Need some used car advice

[Scooby]

My current daily ride is a 2003 Corolla CE 5 speed with 170k miles. It's been pretty good in the 3 1/2 years I've owned it minus 2 transmission rebuilds (faulty input shaft bearing and the first rebuild was screwed up).

I'm looking to replace it with something with CRUISE CONTROL and reliable. Like to keep in the $3000-5500 range.

What I'm looking at:
1998-2004 Honda Accord 5 speed (autos in the 98-02 are problematic from my research)
2002-2006 Toyota Camry auto
1998-2006 Subaru Outback
2002-2006 Nissan Altima
1998-2006 Honda Civic 5 speed

I don't know much at all about Altima's or Outbacks as far as reliability, problem areas, etc.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[panthermike]

My vote would be the Civic for reliability and fuel economy. I believe some of these Civic's had auto trans issues as well(not sure of years), so it's good you're thinking a 5 speed.

 

[rjundi]

With your price range have you considered just hanging onto your own car. $3500-$5500 buys a well used car which you already own. However you know yours.

 

[Scooby]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
With your price range have you considered just hanging onto your own car. $3500-$5500 buys a well used car which you already own. However you know yours.


If it only had cruise!! I make several 600 mile trips per year and cruise would be SOOOO nice.

 

[Lead Shoes]

Im with Mike, id say get a 96-00 civic/94-01 Integra 5spd, avoid the auto transmission at all cost.

 

[Chris142]

You can add cruise.

 

[Dakota1820]

I vote honda the 4 cylinders didnt have the auto trans as bad either.

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
You can add cruise.

I too am in the I wish i had cruise club. I even looked into adding to my Neon. the kit priced out to about $318 installed.
that was 2 years ago, haven't gotten around to getting it done.

I went from my old car using the cruise WAYY to much (certain stretch of road in my 5mi trip to work, 45mph limt for 1/2 mi or so, heavily patrolled,so i'd set the cruise., etc)
to driving back to Ohio from Dallas (bought neon from brother who lives down there)1100mi without the option of cruise control. fun.

 

[The Critic]

Rostra makes a cruise control kit that's affordable.

 

[Azeem]

I'd add Hyundai Elantra 01-06 to the list,just my 2 cents.

 

[Spazdog]

http://www.thecruisecontrolstore.com/ez-catalog/X380183/0003/toycor0304

There are going to be a whole horde of people that tell you that you cannot use aftermarket electronics on a car. I respectfully disagree. It's all in the installer's skill level.

 

[ClutchDisc]

Originally Posted By: earlyre
I too am in the I wish i had cruise club. I even looked into adding to my Neon. the kit priced out to about $318 installed.
that was 2 years ago, haven't gotten around to getting it done.

I went from my old car using the cruise WAYY to much (certain stretch of road in my 5mi trip to work, 45mph limt for 1/2 mi or so, heavily patrolled,so i'd set the cruise., etc)
to driving back to Ohio from Dallas (bought neon from brother who lives down there)1100mi without the option of cruise control. fun.
I'm the opposite, I have cruise control and wish I didn't.

 

[ClutchDisc]

I vote either Honda with the 5-speed manual!

 

[randomhero439]

Originally Posted By: panthermike
My vote would be the Civic for reliability and fuel economy. I believe some of these Civic's had auto trans issues as well(not sure of years), so it's good you're thinking a 5 speed.


All those cars are great options. My Civic is great! Never gotten lower than 28.6mpg, and i do alot of city driving with it.

Go with a 5-speed MT (or 6-speed

) Accord though, the suspension is much smoother than the Civic

 

[BobsArmory]

What? No American made cars in the list?

 

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
What? No American made cars in the list?


Honda Accord - Made in Marysville, Ohio since 1982

Toyota Camry - Made in Kentucky & Indiana "Most American made car in America; more than Ford F-150"
citation: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/...american-made/1

Subaru - Made in Indiana.

Nissan Altima - Made in Smyrna, Tennessee.

Honda Civic - Made in Greensburg, Indiana.

All of the vehicles that the OP asked about are made in America. The Camry contains more domestic US materials than a Ford F-150 to boot AND its made here right in the US.

 

[Frbl]

I installed a Rostra cruise control myself in my '05 Scion xA. I looked at the online directions and consulted online forums regarding other people's installations and decided I could do it myself. It was a little scary, but in the end I saved a bundle. I have been one hundred percent happy with it all. Even if you don't want to install it yourself, just check out what a local installer will charge. You might be surprised.

 

[[email protected]]

Also if you google "install cruise control in a Toyota Corolla" you get a lot of results from all of the Toyo forums, where it has been done, with writeups and recommendations.

Install the cruise control is going to be a lot cheaper than a new (to you) car that you dont know its service past or future!

It only cost this 2003 Civic owner $38. GREAT write-up with pictures, step-by-step:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/132-9t...ol-install.html

 

[bigjl]

Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
What? No American made cars in the list?


He said he wants "cruise" and "reliable"

I'll be taking cover over here!


As far as the OP goes I can see the benefits of staying with the devil you know and adding cruise control to it.

But an Outback is also a reliable vehicle if you find one that has not been abused.

How many times has Brodie's wife's one given any trouble?

Though I suspect if it did there would be many volunteers to give her a hand!

 

[Jarlaxle]

Dakota Digital has a superb cruise control set up... I recall it's about 200 dollars.