My brothers will be of age (driving age that is) very soon so they will be looking for there first car. My help has been enlisted in finding them one. Dont have an exact price limit yet but it probably wont be over $3000. I am partial to Japanese makes, they are just more trouble free as the miles add up. Top of my list now would be a clean 1994-1997 Accord, 1997-2001 Camry, 1998-2002 Accord (manual only), maybe an older Maxima. Any recommendations? Needs to be reliable, and preferably have a mpg of 20+ city. My first car was a 1996 Accord V6 with an auto. Parents purchased it for $1500 with 214K. Replaced an O2 sensor, and gave it a paint job after it got in a fender bender (not my fault). Traded it when the transmission started to slip and the engine burned some oil, albeit very little on both. Wish I would have found this site then because I would have kept it knowing what I know now. Had leather and a sunroof...and a 6 disc CD changer. Loved that car, anyway recommendations?
recommendations for first car?
- Thread starter gregk24
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I guess you have your mind made up.
If you know Accords, that would be a good place to start, as you could spot one and compare it to your known quantity.
I think you got very lucky with yours though.
Being in Florida, I'd look for something owned by a blue hair that gave up driving or moved elsewhere. They drive everything, particularly lesabres and grand marquises.
If you know Accords, that would be a good place to start, as you could spot one and compare it to your known quantity.
I think you got very lucky with yours though.
Being in Florida, I'd look for something owned by a blue hair that gave up driving or moved elsewhere. They drive everything, particularly lesabres and grand marquises.
IMHO your mechanic is the most important thing.
Sounds like you have a good idea of what to look for. I will add this.. I was looking for similar cars when I needed a car.. I couldn't find any Toyota/Hondas I considered fairly priced. Ended up with a 99 Saturn sl1 manual transmission.
I'd say any 98-02 Saturn preferably a Sl2/SC2/SW2(opposed to a SL1/SC1/SW1 sometimes the single overhead cam heads crack..) would be a pretty good bet as far as reliability and low cost goes. Other than the single overhead cams cracking in the head, and many of them burn oil(design flaw) there are no expensive chronic issues that happen commonly. My SL1 hasn't had any major issues, or anything I couldn't fix.. I also feel like Saturns were meant to compete with the Japanese makes which is why I recommend them. Saturns are also plentiful, and inexpensive in my area and it may be the same in your area.
That being said, I would try to go with Toyota/Honda/Acura first.
I'd say any 98-02 Saturn preferably a Sl2/SC2/SW2(opposed to a SL1/SC1/SW1 sometimes the single overhead cam heads crack..) would be a pretty good bet as far as reliability and low cost goes. Other than the single overhead cams cracking in the head, and many of them burn oil(design flaw) there are no expensive chronic issues that happen commonly. My SL1 hasn't had any major issues, or anything I couldn't fix.. I also feel like Saturns were meant to compete with the Japanese makes which is why I recommend them. Saturns are also plentiful, and inexpensive in my area and it may be the same in your area.
That being said, I would try to go with Toyota/Honda/Acura first.
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Chevy prizm
Originally Posted By: gregk24
My brothers will be of age (driving age that is) very soon so they will be looking for there first car. My help has been enlisted in finding them one. Dont have an exact price limit yet but it probably wont be over $3000. I am partial to Japanese makes, they are just more trouble free as the miles add up. Top of my list now would be a clean 1994-1997 Accord, 1997-2001 Camry, 1998-2002 Accord (manual only), maybe an older Maxima. Any recommendations? Needs to be reliable, and preferably have a mpg of 20+ city. My first car was a 1996 Accord V6 with an auto. Parents purchased it for $1500 with 214K. Replaced an O2 sensor, and gave it a paint job after it got in a fender bender (not my fault). Traded it when the transmission started to slip and the engine burned some oil, albeit very little on both. Wish I would have found this site then because I would have kept it knowing what I know now. Had leather and a sunroof...and a 6 disc CD changer. Loved that car, anyway recommendations?
Suzuki Samurai! Tough, cheap, not too fast, easy to fix, parts available everywhere, fun, reliable, different, chick magnet, Japanese. I think it covers most of your requirements and his too. IMHO. Gee I still want one.
My brothers will be of age (driving age that is) very soon so they will be looking for there first car. My help has been enlisted in finding them one. Dont have an exact price limit yet but it probably wont be over $3000. I am partial to Japanese makes, they are just more trouble free as the miles add up. Top of my list now would be a clean 1994-1997 Accord, 1997-2001 Camry, 1998-2002 Accord (manual only), maybe an older Maxima. Any recommendations? Needs to be reliable, and preferably have a mpg of 20+ city. My first car was a 1996 Accord V6 with an auto. Parents purchased it for $1500 with 214K. Replaced an O2 sensor, and gave it a paint job after it got in a fender bender (not my fault). Traded it when the transmission started to slip and the engine burned some oil, albeit very little on both. Wish I would have found this site then because I would have kept it knowing what I know now. Had leather and a sunroof...and a 6 disc CD changer. Loved that car, anyway recommendations?
Suzuki Samurai! Tough, cheap, not too fast, easy to fix, parts available everywhere, fun, reliable, different, chick magnet, Japanese. I think it covers most of your requirements and his too. IMHO. Gee I still want one.
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I would look for an old cop car out of auction. Good maintenence papers included. Cheap to fix, and can take a real beating. Also very safe in a crash.
Your first 3 choices are on the most stolen list.
In that price range its just a matter of lucking into something decent. I wouldn't restrict to certain brands and models.
Are you mechanically inclined enough to know when you're looking at something decent?
Are you mechanically inclined enough to know when you're looking at something decent?
A P71 ain't gonna get his gas mileage criteria but it's not a bad choice.
