Looking for a car to take to college. The truck just isn't reliable enough and the gas mileage is pitiful. I was looking for something in the $2,000 range, but my parents said they would help me pay for something better so it will actually last me a few years.

I've been looking at either a Honda, Nissan, or Toyota. I work in car parts retail so I have a good idea about what cars have problems and which ones don't, but my views are distorted somewhat because the people who come in there for parts usually abuse their cars and don't take care of them. I figure alot of you guys have beaters and daily drivers so I can ask you.

I want something that gets at least 25+mpg, is safe to drive, looks decent (not really a huge factor), and won't cost very much to insure.

 

I have been looking at Colorado's for the past couple weeks. I can't stand driving a car. The reg cab Colorado's seem to get around 25-27 from what i have heard. I have found a couple for $4500-$6500

 

1993 honda accord!!! lol, bought mine 2 years ago for $450 bucks, only had to put another $250 bucks in it to get the clutch replaced. only takes 20 bucks to fill it up when its completely out of gas, ive put over 70K miles on the car and it still runs strong. that would be my pick, granted its ugly as hell but you can rack up the miles and it'll still go. mine has over 210,000 miles

 

Looks like that cam really botched things up Scott. You could always swap a six liter with a dd friendly cam

 

I would go with something with 4 doors. Insurance is greatly reduced. You might be like a lot of us and cant make the switch to a car and have to look for a 4 banger truck. They all seem to be the same quality in the end. Don't limit yourself to a brand or model make a list and shop a list.

 

for what its worth, when i got my 93 4-door accord, it dropped my insurance by 35 dollars, put the truck as the weekend driver and just put liability on the honda

 

ive had 2 honda civics before as DD, and they are great cars.... on maint. i did was oil changes and put gas in it.... they get 32mpgcity/37mpghwy.... cant beat that for a beater... i bought my last one last year, it was a 2000? 2dr coupe sunroof, with 100k for $5k.... i know some people buy beaters for alot less, but i really dont want something that is not reliable, i want something in decent condition that i wont have to worry about in a while and that is reliable for sure.... we all got other money pits to be spending the extra $ on! lol

 

A friend of mine has a 2000? civic for sale for 6500obo

 

honda or toyota...my 98 civic was 3800 with auto trans, 4 door and leather. gets 25-32 MPG on the cheapest most watered down 83 octane i can find. new tires are 50 bux per tire with an 80k warranty.

all i do is put gas in it and drive it. change the oil every 6k. doesnt get any better than that.

 

Where are you gonna be going to school? I would buy my vehicle based on that. For example, if you were gonna go to school somewhere that it snows, might wanna consider something with AWD or a 4x4. If you are staying local, I would buy a toyota corolla. I have one, it gets 30mpg on a carburated 4 banger, it has 221k on it and doesn't burn or leak any oil. Those damn cars are bullet proof. And there are tons of them out there for cheap! plus if it breaks, there are alot of them in the junk yards to snag parts off of, I have done it several times myself! Hope this helps....