My car was totalled in a wreck last week and I'm getting about 4800 from insurance for it. I had a 2001 Saturn SL1 (or 2, I can't remember right now) with a manual transmission. I drove it for about 6 years with next to no maintenance on it and loved the gas consumption on it (about 32-35mpg).

Does anyone have any good suggestions on what I should get to replace it? I'm looking for a smaller car with manual trans. and good mileage. It doesn't have to be a powerhouse, just the basics with good reliability. Price is also a large factor here so I'm looking for something under 15-16k if I can.

Used cars are also in consideration as long as I can get a good deal on them and they are reliable.

4/16/2007 1:03:53 PM

Civic FTW.

4/16/2007 1:04:28 PM

I was looking at Saturn Ion's, anyone with experience with the Ion line?

4/16/2007 1:44:18 PM

SHHHH...

haven't you heard? there was shooting at vtech!

everybody is affixed to the chit chat thread... BRB.

4/16/2007 1:56:56 PM

VTECH!

4/16/2007 2:20:46 PM

get a honda

and do your maintenance from now on

4/16/2007 2:23:38 PM

I'm not really knowledgeable about car repair at all. I do not want to have to fix my car myself. Also, I don't want it to break to need to be fixed.

4/16/2007 2:41:00 PM

you dont have to do it

but take it to someone and have it done

4/16/2007 2:44:40 PM

^^so you drove the saturn for 6 years without even getting an oil change?

4/16/2007 3:31:18 PM

no, i drove it without any non-standard maintenance.

4/16/2007 3:38:35 PM

you should get a dsm, they have an awesome reliability track record

4/16/2007 8:49:28 PM

Get one with 4 wheels, oh, and a motor.

4/16/2007 8:54:43 PM

Civic. Corolla is also an option. But I'd go Civic. Rather than new, which in your price range would basically be the bottom-of-the-line model, you should be able to score an '06 with some niceties and still plenty of warranty left.

4/16/2007 9:44:45 PM

Quote :

"Get one with 4 wheels, oh, and a motor."

nah, go Fred Flintstones style. you could probably use the exercise...

4/16/2007 9:46:11 PM

I don't know what your tastes or prefferences are, but you can get:
Nissan: Maxima, Altima, Sentra
Honda: Accord, Civic
Toyota: Carolla, Camry

The mileage and age would be varied though.

4/16/2007 9:47:46 PM

I had a 2005 altima, gas mileage was decent around 28.5 avg. I liked the fact that it had a timing chain and not a belt. Sheetmetal is shitty thin. We had trouble selling ours when we needed a bigger car. Seems like more people would rather have the honda/toyota. Altima was nice and quick for a 4 banger but it consumes more gas than the hondas. I would drive it today but I didn't want 2 car payments.

4/16/2007 11:05:02 PM

It dissapoints me to see that when people think cheap, reliable & fuel efficient they automatically think Japanese. I realize that this is mainly the fault of the American car manufacturers but it's very unfortunate. I assume, these are often the top criteria that a large majority of American's consider when initiating the automovtive buying process & I just hope that the American automotive industry will be able to change our perception of this.

I say support the American automotive industry, buy another GM car (or Ford if you like, but I'm not sure what to make of Chrysler right now).

[Edited on April 17, 2007 at 6:30 AM. Reason : ]

4/17/2007 6:29:24 AM

buy an electric scooter.

they dont even use oil

4/17/2007 8:25:29 AM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/313647560.html

4/17/2007 4:12:21 PM

Quote :

"It dissapoints me to see that when people think cheap, reliable & fuel efficient they automatically think Japanese. I realize that this is mainly the fault of the American car manufacturers but it's very unfortunate. I assume, these are often the top criteria that a large majority of American's consider when initiating the automovtive buying process & I just hope that the American automotive industry will be able to change our perception of this."

I don't want this thread to turn into this argument, but it's not like there is no good reason for this viewpoint. I'm not one of the American car haters on here--I own a Mercury and a Chevy right now, and of the six cars I've owned only one has been foreign--but I will still say for reliability and fuel efficiency Honda or Toyota is the way to go. The Big Three will have to prove otherwise to me. The Cobalt and Ion look like a step in the right direction (actually Saturn in general seems to have the reliable/economical thing down pretty good), jury's still out on the Caliber, and I'm awaiting Ford's next move in the small car segment.

When you throw cheap into the equation Hyundai is pretty hard to beat. Quality is improving, 10k warranty, and I've heard almost unilaterally good things about the new Accent, Sonata, and Azera...

4/17/2007 7:10:09 PM

whatever, they make camry's in the US

4/17/2007 8:39:05 PM

^^ dude the fuckus is a pretty nice car. or the mazda speed 3

i also like the new taurus replacement

4/17/2007 8:46:24 PM

Quote :

"It dissapoints me to see that when people think cheap, reliable & fuel efficient they automatically think Japanese. I realize that this is mainly the fault of the American car manufacturers but it's very unfortunate. I assume, these are often the top criteria that a large majority of American's consider when initiating the automovtive buying process & I just hope that the American automotive industry will be able to change our perception of this. I say support the American automotive industry, buy another GM car (or Ford if you like, but I'm not sure what to make of Chrysler right now)."

I supported the automotive industry when I purchased my Nissan Altima Made in TN, USA.
Among others are BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda, Acura, Fuji, Soon KIA, maybe I'm leaving some out.

Most FORDS and CHEVYS are made in Mexico

4/17/2007 10:56:31 PM

actually, good point...my "American" Mercury Marauder was made in Ontario, Canada.

4/18/2007 7:34:03 AM

Quote :

"It dissapoints me to see that when people think cheap, reliable & fuel efficient they automatically think Japanese. I realize that this is mainly the fault of the American car manufacturers but it's very unfortunate. I assume, these are often the top criteria that a large majority of American's consider when initiating the automovtive buying process & I just hope that the American automotive industry will be able to change our perception of this. I say support the American automotive industry, buy another GM car (or Ford if you like, but I'm not sure what to make of Chrysler right now)"

1. If they can't (or won't) compete, then fuck 'em. They have the engineering prowess and resources to build the right cars. they just generally don't do it. I'm no domestic hater, and think they get some things right, but it's retarded to buy something inferior just because it's a domestic company (and more often than not, they do build inferior stuff).

the only way they'll learn and start being viable manufacturers is through economic pain.

2. There is hardly a distinction between most foreign and domestic makes, anyway. Hell, Saab is part of GM just like Chevy is. Ford and Mazda have been in bed together for years (hell, they sell each other's vehicles rebadged). Mitsubishi and Chrysler are the same way...and now Chrysler is merged with Daimler-Benz. GM does the same thing with Suzuki (Suzuki Sidekick and Geo/Chevy Tracker, for example). Hondas and BMWs are made in America...lots of domestic stuff is made in Canada and Mexico.

4/18/2007 9:22:35 AM