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I am thinking about buying a Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda or Nissan for no more than $2000. All I want is a reliable car that will last me about 3 years before I buy something nicer.
What were your experiences buying a cheap, used Japanese/Korean car? What should I look for?
Stay away from the Toyota Corolla/Chevy Prizm model from 1998-2002. They had a design flaw in the 1zzfe engine, that caused most of them to burn oil badly after a while. It took them years before they got it fixed completely. They denied warranty repairs in most cases, and did all they could to cover up the issue.
Unless you like putting in 1 quart of oil every 300 miles.
I've bought lots of cheap used cars. I bought a 16 year old Nissan for $600, drove it for a year with zero problems, then sold it for $400. I bought a $1800 Subaru station wagon that lasted me for years with only normal wear and tear (brakes, clutch). I bought a used 13 year old Ford Explorer and it was dependable. I bought a 13 year old Ford Expedition with 170k miles and no problems. I bought a 19 year old Volvo 240 wagon and it was as dependable as can be and I sold it for more than I bought it for from the first person who came to look at it. I bought a 19 year old Nissan truck for $800 and it wouldn't die. I bought a 21 year old Toyota Land Cruiser for $2400 with 230,000 miles on it. When I sold it several months later, my phone exploded, I sold it to the first person who came to look at it, and they paid me more than I bought it for.
Bought my son a 1999 Toyota Corolla for $2K. Great car! If you can find one with relatively low miles for the year and well kept, go for it. I highly recommend them!
I am thinking about buying a Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda or Nissan for no more than $2000. All I want is a reliable car that will last me about 3 years before I buy something nicer.
What were your experiences buying a cheap, used Japanese/Korean car? What should I look for?
Above anything have it inspected by known mechanic to at least make sure its a safe car. At that price point many are not. Also expect to put more into it over three eyars regardless of brand.
Stay away from the Toyota Corolla/Chevy Prizm model from 1998-2002. They had a design flaw in the 1zzfe engine, that caused most of them to burn oil badly after a while. It took them years before they got it fixed completely. They denied warranty repairs in most cases, and did all they could to cover up the issue.
Unless you like putting in 1 quart of oil every 300 miles.
Gee, now you tell me.
I have a '98 Prizm and an '00 Corolla, both with over 150K. At about 125K, the Prizm started using one quart between oil changes (4000 miles). That's about eight ounces per 1000 miles.
I have a '98 Prizm and an '00 Corolla, both with over 150K. At about 125K, the Prizm started using one quart between oil changes (4000 miles). That's about eight ounces per 1000 miles.
The Corolla doesn't use a drop.
My 1998 Prizm LSI started using 1 quart per 1000 miles, and after 5 years of that, it suddenly went to 1 quart per 300 miles. Always used Mobil-1 synthetic also...
My advice is to get rid of that car soon. 1 quart per 1000 miles isn't horrible, but every 300 miles it sure is.
Thank you so much for your feedback! I appreciate the warning about the Geo Prism. There was a guy selling one on craigslist and he said, great car but it will need a quart of oil every time you fill up.
Based on your recommendations, I am probably narrowing it down to a Corolla, Civic or a Camry. Any thoughts on the Mazda Protege or Nissan Sentra? Should I stay away from Hyundai or Kia all together?
Thank you so much for your feedback! I appreciate the warning about the Geo Prism.
Based on your recommendations, I am probably narrowing it down to a Corolla, Civic or a Camry.
FYI, the Geo/Chevy Prizm and Corolla are essentially the same car.
Sounds like you'd want to avoid both models between 98 and 2002.
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