Escapists, I need car help

[inflamessoilwork]

I'm looking to get a used car, but there are a few qualifications. I would rather it be 4 cylinder for gas economy, it needs to be somewhat cheap to insure (I'm a 20 year old male btw), and it needs to be right around $4000.

I have looked at things like jettas and civics, but does anyone else have any options?


Edit: Also, I'm not looking to buy from anyone on here or anything, just ideas as to cars that would meet these standards


Edit #2: Must be a car, no bikes, motorcycles, skateboards, etc.

 

[DazZ.]

Skateboard.

Works fine for me, and I look rad.

 

[Souplex]

Get a Bianchi Torino. It runs on the revolutionary new fuel called elbow grease that has no environmental impact, costs nothing and actually improves your physical condition as you use it.
http://www.bianchiusa.com/09-bicycles/09-cross-terrain/09-xt-torino.html
Put the leftover $3,500 into a savings account or something.

 

[Sassafrass]

Maybe an old Ford Ka?

Not sure on cylinders but should fit your budget nicely.

 

[sneakypenguin]

Honda civic, you could find a used 2000-2003 for <5g

 

[high_castle]

What kind of weather do you have? Are you going to need something that can handle snow, for instance? Because you'll want to stay away from anything with RWD. If not...*shrug*

My first car was a cheap, used Focus. It got pretty decent gas mileage for being a late 90s model and handled plenty of long-distance trips just fine. I think I put close to 100K miles on it and it was still running fine. The only reason I got my second car was because I totaled this one (not my fault; someone ran a light and sideswiped me). Ford engines can last 200K miles if you take care of them right. I have an Escape now and this thing's gone cross-country multiple times, off-road, etc. and is right as rain. *knocks wood*

 

[BonsaiK]

Keep in mind that a 4 cylinder isn't always more economical than a 6. Less cylinders means less power, so less cylinders have to work harder to push the car up to the same speed thereby consuming more petrol. If you're carrying heavy loads in your car then definitely go for a 6. If not, and if you're mainly just driving around yourself then a 4 will do.

Where I live, insurance is more about your age and your driving history than the car itself. I haven't insured my car in over ten years, and haven't had an accident in all that time either, I just drive REAL careful.

Doesn't really matter what car you get as long as you dig it and it's practical and it works. Go to a used car yard (preferably one that is approved by an independent motoring standards body) and just have a chat to people when you see something you like the look of. Then get a second opinion. Bring along someone with you who knows cars but who is sensible and mature, and who isn't biased toward a particular brand or style for stupid emotional reasons like a lot of car nuts can be.

 

[mikecoulter]

A Jetta or Civic would be a good idea as they're reliable.

 

[the_dancy_vagrant]

Honda civic, you could find a used 2000-2003 for <5g

The civic is an excellent choice for both fuel economy and reliability. Just make sure that you don't get one that was modified in any way.

 

[Chechosaurus]

Vauxhall Astra. You get can get one of a decent age and reasonable engine size for about £1000 over here so in the US I'm sure you could find something of similar if not better quality within your price range. I know very little about cylinders but trust me when I say that they can be pretty damn rapid and very economical too. Don't get a Honda Civic... It's an old man's car.

 

[Socken]

I don't know what the used car price is like in the US but my used VW Golf is still running nicely (12 years old as of now, paid 3000 EUR).
It's quite a ***** to insure though, as a lot of beginners drive a Golf (at least in Germany).

 

[cuddly_tomato]

Honda civic, you could find a used 2000-2003 for <5g

Seconded. Hondas are generally the most reliable cars in the world (after Subarus) - and you will need that reliability if you are buying one used. When you buy a car check its service history and MAKE DAMN SURE it has had oil changes at least twice per year.

 

[Blackadder51]

Mazda 626 1997 model, just like this one and its big

There awesome, 6 cylinder though, but who cares ( but its brilliant)

<spoiler=Here saves a google search>

oh and there pretty cheap, i got mine for $2500 AU in auto

 

[Cxizent]

Buy a Merc E-class. I hear that they're both affordable and fuel efficient.

