Most reliable used simple/basic vehicle

[edyvw]

Not much for sure. I keep my eye open but the market is lousy.

Still, when I asked, it seemed many didn't think it a great idea and had other suggestions. Probably true for all suggestions--everyone else will have their suggestions, and will offer their nightmare stories.

I thought you would like this Used 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL for $4900 on Autotrader http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/2CCA9E9C.

I would get this to my kid in a heartbeat if they were of driving age. Simple, manual, etc. I bet one can find similar formlower on facebook.

 

[Analog-1]

Why not buy a nice bicycle and ride to work?

Why not run to work ? It just shows your dedication.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Either the Honda's or the Scion. I'd also add a 98 Camry older Corolla to the list.

 

[supton]

I thought you would like this Used 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL for $4900 on Autotrader http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/2CCA9E9C.

I would get this to my kid in a heartbeat if they were of driving age. Simple, manual, etc. I bet one can find similar formlower on facebook.

I don't have FB so I can't find deals there. Plus they are all junk in this region (road salt).

That does look nice. Looks like it is still in stock too (autotrader isn't always up to date). I wanted a wagon but at least this would take a trailer hitch I bet. Might be worth mulling over.

 

[mitsuman47]

Man, that starter is miserable, right? I got an AC Delco and it died in a few months. Got to do it again with a Denso part. That's the last Delco part Im ever buying

That one bolt on the back side of the starter was fun.

Overall, not bad. However, I do own an M3. The accord is easy to work on compared to that thing.

Luckily, I heard the same about the AC Delco before I bought the Denso part.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

This Suzuki SX4 might suit your needs

 

[Fair enough]

An electric vehicle with good range still, but priced to sell. No more oil Bob, no more tinkering. It should take awhile to have no range.

 

[MrGraybeard]

An electric vehicle with good range still, but priced to sell. No more oil Bob, no more tinkering. It should take awhile to have no range.

Really, a 2-mile trip? A steady diet of that is super-severe service for any ICE vehicle. How about a Nissan LEAF? Crappy range, but who cares?
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...ue#listing=388510059/NONE/NATIONWIDE_SHIPPING

 

[dja4260]

Well, old. Not sure what is he going to get for less than $4,000?

09 xb w/ 150k

07 Civic w/ 180k
12 Focus w/ 129k
numerous Versas w/ 80k-190k
Mazda 3's w/ 120-250k
A few Mirages w/ similiar mileage

Really, a 2-mile trip? A steady diet of that is super-severe service for any ICE vehicle. How about a Nissan LEAF? Crappy range, but who cares?
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...ue#listing=388510059/NONE/NATIONWIDE_SHIPPING

That never crossed my mind and I’m not opposed at all!

 

[duck__dodgers]

that Leaf is ~$4000 cuz no one wants to play roulette with a battery that may be on the verge of throwing off Christmas Tree Lights of Doom. just saying

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

I actually might be the odd one here but I felt like doing the starter on a K24 accord was easier than most. Now yes I get you have to pull the intake manifold, but that is a hose and a few bolts that are all easy to get to. Then boom there is the starter again nothing hard to reach a simple extension on a ratchet and boom.

No jacking up a vehicle, laying on your back, plenty of room to move your arms (no ground getting in your way.), and so on. I changed one out on my 07 Accord in a parking lot of a hotel while moving from Washington state to Georgia. With a socket set I bought from Ace hardware.

I did it from the bottom laying on my back

 

[Dave Hess]

Maybe 2012-13 Mazda3

Base model.

 

[GR_CoB]

Most reliable used simple/basic vehicle?
Out of the 30-something cars I owned in over a decade here are my favorites.

OBS GMT400. 4.3L, TH400, 34gal tank. 'Nuff said.

These Hyundai Accents are plentiful, often around $2000-$3000 with 100-150k miles. Fun, need nothing extra. Fuel, oil, tires, and a easiest timing belt job once every 90k miles.

