Best car for $3000

[augie00]

omg. i've been drawn in paint. i feel so...popular.

[CallMeIshmael]

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Does she come with it?

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[img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[ChoicestHops]

You dont have many options with $3,000. I'd only go with a Civic, because it's going to be a high mile car.

[DoubleClutch]

I see that a lot of people here are insisting on honda and toyota. However, these cars have such a high re-sale value that you're going to get a real piece of garbage for $3000 (same goes for BMW). Personally, i'd go with a Ford Contour. We have 3 in our family with well over 100k miles. You can get one for around $3000 (make sure it's the V6).

[david050173]

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I see that a lot of people here are insisting on honda and toyota. However, these cars have such a high re-sale value that you're going to get a real piece of garbage for $3000 (same goes for BMW). Personally, i'd go with a Ford Contour. We have 3 in our family with well over 100k miles. You can get one for around $3000 (make sure it's the V6).

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Geo prism. Japanese quality. American depreciation.

[DasLeben]

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'85-'92 BMW 325i. 325e if you're not so frisky. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

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That's $3,000 for the car and $12,000 for the next two years worth of maintenance.

I would recommend a Honda, Toyota, or Subaru.

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Ain't that the truth. They're not called "Break My Wallet" for no reason. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Just a thought.

[nothumb]

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I see that a lot of people here are insisting on honda and toyota. However, these cars have such a high re-sale value that you're going to get a real piece of garbage for $3000 (same goes for BMW). Personally, i'd go with a Ford Contour. We have 3 in our family with well over 100k miles. You can get one for around $3000 (make sure it's the V6).

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You're just plain wrong. For 3k the OP can probably get a 94-98 Accord (depending on options and maintenance) in good condition, or a Civic. This will be your best bet for a reliable car.

Ford = Found on Road Dead.

NT

[DoubleClutch]

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Ford = Found on Road Dead.

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Very original, but Duratec engine = not designed by Ford.

Also, as I mentioned, I know three (and own one) with over 100k miles.

To O.P., as previous poster mentioned, a Lumina is also and excellent choice.

[DoubleClutch]

I should add that I agree that Honda, for the most part, will make the most reliable cars. However, if you only have 3k to spend, you're going to get one with well over 100k miles on it. (How many do you expect a 94-98 to have?).

[ChipWrecked]

My '99 Contour SE has 125k miles, still going strong. In fact it's our only family car... the wife uses it to haul the baby and I commute by bike.

In the meantime, we're trying to buy a house in California [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]