 

[Reep]

Get a Japanese car, those things never die. Also if ur hoping for fuel economy, try get a 1.8-2litreish car. Try stay away from the heavy cars with 3-4 litre 6 cylinders, my mate has a Ford Fairmont and his gas light is permanently on.

 

[Nimbus]

Maybe an old Ford Ka?

Not sure on cylinders but should fit your budget nicely.

A Ka? God, those things are ugly as sin.

 

[the_dancy_vagrant]

Mazda 626 1997 model, just like this one and its big

There awesome, 6 cylinder though, but who cares ( but its brilliant)

<spoiler=Here saves a google search>

oh and there pretty cheap, i got mine for $2500 AU in auto

I like the 626 for reliability but they have a pretty poor paint job. My brother and sister both had problems with the top coat peeling, but other than that it's a solid choice for a car. You could easily go well beyond 250k+ miles on one if maintenance has been done on it.

 

[Baby Tea]

Civics, as others have mentioned, would be a good choice here.
Let me offer a word of warning: Do NOT get a '98 Mazda 626.

Mine was nothing but trouble, and when I broke down in the middle of Toronto, even the Pakistani owner of the shadiest garage you ever saw told me how bad they were (Really nice guy, though).

I'll never buy a Mazda again for that very reason. Ever.

 

[Dys]

I'm looking to get a used car, but there are a few qualifications. I would rather it be 4 cylinder for gas economy, it needs to be somewhat cheap to insure (I'm a 20 year old male btw), and it needs to be right around $4000.

I have looked at things like jettas and civics, but does anyone else have any options?


Edit: Also, I'm not looking to buy from anyone on here or anything, just ideas as to cars that would meet these standards


Edit #2: Must be a car, no bikes, motorcycles, skateboards, etc.

You're from the UK eh, unlike in Australia you will probably be able to get something sensible with 4 cylinders. Golfs are cheap over there aren't they? They are decent cars if you can stand the small chasis. If you need to drive people around things like mitsubishi lancers or ford focus are a little more appropriate. Difficult to give advice on the make as british prices are going to have a whole lot less of the europian markets whole "you're australian so we're charging you triple".

Basicially, the useful advice I can give is try not to get anything too much smaller than a 2L (and stay away from turbocharged, bad for unsurance..over here 4 door is better than 2 for that). A bigger engine means less fuel economy (depending on driving conditions), but smaller than 2L tend to be really lacking in power, especially with larger cars (and nobody wants to be driving around in a car that is physicially too small for them, small engine in heavy chasis defeats the purpose of a small engine as you lose the fuel economy as the engine has to work harder). Most modern cars are fairly reliable, so I wouldn't be too worried about the mechanical reliablity of any of the major brands (though stay away from the cheap korean cars where possible).

 

[inflamessoilwork]

I'm looking to get a used car, but there are a few qualifications. I would rather it be 4 cylinder for gas economy, it needs to be somewhat cheap to insure (I'm a 20 year old male btw), and it needs to be right around $4000.

I have looked at things like jettas and civics, but does anyone else have any options?


Edit: Also, I'm not looking to buy from anyone on here or anything, just ideas as to cars that would meet these standards


Edit #2: Must be a car, no bikes, motorcycles, skateboards, etc.

You're from the UK eh, unlike in Australia you will probably be able to get something sensible with 4 cylinders. Golfs are cheap over there aren't they? They are decent cars if you can stand the small chasis. If you need to drive people around things like mitsubishi lancers or ford focus are a little more appropriate. Difficult to give advice on the make as british prices are going to have a whole lot less of the europian markets whole "you're australian so we're charging you triple".

Basicially, the useful advice I can give is try not to get anything too much smaller than a 2L (and stay away from turbocharged, bad for unsurance..over here 4 door is better than 2 for that). A bigger engine means less fuel economy (depending on driving conditions), but smaller than 2L tend to be really lacking in power, especially with larger cars (and nobody wants to be driving around in a car that is physicially too small for them, small engine in heavy chasis defeats the purpose of a small engine as you lose the fuel economy as the engine has to work harder). Most modern cars are fairly reliable, so I wouldn't be too worried about the mechanical reliablity of any of the major brands (though stay away from the cheap korean cars where possible).

No, i'm not from the UK, I'm from the States