Car Suggestions?

[PhuturePriest]

So, due to some hitches in the process, I might not get the Mustang. As a result, I'm looking at other car options. I'm looking for a car between the years 2000-2005, and I'd like it to get great fuel mileage. A Ford Focus was immediately recommended, but I'm thinking I'm leaning more towards Japanese cars, as I think they're more sleek and stylish (I also just have a bias towards anything Japanese.) Any suggestions? I'm open to any Japanese car company, be it Toyota, Subaru, Honda, etc, but I'm trying to look for specific models, and looking for car models on the internet when you know nothing about cars or car names other than the name of their company is kind of impossible.

[mcts]

I mean, you could get a Japanese car, but then you'd have to have a Japanese car. Go American, fool.

[PhuturePriest]

I mean, you could get a Japanese car, but then you'd have to have a Japanese car. Go American, fool.

 

I actually like Japan more than I do America.

 

I'm a pinko commie, I know.

[Basilisa Marie]

I have a Saturn.  I love my Saturn.  It has never failed me, I will cry when it eventually dies. 

[Basilisa Marie]

Are you buying from a dealer or an individual, like from Craigslist? (Don't buy a car from craigslist without running the VIN.) 

[PhuturePriest]

Are you buying from a dealer or an individual, like from Craigslist? (Don't buy a car from craigslist without running the VIN.) 

 

I'm aiming for dealer. I know for a fact there's a Toyota dealership in Wichita, but I think there's also a Honda one.

[OnlySunshine]

Buick is the best in my opinion.  My first car ever was a Buick and it was 13 years old when I bought it.  It lasted over 6 years without major repair and then died because the engine gasket went.  My grandparents gave me their Buick when they got a Honda CR-V and it was also 13 years old (last year).  I expect it will last even longer because it's in even better shape than the first.  It gets GREAT gas mileage for its weight and the fact that I drive it mostly on the interstate helps A LOT.  Right now, it's up to 30 MPG.

 

I don't recommend Ford Taurus or Mercury Sable.  It seems they just don't have good reliability.  My sister's car has been in the shop too many times to count and she's only had it 2 years.  The electrical wiring malfunctioned and went kaput and then she had problems with the transmission and then the engine.  She's paid more in repairs than she bought the car for (it was used).  My dad also has a Sable and it seems to die for no good reason.  It runs fine and then quits.  Pain in the behind.

 

Another good car is the Chrysler PT Cruiser.  My mom has one and she loves that little car.  It gets good gas mileage, too, though not as good as my Buick.  It's rarely in the shop for anything more than minor repairs or scheduled maintenance.

 

BTW, I have a 2000 Buick Park Avenue.  They are less than $5k on the Kelly Blue Book value.

Edited April 15, 2014 by MaterMisericordiae

[NotreDame]

One generally shouldn't buy a used car from a dealer.  Huge mark-up and it's hard to evaluate the cars history. 

 

That said my current car I got from a dealership because it was exactly the used car I wanted and I may have overpaid a bit to get it.  I've probably owned 6+ cars before that I bought from private parties.

 

For vehicles you can't go wrong with Honda civics / accords or Toyota camrys / corrola's.  I'd also take a look at the Toyota Yaris which is sort of a sub-compact with great mileage and it's very popular outside the USA. 

 

Hopefully you have someone helping you that knows a bit about cars and fair market prices?

[OnlySunshine]

I was lucky with my first car.  I looked around for months and then finally found the Buick through AutoTrader.  My grandmother went with me to the private dealer.  I found out that he purchased the car from an auction that listed cars from estate sales and the like and then refurbished them.  I took a test drive of the car and was really happy with it.  We told the dealer that we'd be back and not to sell the car while we went to the bank.  I did the dumbest thing by not having a mechanic look at it before purchasing it but I was so anxious to get a car because of my job.  Fortunately, nothing was wrong with the car because I took it to a mechanic for inspection after purchasing and everything checked out.  But, I'll never do that again.  Just because I was lucky one time doesn't mean I'll be lucky again.  ALWAYS have the car inspected by another party before buying it.

[Vitamin]

I have a Saturn. I love my Saturn. It has never failed me, I will cry when it eventually dies.

Vue driver right here. Love the room compared to the smart crap we're making these days, and its such a pretty SUV.

[PhuturePriest]

Buick is the best in my opinion.  My first car ever was a Buick and it was 13 years old when I bought it.  It lasted over 6 years without major repair and then died because the engine gasket went.  My grandparents gave me their Buick when they got a Honda CR-V and it was also 13 years old (last year).  I expect it will last even longer because it's in even better shape than the first.  It gets GREAT gas mileage for its weight and the fact that I drive it mostly on the interstate helps A LOT.  Right now, it's up to 30 MPG.

 

I don't recommend Ford Taurus or Mercury Sable.  It seems they just don't have good reliability.  My sister's car has been in the shop too many times to count and she's only had it 2 years.  The electrical wiring malfunctioned and went kaput and then she had problems with the transmission and then the engine.  She's paid more in repairs than she bought the car for (it was used).  My dad also has a Sable and it seems to die for no good reason.  It runs fine and then quits.  Pain in the behind.

 

Another good car is the Chrysler PT Cruiser.  My mom has one and she loves that little car.  It gets good gas mileage, too, though not as good as my Buick.  It's rarely in the shop for anything more than minor repairs or scheduled maintenance.

 

BTW, I have a 2000 Buick Park Avenue.  They are less than $5k on the Kelly Blue Book value.

 

Thanks for the recommendation. The Buick isn't really my preferred style, though. I want something more sleek looking like this:

 

[Fidei Defensor]

My car is amazing. Gets great gas milage — takes no gasoline to run! It also looks a lot like a pair of legs…the car is my legs. I don't have a car. I am a loser.

[Basilisa Marie]

FP, is this your first car? 

[KnightofChrist]

Buick Regal, Honda Accord or Civic, Toyota Camry 

[KnightofChrist]

Thanks for the recommendation. The Buick isn't really my preferred style, though. I want something more sleek looking like this:

 

The newer Buicks are more sporty than the older ones. And as always they drive very very smoothly.