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I know I need to research individual cars as I come across them but I'd love it if y'all would throw some suggestions my way to help me when it comes to searching for a USED car.
I posted here before about my van that needs to be fixed and how I will probably just replace it. Well, I've been thinking and I have decided to not replace it with another van. It's not practical. While we love the roominess of the van, we love how it's GREAT on road trips (and even when camping) and being able to haul stuff ALMOST like having a truck, we really do need a smaller car, even if it's temporary. We will probably buy another similar minivan or small truck in the future as a second vehicle.
We are full time students with 2 children in school... 99.9% of our driving is city, and within the same 10 mile radius. We go to our kids school, to our school, then back to the kid's school, etc, daily. Grocery store and bank. Lots of tight parking since we are in an urban area. Our current ride (borrowed) gets about 18 mpg (if that, probably a lot lower in reality) and is freaking HUGE, hard to maneuver for me, hard to find parking sometimes, and no A/C (which is pretty much a must in South TX).
Our previous car was a Honda Civic (1995) and awesome but was rear ended and totaled. We'd consider another for sure but with what we are looking to spend there aren't many that have A/C and no major problems. I have started looking on Craigslist for something super cheap that meets our needs... so that means it's going to be older, but I don't want to totally sacrifice safety. So while the Geo Metro and other tiny cars seemed awesome at first (often cheap AND with great MPG) I just feel really vulnerable in something that small. Am I being paranoid?
Other cars I've seen in my browsing have been the Nissan 200SX, Mazda 626 (had one before, it was okay but not as reliable as my Honda), Nissan Sentra.
I am really a big fan of Toyotas and Hondas, but I know there are cheaper options out there that will offer decent safety and decent MPG.... but what, exactly? I like a hatchback... how small is "too small" when it comes to safety if size matters in an older car?
To me the obvious choices (Toyota, Honda) are harder to find in our price range, and when you do find them they are missing things (like windows, A/C, bumper, door handles)... I am not picky but I wonder if I could get more for my money with a car that is NOT a Toyota/Honda, and still get some good qualities plus have it be more "decent'?
Please remember that everything I'm looking at is going to be mid 90's or older, due to price limitations.
My 1991 Ford Escort has been one of the most reliable cars I have ever owned. They are also much cheaper than a comparable Honda or Toyota. Believe or not, they also had 5 star safety ratings.
From what I've seen, Honda and Toyota are priced at a premium on the used market and most have timing belts (more maintenance cost)...have you looked at like a 94 model year Maxima? Or there was a model change for the maxima starting in 95. I've owned both a 95 and 96 and they are very reliable, mpg is good for the size, and a powerful v6. Built in japan. Good bang for your buck. Timing chain, so you never have to open up the engine at all really until maybe a waterpump change around 150k miles or so just to have piece of mind it won't go out on you.
If safety is a concern (and it should be), I wouldn't consider any older vehicles such as a 1995 anything (maybe a Volvo). Most cars of that vintage don't have side airbags; many don't have ABS. Some of these cars don't even have a passenger air bag. Look at both the NHTSA site (safercar.gov) and the IIHS site. Both have safety ratings.
Scottv - if timing belts are so bad - why does almost no one with a Honda or Toyota have one fail? They spend $500 at 100K miles to change it and they're good for another 100K miles. In the meantime they saved money over less reliable cars. Timing belts are also more efficient, quieter, and mechanically simpler than timing chains. It is a tradeoff.
For the OP - please just state what your budget is. That would make it easier to recommend a car.
A Subaru Impreza might fit the bill as a 5-door hatchback, or a Mazda Protege for a small sedan. And, don't forget to shop corporate twins, such as the Geo Prizm which was a Corolla twin, and the Mercury Tracer which was an Escort twin.
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All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
I always forget that about the Mercury Tracer! I have been watching for a Prizm.
My budget is tiny... under $1200. Preferably under $900. I didn't state it in the first place because it varies SO much according to where you are located, and I know someone will say "NO way can you get a car for that little!" but I know I CAN. I just have to be on top of the listings. I've already found several but they were gone by the time I called about them (on Craigslist). In the time I've been searching there was a 97 Metro for $900 and an older (1990?) Civic for $600, and there's one I'm waiting on an answer from via email (they didn't post a phone number of course) that is a 1992 Civic for 900ish.... also another Metro (but older, 1994 I think?) for around 800. And amazingly all of these had working A/C! And supposedly nothing major wrong. Just cosmetics (headliner, bad paint, fugly), some high miles of course. I could care less if it's hideously ugly. Just needs to pass inspection, be functional, have a/c, reasonably safe, and good MPG. Basic transportation.
I just got skittish about some of the safety issues with the older ones, and yes, safety does matter. I will be carting my 2 kids to and from school in this car. I feel we were very lucky in our Civic when we were rear ended. My son ended up with a broken leg but it could have been sooooo much worse. Looking at the car after was very shocking! I don't know much about safety features but it did seem like the little car did a good job protecting us both.
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And supposedly nothing major wrong. Just cosmetics (headliner, bad paint, fugly), some high miles of course. I could care less if it's hideously ugly. Just needs to pass inspection, be functional, have a/c, reasonably safe, and good MPG. Basic transportation. 
