Used Car $2000 and Under

[escort lx]

I live in western pa. I need to buy a car but only have $2000. Can anybody recommed any good cars for this price?

[Hofmeister]

For $2000 I'd stick with an older Japanese vehicle with as few power features as possible. Power windows, locks, seats, etc. tend to go first.

I'd recommend an older Civic, Accord, Camry, Corolla, or Tercel. Most older domestic small cars aren't as reliable and it's hard to beat an older Japanese 4-cylinder in terms of reliability.

Of course every rule has an exception. The Dodge Aries and/or Plymouth Reliant (k-car) is perfect. They're cheap to buy and maintain.

Good Luck.

[Tonto Kowalski]

The K-car?! LOL... They stopped building that car almost 20 years ago. If he said $200 instead of $2000 a k-car might make sense.

I would recommend a 95 or newer Cavalier or Sunfire. You should be able to find one for $2000 that's in decent shape and both the OHV and the twin-cam engines are known for their reliability.

[Hofmeister]

The K-Car was discontinued in 1989 but it's very reliable. More so than a Cavalier or Sunfire. The Cavalier and Sunfire are built on the J-Body platform, which was introduced in 1982 (do the math - 24 years ago). Even if you buy a '05, the technology and engineering is over 2 decades old!!! I don't know what Cavalier and Sunfires you're talking about because they have very, very poor reliability. Since 1995 to 2005 they had 14 (14!!!!) different recalls. The Automobile Protection Agency rates the Quad 4 Twin Cam engine as a "Lemon" (their term). Look at the data.

A Civic, Camry, Corolla, Protege, or Tercel is your best bet. A Ford Escort is also a good buy. It's based on the Protege and offers great reliability and a low price. Just do yourself a favour and stay away from the Cavalier and Sunfire (and Sunbird).


Cheers!

[Tonto Kowalski]

I will have to disagree. The Cavalier/Sunfire are known for their reliability, at least mechanically. Ask anyone who owns one. They do have quality problems with issues like cheap plastic, but mechanically they are 100% sound. They run forever. Of course there is the ocassional lemon but you have that with every car.

As for when the platform was introduced, that couldn't be less relevent. The Mustang was built on the fox body platform until 2004, and the foxbody was introduced in (I think) 1979. Does that mean a 2004 Mustang is 25 year old technology? Of course not... If the platform is modernized every couple of years with newer technology, it remains competitive regardless of how long ago the original thing was introduced.

Number of recalls again has nothing to do with reliability, it just shows that GM is very thoroughly checking over the car. And besides, the recalls could be for things which have nothing to do with reliability.

Performance wise I don't even have to say anything, but needless to say the Cavy Z24 and Sunfire GT have WAY more hp (and not to mention torque) than any Honda/Toyota/Mazda/Nissan for the same price. They also have way more standard features. For example every third generation Cav/Fire has standard dual airbags and airconditioning, while Escorts and Tercels and all those do not unless you get a newer one.

Sorry but anyone who buys a K-car instead of a third gen Cavy/Sunfire must be missing part of his brain. K-cars only have like 70 hp. They don't even have fuel injection! (maybe only the latest year did) I would even buy a second gen J-body over a K-car without a second's delay.

[gw84]

how about a 1st generation chevy lumina (up to 1994) they are very dependable. if well maintained, they easily make it over 200,000miles. I got my '93 four years ago for just over $2000, no major problems yet. I keep the oil changed every 3,000 miles or whenever I get bored, whichever comes first. 183,XXX still going strong. Ask around, I think you'll find a lot of people agree with me.

[sv650s]

civic....pretty much the most reliable car that i can think of and you can find an early 90's one for your price

[demo_deven]

my first car was a 1992 sunbird witht the 3.1 V6. my dad bought it new in 1992, nd then gave it to me in 98 or 99. It was a pretty good car but then sold it at 112,000 miles b/c the body was rotten. I then bought a 1993 sunbird (4 cyl.) at 65,000 miles nd by 87 miles their was a miss in a cylinder (burnt valve) so i bought another 94 sunbird (4 cyl) nd had it for about 10,000 miles nd the head gasket went on it. I now drive a 1991 corolla (bought it for $400, because i had very little money after pickin the 94 sunbird up)and it now has 251 miles on it and runs and looks like it is brand new. I would recommend a corolla (or camry) to anyone and whoever has a sunbird / cavalier i would suggest u get rid of it well u still can get money for them. thanks for reading

[cudacrazy73]

hey i thought i would use this thread cuz i got the same question but my limit is a bit higher i got about 15k to work with i plan to work on it over the next 4-5 years i was hoping to get something decently new ie 00 and up. and i just cant make myself get a civic as reliable and easy to mod as they are EVERYONE has one i need to do something diffrent can anyone help me here looked at a vr6 but jettas are made in mexico and the reliability is shit... thnx in advance

[demo_deven]

If you want a jetts get a TDI Diesel you can get really good gas mileige nd stuff. Lease a jetta because like u said their not that reliable and at the end of the lease u can just bring it back and not have to worry about it breaking down. If you want to buy, hands down get a japanese car like Honda, Nissan or Toyota. stay away from korean cars like Hyundai. your best bet is the Toyota Corolla if u dont want a Civic. Their pretty decently priced, good on gas and insurance and VERY reliable. Those two are your best bet for a 2000+ under 15,000. Thanks for reading

[cudacrazy73]

ya i looked at a TDI they are way to dam slow tho... im 17 one of my buddys has a 300 something odd hp crx and his gf has an even faster one other buddys have crotch rockets lol so i kinda need something that is also decently fast or good for mods to make fast. cars on my list are rsx eclipse gt, accord v6, etc i can go older im dont NEED to get 2000 or newwer i just figured if im gonna spend 15k on a car it might as well be damn nice. i also found a 89 skyline.... GTR, E-BNR32 any thoughts on that car?

[drdisque]

99% chance the skyline you found is not legalized or is a scam. Either way, don't buy it.

You can get much faster cars for $15000 than the ones you listed

[cudacrazy73]

the skyline was just imported in they want over 17 canadian for it its not a scam there are alot of ppl bringing them into winnipeg where i live. and if i can get alot faster cars than i listed give me some examples i know i can get an older corvette or a mustang and garbage like that but i still want a good car not JUST fast.