Most Reliable Under $2000

[1WhiteSSTC]

In light of recent events which I will not go into detail about, I am looking for a "beater car" and would like to know if anything on my list brings up red flags in terms of reliability. First thing I know to be careful with is modified cars which may or may not have been maintained mechanically. Beyond that I know to let cars run at least 10 mins and if possible longer to ensure the vehicle continues to run without problems the owners may be trying to hide. And of course TEST DRIVE anything being considered for a long period of time if possible and pay for gas if required to ensure a good feel for the car.

Ok here's my list so far of cars I've viewed on Kijiji for under $2000

-Mazda MX-3
-Honda CRX Si
-Mazda MX-6
-2000 Ford Focus(high km but looking to be in great shape)
-Nissan NX1600
-Acura Integra
-Honda Del Sol
-Ford Probe
-Toyota MR2

The point of the vehicle I buy is that it MUST be reliable and hopefully not break down on me, I will not likely be doing any racing in the vehicle I get tho depending on the condition of what I get I could see myself tempting a WAX event. Two condition is that the vehicle I acquire MUST be a MT, auto is BORING, and the interior MUST be in half decent shape, no nearly destroyed seats and nasty smelling interiors from having dogs in the vehicle and/or not cleaning it properly, get these all the time at work and the odor is just nasty. Beyond that anything goes, color doesn't matter, make/model doesn't matter, rust doesn't matter, as long as the above criteria has been met(clean/MT/reliable).

 

[Boostedecotec]

Acura I would

 

[SportLt]

acuras last a long time. and plus there is a good aftermarket supply for them, but since you say you dont wanna race...

 

[1WhiteSSTC]

I'm not sure I want an integra, should I?

 

[06ion2coup]

if its your DD... id try to find an old Jetta TDI, for hella MPGS

 

[1WhiteSSTC]

Nah jetta is not on my list, no TDI's for that cheep around here

 

[SportLt]

dont really have much to chose from...id pic the integra..or the mr2, but idk how reliable those are.

 

[DaveBlank]

i like the mr2....i drove one, real light in the front end...

 

[ßlåçk§mókè]

heres what i suggest....


Go drive them, then go get them inspected by a mechanic before buying

Get what you want, something that will make you enjoy the car alittle

 

[arman14]

i'd get the integra

 

[They call me godly]

MR2's are hella reliable from what i've heard. My buddy has one thats just about to roll over to 200000 miles.

 

[Revenant_SS]

I'd be looking at the Integra as well.

Stay away from the Fords and Mazdas.

BTW, I've been a service writer for over a decade. I see every car that comes into our shop. What I recommend to you is what I would do if it were me looking for the car.

And like Blacksmoke said, get someone to check it out first. Best $50 you'll ever spend.

 

[1WhiteSSTC]

I'd be looking at the Integra as well.

Stay away from the Fords and Mazdas.

BTW, I've been a service writer for over a decade. I see every car that comes into our shop. What I recommend to you is what I would do if it were me looking for the car.

And like Blacksmoke said, get someone to check it out first. Best $50 you'll ever spend.

if it's just a $500 beater then I'm not worried about a full service inspection, I hope to find one that has had a recent inspection, that way I know what I'm getting, but that would be for something $2000, I know I saw a few that did.

I will take heed to your warning and take Ford/Mazda off my life. I will also consider the Integra's. I have heard nothing but good about honda's and toyota's, i myself had a toyota b4 and beat it to hell and it never pushed back, always ran SOLID. I lean towards a toyota but wouldn't mind the CRX Si's that are out there, it's still a honda and they run for a long time when maintained and even when maintenance is abused. And I mean hell I got a cat named Honda lol may as well own 2 honda's lol

 

[Paul79UF]

I know they aren't very exciting, but I would just get a Corolla or Civic.

The parts are cheap, they are easy to fix and extremely reliable.

I bought a 1994 Toyota Carina ED (4 door Celica) when out of the country for a few months for about $2,000 US. It had over 200,000 miles and ran great. I beat it up for 7,000 kms with not a single problem.

Then sold the car for a few hundred less when we went back home. I was amazed that all the power windows and everything else still worked perfectly.