DD Car Recommendation <$5k - Co-worker bet

[vengie]

I'm looking for a cheap DD/ commuter car for myself..

Requirements:
- 4 doors (kid)
- Decent fuel economy
- Reliable
- <200k km (lower the better, or service history)
- Clean title
- Manual or Auto, doesn't matter
- Bonus if it already has winter rims/ tires
- Drive train doesn't matter

A coworker and I both looking for commuters have a $100 bet who can get the better car <$5k

I didn't think this search would be very difficult, but man oh man!

Thoughts/ ideas?

[G-ZUS]

Accord 6/6

[vengie]

Accord 6/6

Those savage beasts are outside of the budget from what I've seen!

[JustinL]

My submission from a quick autotrader search:

https://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/honda/civic/calgary/alberta/5_43551145_20150204125809439/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&ursrc=hl&orup=55_15_93&pc=T4X%200H2&sprx=-2

2010 Civic 4 door in Calgary. Ticks all your boxes.

[ExtraSlow]

Of course Honda fit.
86129

[vengie]

Of course Honda fit.
86129

I thought you were going to sell me yours! :rofl:

- - - Updated - - -


My submission from a quick autotrader search:

https://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/honda/civic/calgary/alberta/5_43551145_20150204125809439/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&ursrc=hl&orup=55_15_93&pc=T4X%200H2&sprx=-2

2010 Civic 4 door in Calgary. Ticks all your boxes.

That's actually not bad... I've never heard of autoworld, how are third party dealers typically?

[ercchry]

LS400/430 of course!

430 had so much wind tunnel time put into it, that it will do 8L/100kms on the highway at about 110kms/h

When I use to drive 50kms each way to work, cruise set to about 150 on the hwy, and manually shift gears and using a fair amount of pedal in the city I could only manage 12L/100kms

The older models won’t be as good on gas, but they are all super refined rides even being as old as they are, and reliable.... hard to beat

[Mitsu3000gt]

You can lease something decent and cheap ($200-250/mo) for about 2 years for that amount. That's what I'd do if you wanted something safe, economical, and reliable for kid hauling, and you have the added benefit of not having to worry about it at all or put any effort into taking care of it, or worry about anything your kid did to it. Any potential repair costs would also be completely mitigated over that time period, and even oil changes would be free. Any accidents/hail damage, etc. would also have no effect on the value.

I don't know what the criteria is for determining the "better" vehicle in terms of the bet, but if I absolutely had to buy something used for $5K I'd be looking at a 2008-2010ish Civic/Fit for a semi-new vehicle that was safe, spacious, and extremely reliable. I don't think you will beat those options in your price range, all things considered. There's nothing special about them though, so it may not win you the bet, but it'll be nicer to live with I imagine. For an Accord/Camry/Altima/TL you're looking at around 5 years older. There's tons of American junk for $5K but I would avoid that personally if you are looking for reliability.

[ExtraSlow]

I thought you were going to sell me yours! :rofl: I might, but maybe $5500.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Honda Fit gets my vote for sure.

[vengie]

Any thoughts on a Mazda 3 hatchback or a Volkswagen Rabbit 2.5l?

[bjstare]

Toyota Matrix. Bonus, they have a timing chain, not belt.

[taemo]

our family dd is a 2001 civic, we upgraded from a coupe 98 civic.
old civic, corolla, fit, matrix, yaris would be my top sedan choices
rav4, crv and forester if we wanted a mini suv

[killramos]

G Wagen

[Sentry]

BMW E39 540i
BMW E38 740i
LS430
GS430

If you want a medium big or big V8 sedan. The 540is can be had manual.

Also second gen Honda CRVs, first gen Lexus RX, or Acura MDX if you want an small/medium SUV

[Sugarphreak]

...

[dirtsniffer]

https://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/bmw/5%20series/calgary/alberta/5_43498473_20190328204405409/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&showVs=1&orup=7_20_76&pc=T2W%203V9&sprx=100

Great idea Sentry.

[danno]

I’m trying to get a buddy to commit to a $500 car game. See who can make it last the longest with the fewest spent on it.

At 5k I’d look at 2007 Audi A4

[ExtraSlow]

$500 car game. Would be great. Max $500 purchase and see who can go longest without spending anything except fuel.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

$500 car game. Would be great. Max $500 purchase and see who can go longest without spending anything except fuel.