Consider a stick shift. Harder to text and drive with a stick. Its what i did when my son turned 16.
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Try an Integra
An older Mazda3 with a 2.0L should be pretty reliable. They are made in Japan. They don't demand as much money used like Hondas and Toyotas. You only listed mid-sized cars however.
Originally Posted By: gregk24
My brothers will be of age (driving age that is) very soon so they will be looking for there first car. My help has been enlisted in finding them one. Dont have an exact price limit yet but it probably wont be over $3000. I am partial to Japanese makes, they are just more trouble free as the miles add up. Top of my list now would be a clean 1994-1997 Accord, 1997-2001 Camry, 1998-2002 Accord (manual only), maybe an older Maxima. Any recommendations? Needs to be reliable, and preferably have a mpg of 20+ city. My first car was a 1996 Accord V6 with an auto. Parents purchased it for $1500 with 214K. Replaced an O2 sensor, and gave it a paint job after it got in a fender bender (not my fault). Traded it when the transmission started to slip and the engine burned some oil, albeit very little on both. Wish I would have found this site then because I would have kept it knowing what I know now. Had leather and a sunroof...and a 6 disc CD changer. Loved that car, anyway recommendations?
No it was good you traded it. The transmission slipping is not a good sign. While changing the ATF might have cured that issue, its not very likely. When your transmission finally fails, the vehicle is totaled basically.
My brothers will be of age (driving age that is) very soon so they will be looking for there first car. My help has been enlisted in finding them one. Dont have an exact price limit yet but it probably wont be over $3000. I am partial to Japanese makes, they are just more trouble free as the miles add up. Top of my list now would be a clean 1994-1997 Accord, 1997-2001 Camry, 1998-2002 Accord (manual only), maybe an older Maxima. Any recommendations? Needs to be reliable, and preferably have a mpg of 20+ city. My first car was a 1996 Accord V6 with an auto. Parents purchased it for $1500 with 214K. Replaced an O2 sensor, and gave it a paint job after it got in a fender bender (not my fault). Traded it when the transmission started to slip and the engine burned some oil, albeit very little on both. Wish I would have found this site then because I would have kept it knowing what I know now. Had leather and a sunroof...and a 6 disc CD changer. Loved that car, anyway recommendations?
No it was good you traded it. The transmission slipping is not a good sign. While changing the ATF might have cured that issue, its not very likely. When your transmission finally fails, the vehicle is totaled basically.
Get the newest and least mileage Camry he can afford.
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: gregk24
My brothers will be of age (driving age that is) very soon so they will be looking for there first car. My help has been enlisted in finding them one. Dont have an exact price limit yet but it probably wont be over $3000. I am partial to Japanese makes, they are just more trouble free as the miles add up. Top of my list now would be a clean 1994-1997 Accord, 1997-2001 Camry, 1998-2002 Accord (manual only), maybe an older Maxima. Any recommendations? Needs to be reliable, and preferably have a mpg of 20+ city. My first car was a 1996 Accord V6 with an auto. Parents purchased it for $1500 with 214K. Replaced an O2 sensor, and gave it a paint job after it got in a fender bender (not my fault). Traded it when the transmission started to slip and the engine burned some oil, albeit very little on both. Wish I would have found this site then because I would have kept it knowing what I know now. Had leather and a sunroof...and a 6 disc CD changer. Loved that car, anyway recommendations?
No it was good you traded it. The transmission slipping is not a good sign. While changing the ATF might have cured that issue, its not very likely. When your transmission finally fails, the vehicle is totaled basically.
Yeah, I had the fluid changed at least 4 times (drain and fills, getting rid of the old stuff the previous owner had in it). It was with genuine OEM fluid too. It literally shifted like butter after the first change, couldnt feel it at all. But about 4 months after it started to go. Probably could have made it another year or so.
Originally Posted By: gregk24
My brothers will be of age (driving age that is) very soon so they will be looking for there first car. My help has been enlisted in finding them one. Dont have an exact price limit yet but it probably wont be over $3000. I am partial to Japanese makes, they are just more trouble free as the miles add up. Top of my list now would be a clean 1994-1997 Accord, 1997-2001 Camry, 1998-2002 Accord (manual only), maybe an older Maxima. Any recommendations? Needs to be reliable, and preferably have a mpg of 20+ city. My first car was a 1996 Accord V6 with an auto. Parents purchased it for $1500 with 214K. Replaced an O2 sensor, and gave it a paint job after it got in a fender bender (not my fault). Traded it when the transmission started to slip and the engine burned some oil, albeit very little on both. Wish I would have found this site then because I would have kept it knowing what I know now. Had leather and a sunroof...and a 6 disc CD changer. Loved that car, anyway recommendations?
No it was good you traded it. The transmission slipping is not a good sign. While changing the ATF might have cured that issue, its not very likely. When your transmission finally fails, the vehicle is totaled basically.
Yeah, I had the fluid changed at least 4 times (drain and fills, getting rid of the old stuff the previous owner had in it). It was with genuine OEM fluid too. It literally shifted like butter after the first change, couldnt feel it at all. But about 4 months after it started to go. Probably could have made it another year or so.
Odds are one of them will be involved in a little fender bender the first year. I'd go with something like the Ford Crown Vic or Grand Marquis if you want the safety of a larger car.
If reliability and fun in an easily serviced car is more important a 2000 era Miata is hard to beat.
If reliability and fun in an easily serviced car is more important a 2000 era Miata is hard to beat.
It's more important to have any particular car checked by a competent mechanic. Before you even look at the car, do a search to see if a particular problem is prevalent. If I had to generalize on makes, my list would be Subaru, VW, and Ford.
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