Looking for a good used car..Under $10K

[Griffeycom]

Hello all,

My girlfriend is car shopping and she needs a good, reliable car. She actually just picked up a Ford Taurus to test (BIG MISTAKE) it's an '03 with 50k miles and has an oil leak, rust is EVERYWHERE on the bottom, including brake lines?, and the brakes squeek like none-other. (Her mom test drove it and knows nothing about cars and didnt even bother to look under the hood or under the car). Anyway, I insist on her buying a Honda or Toyota. She doesn't want to spend over $10,000. And she'd like it to be no older than a 1996 and more favorably over a 1998. Here's the list of cars we've looked at and would work if we found one;

Toyota -

Camry
Corolla
Rav4

Honda -

Accord
Civic
CR-V

Now, which of all these cars are the more reliable? I know both companies make great cars and will last a long time. But unfortunately most cars have their issues. So, what issues have you had or are these cars known for, if any? What is the best to go with?

Oh and unfortunatly she doesn't want a 4Runner I told her she could afford one but she thinks they're way too big! Oh well, as long as she gets a Toyota or Honda I'll be happy(ier) for her.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mark86]

You can never go wrong with a Toyota. The Camry and RAV4 would be my two picks from the list. They are both safe and reliable vehicles. You can probably pick up a 2002 (newer body style) Camry or a 2001 RAV4 for around 10k. As for Honda, I have never owned one so I couldn't tell you anything about reliability. I have a few friends who own the new generation accord (2003-2006) and they love the car.

 

[03RoadRunner]

FOR SALE!!!

I've got the PERFECT automobile for your wife.

For only $9,999 I'm selling a fantastic, excellent condition 1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Loaded with only 112,000 pampered miles (Mostly Highway). All service done by owner (me), except a few dealer services. All documented thoroughly.

This truck is immaculate inside and out with little normal wear and tear for 112,000 miles.

I purchased this vehicle from a direct order from Japan via my employer at the time (JMFamily). They own rights to sell in the 5 southeast states (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Miss. and South Caroline). What a great job that was...and nice benefits!!! =)

Please let me know if you would like to see photos.

03RR

Ps. My wife is getting a company car and we have an 03' sport which we are keeping.

 

[Griffeycom]

Thanks for the quick reply. My dad...is...OBSESSED with honda. It's crazy how much Honda gear/accessories/random stuff he has from them. He drives an '04 Civic Hybrid and mom drives an '00 Odyssey. In fact, my first car was supposed to be an Accord but we couldn't find one that fitted my preferences so we got me an '96 Mistu Eclipse, had 1 owner, 48k miles. big mistake, so many problems. Anyway, Honda doesnt make an SUV besides the CR-V Which was too small, and the Pilot (too expensive), they have the passport but it's actually an iszuzo engine and parts (not any good according to the honda dealer) So, we looked for Toyota (my dad's choice if Honda didn't exsist). Anyway, enough about me (I always get going like this when i'm tired,haha)

She's most likely going to have to go through a dealer (not many classifieds or private sellers around here), so she'd be paying "retail" value. 02 Camry would be hard to find for $10k. We found a 97 but I looked at the TSB's and on the nhtsa.gov site there are 92 for the 97 camry? My 4runner lists 13 i believe..Didn't get a chance to read through them all but 92 TSB's concern me? Should I be concerned? What else should I look for?

Thanks again

 

[Griffeycom]

Re: FOR SALE!!!

I've got the PERFECT automobile for your wife.

For only $9,999 I'm selling a fantastic, excellent condition 1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Loaded with only 112,000 pampered miles (Mostly Highway). All service done by owner (me), except a few dealer services. All documented thoroughly.

This truck is immaculate inside and out with little normal wear and tear for 112,000 miles.

I purchased this vehicle from a direct order from Japan via my employer at the time (JMFamily). They own rights to sell in the 5 southeast states (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Miss. and South Caroline). What a great job that was...and nice benefits!!! =)

Please let me know if you would like to see photos.

03RR

Ps. My wife is getting a company car and we have an 03' sport which we are keeping.

Thanks for the offer, but she doesn't want a "Big" 4Runner . I wish she'd want one but she'd rather stick to the sedan or a small SUV like the RAV4.
Thanks though

 

[alpha]

Thing to watch with Honda is the trasmissions. If you get a manual, you should be fine. But the autos are notorious for having problems. More specifically, those with the V6 engine. So if you're looking at the accord and a v6, look into the transmission. See how its running, or whether it was replaced or rebuilt.

Engine wise, its a Honda. Typical Honda reliability. I don't think there are any issues with Honda engines.

I used to have a 2000 accord, then had the 04 4R, and now I'm driving an 06 accord. I had a 4 cyl auto before, and didn't have any problems with it, but I also didn't have very many miles on it. The 06 is a manual, and I love the car.

The 2000 was a great car, I loved it. The 6th gen accord is a great.

My top two choices: Camry and Accord. I think they're good sized cars, not too small, not too big. And they're safe.

Poor Taurus though. An oil leak and its an 03. definitely wasn't taken care of. I've seen older in better condition. Yeah, I know, its Ford, but taken care of, they're alright cars. Granted, I don't have a particular interest in most of them, but..

You should be able to find say a 98 - 2002 for under 10k. Just depends on trim level and mileage.

Is she looking for certain options, certain trim level, etc?

 

[Griffeycom]

Yeah I've heard about Honda's transmissions being questionable. The one on my mom's Oddessy was replaced after they extended the warrenty.

The Taurus suprised me too when I jacked it up and saw that there was oil on the bottom. It was on the oil pan but was also coming from somwhere on the engine and not just from where the filter was located.

She doesn't have any certain options or trim level picked out. She just want an automatic and most things power (windows, locks). I also suggested looking for an I-4 Rather than a V6 (to save on Gas). Since she doesn't really care about how "fast" it goes or whatnot.

One other question i just thought of, I know Honda's and Toyota's go on forever, (my dad sold his 86 Accord with 250K to his friend's son, and it's STILL being driven [he sold it back in 02]). But how many miles are TOO many miles ? We've seen a lot in the 130's :-/ too high?

 

[alpha]

I think 130's is a tad high. It's about when things start to fall apart, and granted it would just take regular maintenance to keep it running, you may have to start replacing things such as water pump, etc. etc.

Depends on year though. If you get say a 2000, I'd try to get something between 60k and 80k..

 

[Griffeycom]

she got a 2001 Honda Accord LX with 78k miles on it. It's a gold/beige color. Looks very nice! It's a big upgrade from her Plymouth Breeze she once drove

 

[alpha]

Ahh great to hear. I'm sure she'll enjoy it..