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Cheap 5 speed used car, any advice?Follow

#1 Sep 27 2009 at 4:11 PM Rating: Default
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Right now I'm looking at a 2006 Cobalt, 5 speed, decent packed, and certified for about 8000. Not the color I'd like, but I can deal. Cobalts are pretty much the cheapest cars you can buy, but what other options are there for that price range.
#2 Sep 27 2009 at 4:18 PM Rating: Good
You could buy a pedal-car with a fire-themed sticker on the side.
#3 Sep 27 2009 at 4:40 PM Rating: Decent
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Buy a Honda or a Hyundai. The Cobalt is just a redesigned Cavalier and just as worthless.

You can even find an '05-'06 Mazda 3 for that price.
#4 Sep 27 2009 at 7:31 PM Rating: Default
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Using cars.com I could not find a single maz3 under 8 grand, that was an 05 or 06, and under like 70k miles.
#5 Sep 27 2009 at 9:13 PM Rating: Decent
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You didn't specify mileage and 70K on a Mazda is a lot different than 70K on a Cobalt. Cobalt is part of the throw away class, along with neons, Saturn SC and SL series, low end Kias and all of Daewoo. Most of these cars start falling apart around 100K, opposed to a decently maintained Mazda which will easily hit 200K. 300K+ isn't unheard of in a well maintained Mazda, Honda or Hyundai.
#6 Sep 27 2009 at 9:33 PM Rating: Decent
Based on personal experience, you'd probably be better off trying to find a Ford Focus (which is also probably a better car). It won't be certified (because for whatever reason, Ford doesn't do that for used cars), but they're actually pretty decent cars for the money.

This is based off of four years' ownership of a used one (and unfortunately taking pretty lousy care of it as well - 8-10k miles between oil changes, at least four "driver turns a little too sharply and knocks the front passenger wheel into a curb" incidents, etc.), so take that as you will, but there's probably a reason why, of the Big Three auto companies in the US, Ford's the only one that didn't have to take a pit stop into bankruptcy...

EDIT: Search results to look at. I tossed out the 2-/3-door models, as well as anything older than '05 or with less features than the car my wife and I have.

Edited, Sep 27th 2009 10:37pm by MDenham
#7 Sep 28 2009 at 5:48 AM Rating: Good
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Having looked at a lot of used cars and Consumer Reports reviews last spring, I agree that going with the Ford Focus or an older Honda or Hyundai would be a far better choice then the Cobalt. They go fast, so finding one before someone else grabs it, can be frustratingSmiley: glare

So frustrating that we ended up buying a new Honda Civic, using the cash we had put aside for a used car as the down payment.

Jonwin says that if you got 8k for a used car, a dealer can help you find one. His brother would email us info on used cars, as they came into the dealership where he works.
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#8 Sep 28 2009 at 6:18 AM Rating: Decent
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Raolan wrote:
You didn't specify mileage and 70K on a Mazda is a lot different than 70K on a Cobalt. Cobalt is part of the throw away class, along with neons, Saturn SC and SL series, low end Kias and all of Daewoo. Most of these cars start falling apart around 100K, opposed to a decently maintained Mazda which will easily hit 200K. 300K+ isn't unheard of in a well maintained Mazda, Honda or Hyundai.
I dunno, my Mazda is not much more sustainable. It's a 2002 and rusting. Mostly, it still runs ok though. Tranny, clutch, etc are all still in great condition. Just some of the underneath stuff and the suspension I've had problems with. It's got ~150k on it and will likely be replaced next spring.

Not as durable as my old Taurus.
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#9 Sep 28 2009 at 8:01 AM Rating: Default
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Ford Focus, don't even think twice.

Edit: Ive only ever heard of one ford focus major problem between the many people I know who own them. This guy had a gearbox failure but I can assure you it was due to his abuse of the car. The car is by far the best and most enjoyable to drive (and practical and economical too!) at that price range.

Edited, Sep 28th 2009 4:08pm by Lokien
#10 Sep 28 2009 at 8:12 AM Rating: Decent
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Quote:
I dunno, my Mazda is not much more sustainable. It's a 2002 and rusting. Mostly, it still runs ok though. Tranny, clutch, etc are all still in great condition. Just some of the underneath stuff and the suspension I've had problems with. It's got ~150k on it and will likely be replaced next spring.

