small, cheap cars?

[Philthy]

My housemate is looking for a new car (finally).
She is only looking at spending around $5k, and I have no idea what little reliable cars are around for that price.
Any ideas on a good, reliable little runaround for her? Keep in mind that i have to be seen in this car

[Kikki]

Although I know the crap will follow....Magna, Magna, Magna. I loved both of mine, reliable, very cheap to run.

First one I had was a TR, 1992 model 4cyl, cheap as chips, ran on fumes and even though it was a 4cyl it took a flogging! Second one I had was a TF, 1998, 6cyl same as the above, but the newer nicer shape.

So both of those are not really "small" (although the TR was rather small for me) if none of those a Lancer or Laser?

[Cursed CX8]

iv got an XF she can have for $1000 lol, its got some rust and needs a new accelerator cable

[VryNeat]

daewoo matiz ugly than an Adelaide hooker but cheaper then an Adelaide hooker

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automo...kToResult=true

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automo...kToResult=true

[CANYONERO]

daewoo matiz ugly than an Adelaide hooker but cheaper then an Adelaide hooker

Daewoo Matiz on Trading Post Auto ? cars, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Holden, Mercedes, Suzuki, BMW and Ford at low prices.

Daewoo Matiz M100 SE on Trading Post Auto ? cars, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Holden, Mercedes, Suzuki, BMW and Ford at low prices.

whats with payin out adelaidians! we do have hot hookers (somewhere surely!)

[5ivespeed]

daewoo matiz ugly than an Adelaide hooker but cheaper then an Adelaide hooker

Daewoo Matiz on Trading Post Auto ? cars, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Holden, Mercedes, Suzuki, BMW and Ford at low prices.

Daewoo Matiz M100 SE on Trading Post Auto ? cars, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Holden, Mercedes, Suzuki, BMW and Ford at low prices.

hahaha
get a datsun lol

[Morton]

1990ish Nissan Pulsars tend not to die Just make sure you get a fuel injected one, not a carby number from the late eighties.

[BOY1236]

Toyota Yaris

.... chevy opetra .....

[minux]

In that price range, a Ford Laser cannot be beaten, reliable, cheap to fix, no engine issues, if your buy something like a magna, you should buy shares in an oil company, those things eat and blow more oil than any other car Ive seen.

[50LTRv8]

+ 1 for the laser

[HoZy]

Ford lazer, can get parts for a dime a dozen...

[excalibur]

Mazda Astina or Toyota Corrola

[Kikki]

In that price range, a Ford Laser cannot be beaten, reliable, cheap to fix, no engine issues, if your buy something like a magna, you should buy shares in an oil company, those things eat and blow more oil than any other car Ive seen.

LOL since when? both of mine used **** all oil. I went to Esperance and back (1400kms round trip) and didn't use a drop in the TR.

And IF they do burn oil, even I could do a re-ring on one, and only costs around $400 to DIY.

[Tom_1569]

In that price range, a Ford Laser cannot be beaten, reliable, cheap to fix, no engine issues, if your buy something like a magna, you should buy shares in an oil company, those things eat and blow more oil than any other car Ive seen.

Yep, a Magna is a death trap, and a money pit IF you choose to fix it. Their parts also seem to be over priced, caus everyone knows their going to break haha. Get her anything BUT a magne, no offence Christie, but either you never owned a magna or your lieing to us, everyone knows how bad magnas are
Along with their oil eating problems, they also have a lot of cooling problems and its not unusual to see one with a stuffed gearbox..... Ahh magnas, not even good for a paddock bomb (we tried)

[Astranomical]

Toyota Corolla? Holden Astra? As others have suggested, Ford Laser?

[SAV_117]

toyota corolla deff engine does not ****en stop i know we tried to do it but other than that magna poor mans luxury i had a tr i think it was good interior just have to watch out cause i think the heads go on them but other than that awesome car (still would go corolla prob pick up a 94 for 5000)

[f1tzy]

Laser for sure. A laser was my first car and it just never died on me no matter what i did. I bought it with 240000 and flogged the living **** out of it until it hit 340000. Only things that died was the alternator and the clutch. cheap to run too, used $40 a week on petrol as an apprentice driving everywhere and the parts are very cheap and its easy to work on yourself.

[Evolution_Ends_Here]

Yep, a Magna is a death trap, and a money pit IF you choose to fix it. Their parts also seem to be over priced, caus everyone knows their going to break haha. Get her anything BUT a magne, no offence Christie, but either you never owned a magna or your lieing to us, everyone knows how bad magnas are
Along with their oil eating problems, they also have a lot of cooling problems and its not unusual to see one with a stuffed gearbox..... Ahh magnas, not even good for a paddock bomb (we tried)

mate what magna are your refering 2, i have had two magna's and the newer magna are not dealth traps, the mitz guys could say the same about holden commadores as well, my 1st silver 1992 Magna Tr was a dealth trap i must admit espially the 2nd year that i had it it, i had problems with my battery, and Timing Chain.

[vlv8vic]

camry. can't kill em.

[vnv8driver]

old magnas on the other hand are possibly the worst for blowing rings, how many te-tf magnas have you seen blowing white smoke???

i think up until the 3.5 v6 was released they had that issue for some unknown reason.

[andyman]

those things eat and blow more oil than any other car Ive seen.

scary thing is tho, there new car still burn chronic loads of oil, ive had people pull up in new pajeros and say 'this wierd ticking noise has been getting worse over the last few days', 4 litres of oil later its nice and quiet

pajeros, tritons and challengers with the basic same v6 engine = poor

[vnv8driver]

i got the models mixed up, i mean these -

[dbarnes]

As bad as the Daewoo brand is labelled I had one as my first car, a 1997 Nubira sedan...thrashed it alot but just took care of it with servicing etc... and I never had problems with it... Very good on fuel and they cost next to nothing anymore... and all have power options. If you are interested, get an SX or CDX...abs, airbags, power windows, power mirrors etc etc... not bad if you have a budget of 5k!

[Philthy]

I might be looking around for a laser by the looks of it, although she has said she doesn't want another ford. (Currently drives an old pos telstar)
Corolla is a good idea as well. I doubt even she could kill that little engine.
Not keen on magnas, as the few people I know who have had older ones had some trouble with them.
There are a few ideas there for me to start looking around anyway

[Nobody Actually]

i just picked up a prelude (honda) for 5k for a second car, and i honestly can't complain. it's great on fuel, quick as and quite reliable.

my 2c