If you were going to spend $6-8000 on a car, what would you get?

[Mr645]

Depends on what they need the car do to. Do they need a minion for a family? Perhaps a Civic or small Mazda? A pick up maybe?

[Speedy]

Not enough info.

[space-time]

I think he finally realized he needs a car and now he doesn't want to admit it, therefore the lack of "details"

[p8712]

3rd gen Prius. Gas won't always be cheap, and they're reliable.

[davester]

Strange you should ask. We're going to look at this car today. Asking price $7900.

[Rick-o]

I hear there may be a clown car for sale soon. You might want to check it out! :gears:

[space-time]

davester wrote:
Strange you should ask. We're going to look at this car today. Asking price $7900.

model, year, mileage, location? private or dealer?

Thanks

[Paul F.]

Since I have no idea what your friends vehicle needs are, all I can say is what I would buy...

'07-'09 Toyota Prius.
Must-have feature: backup camera (recently discovered that SOME Priuses it was not standard equipment on..). Very poor rear visibility for backing up without one.

My moms '07 is still going strong at 200,000-ish miles. Original battery pack. Currently getting 48-49 mpg. Got 53-54 with factory tires, but she was quoted $350 EACH for OEM tires. She went with aftermarkets.
She's decided that instead of letting me buy it from her, she's gonna run the wheels off it before buying another car.

It's been the most reliable car in our family since the '88 Pontiac Bonneville (that I sold at 289,000 miles, and the next owner drove another 10-15k miles before selling, then we lost track of it).

[GuyGene]

Ombligo wrote:
That is what we had to spend three years ago. We asked our mechanic for advice and he immediately, without hesitation told us to look at a 2004-2008 Hyundai Sonata. He said they were the best value and most reliable in that price range. We found a 2004 for $7000 and it has not given us any issues at all (my son drives it now).

You should be able to find a 2007 or 8, with 60,000-75,000 miles in your price range now.

The Sonata is a midsize and far roomier than the Corolla or Civic. It is dressed out nicer than the Accord or Camry. An Avalon in your price range will be 2005 or older with 100,000 miles. Another worth researching in the Nissan Altima. Some folks are leery of the CVT transmission I drive a Sentra with it - 80,000 miles and not a single issue (knock on wood).

:agree:

Or a Camry.

[Uncle Wig]

A Honda Element, naturally! Great car as long as you don't have to haul kids around because of the somewhat awkward door arrangement, but for a single or a couple it's fine. It has really good, comfortable front seats and it's good road car too.

For example: http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/5443590539.html