Also 97/98 Preludes. Mine has 215K, I replaced the original alternator at 190K, I'm about to replace the original radiator. I swapped a perfectly running auto transmission for the 5spd.
Everything else on the car is the original. Except the light bulbs. Probably needs new shocks but I can live with that.

 

kia rio..

/thread

 

I was going to recommend a 5th gen Prelude, but I saw that your GF wants/needs 4 doors. I'd look into an older Accord, or if she wants something more sporty, a 4 door Integra.

-Colin

 

My gf drove a 2003 galant and it was trouble free. She got it with 115,000 miles and put on another 45 thousand with no problems except that she needed a new motor mount

You can get 00-03s in good condition for well under 5 grand.

 

BB6 all the way, broseph.

Honestly though, if you go salvage title, a lot of cars will dip into her range. Hard to know if there is frame damage etc though. Some kinda Hyundai would probably work. I'm trying to buy another car in that range right now and it's pretty annoying. People are bidding up all of the reliable ones.

 

Why do threads like this even exist? lol. Buy a Civic or Corrola and be done with it.

 

He never generalized all cars under $5k. You did. Your argument skills = fail.

In any event, she is just a girlfriend. Not even a fiance or wife. Let her buy her own car or kiss up to her parents for some cash. I wouldn't buy my girlfriend a car or even give her several thousand dollars for a car. Too risky. Girlfriends come and go, that's life plain and simple.

 

FORD FOCUS, I keep telling you people.

 

You've seen my 2000 Golf tdi. I almost never get under 45 mpg and 2 of the last 4 tanks were over 50 mpg's. It's got a bunch of miles on it but that's no big deal for a diesel. I'll sell it for $5000. I'm bored with it and want a new DD. May go for a C6 or something.

 

I have to disagree. I have driven tons of used foci and they were all rattley pieces of crap.

They really don't age well based on the numerous examples I have seen.