Hey guys, I know this isn't really Maxima related, but I need your help. My girlfriend is looking for a 2000 or newer model used 4 door car in the $12,500 price range. Right now I'm in btw the 2001 Civic LX and the 2003 Corolla CE. Which would you recommend and why? Also, any other suggestions are welcome. Remember, she's looking for reliable, 4 doors, and 2000 or newer...and $12,500 or less(if she gave me a higher price range, I'd look for some 2000+ Maxima's, but for this price they will be highmile ones if even at all)

I REALLY appreciate the help guys, thanks!!

 

go 99 max. my bro bought his for 10000. this was 1 yr ago this august

 

if u want something thats 4 cylinders... infiniti G20

 

Infiniti G20 (96 can be had for EASILY under $8k, 99 can be had for $10k if you look around.)

Or have her consider the late-model Sentras, which are good cars. In fact I sold my coworker into a 2001 GXE 3 weeks ago, and then yesterday a US Mail truck drove into the side of it. Fortunately the US Gov'm't pays their insurance premiums.

The 1998-2001 Altimas are also really durable cars w/ a nice interior. They can definitely be had in that price range.

No matter what make sure she gets ABS.

 

4 door honda accord is nice

I didnt know G20's were 4 bangers...i thought all infiniti's were 6 cylinder

and has anyone seen the new infiniti M45?! OMG, i seen it on rt 22 in new jersey this afternoon, the sh*t is kind of huge and looks CRAZY ELEGANTO! The front is a beast, the rims are ill as h*ll, and the body reminds me of a new caddy or something :wow

 

Im just confused why she wants a 2000+ econobox, when she could get something a year or two older that is much better. I would only buy a Honda if it was new personally, why should you suffer because they have a very high resale value?.. Ok, now to contribute to the thread, I'd suggest a 99 Maxima or a 2000 Altima. Maybe check out the 2000 Jetta, it'd be much better in a stick though, the 2.0 is kinda slow in auto form, it should just barely fall into her price range.

 

yea the biggest question of all is what does she want in the car. I'll take it she's looking for something that does well on gas? 2000 doesnt mean everything, i mean u probably know more about cars then her and can convince her to get something better. She probably has the idea that in 2000 they changed all cars to look different and better which is not true. The honda accord's were the same from 98 to like 2001 for example.

 

G20s come ONLY with the SE-R's SR20DE....16v4cyl....140hp for 3000 lbs. They're FWD and most of them are auto...but they have std. ABS, fantastically nimble handling and other features that make them worthwhile if 1/4mile time isn't the only thing that matters to a person. There's a reason they did well as rally cars in the UK.

You may have noticed, though, Infiniti's new lineup is all RWD.

The M45 is sick, indeed...wait till you experience the AIR CONDITIONED SEATS...yes, it blows cold air on your legs, back and rear like an air-hockey table....mmmmmmm.....

Oh, and Infinitis aren't all 6-cyl even if you don't count the G. The Q45 has always been an 8, and so is the new M45.
Only the I30 (based on Max), J30 (the *****-looking one), and M30 (the coupe convertible) were sixes.

 

.... mecc you ....

Now the Q45.. thats a nice car, especially the 1999-2000 model ones, find one in black and you'll know what I mean. You cant beat V8 luxury power.. mmmmm

 

Thanks for all the suggestions guys...oh and for the people asking about why 2000 or newer, it's because I'd like to find her a car that is still under factory warranty, so something 2001 to 2003 would be nice, bc it would still be under the 3 year 36,000 mile barrier. Keep the suggestions coming, much thanks!!

 

IMO...
I would look for a lightly used base-model Toyota Celica or Honda Accord. Other cars to keep in mind: Mini Cooper, Toyota Matrix, Nissan Sentra, Nissan Altima, Ferrari 456GT.. whoops how did that slip out?

Out of your two choices, I would take the Civic but only because I detest the looks of the Corolla. I'm sure they're equally EXCELLENT cars that will serve her for years to come, with few (if any) problems.
-Cyrus

 

Out of those 2, go for the Civic. You can buy an older car and get extended warranty on it. About a year and a half ago, my mom bought a 95 Civic with little less than 41k miles on it and an extended warranty (about $900 for 2 yrs/24k miles). Within 8 months of me driving it, we did about $1400 worth of repairs on it (ain't my fault the car can't handle it =P) It could've been more if we would've went to the Honda dealer, but they take too long. Pep Boys is faster =) Now that I drive the Maxima, my mom's car is problem free =P I should go get something else replaced before it ends this December...

Just get a little older car (Accord, Maxima, Altima... I don't like Toyota's =P) and buy extended warranty on it. Then, drive it rough and crazy, and go get the suspension, water pump, axles, and other stuff replaced and the car will be fine for a few more years. If you find a "good" mechanic, tell him to lie and get everything replaced before the warranty is finished =P I should've gotten warranty on the Max, but they wouldn't give it since it had about 91k miles =( Going to look online so I can get my supension and other stuff repaired under it =P

 

at first i didnt like the M45, but when i see those things on the road, they are sorta like the japanese answer to the lincoln LS and the caddy CTS, that thing has some major *****, i wish i had the extra 10 gee's to blow on it (g35 is about 35 =[)

 

my girlfriend was in the same boat just last month...she wanted a reliable pre owned car, and she found a 2000 accord coupe for 14k with tax/tags/etc. ive seen camrys, accords, altimas all around that 12-14k range as well for 2000.

 

Don't know if 12.5k is a drop-dead price, because a coworker got a Camry with the new body style for $13.9. Nice car for that price, it's much more solidly built than a 4th gen, probably 5th gen too. It took Maxima until 2k4 to put the newer style door handles on, and that 13.9 Camry has all those touches and seems like a bigger more functional car. If not possibly the 2k1 Camry, but then I'd also consider the 4th gen, and it becomes a reliability vs. HP war (Maxima V6 probably cheaper than Toyota I-4).

 

like i told the other guy how about the nissan micra for about 10 grand new.