Best option with $5000?

[warrenbuffet]

So I only have about $5000 to spend and my head is spinning due to the amount of options that I have.

I'm looking for a 4-door with PW/PL/Keyless and a sunroof would be an added bonus.

My options with my limited budget are a 2000-2003 import such as a Civic, Sentra, Acura EL, Mazda3, Protege, etc. with over 130,000 kms.

On the other hand, I'm finding a lot of newer GM cars in the 2004-2005 range with lower KMs for the same price range. A lot of these cars were leased and have around 50-80,000 KMs on them.

Is it true that these GM cars have factory warranties up to 100,000 Kms or is it just a way for dealers to sucker people in?

Given these options, what would be a better choice? 2000-2003 Import with over 130,000 KMs or 2004-2005 North American cars with lower KMs and a factory warranty?

Also, when dealers list cars at $5995, what is a reasonable price to pay with taxes, e-test and certification included? Will I have to pay additional taxes when I go to get the license plates or does the dealer get the plates for you?

Thanks

[Tomy]

So I only have about $5000 to spend and my head is spinning due to the amount of options that I have.

I'm looking for a 4-door with PW/PL/Keyless and a sunroof would be an added bonus.

My options with my limited budget are a 2000-2003 import such as a Civic, Sentra, Acura EL, Mazda3, Protege, etc. with over 130,000 kms.

On the other hand, I'm finding a lot of newer GM cars in the 2004-2005 range with lower KMs for the same price range. A lot of these cars were leased and have around 50-80,000 KMs on them.

Is it true that these GM cars have factory warranties up to 100,000 Kms or is it just a way for dealers to sucker people in?

Given these options, what would be a better choice? 2000-2003 Import with over 130,000 KMs or 2004-2005 North American cars with lower KMs and a factory warranty?

Also, when dealers list cars at $5995, what is a reasonable price to pay with taxes, e-test and certification included? Will I have to pay additional taxes when I go to get the license plates or does the dealer get the plates for you?

Thanks

best bet is to find friends who are trading/selling their cars.. and u know how their style and habbits as well.

for the plates, dealership will charge u that, it's just added on top of the fees.


anyway, i find it ironic how you're buying a 5k car with your username hehe

[warrenbuffet]

Whats in a name?:cheesygri

How are 2005 Chevy Optra's in terms of reliability? I'm finding a lot of them for my price range with low KMs.

[rotjong]

The Chevy optra, epica and a few others are Korean made by Daewoo.
Daewoo has been around since the 70's but how reliable they are I don't know.

I'm would think they are up there with Hyundai or Kia.
I've lots of them in Europe, plus on the same car they stick opel or any other GM name plate on it.

[UrbanPoet]

How about a hyundai accent or elantra?

[warrenbuffet]

I'm not a fan of the Accent. How are Elantras?

[warrenbuffet]

:arrowu:

[warrenbuffet]

:arrowu:

[rename]

I had the same dilemma a couple months ago
I was looking for Acura 1.6/17 EL in good conditions

Then I had an opportunity to check out a 2001 Jetta TDI GLS
I loved the car, how it drives and the comfort. Only thing was it was over 270K km. SO i started to look for another Jetta and I found a very clean Jetta on Autotrader.ca

2001 Jetta GLS 1.8T. It services on VW dealer all the time by the two previous owners and they both kept a record of everything they have done to the car.
Previous owner spent $1600 for only to maintenance and for the brand new tires.

Timing belt was changed 30K km ago, and Air/Oil/Fuel filters were also changed that time that he showed me the receipt and gave me the VW service's phone#. I called the mechanic that worked on it, he also put a good word on the car.

I took it to 2 of my mechanic (one is a friend, the other one is an Europe Car mechanic for over 30 years experience) They both confirmed the car was clean.

The Safety and Emission Test was done only 15 days ago.

I paid $4900

Since then I have had only very minor cold start issue, but other than that all looks very good so far. very happy with the Jetta, and I know my next car is possibly another VW.

[arctics]

I'd stick with Japanese. Toyota or Honda. At that price, you know that you'll eventually need to replace parts. You'll get a lot more wear out of a Japanese car than a domestic. European cars like vw's a ok, but parts will cost you more.

I'd personally just stick with either an Acura EL, Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. 130 ish km's isn't too bad with one of these.

[warrenbuffet]

What will insurance be like for an EL or Civic?

I have a G license, am 21 and got into an accident about 8 months ago. I was paying around $200 (liability only) for a 1996 Corolla.

[coriolis]

What will insurance be like for an EL or Civic?

I have a G license, am 21 and got into an accident about 8 months ago. I was paying around $200 (liability only) for a 1996 Corolla.

Hit up Kanetix.ca or BelairDirect's/TD Meloche website and do a quick insurance quote.

[HP_John]

I think you can get a 2000/2001 Integra GS-R. Very good performance, try to find it with low KMs & close to stock (eg, hopefully owner didn't abuse it).

[warrenbuffet]

How are 00-02 Accords in terms of reliability? Is it true that the 4 cylinder models have less tranny problems than the 6?

How are 00-02 Acura ELs? I see a lot of them with about 150,000 km.

[Billa-786]

How are 00-02 Accords in terms of reliability? Is it true that the 4 cylinder models have less tranny problems than the 6?

How are 00-02 Acura ELs? I see a lot of them with about 150,000 km.

I'm in a similar situation as yourself. The 4 cyl accords do have less tranny probs than 6 cyl. BUT beware. I have been extensively looking at private Hondas/Toyotas, and you wont believe how many accident/rebuilt/rolledback/us vehicles I came across. Even shady dealers lying. Please always do Carfax and Carproof on a car you really want.

You should also consider maximas/altimas. They fall into your budget, have a better drive/interior/options than similar priced alternatives you have mentioned. Downside is gas consumption on the Maxis.

[Flyer]

I think you can get a 2000/2001 Integra GS-R. Very good performance, try to find it with low KMs & close to stock (eg, hopefully owner didn't abuse it).
That's like trying to find an unmolested Civic/CRX...I would have better luck trying to attain immortality...

[Badman]

Acura EL, imo for your criteria. Cheap, reliable and good on gas. Plus has a little added luxury.

Also alot of parts are swappable with civic's/integras.

[dlander]

imo Ford Focus. 4 door sedans are cheeeep. Decent reliability and you would be able to buy a lot newer, lower milage than Civic.