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1979 Buick LaSabre was mine. Yeah, it looked a lot like this one, except battleship grey.

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I wouldn't suggest getting that.
 
Honda Civic (obviously you'll have to get a used one if you can't afford more than $5,000).
 
Is leasing an option for you?

If you're looking in the 5000 range, I'd go with a subcompact/sport subcompact in the '96-'00 year range.

Maybe a honda civic, a vw golf, a toyota tercel, mazda protege, ford focus kinda thing.

If you go with a domestic car (ie. ford) then the parts will be easy to find if you need to replace anything), but imports typically have a better reputation for reliability. It all depends on what you like, what you can spend and what you really want your car for.

it's not bad to buy an old car so long as there aren't too many km/miles clocked on it and so long as it's had it's routine maintenance done (ie. oil changes, etc.)

Be sure to get it inspected before you buy it and just remember - the asking prices is just a starting point! Always try to bargain! :)

Happy Hunting! :)
 
Toyota's.

I got a 1990 Toyota Pickup on reserve for me. (my dad sold it to me for $500, so it's technicly mine, but I'm not old enough to drive yet.)

It's got 213,000 miles on it, and still runs like a dream. aside from the regular oil change and such, its only replacememnts have been a new radiator and a new water pump, both done by me.:D

As far as safty goes... meh. Its small, but it accelerates quickly (what with it being a standard transmission and all) and gets 26 MPG, even at 16 years of age!

But it doesn't like reverse:D
 
Toyota hands down i dare someone to present a cheaper, longer lasting alternative

bmw and the other german cars used to be good but recently they have been going through a bad spell
now bmw's are only meant to last through the warranty after thet expires its actually cheaper to buy new than get the shaft on costly parts

shy away from honda's unless your looking for that fast and the furious i am a crack/dope head so i made my car look like an alien spaceship because i couldnt afford a mustang or corvette look
 
Rokem said:
iam going to be driving soonish (13months) and want to start saving for a car. Does any one have any suggestions on which one to buy. under 5,000 usd would be best and i want it to last. any one own a good car that has last a while and want to share their experince. also has anyone fixed up a junker and how did that go?

thanks.

for a first car a junker is not a good idea. you want something dependable, and when you have the money to play around thats when you get a junker. i had a mercedes benz sedan 190D from 1984 and it wasnt worth it, i ended up shortly getting a 2000 corolla and when your young all that really matters is gas mileage and that toyota worked wonders for me. dont get anything too old, you can pick up a corolla like mine or a civic for around your price range easy. i dont have the corolla anymore, but for highschool and all the trips i did, it was great
 
stay away from european cars until you can afford them all the way. i personally hate asian cars and love european ones, but thats just for looks. if you want something that will last, that you dont have to worry about, stick with toyota or honda or those other ones. kia and hyundai = no no, only go with cars from japan
 
I have a vauxhall Corsa (maybe Opel Corsa in the USA). I would recommend a VW Polo or if you find one cheap, a Golf. Also the Fiat Punto or a Citroen C1/C2 would be nice as a first car.
 
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