Which one? (looking for reliability under $6k)

[farlex]

1999 Mazda 626 w/ 85k miles $5k
1997 Toyota Camry w/ 80k miles on it $5k
2000 Nissa Altima w/ 100k miles $4.2k
1999 Honda Civic 90k miles $5k

All from dealerships. The Altima and the Civic are from the same one, I need to check up on those. The Camry I know had 1 owner in the state I live in and no accidents. Just assume that that is the case with all of them (as I know condition can play a big role). Which will likely last the longest with the fewest/most inexpensive repairs? Which is the best bang/buck (I'm thinking the Altima but I'm thinking something may be fishy)? Which would you buy and why?

[JC316]

Civic or Altima. Don't go with the 626, I had one and didn't like it. Timing belt replacement every 60K miles FTL. Just curious as to where you are because I am trying to get rid of my 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 with 136K miles. I am asking $2750 for it.

[RevengE]

The focus is a great car. I have an SVT.

[LittleLizard]

Civic. Aftermarket pieces are dirt cheap and are everywere

[farlex]

After doing some driving of them I've narrowed it down to the Civic and the Altima. The Civic has less miles and is a bit more expensive, and I think has a better reliability reputation. The engine shakes at idle which worries me a bit, but I'm not sure if that's normal. The Altima is from the same year but 30k more miles. It's cheaper than the civic and also is a bit quicker on the accelleration and has a nicer interior (GLE model, which is the luxury model). I kind of want the Altima, but I kind of feel like the Civic may be a better choice. I've seen some say Altimas can last a long time though so.......

[RevengE]

Altima, civics are piles of poo.

[farlex]

Altima, civics are piles of poo.

lol, in what way are they poo? I thought they were supposed to be pretty good.

[Wile E]

Actually, the 2 most reliable up there are the Civic and the Camry. Especially if the Camry has the 2.2l 4 cyl.

And what engine does the Civic have?

As far as the timing belts, all factory overhead cam motors with a timing belt require replacement in between 60k and 80k miles.

[farlex]

Actually, the 2 most reliable up there are the Civic and the Camry. Especially if the Camry has the 2.2l 4 cyl.

And what engine does the Civic have?

As far as the timing belts, all factory overhead cam motors with a timing belt require replacement in between 60k and 80k miles.

The engine on the civic is a 4-cylinder 1.6VTEC, it's an EX sedan. The Camry was initially my first choice (it did have the 2.2l), but after driving them the civic seems to be in better condition. The Camry's interior was roughed up, and very dirty (what kind of dealership doesn't clean their cars). It seemed a bit sluggish too. The Civic drove flawlessly, the only thing that has me worried is the engine rattling, which as I said isn't when driving, just when looking at it it seems to be vibrating more than I thought it should.

Both the Civic and the Altima reside at the same dealership, both cars are listed under MSRP by a fair amount (MSRP on the civic is around $7k), which also has me a bit cautious. But it's a very small dealership and I'm thinking perhaps they are doing it to move more cars.

Carfax reported the Civic as having 2 owners and no accidents. It's failed emissions 3 times, one very recently, but the problem was remedied. No info on the Altima.

[Wile E]

The engine on the civic is a 4-cylinder 1.6VTEC, it's an EX sedan. The Camry was initially my first choice (it did have the 2.2l), but after driving them the civic seems to be in better condition. The Camry's interior was roughed up, and very dirty (what kind of dealership doesn't clean their cars). It seemed a bit sluggish too. The Civic drove flawlessly, the only thing that has me worried is the engine rattling, which as I said isn't when driving, just when looking at it it seems to be vibrating more than I thought it should.

Both the Civic and the Altima reside at the same dealership, both cars are listed under MSRP by a fair amount (MSRP on the civic is around $7k), which also has me a bit cautious. But it's a very small dealership and I'm thinking perhaps they are doing it to move more cars.

Carfax reported the Civic as having 2 owners and no accidents. It's failed emissions 3 times, one very recently, but the problem was remedied. No info on the Altima.
Failing emissions and a shaking engine could just mean it needs a tune up. My SOHC 97 Civic shakes a bit. It's not exactly a smooth engine.

Take it for another test drive, and take it to a place that will give it a good once-over to see if anything is wrong.

[RevengE]

lol, in what way are they poo? I thought they were supposed to be pretty good.

I was just joshing you. I say whatever you like the best get. IMO the altima looks nicer and you don't see as many as those as you do civics.

[farlex]

Failing emissions and a shaking engine could just mean it needs a tune up. My SOHC 97 Civic shakes a bit. It's not exactly a smooth engine.

Take it for another test drive, and take it to a place that will give it a good once-over to see if anything is wrong.

I see, yeah I'm gonna try to take it into a shop in the next couple of days.


I was just joshing you. I say whatever you like the best get. IMO the altima looks nicer and you don't see as many as those as you do civics.

That's the thing I'm kind of torn. I kind of would prefer the Altima b/c it is a bit nicer, but I'm mostly looking for economy and reliability, which the civic has a leg up on the Altima I think. But if the Altima would last as long as the Civic and have the same cost in repairs I would probably rather go with that.

[Wile E]

I see, yeah I'm gonna try to take it into a shop in the next couple of days.




That's the thing I'm kind of torn. I kind of would prefer the Altima b/c it is a bit nicer, but I'm mostly looking for economy and reliability, which the civic has a leg up on the Altima I think. But if the Altima would last as long as the Civic and have the same cost in repairs I would probably rather go with that.

The Civic is better than the Altima as far as economy and reliability. It's a step down in comfort and options tho.

[Black Panther]

Toyota and Nissan are best for fuel economy.

Honda and Mazda626 will bleed your pockets dry.....

[farlex]

Toyota and Nissan are best for fuel economy.

Honda and Mazda626 will bleed your pockets dry.....

Hmm, you mean in repairs? Civic's were I thought pretty cheap to repair. Average MPG is higher on this particular civic than this particular Altima, albeit not by a whole lot. So your vote is for Altima?

[Wile E]

Hmm, you mean in repairs? Civic's were I thought pretty cheap to repair. Average MPG is higher on this particular civic than this particular Altima, albeit not by a whole lot. So your vote is for Altima?

The Honda is more reliable. The Camry is the most reliable, but if the one you are looking at is beat, that may not be the case here.

[farlex]

The Honda is more reliable. The Camry is the most reliable, but if the one you are looking at is beat, that may not be the case here.

Yeah, the engine didn't seem too beat, but the interior was. And it didn't drive as smoothly as the Civic or Altima. Any more votes?