Bagpiper From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (5 years 11 months 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 1512 times:
I was looking around at some used cars, and was thinking about either the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord, or the Mazda Millenia S. Does anybody have any suggestions on what car? I was thinking about some of the Subarus, too... Obviously, I'm not going for anything flashy... just something that works and gets decent gas mileage.
The ones I'm looking at are around 6K, with anywhere from 90 - 120k miles.
AC773 From Canada, joined Nov 2005, 1730 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (5 years 11 months 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 1500 times:
Millenias are not bad...they have some "luxury" touches, and they're not terrible to drive.
If you just want basic transportation and can deal with the boringness, I can only recommend the Toyota. They will not die! I have a Corolla (over 12 years old) that's done over 110,000 miles. I'll admit it's pretty ordinary for a car to last that long, but over the past 2 years that I've owned the car, I've only ever had to change the oil (I have it checked a few times per year by a Toyota dealer). That's it - and it does 32 mpg.
My old boss had a Camry from the mid-80s, and it was the same story. The only reason he stopped driving it was because he totalled it this year.
Better to be nouveau than never to have been riche at all.
Bagpiper From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (5 years 11 months 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 1491 times:
hmm... looks like, on average, the toyotas are cheaper and nicer equipped. Also, the Millenia only comes in leather seats?? Too bad.. looks like a nice car, but leather seats are a killer in the (95 degree) heat.
Asuflyer05 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2369 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (5 years 11 months 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 1484 times:
Quoting Bagpiper (Reply 3): hmm... looks like, on average, the toyotas are cheaper and nicer equipped. Also, the Millenia only comes in leather seats?? Too bad.. looks like a nice car, but leather seats are a killer in the (95 degree) heat.
You really can't go wrong with an Accord or Camry. I am driving an Accord right now and love it. But if I were looking for a 90-120k car and I came across a clean Camry, I wouldn't hestitate to jump on it. A certain a.net member I am friends with has an 89 Accord with 312k miles on it.
The Millennia may be a tough car to get parts for if it ever needs work.
LOT767-300ER From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (5 years 11 months 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 1440 times:
Quoting AC773 (Reply 1): I'll admit it's pretty ordinary for a car to last that long, but over the past 2 years that I've owned the car, I've only ever had to change the oil (I have it checked a few times per year by a Toyota dealer). That's it - and it does 32 mpg.
You dont know how to check your own oil?
Good lord and you havent even changed your brake pads in 2 years? Do you brake Fred Flintstone style?
Quoting EK20 (Reply 2): Nice car. Or the Ford Mondeo.
I do, but I prefer not to. First of all, I don't give a flying **** what kind of oil is in my car, and second, it's not practical. I park on the street, and I don't particularly feel like jacking up the car and crawling under there. For such an infrequent expense, $27 for an oil + filter change is not what I would consider excessive.
Quoting LOT767-300ER (Reply 6): Good lord and you havent even changed your brake pads in 2 years?
LOL I have, come to think of it. What I meant to express with that sentence is that apart from routine maintenance, the Corolla hasn't asked anything of me. And the 32 mpg (I measured it myself) is worth mentioning again.
Better to be nouveau than never to have been riche at all.
Mdsh00 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 4097 posts, RR: 9 Reply 8, posted (5 years 11 months 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 1423 times:
I am a Honda fan, so I say the Accord. However it is up for a redisgn very soon so if you want to wait, you could do that, or you could get the outgoing model for pretty cheap when the new design comes out. Also, since my dad works for Toyota, I'll say that you can't go wrong with a Camry either.
"Look Lois, the two symbols of the Republican Party: an elephant, and a big fat white guy who is threatened by change."
MD-90 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 8418 posts, RR: 13 Reply 10, posted (5 years 11 months 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 1394 times:
My experience has been that used Hondas tend to be overpriced. Toyotas are just as reliable if not more so and seem to be better values.
I was in the same situation as you are when I spent $5000 and bought a 1995 LE Camry in 2002 from one of my uncles that needed to sell it. It was pretty boring to drive, but you can't argue with the value. I thought it was just the right size and it was a perfectly faithful car, with the only problem it ever had (till it got totaled in an accident) was corrosion on the rear axle, which had to be replaced for about $175. I took it over 150,000 miles and was very satisfied with it, just try to get a V6 model as the Fours are pretty poky.
