Calling all Used Car specialists.

Kenbuntu · #1 05-10-2009, 07:48 AM

so basically, I've been given 7 grand to buy a car. Its going to have to be automatic since the rest of my family are n00bs.

Heres what I've been thinking:

'03 Altima
A Pontiac Vibe/Matrix
Any Volvo around 2001.

Right now my brother has been pushing for the matrix. But i dont know. We've got 5 people in the family. A van is out of the question. We're looking for i guess, something reliable and spacious. Which was why I chose the altima. But im not too sure if thats reliable.

So, What car can i get for around 7000 canadian, that is somewhat spacious, and reliable, and fuel efficient. Im more of an import man, but domestics are welcome.

Linas · #2 05-10-2009, 10:45 AM

How about a volvo wagon? v70s are nice, maki has one i think he can chime in as how it is. My mom has a 2001 xc70 that hasnt given her any major issues.

MJ5150 · #3 05-10-2009, 10:54 AM

Well, it depends on what kind of music style you like. With that budget you can get a really nice bass from any of the big name boutique makers. As for an amp, I would for sure go with....oh wait, you said car.

Sorry.

-Mike

**cheezewiz** · #4 05-10-2009, 11:01 AM

The vibe/matrix is a piece of dookie. have you driven one? It feels and looks VERY plastic. I'd go with one of the others.

MakiSupaStar · #5 05-10-2009, 11:52 AM

You can get a Volvo V70 for around that price, but be warned. The repairs and maintenance on that thing was expensive. I dumped mine after a few "little" things went wrong, and or needed replacing for well north of a thousand bucks. Let's not even mention the engine rebuild I had to do on it for 5,700 bucks. That I'm still paying for.

Out of those you mentioned I would look at the Altima, or Matrix. I like the Matrix, it's a good car. You not only see a lot on the road here, but you also see a lot on the road in Japan.

Another thing to consider. Mitsubishi has recently been getting a bad rap lately, but they make some solid cars that you can pick up for cheap because of that rap. IIRC, correctly it was more of a mismanagement scandal in Japan. They have had a few recalls, like all major car manufacturers do.

kanonfodr · #6 05-10-2009, 12:00 PM

One word: Craigslist.

And why is a van out of the question?? What you got against Shaggin' Wagons?

Here's something you may want to look into: Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee. I had a regular Cherokee and it rocked. Comfy, fuel-efficient, plenty of trunk space. Nice giddyup and four-wheel drive that was pretty solid. I found a 92 model in Hawaii of all places, 94k miles, good shape/little rust, for only $1200 US. It was bought instantly.

I beat the everliving crap out of that poor SUV, never rolled the windows up, wheeled the bejeezus out of it, etc. It would still clean up nice and carry the visiting parents in relative comfort with plenty o' gear for beach-crawling duty.

Just my .02

Peace,
Greg

Linas · #7 05-10-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

You can get a Volvo V70 for around that price, but be warned. The repairs and maintenance on that thing was expensive. I dumped mine after a few "little" things went wrong, and or needed replacing for well north of a thousand bucks. Let's not even mention the engine rebuild I had to do on it for 5,700 bucks. That I'm still paying for.

Out of those you mentioned I would look at the Altima, or Matrix. I like the Matrix, it's a good car. You not only see a lot on the road here, but you also see a lot on the road in Japan.

Another thing to consider. Mitsubishi has recently been getting a bad rap lately, but they make some solid cars that you can pick up for cheap because of that rap. IIRC, correctly it was more of a mismanagement scandal in Japan. They have had a few recalls, like all major car manufacturers do.

Why did you need the engine rebuilt? Timing belt break?

kanonfodr · #8 05-10-2009, 12:15 PM

Just to emphasize my point:

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/cto/1142640694.html

I would go for that if I could.

Peace,
Greg

Time Monkey · #9 05-10-2009, 04:03 PM

Maybe a toyota van? you really cannot beat yota reliability.

MakiSupaStar · #10 05-10-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linas

Why did you need the engine rebuilt? Timing belt break?

It blew a rod. Regular oil changes and everything, suddenly kerplunk.

iamlowsound · #11 05-10-2009, 06:24 PM

I would go with the volvo. Heck, you could easily pick up a 3 series BWM for that as well.

lowsound

Mike N · #12 05-10-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanonfodr

Just to emphasize my point:

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/cto/1142640694.html

I would go for that if I could.

