What's a reliable cheap commuter car?

[Ellen Forradalom]

The hour-and-a-half commutes by bus and train are getting old. I have reluctantly concluded that I would be well-served by buying a car.

I'd like bare bones wheels--used, reliable, long-lived with proper maintenance, preferably a hatchback model so I can put the dog in the back.

What car (year, model, make) do you recommend? What price is about right(not too much, not too little?) Would $2500 get me something serviceable?

[Superfly]

1. Honda Civic Hybrid...

great car.

[AverageJoe]

2. I don't know how much a used Toyota Echo

would cost, but I bought mine new in 2001 for about 10 grand. It's a great little car, highly dependable and great on gas. It's rated at 41 miles per gallon.

Hope this is helpful!

[AverageJoe]

3. I don't know how much a used Toyota Echo

would cost, but I bought mine new in 2001 for about 10 grand. It's a great little car, highly dependable and great on gas. It's rated at 41 miles per gallon.

Hope this is helpful!

[GOPisEvil]

4. An old Honda Civic Hatchback.

A guy I know commutes about 50 miles one way to work. He bought an old Civic. It got about 40mpg on the highway and was really reliable. Try to buy a well-maintained on from the owner.

[Mr.Green93]

5. 2500 to 3000

Should get you a decent six to ten year old Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. We have a 92 Civic bought for 3k with 90k miles. It now has 235k miles.

[quispquake]

6. I've got a '94 Saturn that won't DIE!

A good car that's been seriously reliable...no frills, but a very dependable car...you should be able to get one a heckuva lot cheaper than $2500...

[asthmaticeog]

7. Just about any Honda.

For 2.5k, get a used one that's got less than 100k miles on it from an owner or dealer, make sure the engine's in good shape and stay on top of the oil changes like it's your religion, and you'll have that car for a good, long time.

I've had a few Hondas. A CR-V currently, that I'm hoping to trade in on a hybrid in a few years, when they become more widely available used. Several years ago I bought a 9 year old Accord for $2500, and I had it for six years, and would have had it for much longer if not for an accident.

[A HERETIC I AM]

10. I agree on the Honda's.

I am a car hauler and deliver a lot of new Hondas. The more i handle them, the more i like the new Accords. Damn near bulletproof on the maintenance side.

A used one from a dealership is good advice. Get an extended warranty (the first water pump or AC compressor you need will make it worth it) and maintain it like the above poster suggests.

[IronLionZion]

8. corrola, civic, impreza, golf

get a stick shift

[XNASA]

9. Honda or Toyota..........

But it would be difficult to find a nice one for that price.

So, if I was you, I buy a (I kid you not)....a Buick.

Buicks have great reliability. They're also, for the most part, no frills vehicles. The heaters are second to none. They're a bit stodgy, but hey, you're a Southsider now.........

So, Honda or Toyota, if you can find one for the money...and your ace-in-the-hole........a Buick.

http://www.edmunds.com/used/1994/buick/regal/sedan/midsize/index.html?tid=edmunds.u.typemindex.content.num9.0.*

[Goldom]

11. I can't resist...

try the happy link in my sig. the '04 model is hatchback, earlier ones are normal trunk. Best car for any democrat to own :P

[chaska]

12. Tercel - can't kill it.

[radwriter0555]

13. Kia's are GREAT...

Check edmunds.com... great site for car shopping and comparison.

[Bruce McAuley]

14. 1993 Volkswagen Fox 2 door Wagon

These cars go forever, and are FUN to drive. The parts are cheap, and the hatchback of the 2 door wagon is really nice. They have chintzy door handles though. You can buy a nice one for $2500.
:hi:

Bruce

[elfwitch]

15. Toyota Echo 2 door

Base price just under $10K
I have a four door and LOVE IT!!!

[bif]

16. My 95 Mercury Tracer

I'd give it to you for almost nothing. My wife is determined to get a new car so we'll have to get rid of it.

[Lostmessage]

17. Hyundai

Laugh but it's gets you from point A to point B and it lasts well over 160,000 miles.

Just buy the basic 4 wheels and a seat stick shift model new and it will come with a warranty.

[veganwitch]

18. definately a toyota corolla

any year. we had an '88 that got over 250,000 miles on it. then the starter gave out so we gave it to my uncle who is a mechanic. he was able to fix it up and now his daughter drives it. they are great little cars.

[geniph]

19. Check Consumer Reports buying guide

they rate used cars by recommended years/makes/models for various price ranges. Most libraries have a copy of the buying guide. That way, you can pick one that holds its value well in the price range you want.

That being said, I've seen a lot of people put 250,000 miles on Toyota Tercels. They seem near unkillable. Same thing with the no-frills Honda Civic models.