Daughters Teacher needs a car, reliable 4k 2yr+ lifespan, NC

My youngest has a really sweet young teacher who had a 14 corolla that she had mostly paid off but was in an accident that totaled the vehicle. Really smart girl wants to buy something with about 4k of what she is getting after the payoff (7-8k) and save money every month vs having a car payment and then buy something in a couple years. She got burned by a craiglist car in the past that needed 4k worth of work.

I think she would prefer 4 door, something that feels "nice" but she is very practical and just wants a basic car. I think we can probably surprise her at what we can find for 4k but my thoughts immediately go toward seeing if there are any 2nd gen priuses around since you can drive those forever and it should hold value

What say the GRM hive?

Feel free to post links especially if they are close to Raleigh NC as options I want to help her find something decent.

As an unabashed fanboy, I would look at a Mazda 3 (or 6 if she wants a bit bigger than her corolla).   Both are more fun to drive than the Corolla, but will be equally reliable/cheap to operate.   We had an 04 Mazda 3 that we sold to get something with more seats @ 200k that only needed rear bushings outside of normal maintenance (oil changes, brakes twice, shocks/springs & tires).    All of the Mazda 3 & 6s seem to be doing well with high mileage still.  The only real problem seems to be some rust up here in the north east, but you shouldn't have a problem down there.

A quick C-list search shows this:

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/2012-mazda-3/6574142506.html  (2012, 86k, $4500 asking price)

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/2008-mazda-3-4-door-grand/6610095212.html (2008, 120k, $5000 asking price)

How about a Chevy Impala? Decent transportation appliances that don't really hold value all that well, so you can make the money go a bit further. This one has a bit of a dented fender but a nice interior:

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/2008-chevrolet-impala/6609846351.html

Or this one if you want a cloth interior:

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/impala/6597311216.html

There's a fighting chance that Matt's 2008 link (LTZ with leather) has stability control, so for the intended user I'd pick that one all day long over the previous-generation 2005.

It's difficult to beat a cheap Miata for reliability and durability.

$3000 Miata, some rust.

WonkoTheSane said:

As an unabashed fanboy, I would look at a Mazda 3 (or 6 if she wants a bit bigger than her corolla).   Both are more fun to drive than the Corolla, but will be equally reliable/cheap to operate.   We had an 04 Mazda 3 that we sold to get something with more seats @ 200k that only needed rear bushings outside of normal maintenance (oil changes, brakes twice, shocks/springs & tires).    All of the Mazda 3 & 6s seem to be doing well with high mileage still.  The only real problem seems to be some rust up here in the north east, but you shouldn't have a problem down there.

A quick C-list search shows this:

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/2012-mazda-3/6574142506.html  (2012, 86k, $4500 asking price)

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/2008-mazda-3-4-door-grand/6610095212.html (2008, 120k, $5000 asking price)

I was already eyeing a bunch of Mazda3's I do think they are excellent little cars

MadScientistMatt said:

How about a Chevy Impala? Decent transportation appliances that don't really hold value all that well, so you can make the money go a bit further. This one has a bit of a dented fender but a nice interior:

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/2008-chevrolet-impala/6609846351.html

Or this one if you want a cloth interior:

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/impala/6597311216.html

 

That seems like a lot of car value for the money

Fortes and Elantras. Since we're talking used you tend to get nicer cars for the same money because horrific resale. 

Jaynen said:

MadScientistMatt said:

How about a Chevy Impala? Decent transportation appliances that don't really hold value all that well, so you can make the money go a bit further. This one has a bit of a dented fender but a nice interior:

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/2008-chevrolet-impala/6609846351.html

That seems like a lot of car value for the money

I will also highly recommend the 2006-2010ish Impala as being a lot of comfortable, reliable, driveable car for the money.

Since it's the popular opinion around here lately, and I own one: Go get the nicest Vibe/Matrix you can find.

My wife had a matrix before we outgrew it kid wise and it was a great little car. I think it may be a timing chain motor also?

Nothing of value to add to this post, but its good to meet someone else in the Wake Co. tree of the Grm family! 

Jaynen said:

My wife had a matrix before we outgrew it kid wise and it was a great little car. I think it may be a timing chain motor also?

Correct. They do have a timing chain, at least in the 03 to 08's with the 1zz and 2zz motors. I'm not sure what the 09+'s have since they switched to the Corolla 2.3L and and a different 1.8L motor.

mrwillie said:

Nothing of value to add to this post, but its good to meet someone else in the Wake Co. tree of the Grm family! 

I think there are a few of us, and a few more within about an hour or so

I also came to say impala. 

In reply to Jaynen :

Yep. I know about Brett Murphy ans East Coast Mojo. I don't get out much to meet people anymore. If its not work, kid-related or groceries I'm pretty much home.

How about a one owner Sonata......

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/hyundai-sonata-2007-gls-for/6601470238.html

In reply to mrwillie :

That would be a great car for years to come. 

$3500 for an 11 year old Hyundai seems expensive to me

Crown Vic or Honda Fit?

You know what sucks is we have that Honda Fit that was my moms, but its not ours its stuck in probate limbo land so we can't even get it to someone who could use it

High mileage Prius. You can get slid early 2nd gen cars for 4k and they are cheap to run.

Our 09 Corolla 1.8 is a timing chain, it's needed nothing besides oil changes and tires in 150k. I'd personally recommend a 00-04 Honda Accord 5sp, more room, better milage and at half the budget, jumpstart the savings account.

I have a 10 impala as the company car. Id buy one in a skinny damn minute in ger shoes.

You can get a really nice 03 or 04 automatic G35 sedan for $4k. 4 doors, definitely feels nice, fairly practical, extremely reliable.