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]

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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/c...%200H2&sprx=-2

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

[ExtraSlow]

Of course Honda fit.

[vengie]

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Of course Honda fit.

I thought you were going to sell me yours!

- - - Updated - - -

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My submission from a quick autotrader search:

https://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/honda/c...%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]

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I thought you were going to sell me yours!

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%2...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]

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$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.