Car Recommendations $4,000-$5,000

[RedLight]

OK, I am looking to get some advice here from everyone. Here is my situation.
I have a car that if traded in, I would be about $1,500 upside down. My current payment is $389 a month but I drive the car about 8 miles a day so I really don't need to be paying this much for a car that is mostly just sitting in the sun and depreciating in value all day.

I would like to get rid of my car and buy something for around $4,000-$5,000 cash, which I have. I guess I am looking for any opinions on what would be a good reliable vehicle. I understand that it will be a high mileage vehicle but am OK with that. I do most of my own maintenance work, changing brake pads, flushing the transmission fluid, and changing the oil. So, any recommendations?

[keepsmiling]

You might want to visit the library and borrow a copy of April's Consumer Reports. It lists recommended cars by price range.

[msm859]

2000 or newer honda accord

[Kuya]

Honda . . almost anything . .

BUT, I had a Hyundai Tiburon . . . was a fantastic car and never once had a single problem during the 6 years I owned it. Mine was a 2005, and I recently sold it for $7000. You may be able to find a 2003/2002 or a hyundai in your price. The good thing is that many Hyundai are still under the 10 year factory bumper to bumper!!!

I have alos heard good things about sonata owners . . and they can be found for a bit cheaper then the Tiburon.

[RedLight]

Thanks guys. I think going with an older car, American may not be the way to go. Chevy, Chrysler, and Ford have come a long way in the last year or two, but the older cars just don't give me much confidence. I am leaning in the direction of an Acura Integra or Honda Accord. Guess it is time to start scouring the web. Thanks again guys. It will be nice not to have a car payment.

[HHM]

Mazda's are good, but difficult to get a good one in the 4-5K range because they maintain their value pretty well. Hyundai's are good in the 2003+ range, and Honda's.

[disconapper]

I've been looking for cars in that price range as well. So far Hyundai's have been the biggest hit. I would love a Honda or Toyota, but it seems in that price range the cars are much older, like pre year 2000 with lots of miles.

[keepsmiling]

From CR:
<4K:
Acura 01
prism 01-02
crown vic "
civic 01
sonata 03-04
g20 02
continental 01
protege 01-01
grand marq 01
lancer 02
corolla 01-02
echo 01-03
prius 01

[keepsmiling]

4-6K:
Acura: CL 03, rsx 02, tl 01-02
Chevy: silverado 1500- v6- 01
Ford: crown vic 01; escape v6 03; expedition 01; f-150 01; focus 05;mustang v6 03, v8 01
GMC: sierra 1500 01-02
Honda: accord 01-02; civic '02-03; civic hybrid 03; civic si 02-02; crv 01; prelude 01
Hyundai: elantra 06
Infiniti: i30 01; i35 02-03
Lexus: es 01
lincoln town car 01

More coming soon

[jetsfan2010]

I would take an accord/camry in the range def