Quoting LOT767-300ER (Reply 6): Good lord and you havent even changed your brake pads in 2 years? Do you brake Fred Flintstone style?
One of my mom's friends was bragging that he got 70,000 miles out of his last set of brake pads on a Ford Contour. Not everyone drives like you do.
Aerobalance From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 4634 posts, RR: 51 Reply 12, posted (5 years 11 months 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 1368 times:
With $6K to spend go with a Toyota, they run forever.
CupraIbiza From Australia, joined Feb 2007, 831 posts, RR: 7 Reply 13, posted (5 years 11 months 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 1366 times:
Quoting Aerobalance (Reply 12): With $6K to spend go with a Toyota, they run forever.
No doubt about it. There have been 3 in my family over the years. One is an 88 Camry - still going no problems at all. The 85 Corolla was going along nice until it was written off in an accident. 76 Corolla was laid to rest only because the body work and interior were gone. Mechanically still flying.
Toyota mean bulletproof. I am actually surprised they dont use that in their marketing.
Everyday is a gift…… but why does it have to be a pair of socks?
Airfoilsguy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 17, posted (5 years 11 months 2 days ago) and read 1326 times:
Toyatas and Hondas last forever.
Quoting L410Turbolet (Reply 14): Quoting AC773 (Reply 7):
I park on the street, and I don't particularly feel like jacking up the car and crawling under there.
I don't know about Canada but over here you usually simply open the hood and visually check the oil level on the dip rod.
AC773 From Canada, joined Nov 2005, 1730 posts, RR: 3 Reply 18, posted (5 years 11 months 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 1285 times:
Quoting L410Turbolet (Reply 14): I don't know about Canada but over here you usually simply open the hood and visually check the oil level on the dip rod.
Okay, some major confusion here.
When I said:
Quoting AC773 (Reply 1): I have it checked a few times per year by a Toyota dealer
I meant that I have the car checked a few times per year, not the oil.
Trav110 From Canada, joined Jun 2005, 483 posts, RR: 3 Reply 19, posted (5 years 11 months 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 1256 times:
I know of two people who have an '00 Camry. One had to replace the transmission, and the other had to replace the engine. I know some newer Toyotas suffer from oil "gelling" in the engine, and if you don't keep up with that it can destroy the engine. Now what that actually means, I have no clue :-P
I've got a '98 Accord that I bought a year ago with 89k miles on it. I just hit 124k today. It's been pretty reliable, with the only thing failing of it's own accord (heh) being the Alternator. I'd definitely recommend a 98-02 Accord, as I think they look a lot better than the Camry's of that time. The 4cyl has no torque past about 3k RPMs, and passing on the highway is a bitch. I'd go for a 6.
LOT767-300ER From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 21, posted (5 years 11 months 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 1234 times:
Quoting AC773 (Reply 7): Quoting LOT767-300ER (Reply 6):
You dont know how to check your own oil?
I do, but I prefer not to. First of all, I don't give a flying **** what kind of oil is in my car, and second, it's not practical. I park on the street, and I don't particularly feel like jacking up the car and crawling under there. For such an infrequent expense, $27 for an oil + filter change is not what I would consider excessive.
Quoting LOT767-300ER (Reply 6):
Good lord and you havent even changed your brake pads in 2 years?
LOL I have, come to think of it. What I meant to express with that sentence is that apart from routine maintenance, the Corolla hasn't asked anything of me. And the 32 mpg (I measured it myself) is worth mentioning again.
Quoting MD-90 (Reply 10): One of my mom's friends was bragging that he got 70,000 miles out of his last set of brake pads on a Ford Contour. Not everyone drives like you do.
AC773...you dont check the oil by crawling under the car...you check it by opening your hood and checking it via your oil check strip. I didnt tell you to change your oil yourself either...
MD:90...70k on same brake pads, how frequently did she change her E-Brake..
A332 From Canada, joined Feb 2005, 1644 posts, RR: 2 Reply 22, posted (5 years 11 months 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 1227 times:
Get a Pontiac Grand Prix... 2004+... best bang for your buck. The GM 3.8L is one of the top engines ever produced and it pushes the entry level GP at a very good pace... they are excellent cars and can be picked up for great prices.
SCCutler From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 5092 posts, RR: 28 Reply 23, posted (5 years 11 months 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 1214 times:
In the theme of what A332 wrote, if you can get past the mythical cloak of invincibility with which Japanese makes have been anointed, you might find some remarkable bargains in the GM mid-sized cars, which are (amazingly enough) outstanding cars and very durable.