I got an Integra GS-R for $1 once. I spent $39 on a blower motor and $3 on washer fluid and the rest was all fuel.

[Sentry]

My Impreza was 500 bucks, I've put 8000km on it in 6 months. Heated seats too, great winter beater.

[Misterman]

I'm looking for a cheap DD/ commuter car for myself..

Requirements:
- 4 doors (kid)
- Decent fuel economy
- Reliable
- <200k km (lower the better, or service history)
- Clean title
- Manual or Auto, doesn't matter
- Bonus if it already has winter rims/ tires
- Drive train doesn't matter

A coworker and I both looking for commuters have a $100 bet who can get the better car <$5k

I didn't think this search would be very difficult, but man oh man!

Thoughts/ ideas?

Oh man, too bad. You literally just missed my latest sale. 2003 Honda Accord. I sold it for 3000$, first guy that looked at it took it immediately with no haggle on asking price. It had 301,000km, but I replaced the K24 at 252,000km. Automatic. 4 door. All bushings, ball joints, control arms, tie rods, all recently replaced. Heated leather seats. Sunroof. Perfect commuter/winter/beater car.

Needless to say, it's almost impossible to beat a Honda if you want reliability and fuel mileage in that price range. I would just be looking for Accord's if I were you. However, if you want to one up your co-worker, you can find Acura TSX in that price range. That bumps you to 200hp, still have 4 doors, pseudo luxury, but still maintaining Honda reliability.

[jwslam]

Toyota Matrix. Bonus, they have a timing chain, not belt.
Also look at Pontiac Vibe. Same car but more depreciation because of logo.

[vengie]

Toyota Matrix. Bonus, they have a timing chain, not belt.

Looking at a Matrix tonight.
06 with 160k km... Anything specifically to look for?

Also was looking at vibes, blew my mind they are literally the same car!

[dirtsniffer]

tampons in the center console

[vengie]

tampons in the center console

You don't have to tell me twice. Going to be a heavy couple years.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Also was looking at vibes, blew my mind they are literally the same car!

There's a few instances of being either literally or essentially the same car out there. Chrysler Crossfire/Mercedes SLK, Infiniti QX30/Mercedes GLA, Vibe/Matrix as you know, Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute (older years), Subaru BRZ/Toyota FR-S is another obvious one, Dodge Stealth/Mitsubishi 3000GT way back in the day, etc. I'm sure I missed a bunch. Some of the partnerships are obvious but others are more surprising. In some cases (like Infiniti, and Pontiac, for example) the warranties were a lot longer with one brand vs the other for the same car.

The Saturn VUE had a Honda engine/tranny (3.5L V6), which, unsurprisingly, was the #1 selling point and repeated by every salesman lol.

[bjstare]

Looking at a Matrix tonight.
06 with 160k km... Anything specifically to look for?

Also was looking at vibes, blew my mind they are literally the same car!

Nope, I don't know a ton about them other than that they are a very solid DD/beater haha.

I'd look for a Matrix XRS or Vibe GT, pretty sure they are 6mt and have like 170hp or something (although might be like a needle in a haystack).

[BavarianBeast]

How do you place a bet on something so subjective? What criteria makes a "better" car?

[vengie]

Nope, I don't know a ton about them other than that they are a very solid DD/beater haha.

I'd look for a Matrix XRS or Vibe GT, pretty sure they are 6mt and have like 170hp or something (although might be like a needle in a haystack).

Yeah from what I've seen the XRS are very hard to find. Or completely miled out.

The one I am looking at is the lowly 1.8L... But fine by me, this is an A --> B car.

[ExtraSlow]

Matrix and vibe are amazing beaters.

[jwslam]

Amazing. But not savage.

[dirtsniffer]

How do you place a bet on something so subjective? What criteria makes a "better" car?

Personally, I like a vehicle to have at least 10 cup holders. 6 up front for sure.

[ExtraSlow]

Amazing. But not savage.

Correct

[vengie]

How do you place a bet on something so subjective? What criteria makes a "better" car?

Nothing too spectacular.

• 1pt for every $100 under $5000
• 10pt for Heated Seats
• 10pt for highest fuel efficiency
• 10pt for highest HP
• 10 pt for winter tires
• 1 pt for every 10,000km under 200,000km

[dirtsniffer]

that sounds terrible. buy the e39 and be happy you lost

[vengie]

that sounds terrible. buy the e39 and be happy you lost

Lol, BavarianBeast has been trying to talk sense into me for months with my car choices... Ask him how well that has gone :rofl:

Couple years away from buying fun cars again, just need to keep at the grind for now.

