Most reliable used simple/basic vehicle

[dja4260]

I live 2 miles from work and I'm looking for a used, sub $4,000 dollar car which will allow me to keep my truck in the garage and not short tripped daily. This car must meet the following criteria: reliable, simple, manual trans, and seating for 4. I'm mechanically inclined and don't mind working on things.

Also before you comment, it's not a safe walk/bike ride to work and I wear a suit/tie.

What vehicles come to mind and why?

My search thus far has included the following in order of interest:
Honda Fit
Scion xB
Nissan Versa
Honda Civic
Mitsubishi Mirage
Ford Focus

 

[GON]

I would take a GM 3800 platform. No manual transmission, but you will love your two mile commute. Go find a 2000-2005 Pontiac Bonneville from the desert Southwest. You can thank me later.

If you can find a 2004 2005 Pontiac Bonneville SLE you will have found such a sweet ride, you may never take your truck out of the garage.

 

[dja4260]

I would take a GM 3800 platform. No manual transmission, but you will love your two mile commute. Go find a 2000-2005 Pontiac Bonneville from the desert Southwest. You can thank me later.

If you can find a 2004 2005 Pontiac Bonneville SLE you will have found such a sweet ride, you may never take your truck out of the garage.

View attachment 286914

My first car has a 92 Bonneville. It had leather and a bench seat up front.

 

[tbm5690]

I live 2 miles from work and I'm looking for a used, sub $4,000 dollar car which will allow me to keep my truck in the garage and not short tripped daily. This car must meet the following criteria: reliable, simple, manual trans, and seating for 4. I'm mechanically inclined and don't mind working on things.

Also before you comment, it's not a safe walk/bike ride to work and I wear a suit/tie.

What vehicles come to mind and why?

My search thus far has included the following in order of interest:
Honda Fit
Scion xB
Nissan Versa
Honda Civic
Mitsubishi Mirage
Ford Focus

Yeah I'd say really any Honda/Acura with the K24 would be a good bet.

 

[joegreen]

2 miles i would just get an automatic easy peasy and most automatics are plenty reliable. Older Hondas seem to be pretty basic in the engine bay and easy to work on.

 

[Timmastertech]

It doesnt get any simpler than a manual transmission hyundai accent.

 

[Marcozi]

Why not buy a nice bicycle and ride to work?

 

[jws555]

Why not buy a nice bicycle and ride to work?

OP said: "Also before you comment, it's not a safe walk/bike ride to work and I wear a suit/tie."

Regards,
John

 

[dja4260]

OP said: "Also before you comment, it's not a safe walk/bike ride to work and I wear a suit/tie."

Regards,
John

Correct, I also take my two kids to school, which is where I'm employed. Nothing like a family bike ride at 6:30am down a dangerous road with no sidewalks in 90+ degree heat in a suit and tie....

 

[Tdbo]

OP said: "Also before you comment, it's not a safe walk/bike ride to work and I wear a suit/tie."

Regards,
John

Well, at least he didn't tell him to walk, crawl, do cartwheels, or sashay all the way there.
I mean, after all, why would his personal needs, wants, or desires play or factor into any of this./sarc.
Back to the issue at hand. I'd say find the best 4K used car you can find.
Of the list, I would say a Civic, or the Focus if you could find one in stick form.
An older Corolla could also be a good option.

 

[IveBeenRued]

I had a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville lovely car but holy heck maintenance hog. Needed new front rotors every 5K, HVAC fan every 10-15K, wheel bearings every 30K, catalytic converter every 30K, etc. The GM W-bodies were much more reliable. Grand Prix, Regal, Intrigue, etc.

 

[nwjones18]

My 07 Mazda 3 does that for me… paid $3k in 2018, have put a clutch, thermostat and cv axle in it over the last 7 years and kept 50k miles off my truck. Great little car and fun with the 5 spd

 

[Mainia]

I live 2 miles from work and I'm looking for a used, sub $4,000 dollar car which will allow me to keep my truck in the garage and not short tripped daily. This car must meet the following criteria: reliable, simple, manual trans, and seating for 4. I'm mechanically inclined and don't mind working on things.

Also before you comment, it's not a safe walk/bike ride to work and I wear a suit/tie.

What vehicles come to mind and why?

My search thus far has included the following in order of interest:
Honda Fit
Scion xB
Nissan Versa
Honda Civic
Mitsubishi Mirage
Ford Focus

Of your list, Honda Fit and Honda Civic are your best bets, by far. Add Toyota Corolla to that list.

 

[trd1zz]

9th generation Corolla or Matrix (2005/2006-2008) with the 5 speed manual. More reliable than anything on your list and dead simple to work on. And fun to drive with good handling that gets even better with mods if your into that sort of thing. The 1ZZ has an excellent, usable torque curve for average everyday driving conditions.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

I got my son an 02 CRV for $4k a while back. Its a poverty ride but I like it. I drove it to work for a bit before he got his license. I'll drive it again if ever gets himself a newer car.

 

[Zee09]

Avoid Direct Injection

 

[MrGraybeard]

'04-'09 Prius.

 

[gman2304]

My search thus far has included the following in order of interest:
Honda Fit
Scion xB
Nissan Versa
Honda Civic
Mitsubishi Mirage
Ford Focus

For similar reasons as yours, I wanted a small beater { I was actually wanting a euro wagon but was always afraid to pull the trigger } and found this one owner 2000 Ford Focus wagon. Ford Europe had a lot of influence on the design/engineering of the Focus and it shows in the taut handling characteristics. 119,000 miles one owner and I have all of its history from 6 miles. I’m loving the simplicity of this little car and it has everything I need and it runs and drives great, though the 0-60 time is a day and a half. So far I’ve put 4,500 miles on it, including a 600 mile round trip and it’s averaging roughly 30 mpg.

 

[Jarpin]

Should also be able to find an older used Toyota Yaris in that price range too. I heard those are very hardy and well built cars.

 

[sopususer]

For similar reasons as yours, I wanted a small beater { I was actually wanting a euro wagon but was always afraid to pull the trigger } and found this one owner 2000 Ford Focus wagon. Ford Europe had a lot of influence on the design/engineering of the Focus and it shows in the taut handling characteristics. 119,000 miles one owner and I have all of its history from 6 miles. I’m loving the simplicity of this little car and it has everything I need and it runs and drives great, though the 0-60 time is a day and a half. So far I’ve put 4,500 miles on it, including a 600 mile round trip and it’s averaging roughly 30 mpg.

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View attachment 286930

If you consider the Focus, do the older body style like gman2304. When Ford went to the dual clutch transmissions the Focus became one of the worst vehicles you could buy (unless you did a manual). My vote would be for anything Toyota, Corolla or Camry. Honda, Mazda, Subaru are also good bets. In my experience most Japanese nameplates just seem to have greater longevity.