhaps the wear and tear parts). Corollas are also low in the insurance field, and subcompact cars always have better oil efficiencies. Regarding mileage, Corollas can easily go up to 300K no problem. With $10K, don't expect any used car under 100K kilos.

Any other thoughts/agreeing with me?

I agree, get the nicest Civic or Corolla you can find for $10,000...it should serve without major repair and will still have relatively high resale value whenever you decide to sell it...

If you look around its possible to find off-lease Civic DX (2003 models) 5sp no options for under this price, around 80-90,000km, or w/ auto and air with higher mileage...

Then you could flip it in 4 more years with 200k km for around $4-5,000 for a quick sale...

[VivienM]

Corollas are also low in the insurance field

Corollas are low compared to OTHER ECONOBOXES.

Try comparing them with a Chevy Impala instead.

[VivienM]

Should domestic cars be even considered?

(Disclaimer: I'm the resident domestic... well... GM fanboy. And yes, fanboy, not fangirl, just in case people are confused about my gender again.)

Depends what size of car you're looking at! If you want an econobox (i.e. Civic, Corolla, Cobalt), go Honda/Toyota, end of story. Domestic automakers can't make an econobox that's any good. Never have and probably never will.

Now, if you're looking at bigger, like my usual GM W bodies that I suggest to everybody, you can probably pick up a 2002 or 2003 owned by some grandfather for $10K with about... 60-80K kms? You may have your intake manifold gasket fail (on the 3100/3400s), which is a bit of a problem ($1000 to fix?), but aside from that... they should be solid, especially if you get one with fewer gizmos.

Also, consider the insurance question. If you're male, under 25, and in the GTA, the difference in insurance rates could easily be $1000-1500/year.

[VivienM]

If you look around its possible to find off-lease Civic DX (2003 models) 5sp no options for under this price, around 80-90,000km, or w/ auto and air with higher mileage...

Maybe I'm just a dumb domestic fanboy, but for that price, I'd rather get a nice big domestic with a V6, automatic, air conditioning, lower insurance rates, timing chain (:)) with the same year/mileage and take my chances on the reliability.

$10K, if not more, for an absolute stripper Civic manual just seems crazily expensive.

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

Good god, is GM ever going to do a recall or something to fix that intake manifold thing?

Anyway, other than GM you could also look into Ford Panthers (Crown Vic, Grand Marquis). Very reliable(get a barebones model and there's nothing really to break), body on frame so you can ram a dozen Hondas and still drive away, comfortable, RWD, lots of room and fairly good mileage. If you need to fix something parts are dirt cheap. Just make sure you get one that either doesn't have or has fixed the nylon intake manifold issue. Can't beat 280 ft lbs of torque, and you can always upgrade aftermarket.....

[m4gician]

a volvo from 2002 onwards....

volvos are bricks (in a good way) and have a lot of thought put into their safety design as well as functionality.

[VivienM]

Good god, is GM ever going to do a recall or something to fix that intake manifold thing?

There's a recall on a "similar" (I'm no mechanic, so they're probably actually quite different) problem with the 1996-2003 3800 Series II and the UIMs.

But I think it's fairly clear that GM management has decided there will not be a recall for the intake manifold gasket issues on the 3100/3400. Apparently if it fails under 100K, and if you're the original owner, and they're in a good mood, they'll pay for part/all of the repairs. But outside of that, you're SOL... (hopefully you caught the problem before your engine hydrolocks)

A mistake, IMO. But hey, GM management is known for their shortsightedness...

[JohnB]

Maybe I'm just a dumb domestic fanboy, but for that price, I'd rather get a nice big domestic with a V6, automatic, air conditioning, lower insurance rates, timing chain (:)) with the same year/mileage and take my chances on the reliability.

$10K, if not more, for an absolute stripper Civic manual just seems crazily expensive.

Youre not a dumb fanboy, I agree with you 100% actually... :) But for other people on a budget I usually recommend Japanese, its generally safer to get a little Civic...less potential problems...cheap small little parts, cheap tires, reliable, resale stays high, etc...

OP wants to travel 40,000km per year so gas may be a factor, but its a trade-off for ride quality, comfort, and v6 power...

