Best Used Vehicle for Under 5K
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- Cousin Strawberry
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Best Used Vehicle for Under 5K
Coming back to Canada, I'm going to need a winter beater and was wondering if anyone had a recommendation?
I will be living in Alberta so front wheel or all wheel drive is essential.
I've narrowed it down to:
1999-2001 Volvo V-70
2002- Nissan Altima
1997- Toyota Camry or Corolla
1997- Honda Accord
Main considerations are economy, reliability, safety, comfort.
I've owned trucks since high school until I moved here and found that I really like driving a car more! So much easier to do everything and the fuel bills are friendlier...I can always rent a truck to haul crap.
I will be living in Alberta so front wheel or all wheel drive is essential.
I've narrowed it down to:
1999-2001 Volvo V-70
2002- Nissan Altima
1997- Toyota Camry or Corolla
1997- Honda Accord
Main considerations are economy, reliability, safety, comfort.
I've owned trucks since high school until I moved here and found that I really like driving a car more! So much easier to do everything and the fuel bills are friendlier...I can always rent a truck to haul crap.
If you need air...call it in
- JelloPuddingPop
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Re: Best Used Vehicle for Under 5K
Not sure about the others, but I'd advise against the Volvo. They are great cars new, however have a shorter than average life due to electrical gremlins, transmission problems and a too-lightweight for the car suspension system. I owned an XC 70 (basically the same car with AWD and turbo) and it really became a money pit in years 5-6 (and was in for warranty repairs for electrical issues earlier). I got rid of it soon after, and was part of a few Volvo forums which looked to have a similar experience for more than a few (I know forums usually lead to this but hey...)
Because of the Volvo name, they seem to hold their value really well which leads to paying more for a car that might need a lot of work done which is usually pretty expensive for this type of import car.
Nice to drive though, and lots of room.
My .02
Because of the Volvo name, they seem to hold their value really well which leads to paying more for a car that might need a lot of work done which is usually pretty expensive for this type of import car.
Nice to drive though, and lots of room.
My .02
- Eddy Punch Clock
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Re: Best Used Vehicle for Under 5K
I agree with Jello.Volvo's also cost a fortune to work on. Can't go wrong with the Toyota or Honda.
You should probably get a pick up truck though if you want to fit in.
You should probably get a pick up truck though if you want to fit in.
2011..... the one that got away.
- Cousin Strawberry
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Re: Best Used Vehicle for Under 5K
Interesting about the Volvo. My wife is from Sweden and when we go there i noticed about 60% of the vehicles were volvos. They all swear by them a reliable and well built cars so I lumped them in with the other trusty import boxes. I also really enjoyed driving my father in-laws V-70.
Eddy, I think I better steer clear of the truck though.... Next thing you'll know I'll be sporting a 10 gallon hat and all angry at the Canucks for cheating the flames out of a playoff berth again
Eddy, I think I better steer clear of the truck though.... Next thing you'll know I'll be sporting a 10 gallon hat and all angry at the Canucks for cheating the flames out of a playoff berth again
If you need air...call it in
- Cousin Strawberry
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Re: Best Used Vehicle for Under 5K
How have you found the all wheel drive to be? I almost forgot about them and they also have a great rep. I need a cheap ass winter beater though and I think there's not many under 5. I consider my winter beaters disposable urban commuter vehicles. I keep something I really like tucked away from the salt and crap...Arachnid wrote:I'm a Subaru man myself...
If you need air...call it in
Re: Best Used Vehicle for Under 5K
Trucks are good.
Over the Internet, you can pretend to be anyone or anything.
I'm amazed that so many people choose to be complete twats.
I'm amazed that so many people choose to be complete twats.
Re: Best Used Vehicle for Under 5K
Well mine is a 93' and in the land of salt & fat it has held up incredibly (I got it in 2006). Used it in a couple of rallies The AWD is awesome, won't go back to a Suzuki...they are expensive to fix and unreliable. Look for an older model to hit under 5k.Uncle dans leg wrote:How have you found the all wheel drive to be? I almost forgot about them and they also have a great rep. I need a cheap ass winter beater though and I think there's not many under 5. I consider my winter beaters disposable urban commuter vehicles. I keep something I really like tucked away from the salt and crap...Arachnid wrote:I'm a Subaru man myself...