Not as durable as my old Taurus.


Suspension and rust are based more on road conditions and weather in your area than anything else. Everyones experience is different but the older 323s, 626s and B series trucks are built fairly solid. As well as the newer Mazda 3s and 6s. That's why vehicles from Florida are usually sold at a premium.

Most people don't realize it but Ford owns a pretty good chunk of Mazda and the newer Mazdas use mainly Ford parts. It's just that they are built in Japan where they use a different type of manufacturing practice, which usually leads to better quality vehicles.
#11 Sep 28 2009 at 8:53 AM Rating: Decent
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Raolan wrote:
Quote:
I dunno, my Mazda is not much more sustainable. It's a 2002 and rusting. Mostly, it still runs ok though. Tranny, clutch, etc are all still in great condition. Just some of the underneath stuff and the suspension I've had problems with. It's got ~150k on it and will likely be replaced next spring.

Not as durable as my old Taurus.


Suspension and rust are based more on road conditions and weather in your area than anything else. Everyones experience is different but the older 323s, 626s and B series trucks are built fairly solid. As well as the newer Mazda 3s and 6s. That's why vehicles from Florida are usually sold at a premium.

Most people don't realize it but Ford owns a pretty good chunk of Mazda and the newer Mazdas use mainly Ford parts. It's just that they are built in Japan where they use a different type of manufacturing practice, which usually leads to better quality vehicles.
I could buy that for the suspension. I drive daily on some pretty crappy roads, but not the rust. None of other cars that we've had longer, but under the same conditions, have rusted like this little Mazda is doing.

Don't get me wrong. I've loved the car and think it's been worth what I paid for it, I just don't think Mazda - at least their economy line - it known for it's longevity. Honda and Nissan would be my pick if I was buying used and wanted to be able to rack up a ton of miles.
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#12 Sep 28 2009 at 11:36 AM Rating: Decent
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Speaking of cars. I'm currently on the hunt. Probably buying new (almost certainly), and will be paying cash (cause that's just how I roll). I'm looking for a mid-sized sedan with good power and comfort. All the sites say Pontiac G8, which looks yummy (and I've had good luck with the brand). A friends mom works at a dealership and she's steering me towards a Ford Fusion (not as yummy, but with more extras inside).

Any suggestions, or alternative ideas? I'm trying to keep my budget between 25-35k.
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#13 Sep 28 2009 at 5:06 PM Rating: Decent
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Any suggestions, or alternative ideas? I'm trying to keep my budget between 25-35k.


Not suggestions, just other ideas.

Mazda 6 S

Nissan Altima SL

Chevy Impala LTZ

#14 Sep 28 2009 at 5:20 PM Rating: Good
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Drive into oncoming traffic.
#15 Sep 28 2009 at 5:27 PM Rating: Good
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The G-8 is a very nice car, and comes with a very affordable V-8 if that's what you're looking for. Personally if I were going GM I'd look at a Chevy Impala or a Buick Allure, there's more comfort and similar power for a similar price in those vehicles.

Thanks to work I've recently had the opportunity to test out all sorts of various midsize and fullsize cars through rental places, and the most fun I had was in a Nissan Altima. It was the 4 Cylinder, 2.5L model, and it has real pickup as far as 4i cars go(not a terrible amount of difference between it and my 2008 Impala V6 3.9L), and was decent on gas(900 km, ~600 miles of highway driving for 65L of fuel).

After that, the Mazda 6 was a great car, very similar to the Altima in a lot of ways. I obviously can't vouch for the durability of these cars as they were only rentals and practically brand new. In terms of overall styling, I prefer the 6 to the Altima.
#16 Sep 29 2009 at 3:45 AM Rating: Decent
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Saturn SC


The heck? I drive a 1999 SC2 with about 86,000 on it. Both my mechanic and my dad who is also a mechanic both say it's not going going to die anytime soon as long as I maintain it well.

Edited, Sep 29th 2009 7:46am by Multidude
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