I'm buying a new-to-me car

[Britney]

and i need some recommendations. :]

Im looking for input on cars you guys drive that you would recommend. I need 4 doors, good gas mileage, the newer the better, and preferably NOT kia, hyundai, chevy, or a dodge. (just personal preference) $5K or less. :]

kgo!

[HiHood]

I've had pretty good luck with Nissans . . . Just bought a new one a few mos back, little more for the new ones than you're looking at though. Used sentra, something like that maybe.

[Britney]

Ive found a few 02 and 03 BMWs I may go look at. I dig Nissans. Good lookin cars for the most part. Wish someone would give up their Camry. I had an 06 i LOVED, but she had to go.

[HiHood]

Never owned a beamer, it's down right UN-American to own anything but Japanese, ain't it? Beamers or Camry's don't do well on dirt roads too long.

[RiponredTJ]

I drive a Jeep myself but the gas mileage sucks

[bisjoe]

If yiou went with the popular choices, Corolla and Civic, you'd get about a 1994-1999 with 180,000 miles on it for that price. On the other hand you could go for an Escort, about 2002 for a little more than half that price with under 100,000 miles. Either way you can expect to get over 30 mpg and another 75,000 miles out of it. My '97 Escort beater that I use to commute gets 32 mpg and has 164,000 miles on it.

[RiponredTJ]

We had an Escort about 25 years ago and it always ran great and took my wife and me to many nice places. We've had a bunch of Fords over the years and they never gave us any major headaches. The Escort is a good option imo.

[YelloJeep]

I say toyota. I have a '96 Tacoma with 300k and running strong. Also a Camry with 240k running well......
Also, it is hard to find them for a good cheap price. Patience pays off.... Keep an eye on Craigslist and wait it out. Try to catch the new ads. The best deals go real fast. Most of the good deals on things I get I have to call about the ad almost right after it is placed.

[M22KLARS]

For about 2 grand more you can pick up a nicely used '03 - '04 Cadillac CTS. I got my '03 for 7.

[RiponredTJ]

Originally Posted by Britney

Ive found a few 02 and 03 BMWs I may go look at. I dig Nissans. Good lookin cars for the most part. Wish someone would give up their Camry. I had an 06 i LOVED, but she had to go.

BMW's are going to be expensive to maintain.

Not sure exactly what you need the vehicle for, but since you need 4 doors my guess is parental taxi duties are involved.

I mean it really depends on the usage. Do you need lots of room, or just 4 doors? Are you doing long trips or is it just for hauling family and friends around town? Are you willing to pay more in gas in exchange for cheaper and more convenient maintenance?

I'd be looking for a cheap and well maintained, low mileage 1990's Cherokee, or maybe a Buick LeSabre.

Another good idea is to watch what taxi drivers are driving.