Myself Id either get a Maxima /premium fuel, LeSabre, Impala, something nice and big...even a v8 Crown Vic Id like to get :) But thats just me, many people dont like domestics...but for cheap and reliable, a-b commuter box the civics are popular and a safe bet too...

[woodstock827]

Nothing beats Honda and Toyota on both reliability AND resale value.
The only rant I have with my '97 Acura 1.6EL (200k now) is that the plastic parts are starting to age and break (CV joints, Stabilizer joints, and I broke my hood latch handle.. -_-"). Not sure if other cars have the same problem, but they are all minor fixes. So look for something like 6-7yrs old and the aging plastic/rubber problem prob wouldn't affect you. Other than that, the car runs great with GREAT mileage, averaging 9L/100km 50%city/hwy and AC on half the time...

btw.. I also drive 120km everyday now... :cheesygri

[chrome_dout]

I was going to recommend an 02-04 1.7EL, the price range will vary depending on the km though. I'd stay away from the 01 EL as that was the new redesign and had a few recalls.

[gherikill]

I've got a 2003 Impala LS. I average 30 MPG hwy and log about 45,000 km per year. Nothing has broken just regular maintenance.

Plus if you are going to be in a car for 40K per year you will want to be in something comfortable.

Unless you are small in stature, most Japanese cars will not be comfortable - they are made for tiny men.


As a side note, It is nice to know that not only men like large cars - Vivien sounds like the perfect women. I always agree with her sentiments.:lol:

[SkiD]

Nothing beats Honda and Toyota on both reliability AND resale value.


Resale value does not become a big concern once a vehicle is older than 3-4 years since it has lost most of it's value already.

To the OP, if you expect to put 80,000 km over the next 2 years, I assume there will be a lot of highway miles driven. If that is the case, then VM's suggestion of a W-body GM is a good choice, good highway mileage, bullet proof mechanicals (3.8L V6), cheaper insurance and comfortable ride.

[kleptodathief]

op didnt mention if he wanted manual or auto :confused:

if he can drive manual, get a 98-02 4cyl accord with manual tranny(tuff to find tho)....im sure they r under 10gs...GL

[noobienoob]

oh yeah, i wanted auto :P

it's a 2004 Corolla with over 100 000 kms advisable for 10k or under advisable?

and what's a GM W-body vehicle?

Thanks,

[Mr D J]

Anyway, other than GM you could also look into Ford Panthers (Crown Vic, Grand Marquis).

+1

I was in a Grand Marquis taxi once, looked at the odometer and couldn't believe my eyes. The reading was 555k :-0

[notanexpert]

Maybe I'm just a dumb domestic fanboy, but for that price, I'd rather get a nice big domestic with a V6, automatic, air conditioning, lower insurance rates, timing chain (:)) with the same year/mileage and take my chances on the reliability.

$10K, if not more, for an absolute stripper Civic manual just seems crazily expensive.
A Corolla also has a timing chain, since 1998 I believe.

...
Anyway, other than GM you could also look into Ford Panthers (Crown Vic, Grand Marquis). Very reliable(get a barebones model and there's nothing really to break), body on frame so you can ram a dozen Hondas and still drive away, comfortable, RWD, lots of room and fairly good mileage. If you need to fix something parts are dirt cheap. Just make sure you get one that either doesn't have or has fixed the nylon intake manifold issue. Can't beat 280 ft lbs of torque, and you can always upgrade aftermarket.....

I think on RFD, "fairly good mileage" means something like a VW TDI or a Civic or Yaris, NOT a 4.6L V8 two-ton barge... Although I agree that if you feather the throttle in that beast on the highway, you will get maybe "only" 50% worse mileage than the guy in the Civic beside you.

[notanexpert]

+1

I was in a Grand Marquis taxi once, looked at the odometer and couldn't believe my eyes. The reading was 555k :-0

I was in many a Panther Airport Limo with as much as 750k on the odo, but asking the driver about it he replied that the odo is pretty much the only thing that's factory original on the car...
You can do that with a Civic too, if you drive so much that the thing won't rust away by the time to rack up that kind of mileage.

[VivienM]

As a side note, It is nice to know that not only men like large cars - Vivien sounds like the perfect women. I always agree with her sentiments.:lol:

Except that I'm not female... :lol: (notice how I said I was a domestic fanboy, not fangirl?)

