• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Cheap dependable car

JimCoronette

Well-Known Member
Local time
5:05 PM
Joined
Oct 30, 2018
Messages
859
Reaction score
1,216
Location
Cold Spring, NY
My coworker is looking for a cheap dependable commuter car.

He needs something that is easy to work on, 4 cylinder, fwd, cheap to repair.
The Honda Civic looks like a good candidate.

Anyone have any other suggestions/experience?

Anything to stay away from?
 
Hondas seem to have head gasket issues.
 
Toyota Tacoma. Very reliable and very durable. If he can drive a 5 speed I suggest avoiding an automatic. Its easier to replace a clutch than a transmission.
 
The 01s and up went to a MLS I believe, no problems. But the older ones we did a few, usually because the owner never opened the hood/checked coolant.
 
I have had 2 civics since 97. 250k miles on first plus that on the second (2010). All we have is Hondas for daily drivers. 2 Civics, CRV, Element. Over 1Million miles on them. A couple sets is brake pads (no shoes yet) and tires every 60000 with normal oil changes is the only service ever done.
 
Last edited:
2014+ Mini Cooper with 6 spd manual and 3 cylinder turbo. Model designation is the F56. Gets 50mpg on the highway with greenX tires and I've taken it on a road course a few times, handles pretty well with sticky tires. Very well made cars for the price and reliable. Don't get pre-2014 too many problems with those.
 
upload_2022-1-23_21-8-55.jpeg
Better fuel economy than ANYTHING out there ! yabba-dabba-doo !
 
Last edited:
To me cheap means under 3 grand.

You might find a Honda with 579k miles that needs tires for that price in this market.

My cheap car recommendation is find a LeSabre or Grand Marquis at a estate sale.
 
Ive got a 2004 turbo passat for sale, but im in Mn.

Unfortunately, stay away from chryslers with a 2.7, sebrings etc, they usually are cheap
 
Toyota Corolla. Or tercel. I buy those as drivers. There cheap, dependable and disposable. Surprizing enough. There resale is good
 
I like my PT Cruiser just have to put a timing belt on at 30000 or so it's got 195000 on it now.
 
Budgets are different, I put 35k miles on my commuter last year and I can't imagine doing that for very long on something 20 years old. I bought a used '17 mini with 3000 miles on it for 17k in 2020, I think under 20k for a newish car is good these days. But, if you need dirt cheap transportation that is reasonably reliable, the 2000's Toyota echos you can find for like 2 grand and dead simple to work on.
 
I have good experience with a vw jetta, dependable , reliable, cheap and easy to repair, agree with the other guys here, avoid automatic transmission.
 
race vibe.jpg
As always I say get a Pontiac Vibe. They're dirt cheap and they are Toyota Matix's with Pontiac badging. The Pontiac name keeps the price down. Very roomy. I rev my 5 speed to 6200 RPMs all the time. Mine has 165K on it, they're supposed to go over 300K. There's a Vibe that races in the Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge. I'm sure it's far from stock.
 
Last edited:
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top