I love every move Jim Benning makes
- LotusBlossom
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Re: Best Used Vehicle for Under 5K
Friend of mine has a 1994 Volvo, and swears by it. He uses it during the winter, he lives in Revelstoke, so the snow plays a factor in why he doesn't use a new car during winter. He's had it since about 2000 and hasn't looked to replace it so far. He's maintained it quite well (as well as you do for a winter car) and has owned it for 11 year now and going strong.Uncle dans leg wrote:Coming back to Canada, I'm going to need a winter beater and was wondering if anyone had a recommendation?
I will be living in Alberta so front wheel or all wheel drive is essential.
I've narrowed it down to:
1999-2001 Volvo V-70
2002- Nissan Altima
1997- Toyota Camry or Corolla
1997- Honda Accord
Main considerations are economy, reliability, safety, comfort.
I've owned trucks since high school until I moved here and found that I really like driving a car more! So much easier to do everything and the fuel bills are friendlier...I can always rent a truck to haul crap.
Another friend drives a 1995 Accord presently, and has beat the shit out of it on a daily basis but it still keeps on going. Something to be said about the Honda.
parfois, je veux juste laisser tinber un coude volant sur le monde
Re: Best Used Vehicle for Under 5K
I've seen a few guys driving trucks around here, sporting Canuck flags. The lengths to which Canuck fans will go to piss us Albertans offUncle dans leg wrote:Eddy, I think I better steer clear of the truck though.... Next thing you'll know I'll be sporting a 10 gallon hat and all angry at the Canucks for cheating the flames out of a playoff berth again
Oh, and I agree with Eddy - you can't go wrong with a Toyota or Honda.
Whale Oil Beef Hooked
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it" - Yogi Berra
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it" - Yogi Berra
- Cousin Strawberry
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Re: Best Used Vehicle for Under 5K
LB- those older volvos are bullet proof and where they built their reputation. It's why I've been considering them and thought maybe they were still ok until the 01 model. I really don't know for sure and epinions website rates them fairly well. It seems like they're usually well made but the odd exception, like jello's I suppose, are exceptionally shitty.
Probably better going Japanese I suppose. Per...anything to add in defence of your national car?
BCExpat-I'll make sure I deck out my beater with a huge ass flag and come on over to strathmore every time the nucks beat your flames. Maybe that's better if I had a truck though....
Probably better going Japanese I suppose. Per...anything to add in defence of your national car?
BCExpat-I'll make sure I deck out my beater with a huge ass flag and come on over to strathmore every time the nucks beat your flames. Maybe that's better if I had a truck though....
If you need air...call it in
- LotusBlossom
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Re: Best Used Vehicle for Under 5K
I had a 1991 Honda Civic hatchback, that I believe one poster in here had the pleasure of sitting in once (poor friend) and used that as a 'winter car'. It was the best $1000 I ever spent. It brought me to SFU and back a few times over the year, damn Burnaby Mountain! Just kept being the crap out of it until it finally gave in when I was teaching my sister how to drive stick.Uncle dans leg wrote:...
Probably better going Japanese I suppose. Per...anything to add in defence of your national car?
...
I named her "Catherine", she was brilliant.
I still drive a Honda these days...but as a summer car...2 seater, convertible...I love the S-2000.
parfois, je veux juste laisser tinber un coude volant sur le monde
Re: Best Used Vehicle for Under 5K
You won't be alone. Just yesterday, I passed a 3/4 ton Dodge 4 x 4 with a huge Vancouver Canucks logo in the back window. Man, they are everywhereUncle dans leg wrote: BCExpat-I'll make sure I deck out my beater with a huge ass flag and come on over to strathmore every time the nucks beat your flames. Maybe that's better if I had a truck though....
Whale Oil Beef Hooked
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it" - Yogi Berra
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it" - Yogi Berra
Re: Best Used Vehicle for Under 5K
Just be careful of fakes flakes and snakes that say they know about cars that don't exist
I love every move Jim Benning makes
- LotusBlossom
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Re: Best Used Vehicle for Under 5K
I'm pretty sure this was directed at me ..but yeah here she is.Arachnid wrote:Just be careful of fakes flakes and snakes that say they know about cars that don't exist
We call her "Miho" like the character from Sin City. She's Japanese, she's pretty quick, and has some artillery under her hood.
I blurred out the plate of course...
PS: Topper, Brian and Clam can confirm that's me in the car...so yeah...
parfois, je veux juste laisser tinber un coude volant sur le monde