Let's talk cars (again)

mltru2tx has smoke coming out of his engine, and I have broken timing chain guides, which will any day become a busted timing chain and a whole big mess.

So, while he's gonna get his fixed, I'm gonna get a new car, and I'm looking for recommendations.

Keep in mind I'm a grad student who intends to go back into journalism, so "new" just means something in better shape than my about-to-die '97 Explorer.

I'd like something good on gas, and reliable. If I could afford it, I'd buy a new Prius and feel good about the contribution I'm making to our environment, but again, I'm in grad school.

Thoughts?

 

You're a grad student who is going back into journalism?

I hope you enjoy walking.

 

UT, take a look at Click & Clack's Auto Advisor, from the guys who host NPR's Car Talk. It only recommends new vehicles, but its recommendation can always be extrapolated back a couple of years.

 

This is a total no-brainer.

Buy a 2- to 3-year-old Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. They don't break, they are great with gas and cheap to insure.

They don't have any flash, but you didn't list that as being important.

 

I am taking my bicycle back to Austin...

 

Absolutely.

In your situation, there simply are no other choices.

 

Then just hope it doesn't get stolen and sold off for parts.

 

UT, I met Denise McLuggage on a travel junket ... she's been an automotive writer since the '60s. I asked her what her favourite car was and she gave me some rare-breed Lamborghini model ... but then I said what if you're on a budget. She said the '06 Ford Fusion was the best bang for your buck. She called it 'fun.'

 

You need to get a 6000 SUX

 

I really like the Dodge Caliber. It looks good, is relatively cheap as cars go ($15K), and gets great gas mileage.

 

Honda or Toyota are the only choices.

I would also buy from Carmax. They will even give you a warranty for the next 60k miles if you pay a little more.

They base their business on not selling pieces of crap. They just won't give you much for you trade.

 

I rented a Fusion a couple of weeks ago for a quick trip to Austin. It was, in fact, a fun car.

Right now, I'm hoping to buy my dad's '04 Camry, but will definitely keep these suggestions in mind if that doesn't pan out.

Let me know if you have other ideas.