I'm very fond of the 91-99 Mitsubishi 3000 VR-4. It gets 28 MPG on the hiway. And is a very confortable car to drive. It only comes with a 6 speed manual transmission though. It also has All Wheel Drive, which makes it very safe in the rain and snow. Good luck.

Charlotte,

Let me know if you want the name and number of that guy I told you about who helps us get our used cars.  I could even ask my dad if he would mind making the initial call, if you'd like.  He is VERY reliable, and has always gotten us a good deal for the money we were willing to spend.  He finds good cars that usually only need a few minor things done before they are in top shape.  All you have to do is name your price range and give him an idea of what you are looking for.

As I said, in the past I have gotten Fords for as cheap as $2000-$3000, but this time around I didn't want a car like that again.  I was looking for something similar to Lisa.  At first, we were willing to spend $5500, which was the cost of the sale of my dad's Explorer and my Sable combined, but then I told him I'd be willing to go up to $6500 if that would help.  The auctioneer for my car ended up being a friend of Jim's (the guy we work with), and he pulled my car off the auction block right at $6500 for Jim, even though truly it could have gone for a higher price.

It is a 2000 Nissan Maxima with basically all the conveniences one could ever want, even though I wasn't looking for all that.  Leather interior, and so on.  Very nice car.  It had over 100,000 miles on it, but Nissans can take into the very high mileages, so we figure it has 5 good years on it.  It gets about 20-21mpg for my regular commuter driving, slightly better if I'm doing mainly highway.  I know that's not as good as the newer cars get today, but it's pretty good for a 2000 car!  And while it is not compact, it is not as big as the boat I was driving - much better size for me.  When he got it off auction, it required a little work - I think Jim paid for some of it and we paid $500 to get it road-ready.  So as I said, our car sales covered $5500, and then I owe my parents another $1500 for it. (Already paid some towards it...)  This year, the car has needed a little work, but the money I have spent on it has not been as bad as having a car payment would have been!  And it is a safe car - I really am surprised by the fact that it has minimal damage with the impact it sustained today!

At any rate - I know Jim would probably be happy to help, if you would want that.  Just let me know.  And I am curious what the lawyer says tomorrow - see what he thinks you can get out of the accident, given the car being totaled, her minor injuries and having to miss a couple days of work.  He really should have to pay for her to get a comparable car - but I don't know how all that legal stuff works.

Now - didn't I say I was going to bed like 2 hours ago?  haha...

Hugz,
Carrie

P.S. Lisa is definitely moving into the bubble with me....  But we'll stay down your way.  I'd rather live near Ocean City, MD than in Philly!!

I was a devoted Ford man for 20 years. I just couldn't afford a new tranny every 65-70,000 miles, (can you say 4 speed electronic overdrive...they're STILL using that P.O.S.!) Air conditioners which go out after 2-3 years, electronics, that guarantee at least $300 just in diagnostics every visit. It was with a heavy heart I finally had to bid farewell to planned obsolesence. They freely admit they design and build cars for the "drive it 3 years and trade it in" mentality. Give me a Ford I can afford to drive for 10 years, I'm all over it again, still have my Ford ballcaps!

Guiseppi

The Toyota Corolla 1.6L engine is, as Guiseppi has said, is next to bullet-proof.

I won't give anyone that "but it's MADE in AMERICA" line. I'll simply say that, when it's my hard-earned dollars that are paying for it, I will always go with the best bet that I've made a decent "investment."

(And I put quotes around "investment" because a car is never an investment - it's an expense, pure and simple. Don't believe me? Buy a brand new car, drive it off the lot, and then try to sell it for more than you bought it for. It depreciates by a couple thousand dollars within about 2 nanoseconds after you lift the pen from the last paper you sign.)

I found a 2001 Corolla today for $8900, 77,000 miles. I have only owned one non foreign car and it was a Dodge van made in Brazil (or somewhere in S. America) I think. On the other hand my Camry wagon was made in Kentucky. I just want to find a good deal with a reputation to back it. My experience with Toyota and Honda have been great.

Anyone else have any suggestions for some cars? Thanks for the feedback. Kirk, your idea sounds like too much fun and trouble!

Charlotte

I've never seen a dealership that didn't have a service dept out back. They all break sooner or later. All Toyota's are not perfect, all Fords don't break down.

I've had 3 Jeeps that went well over 100k (one has 248k on it now). Even after 3 good ones, I don't fool myself into thinking all Jeeps would give that service, particularly after they discontinued the 4.0L six.

For me, it's local. A bad dealership can make a good car suck, a good dealer can make lemonaide from a lemon. I'll never buy a Honda as long as our local dealer exists. Toyota? Possibly.

I got a Ford ranger with 220,000 miles on it you can have for a $100....LOL

All it needs is 4WD hubs, wheels, 02 sensor, shocks....plus the the whole under belly is rotted out and the check engine light has been on for a year.

I drive it every day.....LMMFAO!  

Quote:

a friend of mine gave me an 84 ranger with 200 and some thousand miles on it. the floor boards were totally gone and i cut up an old washing machine and welded that into the floor. that a tune up and some tires are all i ever did to it. i drove it around for about 2 years and ass ended somebody 1 week after i bought new tires for it. that was a good little truck. coarse i still i have my ole 78 f-150 4x4 that i had in high school. it has a nice flat black paint job the wipers work and the heater will melt the soles off your shoes.

We have a 2000 Toyota Corolla that hubby uses as his work car.  Has over 150,000 miles on it, air works very cold, heater even better, gets 34mpg and turns into parking spaces like a dream.

Sorry to hear about the accident, hope she's feeling better!

mel

I've had Chevy's since 1957....until 2001 when I had to choose between price and make.

It was either no car at all or a Kia...cheapest new car on the market.  So I bought my first Kia in 2001.  Then I went to a 2003.

My 2003 has never had anything repaired or replaced except the battery and tires.  I have 70,000 miles on it. Original brakes, spark plugs.......the whole kit and kaboodle. I am faithful about oil changes and filters, the hoses, etc. are still in good shape.

When it comes to a decision of no car or one I can actually pay for,  I guess American made isn't an option any more.  A sign of the times.

It really stinkes doesn't it?

-johnny- wrote on Aug 24^th, 2008 at 2:33pm:

Nobody to thank for that 'cept the UAW. They sold out for unwarranted wages and pension plans a long time ago.

It's actually quite simple, my friend - unions and their bosses are interested in one thing and one thing only: self-preservation. Through their dues and fees, their members are simply a source of income to the brass. That's all.