Car Advice: Best Used Car to Suit My Needs

Ahoy! I'm a student looking to buy a car, but frankly, I don't know a heck of a lot about them. I need your help compromising.

My budget depends on the job I get. Starting in a week or two I'll hopefully be starting to work full-time, for no more than $14/hour. At a reasonable wage, I have about $3500 to put into a car. However, that's not my only limitation. In order to also pay for University, I only have about $1000 yearly for gas (Of course, I won't be driving very far daily, no more than 15,000 km yearly I shouldn't think)

If you haven't guessed already, I'm Canadian. As such, I have a Canadian winter, full of salted snow just waiting to get stuck to the underside of every car out here 7 or 8 months a year. So I'd like a reliable car, maybe one that can rust a ton but still work fine.

I'm 6 feet tall, so I'm not looking for a tiny car that gets good mileage. I'd like something I can fit comfortably in, but still conforms to my gas money restriction. A V4 would be preferred, but, well, big cars aren't V4s, for obvious reasons.

I'm leaning towards a Camry, but it would be 12-15 years old with a good 200,000km on it (I believe that's around 120,000 miles).

Lastly, and least importantly, I'd like it to be a fun car to be in, and have a nice, comfortable interior. Like a Cadillac, but God knows that's not exactly in my fuel budget!

A great car for you is a 99-04 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. I just sold my 99' with 76k miles for $4,000, it had leather, sunroof, CD and Tape players, power seats on both sides, basically everything plus 4X4, I had actually put new struts, shocks, brake pads and roaters on the car and it got decent gas mileage, L6 engine (I hear the V8's get better) not sure but something like that shouldn't be to bad for you, plus it looks great and parts are cheap.

Hmm...not exactly what I'm looking for, and there's two reasons why:

1) The rest of my family is taller than me. All I've ever had was vans, for nearly as long as I remember. (We had one rusty red car, I completely forget the make, if I ever knew it). I would like to drive something a little smaller than a minivan or an SUV, just not a civic or corolla that I can barely fit in.

2) I just did some math, and it looks like I won't be able to afford anything outside of 20 miles/gallon.

Looking at some of the older Jeeps, I noticed that a 1985 Cherokee/Wagoneer gets 25 mi/gal. Something like that's way too old, right? If I wanted the car to last at least a good 5 years, how old should I be looking at?

If you're looking for vehicles that go well with tall people here are some choices that might be in your price range: Chevy Impala,Ford Taurus,Buick LeSabre, Pontiac Grand Prix, Bonneville,Dodge Intrepid, Toyota Corolla,Oldsmobile Intrigue,Nissan Altima, Hyundai Elantra, and Ford Focus. Most of these vehicles also get decent gas mileage as well.

There is no "V4" in cars. They only have inline 4 engines.

I agree that you shouldn't be looking at an SUV, let alone a Jeep. You don't wanna own any sort of 4WD for that matter cuz that adds to maintenence costs most of the time and almost always hurts fuel mileage (trust me, I know).

I'd just go for a Camry. Can't get more reliable than a Toyota really. I wouldn't be worried about 120k either. Sure the interior isn't exactly spectacular, but that's the least important thing, right? Try using www.autotrader.com or www.cars.com to possibly get dimensions for cars you're looking at, if you can't sit in the drivers seat in person.

Ahoy to you 2, I know your stumping ground quite well and I assume you attend Mc Master University ? , with your budget $3500. it's buyers beware big time" brand names such as Toyota and Honda takes a back seat, CONDITION becomes the main factor finding a car that will outlast your investment.

I am 6ft also and without going into long detail, if I was in your shoes one of my top choices would be a Focus, good on gas very reliable and your not paying extra bucks for the label, it's like buying designer jeans, same cloth for lot less money, and the reason I say that is the Focus since 2003 is every bit as good as any import.

Buying a vehicle is a process of steps, if you find the time study my website you will pick up some pointers getting value for your hard earned bucks, happy hunting

PS... Insurance ??? another factor

Thanks, all of you, for your replies! You've given me lots of options to consider.

Ray: ...whoa, you're good. I'm not at Mac yet, but I'm out of highschool, working to pay for University and transportation there for 6 months or so. Insurance isn't an issue, my mom said she'd definitely pay for it (my dad gets a discount from work, it shouldn't cost much more than $1000/year), and I was thinking of getting a focus, they seem like nice cars. I was stuck between one of those and a Camry, but a car guy I know said, without hesitation (I wasn't even talking to him) Camry.

I figure Toyota car is much more reliable than a Ford car (not a Ford Pickup, of course), but then again, if I knew anything about anything I wouldn't be here!

Tell me more about this Focus.

