Looking for the most fuel-efficient used car under $10,000 and 100,000 miles....

elbajista · 08-16-2008, 09:02 PM

Longtime lurker here, looking for some advice from the boards.

SWMBO and I are in need of a new car, and I want to get something that can compete with these high gas prices. We have budgeted around $10,000 with our bank for a used car, and the vehicle must be under 100,000 and a 2000 model or younger. I know that the low amount of money we've budgeted limits the choices, but I just need something to get us through my last year of Nursing School, after which we can definitely afford something better.

I've found two manual 2005 Honda Civic EX vehicles nearby that are both around 50,000 or 60,000 miles and $9000. According to Kelley Blue Book, a vehicle of this year and mileage should be upwards of $12,000-$15,000.

I'll be window-shopping on Tuesday the 19th of August. I'm 99% sure I want this particular year and model due to its rating of 32-38 mpg (manual trans).

Here's a photo of the model:

Do any of you have experience with this particular model? Do you have any other recommendations?

Thanks!

**BigKahuna** · 08-16-2008, 09:13 PM

I have a 1993 Chevy Cavalier that gets 35MPG driving back and forth to work. I paid $500 and it has 155K Miles. I'm thinking you can do a lot better than I did with $10,000.
Matter of fact...I'd just go for one of those super cheap brand new cars that are in your price range, they are not super cool...and not exactly a Luxury, but they do have warranty.

elbajista · 08-16-2008, 09:25 PM

Well, I should have also said that we can afford at least a $200-$250 car payment, and I'd like to get something that will last me a few years, not only just this next year. I figure that a Civic with 50,000 should last at least another 12ish years and 200,000 if I take care of it. I thought about something cheap from a buy-here-pay-here, but I'd rather go with a bank loan for a more expensive car to have more reliability and build credit.

**Bobby_M** · 08-16-2008, 09:30 PM

I'd look for a leftover 2007 Mits Lancer or Kia Rio with the 100k warranty.

pen25 · 08-16-2008, 09:43 PM

+1 on the kia or even waiting a couple months for the 2008 clearance. If your handy and can find them a metro/swift with the 1.0l 3cyl in good shape. and spend a couple thousand in redoing the front end motor and tranny with rebuilt unit's and youll get 45 to 55 mpg or a honda crx hf and same thing as the geo/suzuki. I also had a 99 cavalier i put 200k miles on it and was still getting 25+ intown and on the highway with my heavy foot 30+ but the chevys do some some issues with thier intake manifolds and leaky coolant. i started to have the issue and sold the vehicle and bought a 2001 5.9l dodge quad cab. =(. =( because i went from 30 mpg to 12 2 years ago. lucky i also have a little ninja 250 for back and forth to work most of the year and a suzuki sidekick for winter

polarbearbrewing · 08-17-2008, 01:29 AM

vw jetta diesel...you will get 50 mpg and you could easily find one in great shape in your price range

i have a 2000 vr6 but ive driven the tdi's and they are nice not to mention they are the perfect candidate for a greasecar conversion

knarfks · 08-17-2008, 01:50 AM

where do you live? You can't touch a VW diesel for sale around here, period, let alone cheap.

elbajista · 08-17-2008, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polarbearbrewing

vw jetta diesel...you will get 50 mpg and you could easily find one in great shape in your price range

i have a 2000 vr6 but ive driven the tdi's and they are nice not to mention they are the perfect candidate for a greasecar conversion

I haven't seen any VW Jetta deisels around here for less than $15,000.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by knarfks

where do you live? You can't touch a VW diesel for sale around here, period, let alone cheap.

Central Florida, and I'm seeing the exact same thing. I looked into getting a Jetta, but at this point I can't manage the scratch. Maybe later, when I get out of school....

elbajista · 08-17-2008, 02:07 AM

I'm really looking for longevity, too. I know a lot of people are happy with their Kia/Mits/etc., but I haven't heard of too many people keeping them around for 200,000+ miles. I plan on running this next vehicle as long as I can. I don't really want to buy a car and then have to spend several K's to re-do anything.

I think this thread is moot. I'm pretty much sold on the '05 civic......

menschmaschine · 08-17-2008, 02:50 AM

Get a Honda. They're reliable, last a long time, and their resale value is a cut above the rest. For 13 years, I've owned all Hondas and have been very happy with them, so obviously I'm biased, but having just traded in my 2000 Civic w/ 130,000 miles and getting $2800 for it (dealer trade-in) made me a true believer in the whole resale value thing.