If You Had $5K And Needed A 4-Door Car,..........

[Robb]

.........what would you look at?

My '96 X is probably going away soon, and I am thinking I can get about $5K for it. We already have another SUV around for trips and such, so I would like to get back into a car, but need to be looking at 4-doors for ease. Problem is, I have never really paid much attention to 4-door cars in the past, so only know of a few that catch my attention.

Age isn't a concern, although I could do without a 10mpg gas guzzler. I would make sure it is realiable, but I have back-up vehicles, so 100% reliability isn't high priority.


I got my ideas, but am interested in others....................

 

[blueox]

Black 4 door diesel jetta......48mpg.

ooops! Not sure how long they have been making them might not be able to get one for 5k???

 

[boominXplorer]

94+ honda accord

 

[Lt.Jim]

Buy a late 90's escort. Not much to look at but mine never got below 30mpg. And that was over 100k. Never did any major work on it just basic maint. You can prob get one for less then 2k. Then buy a yamaha zuma scooter and spend the left over money on the gas.

 

[jimbo74]

94+ honda accord

i say get an older accord or a 4 door civic, they arent pretty, but there are tons of them on the road, and they are reliable and get more than 10 mpg


just thought of another car... ihad a 93 toyota tercel, it was a 4 door, 5 speed and pretty quick too... wasn't going to win that many races, but it was a pretty plush car... we bought it for 6k, and im sure you could find one now for 5 or less..... i got it to go past 110 on the freeway.....

 

[expo5.0]

subaru legacy 2.5gt

my friend just got one for 4800 with 120k on it (a 1997)

 

[Brian_B]

I will get shot for saying this, but get a honda. Dad has one that we have barely touched in years (other than basic maintenance). Everything is so easy to work on. I wish all our fords were that easy. (ducks and expects to get flamed).

It gets about 35-38 on the highway (depends on who is driving). It also handles the corners areound here very well. I wish I had the money for an old one to drive back and forth to work.

 

[kfkodiak]

This has been discussed on the site before, but Taurus SHO's are pretty cheap these days.

 

[expo5.0]

the subie is my best advice (see above) but when it came time for me to be in that situation i got something "else" (see below)

 

[EMG7895]

An older bmw,diesel benz or volvo is always a good choice. what exactly are you looking for? If you want something big and really,comfortable, and gets decent gas mileage you can get grandmas mid 90s towncar for that price.

 

[Stephen]

Older BMW, Diesel Benz, or Volvo? Gotta have the bucks to maintain them and for parts. Probably 3-4 times the cost of maintaining a Toyota, Honda, or even A Ford or Subaru.

 

[rookieshooter]

Honda Accord. I have owened several model Hondas and still have one that has over 250k miles and runs like a clock.

 

[james t]

Older Accord hands down. Its about as unimpressive as anything, but lets face it your looking for a "less than $5k" 4 door sedan. Dead reliable, super fuel mileage, and relatively easy/cheap to work on. Not that you would need to work on it.

 

[boominXplorer]

This has been discussed on the site before, but Taurus SHO's are pretty cheap these days.

Yeah if you like to replace head gaskets

 

[EMG7895]

But they can last a long time, m brother put over 500k miles on his diesel volvo with no major repairs, I know a few people with diesel benzs with over 300k miles and they do nothing except beat on them, they look like hell but they keep on running. I bought a bmw 325 brand new in 86 and put about 80k on it before I sold it to a friend. My freind sold it for parts last year because it was rusted out, then he bought another one. True a honda or toyota will also last along time, but I dont like them. They are cheap and run forever but they aren't as safe or as big/comfortable.

 

[Brian_B]

I totally agree on the german parts. I had an Audi 5000s. I absolutely loved that car, but once it hit 100K little things started breaking. Everything was $100-$200-$300 a pop!!!!!!

It may be better now (that was long ago), but I actually had to order some parts from Germany. Then wait for it to be shipped over here. Most of the VW parts wouldn't fit. Don't even try to price the porsche version of the part.

 

[james t]

Yeah if you like to replace head gaskets and transaxles

Fixed for you.

 

[tgertz77]

I would get a Jetta. And if you would be willing to strecth to maybe 6500 you could probly get your hands on a decent one with a VR6 instead of a 4-banger and still get aroun 20 MPG.

 

[Robb]

Aight, let me get more specific, since I should have in the 1st place.

I want something semi-unique. I like driving something that you only see a few of a day. And yes, I know that sounds weird coming from an Explorer owner.

VW, the only water cooled VWs I will ever own is a 1st Gen Scirocco or Carrado. I have known way too many people with way too many problems with way too many VWs. I like the looks of them, but ain't gonna happen.

SHO..........................yep, quick.................but at the end of the day, a Taurus!!

Accord, I am a HUGE Honda fan, and owned a Civic for over six years. But a 4-door Accord is just too damn common.

Love German cars (except VW), and don't mind the maintenance stuff (I got a couple of hook ups). I am open to Bimmers, and although I like MB, their overengineeredness can be a PITA. Something like a 300e still peaks my interest though. If I go Bimmer, it has to be at least 5 series. I STILL got a damn 325ic sittin around, so I am over the small ones.

I am just looking for something a little unique.

Locally today, I did find two cars that caught my interest. A '91 BMW 750il (yep, 12 jugs) w/ 113K miles for $4900, and a '90 LS400 w/ 68K miles for $5900. Both a little big, but nice!!!!

 

[Stephen]

The 750iL will drive you to the poor house for parts, partly why they depreciate so quickly.

The LS400 is an idea, but parts for them are still expensive. If you look at LS400s be sure to stay away from the air suspensions.

If you're willing to pay some of the part costs for luxury marques you might also want to look at Infiniti Q45s. Steeper depreciations than an LS400, 7 series, or Benz, a sporty character and reliable.