Suggestions on cars under $7500

[calgaryFTO]

Beyond

My brother in law's vehicle was written off by a drunk driver last week :banghead:

He has got a settlement from insurance of $7500 and needs to get wheels ASAP, only has the rental for another 2 days.


He literally knows nothing about cars so came to me for advice, and I am not educated at this price point.

His requirements:

At or under budget.
4-Door
Low Maintenance
Cheap to Repair
Cheap to Insure
Good MPG
No Mods

I suggested the standard civic/corolla as a starting point, but I also claim ignorance in the matter.

What would you get??

[Rat Fink]

Mazda 3?

[dirtsniffer]

He definitely doesn't need to give the rental back yet. Tell the insurance company the quote was unfair and you need a few days to look into the fair value. And then you can keep the car a while longer.
In Calgary there are probably 500 cars for sale that meet the criteria

[btimbit]

Originally posted by dirtsniffer
He definitely doesn't need to give the rental back yet. Tell the insurance company the quote was unfair and you need a few days to look into the fair value. And then you can keep the car a while longer.
In Calgary there are probably 500 cars for sale that meet the criteria

This

Honestly, so many things fit that criteria it's almost not worth getting giving suggestions. Tell him he can afford to be a little more picky at that point, or to just hit a few lots and find something nice.

Just off the first page of kijiji

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2006-Nissan-Sentra-Special-Edition-1-8-4-cylinders-Sedan-W0QQAdIdZ311011858

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2004-Mazda-mazda6-105k-Sedan-Mint-Condition-W0QQAdIdZ311215435

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2003-Toyota-Camry-mint-W0QQAdIdZ310817921

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2006-Nissan-Sentra-1-8S-Sedan-Mint-condition-80K-Km-Only-W0QQAdIdZ306802428

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2002-Nissan-Maxima-SE-Sedan-W0QQAdIdZ311193161

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2003-Toyota-Corolla-S-Sedan-MUST-SEE-W0QQAdIdZ311143539

[Nakadah]

I would recommend Mazda 3.

I have owned a Mazda 3 GT and a Mazdaspeed 3. Parts are unbelievably cheap, low maintenance, very reliable and very stylish imo.

The new Mazdaspeed 3 is even on my short list for my next vehicle.

[calgaryFTO]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I know there are literally thousands of vehicles to pick from. I was hoping for some feedback on what to avoid or certain models that people would personally recommend.

Added the following to short list:

Nissan Sentra
Mazda 3

[Kardon]

insert japanese fwd sedan from 2000-2005, if you're okay with an older (but nicer) car that would also be alittle worse on gas I'd look into accords camrys maximas, or if you want newer but a more economy then go civic corolla mazda 3

[Canucks3322]

From your list of requirements, I would highly reccomend getting a 2008-ish Hyundai Accent, then it would still be under warranty.....no worries about repairs...sure you'll look dumb in an Accent but it will serve it's purpose lol cheap on gas too than any other car listed already

[ddduke]

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2007-Nissan-Versa-Sedan-W0QQAdIdZ294786479

Boom, done. I was actually going to get one a few months back just to bomb around and do sales in but decided against it. Right now they all seem to be priced pretty high but I've seen hatchback versas with under 100km selling for as low as 6k on a few occasions.

[alloroc]

regal auctions.

My nephew moved out of town and needed to pick up a couple of commuter cars as he and his girlfriend are going to sell their trucks.

He was looking for wagons with good fuel economy.

He bought
An exceptionally tight engined 2001 subaru outback for 4600
A 2004 Volkswagon jetta tdi wagon for 5250

His sister's car is dying and she wanted a good car for 8g or less and she bought a *mint* 2003 cadillac cts for 8000 114K Km.

A dodge SRT10 http://www.regalauctions.com/repodetail.asp?Sale=0903&ID=354 went for 19000 (subject to phone call)
Mint pickups were selling for 9 to 11k and diesels for about 12k.

fairly new small US made cars (cobalts calibres for example) http://www.regalauctions.com/repodetail.asp?Sale=0903&ID=279 sold for just under reserve $3500 to $4000.

You can see a full inventory list here though I would wait until the update it on tuesday.....
http://www.regalauctions.com/Currentsale/listbylot.asp