[jwslam]

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/2003-pontiac-vibe-awd-p-windows-usb-bluetooth-car-start/1436354894?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

How did prices go up? I sold my 2003 GT for $2200 w/ winters 2 years ago.

No heated seats but do u get points for remote starter?


Another option:
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/2009-pontiac-vibe-toyota-matrix/1436219554?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

[BavarianBeast]

Nothing too spectacular.

• 1pt for every $100 under $5000
• 10pt for Heated Seats
• 10pt for highest fuel efficiency
• 10pt for highest HP
• 10 pt for winter tires
• 1 pt for every 10,000km under 200,000km

Hmm, how about I sell you my Ram for $1, you treat me to $100 worth of beer and then sell it back to me for $1?

You won't end up with a car, but you'll of won the bet and my heart.

[ExtraSlow]

I will pay $3 for your heart.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[BavarianBeast]

Jokes on you guys, I have no heart!

[vengie]

Jokes on you guys, I have no heart!

I can vouch for that

[Misterman]

Nope, I don't know a ton about them other than that they are a very solid DD/beater haha.

I'd look for a Matrix XRS or Vibe GT, pretty sure they are 6mt and have like 170hp or something (although might be like a needle in a haystack).

The XRS do go for a good premium because of the 1.8L engine and AWD I'm pretty sure too. I shopped around awhile back and the prices just weren't justifiable on them.




Nothing too spectacular.

• 1pt for every $100 under $5000
• 10pt for Heated Seats
• 10pt for highest fuel efficiency
• 10pt for highest HP
• 10 pt for winter tires
• 1 pt for every 10,000km under 200,000km

This criteria just solidifies the Acura TSX even more. You can forfeit the mileage points, but decimate on all others. Here is one for 3700$, pick it up for 3000-3500, you get the 10pts for winters, good shot at points for HP and fuel efficiency, and you pick up 15-20pts for the price.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/edmonton/2004-acura-tsx-mt/1436788499?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

[Sugarphreak]

...

[ThePenIsMightier]

Nothing too spectacular.

• 1pt for every $100 under $5000
• 10pt for Heated Seats
• 10pt for highest fuel efficiency
• 10pt for highest HP
• 10 pt for winter tires
• 1 pt for every 10,000km under 200,000km

That mileage criteria is doing nothing but punishing Honda when it should actually be the best choice. Those generations of Accord in early 2000's will have a trillion miles on them and still be the actual best choice.
Booo!
Like MisterMan, I think those are the best cheap cars money can buy. I bought one a few years ago for $1200 at 260+km and doubled up after selling. No brainer.

[PulsePro]

2000-2003 Jetta TDI (ALH with 5-speed). Does have heated seats and can run fine in -35 with a plug-in heater. Auto is the weak point on these cars + get a tune and you're set. It'll be super reliable and cost you pennies to run (+ lots of them in junkyards so parts are easy to source and cheap)

[vengie]

Went ExtraSlow savage.
Picked up a 2007 Honda Fit 5spd, 200,350km(lol), 2 sets of brand new tires for $3600.

Shocked how much room these things have!
Thanks everyone.

[Misterman]

Went ExtraSlow savage.
Picked up a 2007 Honda Fit 5spd, 200,350km(lol), 2 sets of brand new tires for $3600.

Shocked how much room these things have!
Thanks everyone.

Now we just need the update when your co-worker purchases, and what he picked up to win the bet.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[vengie]

Now we just need the update when your co-worker purchases, and what he picked up to win the bet.

He is a lot more high maintenance than me, I think he is going to blow the budget lol.
He was pissed when I told him I bought something. Easy $100 I think

[ExtraSlow]

Nice work, but of course you have to post pics bro.

We need a Honda fit meet.

[vengie]

Haven't really taken many (any) photos other than this one.

Looking for a set of summer rims for it, unsure if I want to pony up for some new 16" or just buy some rims for the loose 14" summer tires I have...

86202

[ExtraSlow]

Looks sweet. Just troll kijiji for the rims.

[vengie]

Looks sweet. Just troll kijiji for the rims.

I need to clean up the headlights as well, pretty foggy