It's basically a Corolla Hatchback. Your biggest issue will be replacing the odometer when it stops at 299,999 miles. I sold this one at 280k miles.

Second generation Pontiac Vibes are also fun. The optional bigger 2.4L is a nice bonus. Quick enough, and 32MPG.

Here is a close cousin of the Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Matrix, and Toyota Corolla: the Scion xB. Amazing car honestly. This was my first one, killed by 5AM deer.

Loved the xB so much that now have another one, pushing 230k trouble free miles. VRP 5W-30 completely cured oil consumption on this 2.4L.

These FIATs are very underrated. 1.4T and a six-speed manual. Fun, yet I easily achieved 43MPG on long trips. Europe has these engines in everything, and with timely timing belt replacements these are know as Million Kilometer engines. That's over 600k miles in McDonald's units.

First gen CRVs are a hoot with the 5-speed and AWD. When I had All Terrains on it - it was tons of fun on sand, mud, snow, ice. Not a rock crawler obviously. More for rally-inspired driving.

Infiniti EX35, love this car. Recently bought it for $3200, and it needs nothing at 150k miles. It's a hoot with a boot, thanks to the VQ35 engine.

This was also cheap and reliable. I had my fun with it, sold it, and still see it often around town. The new owner isn't so great about maintenance though, so now it's burning oil, judging by the blue smoke clouds behind it... Sad I loved this swagger wagon spaceship. Fully reclined seats almost formed a bed, quite comfy.

I like and appreciate all the cars, as long as they're $1500-$4000. I refuse to buy a daily for more than $5000. But I'd probably find something to love even about a Pontiac Aztec or Fiat Multipla, if I ever owned one of those...

 

[GR_CoB]

That never crossed my mind and I’m not opposed at all!

A BITOG member @macarose has an EV for sale just for your usage case. CARFAX included.

https://bham.craigslist.org/ctd/d/powder-springs-spark-ev-26-service/7854187530.html

 

[Elkins45]

I bought a manual 2009 Scion xB in 2021 with 145k miles. I drove it 20k miles and sold it for about what I paid, and I currently have two of them with autos. They are really fun and super roomy cars and manuals aren’t uncommon. That particular engine had oil burning issues but there’s an easy fix that seems to be almost 100% successful in curing it. I also owned a 2012 Mazda3 and loved it as well. It was probably the most fun to drive of any car I’ve owned.

 

[Wylie6G72]

Out of the list you provided, I'd pick the Focus, as long as you get a manual.

 

[macarose]

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

In the next couple of weeks I'm going to put a new manual transmission in a Nissan Versa Note that's a ton of fun to drive.

My dealership is in the Atlanta area but I advertise in six different markets on Craigslist because there's a lot of folks who want unique inexpensive vehicles and I tend to get them.

Here's what I currently have...

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=steven lang#search=2~grid~0

 

[Olds394]

Any car that makes you look frugal, like you could buy a new car with your debit card but you have future plans for the money.
Toyota pickup or sedan.

 

[edyvw]

09 xb w/ 150k

07 Civic w/ 180k
12 Focus w/ 129k
numerous Versas w/ 80k-190k
Mazda 3's w/ 120-250k
A few Mirages w/ similiar mileage


That never crossed my mind and I’m not opposed at all!

I would get Jetta before anything on that list. Civic will be good, but far less space.
Others I would not even consider next to Jetta, especially in rust compartment if it is an issue.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Really, a 2-mile trip? A steady diet of that is super-severe service for any ICE vehicle. How about a Nissan LEAF? Crappy range, but who cares?
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...ue#listing=388510059/NONE/NATIONWIDE_SHIPPING

This.

Charge it on Level 1 in your garage and you will be fine

Even severely-degraded Leaf batteries typically have a range of 20-40 miles, which is still way more than enough for 2 miles each way, 4-5 miles round trip.

The 'compliance cars' like the Spark EV, Fiat 500e, and Focus EV also have more than enough range for you.

The Mitsubishi iMiev is cool too. It was the first mass-produced EV and is RWD.