Suggestions for a car

[DGthe3]

After I graduate I'm gonna need a car for a few years until I can get a new Camaro. I've had a couple in mind but I would like to hear what ideas you might suggest. My basic criteria are a price around $5000, minimal maintenance cost, sporty-ish, and decent millage, oh and either GM or Dodge. Nothing there is set in stone, if i have to pay 6000 to get a great deal I will. And I also know that maintenance costs are hard to judge. And I know that for the most part the sportier the car, the worse the millage, and so I'd like something that balances both. I don't know if I will lean towards performance or millage.

so anyway, I'd like to hear your input.

[Mindz]

I just picked up a 2000 SL2 for $4900. Get's about 30 mpg which is slightly lower than my DSM. I figure it will keep it's value and does a great job, plus Saturn has pretty good customer service I hear.

I like it and it's a good buy I would say. I don't know about anything else I didn't have to look around because my stepfather's co-worker was selling it.

[TFord]

I agree with Mindz saturn is a pretty damn reliable car.

[TAG UR IT]

If that's the cash you got...don't go w/ a 4th Gen. Picking up a 4th Gen at $5k would be nothing but problems....unless it's a V6 and you're getting it for a steal. Saturn, from what I hear (here and elsewhere) are pretty good cars.

Every brand I get ready to throw out on the list for you makes me catch myself as I get ready to type it. Honda-great cars...last a long time...but my mom had tons of problems w/ her Accord just a few months before it's demise.

Nissan-another one that bit the dust (transmission) and a few other people told me they didn't like their cars either.

Dodge-what's there that's sporty? Avenger? Stratus? You might be able to find an older model Neon SRT10. Those would probably be a little higher, though. Hmmm....will have to look in auto trader for ideas.

And I'm thinking about GM, but what's a little older that's also kinda sporty?...and could fetch 5K w/ still somewhat low miles?

[Mindz]

Mistubishi Eclipse Turbo. There's a 95-96 GST with 60k miles for $4700 in my neighborhood. It'll probably run 14's stock. Gets probably 25 ish MPG.

[Mr. Wyndham]

if your just looking for a crapper to hold you over for a Camaro. Try a Chevy Cavalier, Chevy Cobalt...Saturns are good: Very reliable, and awesome cust. support. Pontiacs can be pricy but you might find one for 5k, they're nice cars.

I'm actually in the same boat as you - I've been looking around, too. for the same reason. But first I plan on literally driving my current ride right into the grave. hoping to get 3-4 more years out of my '95 Dodge Minivan...powertrain's leaking, and body looks like I pulled it out of the ocean, but it still runs.

[The_Stache]

You might be able to find an older model Neon SRT10

Good luck with that .. production numbers for the 3 years the srt neon ran where pathetically low.. I'm talking like a total of 30-40k cars made over 3 years..

All the other suggestions are viable.. just get a junker you can for 2 years.. saves you money on gas and maintenance and really it doesn't need to be sporty, it will just make your camaro feel like a missile when you get it.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by diarmadhi

saves you money on gas and maintenance and really it doesn't need to be sporty, it will just make your camaro feel like a missile when you get it.

Yep! That's another factor. This car has no A/C, barely any heat, and all the other problems (see above). I can't wait to get the beast and be more blown away than most of the buyers.

Are you looking for dealer used cars, or side-of-the-road POS's...

[DGthe3]

I plan on taking my chances with private listings. Thanks for all the input so far. I knew that 4th gen Camaros would be out of the question. However, third gens are a possibility, though I don't know how reliable they might be. The last of them are over 15 years old now. And finding nice one in good condition for 5-6 grand would be realy difficult, great if i could though. So I've mostly been looking at cars from '99 to about '03. But like I said, nothing is set in stone

[DGthe3]

It's been kinda slow here over the last couple days, so I thought I'd bump the thread.

here's the short list of cars that I've been considering, within a model year or so. In a few cases, the cars represent the last model year before a major redesign or simply droping the name all together. In those cases I don't want the 1st of a new design, too many bugs from what I've found.

Chevy Calalier (2002)
Chevy Malibu V6 (2002)
Dodge Avenger (2000)
Dodge Neon (2002)
Oldsmobile Alero V6 (2001)
Pontiac Grand Am (2001)
Pontiac Sunfire (2002)
Saturn SC (2002)

So does anybody have much experience with any of these cars?

[Mr. Wyndham]

All the GM vehicles on that list, as far as I can remember, have gotten good reviews/reports/opinions. Especially the Cavalier in it's time. I know definitely, though, that the Malibu wasn't a favorite but it wasn't bad by any means...

I can't speak for the Dodge, though...sorry.

[EllwynX]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

It's been kinda slow here over the last couple days, so I thought I'd bump the thread.

here's the short list of cars that I've been considering, within a model year or so. In a few cases, the cars represent the last model year before a major redesign or simply droping the name all together. In those cases I don't want the 1st of a new design, too many bugs from what I've found.

Chevy Calalier (2002)
Chevy Malibu V6 (2002)
Dodge Avenger (2000)
Dodge Neon (2002)
Oldsmobile Alero V6 (2001)
Pontiac Grand Am (2001)
Pontiac Sunfire (2002)
Saturn SC (2002)

So does anybody have much experience with any of these cars?

While my personal experience was with an older Cavalier (1995) it was the same 'generation' as the 2002. It was a GREAT car. I never had a single problem with it for the 5 years I had it (traded at 96,000 miles). And since the Sunfire is just a rebadged Cavalier I'm sure it's just as good.

Is the Olds Alero the same as the Buick Regal? Person I live with has a '99 Regal and it's been a pretty reliable car in the 2.5 years he's owned it so far.

I've never heard many complaints about Saturns, but don't know personally.

[The_Stache]

Had an 02 neon, was sluggish but very reliable, and great on gas mileage. Not much value on trade in though.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by diarmadhi

Had an 02 neon, was sluggish but very reliable, and great on gas mileage. Not much value on trade in though.

Well the whole trade in thing doesn't mean a whole lot to me other than the fact that it will make it cheaper for me to buy. I plan on using what ever I buy as a daily driver for 2 years, then 'retire' it to winter use (to save the Camaro from that fate). By the time I'm done with it it will be a decade old, and there won't be much value left in any 10 year old daily driver.

Oh, and EllwynX, the Alero is related to the Malibu and the Grand Am. The Regal is a step up in size, up with the grand prix, impala, and so on. I wouldn't rule out the bigger cars, but only the supercharged 3.8L V6's such as the Grand Prix GTP. Unfortuantely they also cost more so I'd have to look back to 1998 or so. And the added age means more maintance costs.