One of these days I'm going to change my name...

[VivienM]

and what's a GM W-body vehicle?

Buick Century (1997-2005)
Buick Regal (1988-2004)
Buick Allure/LaCrosse (2005+)
Pontiac Grand Prix (1988+)
Chevy Impala (2000+)
Chevy Monte Carlo (who knows what years)
Chevy Lumina (all years)
Oldsmobile Intrigue (1998-2002)

I think that covers most of them (I'm missing the first W Olds... Cutlass Supreme?)... or at least all the ones you might want to consider. :)

[VivienM]

I think on RFD, "fairly good mileage" means something like a VW TDI or a Civic or Yaris, NOT a 4.6L V8 two-ton barge...

I think "good mileage" would mean Civic/Yaris, "fairly good mileage" means "competitive within its category"...

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

The 2 things you quote, "4.6l V8" and "2 ton barge", have almost no impact on a car's highway fuel consumption. A big V8 engine usually means better fuel economy compared to a Honda Lawnmower if you drive it like a grandma. That's easy for a Civic because it's slower than Lindsay Lohan to begin with. The smallest engine in the world is still going to drink gas if you drive like a maniac.

The weight of the car is also pretty much irrelevant if you're driving on the highway, and presumably the guy isn't doing a 60km autocross course to work everyday. Once a big car gets moving, it requires very little energy to keep moving. It's only an issue in stop and go traffic. at speed, drag has more influence on fuel economy than weight (why big SUVs and Vans get crap mileage no matter how small the engine is and how slow you drive).

You can quote all the official mileage stats you want, but fuel economy is 80% dependent on driving style and 10% dependent on gearing.

[notanexpert]

The 2 things you quote, "4.6l V8" and "2 ton barge", have almost no impact on a car's highway fuel consumption. A big V8 engine usually means better fuel economy compared to a Honda Lawnmower if you drive it like a grandma.
...
You can quote all the official mileage stats you want, but fuel economy is 80% dependent on driving style and 10% dependent on gearing.

First of all, I think you have no clue how weight relates to fuel economy when driving up and down hills, and it does not matter if its highway or city.

Secondly, I've driven a fairly large number of models offered for sale in Canada, and can certainly tell you from my own experiece that you can drive a Civic gently and get better than 6L/100km on the highway and that you CAN'T drive a Corwn Vic/Gand Marq./Lincoln T.Car gently enough to get under 9L/100km. That's 50% more fuel at LEAST for the Panther. So, even for its size, I would not say that the Panthers offer "fairly good mileage". Especially that they are massive on the outside and fairly cramped on the inside, compared to most cars of similar proportions.

[weedb0y]

I was in many a Panther Airport Limo with as much as 750k on the odo, but asking the driver about it he replied that the odo is pretty much the only thing that's factory original on the car...
You can do that with a Civic too, if you drive so much that the thing won't rust away by the time to rack up that kind of mileage.

I doubt he has swapped the engine in that.

lol

[SkiD]

Secondly, I've driven a fairly large number of models offered for sale in Canada, and can certainly tell you from my own experiece that you can drive a Civic gently and get better than 6L/100km on the highway and that you CAN'T drive a Corwn Vic/Gand Marq./Lincoln T.Car gently enough to get under 9L/100km. That's 50% more fuel at LEAST for the Panther. So, even for its size, I would not say that the Panthers offer "fairly good mileage". Especially that they are massive on the outside and fairly cramped on the inside, compared to most cars of similar proportions.

Buick Allure with 3800 V6 and 4-speed transmission is rated at 7.4 L/100km (38 MPG) on the highway, which I have verified is fairly accurate many times with rentals driving at 120+.
Chevrolet Impala with 5.3L V8 is rated at 8.1 L/100km (35 MPG) on the highway.
A V8 will use more fuel than a V6, but it doesn't have to be a lot worse mileage when comparing highway ratings (of course city driving results in a larger difference).

[hdave]

your best bet is a civic

good on gas
cheap
reliable

and parts are super cheap for them because they are so plentiful. you can buy an entire engine and transmission with all misc. parts for under 600. i hardly ever see parts that cheap for any other cars