Peace,
Greg

$4700 for an 11 year old truck? Maybe things are different in Canada but I think that's too much for too old.

iamlowsound · #13 05-10-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike N

$4700 for an 11 year old truck? Maybe things are different in Canada but I think that's too much for too old.

Low mileage, but still a little on the high side, but not unheard of. Jeeps aren't exactly reliable either.

lowsound

kanonfodr · #14 05-10-2009, 07:35 PM

Most people I know haven't had problems with their jeeps, and that particular brand of vehicle is rather prevalent in Hawaii. Only times I ever broke mine was when I was getting exceptionally stupid off-road. However, results do vary.

On the other side, they are fairly cheap and easy to fix when broke

Peace,
Greg

Kruton · #15 05-10-2009, 08:25 PM

Ford F 250 King Ranch

BillyRay · #16 05-10-2009, 10:08 PM

Two words: Toyota Camry. An early 2000 could easily be found withing your price range. It is spacious, reliable, gets good mileage and did I say it is reliable ?

I really can't recommend the Volvo or the Matrix. My old band's guitarist had a Volvo station wagon and it was seriously garbage. Sure it looked nice, but for a 10 year old car, it guzzled fuel and oil like a 1982 Bronco and it had about 100k miles on it. And repairs are expensive as hell. He finally sold it when gas was almost 1.50$ for a liter. It was costing him 70$+ a week for his short daily commute.

The Matrix is really not what I would call a good car. Everyone I know who has one are not really happy about it. It is a meh car.

And let's not talk about Jeep please. My father had a '93 Cherokee and that thing would not tow for crap without overheating and the way it handled on ice, even with 1k snow tires and new brakes, was spotty at best. That thing always felt "off" to me, even in 4x4, probably because of the high center of gravity. Deep snow ? No problem, bring it on ? Slight patch of ice, watch out ! It's the only car that ever tailgated on me and I've driven more than my share of rickety death traps with cheap 4 seasons tires.

And it needed a new motor @ 60k.

Kenbuntu · #17 05-11-2009, 12:45 PM

Well, after a weekend of Cl-ing, we found sound volvo station wagons, a few altima's and some other junk.

What do you guys think of an '05 Pontiac G6 with around 150k KM's? Im trying to stay away from any american cars before 04 as, (IMO) They stink.

Cmon guys, recommend me some good cars. Stuff that lasts long. I know some may like Jeep's, but i do not know anyone who has one, who makes under 75K/year, that is happy with them. Heck, if one made more than 75k/year, why would they even have one? But i must admit, the new ones seem pretty crisp.

There's also a slight chance we might get a van. What about an '05 Grand caravan?

BillyRay · #18 05-11-2009, 01:39 PM

Did you check for a Camry ?

Again, Volvo seems to be hit and miss. Some are great cars but as soon as they start breaking and needing repairs, they become very costly to keep.

The Pontiac has too much mileage for me, at least for something that I'd want to keep for 5 years. I you do 20k km a year (wich is not a lot), that means 250k. That is WAY, WAY too much, unless you're a meachanic who likes to thinker. On the other hand, that mileage is probably "good" mileage: done on the open road. It's city driving that takes its toll on cars.

PS: Whatever you do, have it checked out by a certified mechanic before buying.

jwbassman · #19 05-11-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyRay

Two words: Toyota Camry. An early 2000 could easily be found withing your price range. It is spacious, reliable, gets good mileage and did I say it is reliable ?

+1

Buy a Toyota, a Corolla or a Camry. You'll be glad you did.

wilsonn · #20 05-11-2009, 02:40 PM

Regarding Volvo, I've owned 5 of them. Currently have an 04 XC70. In my experience, the older 240s and 740s were bullet proof. Solid drive trains, easy to work on. Not a lot of electronics to break. Those days are gone. All those cars are now too old to put into daily service practically. It's just not that much fun driving a 20 year old car. If the AC breaks, you can wind up spending more than the car's worth to fix it. The newer ones seem to be pretty good to about 90k miles and then they start to get expensive to maintain. Electronics, suspension, exhaust...these systems start to act up and they can break your heart.

I used to really care what I drove, but in this economy being practical works. As others have stated Toyota Camrys go forever. Honda Accords and Civics, too. Ford Crown Vics are used as fleet vehicles because they're completely reliable. Mine got 26MPG on the highway, and its trunk will swallow a 4x10, head a couple of basses without a problem.

Good luck.