For the same money you might spend for a clapped-out, high-mileage Accord or Camry (and $6k will not get you much in either), you can get an excellent example of a Grand Prix, a Buick Century, or a Chevy Malibu with modest miles and a great deal of life.
As noted above, the 3.8L V6 is essentially bulletproof, and before you commit yourself to a Honda or Toyota with 120k miles, ask a dealer or qualified shop what it costs to get the timing belt replaced.
Dare to think for yourself, and you might get a lot more car for your money.
...three miles from BRONS, clear for the ILS one five approach...
LOT767-300ER From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 24, posted (5 years 11 months 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 1204 times:
Quoting A332 (Reply 22): Get a Pontiac Grand Prix... 2004+... best bang for your buck. The GM 3.8L is one of the top engines ever produced and it pushes the entry level GP at a very good pace... they are excellent cars and can be picked up for great prices.
Are we talking the the non-S/C or the 3.8L S/C here?
Quoting SCCutler (Reply 23): As noted above, the 3.8L V6 is essentially bulletproof, and before you commit yourself to a Honda or Toyota with 120k miles, ask a dealer or qualified shop what it costs to get the timing belt replaced.
One only needs to walk into a mechanic and ask what it costs to change spark plugs on a Mitsubishi Eclipse, I dare anyone to go ask and then come back to me with their jaw not hanging down to their beltline.
As a sidenote, my mom has a Riviera with the S/C 3.8L, great engine.
25 LOT767-300ER: To add to that, you cant find a 2004+ GP GT for around 6k unless it has a salvage/rebuilt title.
26 A332: Yeah, I missed the price range in the original post... but even so, $6K will buy a slightly earlier GT and you get a great ride that is superior to a
27 Lijnden: Why don't you have a look at the VW Passat. These cars are very populair mid-size cars here in Europe for decades now and are very roomy. If possible
28 Bagpiper: I'll stay away from German cars, thank you. I've got a friend who got a hole in the gas tank. The tank should have just cost about 200 bucks to repai
29 Asuflyer05: Toyota's used car prices have sunk a bit over the past few years because of their increase in fleet sales and use of rebate incentives to sell new ca
30 CaptOveur: Because people will pay it- gladly... then they will put another 100k on it and not lose their ass when they go to sell it.
31 Mike89406: Have to say my 2002 Honda Accord I just payed off after 5 yrs was more than its worth. From 9 miles on the odometer from brand new in 2002 to now at 1
32 HNLtrades118: I would go for the Honda Accord hands down if you're looking for a good midsize. My grandparents still have a 1997 Honda Accord 4-door and it runs lik
33 SNCntry32: If you want something uber cheap, I drive a Ford Taurus. I would prefer a Honda, but I settled with the Ford, it was just cheap for the millage. =C No
34 PHLBOS: The 3.0L engine in the Taurus is one of Ford's more reliable engines (the optional 3.8 offered in the '95 and earlier models were troubleprone). My s
35 Pgh234: AMEN! A Jap. car is NO MORE RELIABLE than a modern American car. And the false invincibility that folks place on Japanese cars just raises their pric
36 DeltAirlines: Can't go wrong with a Toyota - my family has had 3 Highlanders, a Camry and a Corolla and we've never had any problems with it. Definetely a very good
37 San747: No one has mentioned the Hyundai Elantra? I drive a 2002 GLS with 106,000 miles and still get 25 highway MPG...
38 PHLBOS: 2 things: 1. Despite what rental car companies will tell you; in the real world, the Elantra is by no means considered a mid-size. It's more of a com
39 Mike89406: My 2002 Honda Accord LX gets 29-30 mpg and about 500 miles on a full tank, it has a 17 gallon tank. Thats not too bad maybe not the best but for a Mid
40 Dl_mech: Whatever you do, stay away from a Chrysler 2.7L engine in a 300, Intrepid,etc. Google it for some interesting info.
41 MD-90: DX or LX Accord? One of my aunts has a 98 LX My Civic with 150K has had the clutch replaced and a window motor replaced and a small oil leak fixed. Th
Sponsor Message: 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From Canada, joined Nov 2005, 1730 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
Loved my old Corolla i had....sadly had to trade it in for a SUV 
From Australia, joined Feb 2007, 831 posts, 
From Czech Republic, joined May 2004, 5394 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
