Recomend DM an automobile

[devilmunchkin]

yes..it has come time that i buy my first car....*is dreading it*
i'm getting it this summer and am now in the process of saving every penny i can gather. I'm obviously looking for something cheap but insanely reliable and won't break down often. (does such a car exist?)
i need it to have room enough for me to carry my stuff with me when i drive to grad school (wherever that is) but not be a gas gussler.
my mother said go new because they are more reliable and when you buy used, you're buying other people's problems. this true? i have a few months before i do it, but i want to start doing my homework now since i'm new and inexperienced in this field.

[Jon Miller]

Mini Coupe

Jon Miller

[Jac de Molay]

I'm obviously looking for something cheap but insanely reliable and won't break down often. (does such a car exist?)

Buy a Honda. The american car companies don't even make a decent compact or mid-sized sedan anymore.

The civic and accord, used and new, are extremely reliable cars. I know a master mechanic at a nearby honda dealership that has an 86 civic with 200K+ miles.

If new is out of your budget, try late model used for one of these models- they're just as good.

[Provost Harrison]

Yeah, I have just offloaded my car and it does have some issues, but my car is considerably older. Usually a lot of people trade in their cars after 3 years quite routinely so you can get a lot of nearly new cars that actually have nothing wrong with them.

If they offer you a blue R-reg Peugeot 106 Independence XN with 80k on the clock, run

[Arrian]

I second what Dave said.

-Arrian

[Provost Harrison]

Yeah, Dave is right, Japanese cars are very good and reliable (Nissan, Honda, Toyota). And German cars (Volkswagen). However, in my personal experience, don't go French

[monolith94]

we don't really have many french cars in america, provost, let alone in texas...
The most common foreign cars are, in my experience, either japanese or from the germany/sweden giants.

[monkspider]

I agree, Hondas rock.

[SpencerH]

Honda

[korn469]

devilmunchkin

i'd recommend a late model used chevy cav, simply because you can find one them much cheaper than a honda and mine has been quite reliable, ford escorts also aren't that bad of a choice

[Berzerker]

Toyota and Honda, used is fine. Just take a good look at the owner - female, preferably older. You know the saying, a little old lady from Pasadena. If you are thinking of a used car, it's worth it to spend $75-100 to have a mechanic look at it. Used is much better route since a brand new car loses something like %30 - 40 of it's value once you drive it off the lot. I have a toyota pick up from '81 with 150,000 + miles and only had to replace the front engine seal (cost me about $20 to replace but I did it myself) and we have a Camry with 130,000 and going quite strong. But if you do go with a toyota or honda, try to avoid front wheel drive. I can't speak much about Honda, but the toyota front wheel drives, while nice if you have much snow, do have axles go out and they are expensive - ~$500 -to replace.

[Flubber]

Honda civic is a great little car. We are in our 4th year with no problems and plan to keep the thing for years.

[Wernazuma III]

I don't know if you get them over there, but my fav. cars are Skoda.
Inside they have the same motor as Volkswagen, they look cool, but you pay less than for a VW.

Contrary to what PH says, Peugot has some good types - but don't EVER buy a Citroen or Talbot

[David Floyd]

Honda's are great. I have a Mazda, which has given me no problems, either.

[Japher]

You got some good advice.

My wife has a pontiac Grand Prix. Not exactly cheap cheap (we got it for $24,000), but was a good deal for an american V6. I just can't buy "foreign".

I would go for the Honda Maxima these days, they are looking better, and have great warrenties, and I know ppl who have ones with over 400,000 miles on it, and no major issues. Thus, they have a good track record.

I wouldn't go used, or even resold by the dealer. You are bound to get a Lemon if they are being sold. It's your first car, get a good new one.