Best small car

[Nancy2015 2]

Hi all

We need to buy a new used car - a small 2000 or 2001 sedan or coupe. We'll be looking at cars for under $7,000 that can last us (well, mostly me ) for 3-4 years.

I'm sure a lot of you know more about cars that I (what I know is nothing), so I welcome any suggestions on what make and model is the best. We will consider everything - American, Japanese, it doesn't matter. Things that are most important to me are gas mileage and good engine. I can't afford to buy a brand new vehicle now, so it's really cruicial for the used one I get not to break too often.

Also, I like Dodge Neon, does anyone know if they're good?

Thank you all in advance!

[Dr_LHA 3]

Neons are junk.

Get a Civic or Accord. It will keep its value, be super reliable and fuel efficient.

Edited April 25, 2007 by Dr_LHA

[Nancy2015 2]

Neons are junk.

Get a Civic or Accord. It will keep its value, be super reliable and fuel efficient.

Thanks, Dr_LHA! I've heard great things about Hondas, everyone seems to love them.

The hardest part is to convince my husband to buy a non-American car, but in this case, I'm the one taking out a loan, and I will be the primary driver. He will get my very American Chevy, so he probably won't mind me driving a Civic too much

[Niels Bohr 72]

For my civic, all I need to do is oil change, tire rotation, timing belt change. That's pretty much all I do. Never have any problems.

[Otto 83]

I'd be derelict if I didn't mention VW... can find really nice examples of the Passat, Jetta, GTI's and Beetles just about everywhere. Small, pretty well engineered and hold their value pretty good.

You'll hear lots of tales about Honda Civics etc and Toyota's too.. which are hard to argue with.. and the new Kias are looking pretty smart these days also..along with Suzuki and some others... but for my money...stick with the Germans..

[Dr_LHA 3]

Just tell him that Hondas are built in the good old US of A, whereas lots of Chevys are built in Mexico and Canada!

Same thing goes for Toyota, they're built in the USA too. I've not experience with them, but I've owned plenty of used Hondas and they're great cars to own for 3-4 years. 2 cars I've had have basically cost me nothing but the cost of gas and oil changes, as I sold them for the same I paid for them!

Edited April 25, 2007 by Dr_LHA

[doodlebug 3]

I never buy a car, used or new, without researching it first on Consumer Reports. You can find a copy at your local library that has 2000 2001 used cars in it or sign up for an online membership for about $30/year or something like that. Not too much to pay when you're making a big investment like that. I highly suggest looking at that and checking out some online car magazine articles about used cars in that year. Good luck! I love my Toyota Matrix but I don't think they started making them until 2005 or so. Even so they're relatively cheap and I never spend more than $25 to fill the tank up even at today's prices.

[Ban Hammer 13,445]

Also, I like Dodge Neon, does anyone know if they're good?

Thank you all in advance!

that says it all.........i have to dodge them when they break down on the highway

[Dr_LHA 3]

I'd be derelict if I didn't mention VW... can find really nice examples of the Passat, Jetta, GTI's and Beetles just about everywhere. Small, pretty well engineered and hold their value pretty good.

The only issue with VWs is that they are expensive to repair, especially if you go to VW dealers, who are evil in my experience.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Consumer report may not fit everybody's lifestyle. It's not very reliable. It's nice to look at to get some information but it's not a good benchmark. This magazine is primarily for those who don't know anything about products. I work with physics a lot in my profession, and know so well of how physical laws work that consumer report is unable to provide.

If it works out for you that consumer report is good, then feel free to use it. I do advise to get a second opinion after reading the reviews on it.

[scotty 0]

The Honda is so reliable and holds it's value better than most.

[Nancy2015 2]

Thank you all for your input, I really appreciate it.

I will do a lot of research before making a decision, but chances that I will end up with a Honda are pretty high

[cmartyn 0]

Well, Mazda 323 Protoge 2003 or older is a good car too and it was actualy built in Japan. Has better paint than US built Hondas. Just throwing it out there.

[archie07 0]

Hi all

We need to buy a new used car - a small 2000 or 2001 sedan or coupe. We'll be looking at cars for under $7,000 that can last us (well, mostly me ) for 3-4 years.

I'm sure a lot of you know more about cars that I (what I know is nothing), so I welcome any suggestions on what make and model is the best. We will consider everything - American, Japanese, it doesn't matter. Things that are most important to me are gas mileage and good engine. I can't afford to buy a brand new vehicle now, so it's really cruicial for the used one I get not to break too often.

Also, I like Dodge Neon, does anyone know if they're good?

Thank you all in advance!

Toyota or honda

[mawilson 2,133]

Cadillac Escalade.