Thanks, all of you, for your replies! You've given me lots of options to consider.

Ray: ...whoa, you're good. I'm not at Mac yet, but I'm out of highschool, working to pay for University and transportation there for 6 months or so. Insurance isn't an issue, my mom said she'd definitely pay for it (my dad gets a discount from work, it shouldn't cost much more than $1000/year), and I was thinking of getting a focus, they seem like nice cars. I was stuck between one of those and a Camry, but a car guy I know said, without hesitation (I wasn't even talking to him) Camry.

I figure Toyota car is much more reliable than a Ford car (not a Ford Pickup, of course), but then again, if I knew anything about anything I wouldn't be here!

Tell me more about this Focus.

Kurt, Wooo weeeee... a car guy you know without hesitation said a Camry, I agree 100% excellent choice for a mid size family car " but thats not you "
Your question was, something to get you though university on a budget, as for me telling you more about the Focus, be it a Focus or any make the key comes down to value, tell you what, you find the car you want to buy and let me know details prior to purchase, I will punch holes in it or say go for it.

Well, I had pretty much settled on a Camry on my own, but that was completely because some guy said Toyota and Honda are the most reliable out there (any Asian-ish car), and I know a few people who wouldn't look at me ever again if I went for a Honda.

I did find the focus to be quite appealing, but I think that might be simply because of all the advertising for it ford has been shoving down my throat.

One concern I did have is that I won't be able to afford anything but a 2001 or 2002 Focus. I read an article about how many problems the first few years had, especially the first year (2001). And since I have virtually no money for maintenence costs...

Still, it's a tempting choice, I just don't know if it's the best.

hello i think your on the right track.when comparing how cars hold up..hands down the hondas,nissans,toyotas,ect are a much more dependable car.if it was me looking for a car for 1 of my kids it would be a import. as long as you maintain it it will get you through college.being your budjet, your going to look for something older & we (usa)did'nt build them that good in the 90's good luck!!

Second that emotion on the Focus. The first year of production was 2000 and the reliability since the initial model year has been fine. The idea that a 120K/200km Toyota is automatically reliable is hogwash. The last time I checked Toyota (and Honda) dealers have just as many service bays as Ford and GM and they stay quite busy. I agree with the poster that said condition is crucial and knowing the service history will go a long way as well. The idea that buying an "Asian-ish" car is a safe bet would assume that Kia, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, et al would be a better choice than a Ford or Saturn or Pontiac. Most in the know would certainly disagree.

Hey , friendlycarguy, like your style your in the know, hope you stay aboard

Now, compare for me a 2001 Focus with 230,000km on it to a 1995 Camry with 300,000km on it.

These are average numbers from a quick search. Which
is best? Problems with each year, advantages, etc.

Thanks!

Now, compare for me a 2001 Focus with 230,000km on it to a 1995 Camry with 300,000km on it.

These are average numbers from a quick search. Which
is best? Problems with each year, advantages, etc.

Thanks!

Kurt, is the smog from the lake getting to you in steel town ? were not on the same page here.

I repeat CONDITION in your price range becomes the only factor not the Mfg or " miles "
If you look at this page on my website http://www.usedcartips.org/TESTDRI.html you will figure which is the better investment

PS... the 2 vehicles you mentioned are not worth a thousand dollars in your area wholesale, and those are facts

Second that emotion on the Focus. The first year of production was 2000 and the reliability since the initial model year has been fine. The idea that a 120K/200km Toyota is automatically reliable is hogwash. The last time I checked Toyota (and Honda) dealers have just as many service bays as Ford and GM and they stay quite busy. I agree with the poster that said condition is crucial and knowing the service history will go a long way as well. The idea that buying an "Asian-ish" car is a safe bet would assume that Kia, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, et al would be a better choice than a Ford or Saturn or Pontiac. Most in the know would certainly disagree.
Nice suggestion.

Hi Kurt,

You're in a similar situation as my son right now (we're Canada too) and one question I have for you - have you priced insurance yet? This may be a MAJOR deciding factor in what vehicle you get.

My experience (and what our ins company told us) is to get our son a small pickup truck as trucks with no rear seats/seatbelts are way less for insurance for a younger driver. My experience as well, having worked for GM dealerships for 20+ yrs, is that imports are better for longevity but more expensive for parts than domestic. SUV's are massive gas guzzlers...I have a 2000 Xterra and while I love it to bits, its the worst vehicle ever on gas.

We have a 98 Honda civic cx that we wanted to give him, but the insurance on 2dr Hondas is massive ($5000/yr). So now we're considering the small truck.

If a small pickup isnt an option, go with a 4dr that has more headroom. I think you're on the right track with the toyota for a car choice...they're a good safe choice.

Good luck!