$5000-$6500 new car

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Civic or Corolla--both are known to be grossly abuse-tolerant.

If you want a few extras (or more space), Accord or Camry (also quite abuse-tolerant, as I saw in an example owned by my sister from 1989 to 1999; it RAN fine when sold, but had much interior damage--the result of being much-used to transport her two sons)

And for mawilson:

• 95% of Corollas sold since 1990 have been built at the Nummi plant in Fremont, CA
  
• Most Civics sold in US from East Liberty, OH
  
• Accord from Marysville, OH
  
• Camrys from Georgetown, KY
  

(so these are also THE MOST "AMERICAN" cars you can possibly buy!!!!)

[eap620 0]

I agree with others that Toyota and Honda are the way to go. I've owned 3 Toyota's, which may seem like a lot because I'm still pretty young but it's just because I wanted a newer car.

MrsBruce5 beat me to it but I was also going to suggest checking out www.craigslist.com and see what you can find. I've bought and sold cars on that site with no problems. Also, you can check out www.carmax.com because it is a very easy way to shop for cars.

Good luck and tell us what you end up getting!

[eric&gen 0]

Buy a good used ex police car like the Ford Crown Victoria cant go wrong there at least no one wont mess with you on the road lol.

[Bootylicious!! 2]

I have to throw in Volkswagen although I'm not sure you could find one for the price you are looking at. I have owned two Jetta's and I've vowed to never own anything but a Volkswagen. I love them and they are very reliable. My 2005 Jetta handles like a race car. The 1996 Jetta I had wasn't much different. The only problem I had with it was not having enough money to get the dang thing fixed when I did have a problem with it. No where around here works on them, have to take them to the dealership. And I was in between jobs at the time. Anyway, it was cheaper for me to trade it, which I did, for a Hyundai Elantra. It was an ok car but nothing compared to my Jetta. I had it for about a year and had to go back to Volkswagen.

[Dr_LHA 3]

I have to throw in Volkswagen although I'm not sure you could find one for the price you are looking at. I have owned two Jetta's and I've vowed to never own anything but a Volkswagen. I love them and they are very reliable. My 2005 Jetta handles like a race car. The 1996 Jetta I had wasn't much different. The only problem I had with it was not having enough money to get the dang thing fixed when I did have a problem with it. No where around here works on them, have to take them to the dealership. And I was in between jobs at the time. Anyway, it was cheaper for me to trade it, which I did, for a Hyundai Elantra. It was an ok car but nothing compared to my Jetta. I had it for about a year and had to go back to Volkswagen.

The only problem with VWs is that VW dealerships are evil, when you have to deal with them. I have a couple of friends with VWs and every time they take them into the dealership they tell them they need to do $1000s of repairs. This on cars that are less than 5 years old. Apart from the evil dealerships, VWs are generally more expensive to repair than Japanese cars as well.

Other than that, VWs are great cars. I've just been soured on them by my experience with their evil dealerships!

[Dr_LHA 3]

It doesn't look all that different to me, but OK. The Civic is the worst car I've ever had in the handling department, and I've owned Chryslers. I thought THOSE were bad! We may own another Honda, but not another car like the one we have. It's just too fussy, plus the clutch is very tempermental.

Actually you're right, it looks lie a 1997 Civic in the UK was pretty similar to the USA version. They've diverged a lot since then, although seem to be closer now. Don't get the fussy/clutch issues I must admit. I think its just down to that one car, after all every manufactures have lemons. I've owned a 1989 Accord, 1999 Accord and a 2005 Civic and they have all been wonderful cars. The '89 developed a small oil leak in the valve cover gasket, but that was a $20 fix I did myself. Other than that the only money I spent on it was on oil changes and gas, and I drove 250 miles it up and down the 101 every weekend visiting my then fiancee (now wife).

Edited April 10, 2007 by Dr_LHA

[homesick_american 1]

It doesn't look all that different to me, but OK. The Civic is the worst car I've ever had in the handling department, and I've owned Chryslers. I thought THOSE were bad! We may own another Honda, but not another car like the one we have. It's just too fussy, plus the clutch is very tempermental.

Actually you're right, it looks lie a 1997 Civic in the UK was pretty similar to the USA version. They've diverged a lot since then, although seem to be closer now. Don't get the fussy/clutch issues I must admit. I think its just down to that one car, after all every manufactures have lemons. I've owned a 1989 Accord, 1999 Accord and a 2005 Civic and they have all been wonderful cars. The '89 developed a small oil leak in the valve cover gasket, but that was a $20 fix I did myself. Other than that the only money I spent on it was on oil changes and gas, and I drove 250 miles it up and down the 101 every weekend visiting my then fiancee (now wife).

Hondas are excellent cars, there is no argument there. I just wouldn't buy another Civic like ours. We will definitely consider Hondas when we need to buy another car (should be in a few weeks).

[dora_david 0]

toyota and mazda i heard are the greatest and not that expensive..depends on what kind u want..i mazda miata...a cool little 2 seats conertible..a very cute car for womans..

[eric&gen 0]

If you can affordcar payments it take that 5000-$6500 add it towards a brand new car.

[Dr_LHA 3]

If you can affordcar payments it take that 5000-$6500 add it towards a brand new car.

Have to agree with this! Used cars in the USA are way overvalued in price compared to other countries. I got my best deal by buying a new car, due to the fact that I got an extremely low APR loan, and a car with a high resale value once the loan is paid off.

Of course, then you have to run the whole other gambit of dealing with car dealerships, which is something that has almost as many tips and rules as dealing with USCIS. If anyone decides to go this route, I highly recommend reading this website in its entirety!

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/

[derekkj 0]

Have to agree about Honda's - I LOVED my Prelund and cried when I killed it. Long story, but let's just say it was driver error.

But FWIW, I now have a '95 Saturn SL2 with almost 120,000 that's been great too.