well my sister has asked for my help. she never does that. so i hope i can help her, but first i need all of you guys/girls help.

her Jeep just threw a rod and needs to get a new car for like $12000. she has no cash so she will have to finance it.

but i am not sure what a reliable car would be. she needs it to last about 5 years with no major problems like engine and transmission.

any idea? i read the pontiac Vibe is good, but like what else could she get? i searched the internet for about 5 hours trying to find reviews on most reliable cars but i am no closer to a list of cars she should look at.

any help would be appreciated.

12k is a bit of money you could get a base '11 or '10 focus for that and still have warrenty left

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

10-12? Fusion.

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2012 Ford Focus SE Sport
2012 MINI Cooper Clubman

I have ADHD and drive a Focus. Ironically.
Although gold dust is precious, when it gets in your eyes, it obstructs your vision.

Dodge Caliber would be decent. You can get one with low miles for that price with a warranty and still drive it a long while.

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I have an 01 BMW 540i that I've done all the major maintenance and fixed all the major problems with for sale... and it's less than 12k.

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Everything needs more Corsa. No exceptions.

Follow my journey of flight at
http://alwaysastudentpilot.blogspot.com/

he said a reliable car

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

You could go for a pre-owned civic or accord, a toyota corrolla, base lancer......

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

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Why'd the Jeep throw the rod? If it was cause she never checks her oil or did regular maintenance, no car will last 5 years.

That said, if you're thinking of the Fords, do not even bother with the Focus. My boss bought a brand new one and hated it, upgraded to the Fusion and couldn't be happier. Interior on the Focus is horribly cheap looking, cramped, and the car lacks power.

For reliability, you can't really go wrong with a Honda/Toyota in that department. Definitely would stay away from Dodge/Chrysler and most other imports. The Vibe wouldn't be too bad if it's a 09-10 as it was basically a Toyota Matrix, and had some of that 'yota reliability thrown into it.

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'96 Black Grand Prix SE 3100
'94 Green Grand Prix SE 3100
'94 Mazda B4000 SE 4x4

agreed avoid the caliber. CVT transmission failures anyone?

I vote toyota corolla 08 or newer, actually i think 06 - 2011 have timing chain so no timing belts and the transmissions from factory are zero maintenance. (Toyota actually tells you unless it's leaking don't kcuf with it rofl)

Lots of room in the engine bay to work on if necessary and parts are cheap. For example they are still using the same oil filter on the 06-2011 corolla's that they were using on them toyota camry's in the 90s haha.

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Gt2256v, FMIC, Port & Polish Head, Stage 2 Colt Cam. Rosten Rods, PD150 Pistons, Oil Cooler, Fuel Cooler, Diablo W/M kit, Built 5 speed with LSD
I work on enough GP's to know I don't want to own one =P

ok so we think

toyota corolla-06 or newer
honda civic-any year?
ford fusion- 06 newer
pontiac vibe-09/10

if thats it, i will look for those. not like i did not think of them. but i very much so appreciate all the help

OP when you say new do you mean new to her or new new?

Why are all you Pontiac people talking about dodges, fords, hondas, and toyodas for?? Sheesh. The best non-Pontiac mentioned was the Beamer... LOL

Anything good and reliable will be alot more than 12k new... I mean good luck with an engine lasting in a Kia... LOL

I recommend the used direction, you should be able to get a nice, loaded to the tits G6 or GP with low miles for alot less than 12...

She saves money, gets a reliable fully loaded safe car, and we have another Pontiac owner = WIN.

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2004 GTP Comp G. The Daily Driver.
JULY 2011 GPONA COTM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uNwgZGrvJ0
1992 GTA Trans Am. The Toy.
2003 VW Jetta. The Spousal Unit.

Thank you all for the help.

She is looking for anything that will give her no troubled other than normal maintenance.
tether that is new or used she does not care. Ut she can only manage about $200 a month payment.
she never saves and so she is in a bit of a spot. But she just wants it to last through grad school, which is about 3 more years, anything over that is gravy as they say.

I told her to look at a Pontiac GP ut she HATES my car so she said no.
then I was like screw you. LoL

But she is running out of time. She is driving my moms van and she wants it back.

Have her look into a Nissan Vera you can get a base model with the 5 speed for 13k brand new and get about 40mpg on the freeway.

She said it is to small.
I can't make her happy with anything I find.
I am about to give up on her and just give her my bike and say have at it.

We have a Vibe, it's an 06 but still. It's got like 70K on it. 1.8L, 6 speed manual. We change the oil in it and that's pretty much it. Never had any problem with it.

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'05 WRX STi - COBB Stage 2|Invidia DP|3" Borla XR-1|Coilovers|Camber Plates|Swaybars|Endlinks|Bushings|Braces|Anti Lift Kit|DBA4000s|SS lines|
Sold: 06 Cobalt SS/SC, 99 GTP 245WHP/326 Ft-lbs, 06 R6

a g6? I don't think I would get a g6 they tend to ahve transmission issues and are electrical hazard galore.

Kia was never mentioned yet you based it as a valid argument launch pad... the kcuf?

A GP probably wouldn't be bad, if you can again find one with a decent transmission still under the hood....

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Gt2256v, FMIC, Port & Polish Head, Stage 2 Colt Cam. Rosten Rods, PD150 Pistons, Oil Cooler, Fuel Cooler, Diablo W/M kit, Built 5 speed with LSD
I work on enough GP's to know I don't want to own one =P

fusion is good but only the v6. the 4cyl is pretty under powered and the milage is not even that much better over the v6. also can't really get a v6 with a warrenty left in her price range that is why i said focus

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

All years of the Vibe are Matrix's and all years of Vibe's have Toyota engines, not just the 09/10's.

Could also look as some newer used Scions.

I'd naturally say a MKV Golf/Jetta for that price range, but you said "reliable" so that's iffy unless you get a TDI or an unabused 2.5L

All depends on what she's into though. SUV, small car, larger car, etc.

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Dubs:00 VW GTI VR6, Low and Slow 91 VW GTI 8v, Shave the Bay!! 91 VW Cabriolet 8v, bitch Basket
GP's:04 GP GT, Past now G-Ma's Girlfriend's 97 GP GT, "Project Pink Power"

well she went out today and purchased a 2010 Mazda 3.
it has 48000 miles and it has some factory warranty left, plus she got an extended one for 80000 miles.
she got $800 for her jeep with a slung rod motor, and payments real nice.

all this for the low low price of $14500 over 74months. wow.

Shoot, how did I not think of a Mazda 3?!?!!? I do like those even with their stupid smug smiles.

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Dubs:00 VW GTI VR6, Low and Slow 91 VW GTI 8v, Shave the Bay!! 91 VW Cabriolet 8v, bitch Basket
GP's:04 GP GT, Past now G-Ma's Girlfriend's 97 GP GT, "Project Pink Power"

compleatly forgot the mazda 3

good job i say surprised she got any thing for the jeep

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

she was going to try and sell it, but when "Big Brother" (me) had a chat with the sales man, i got him to take the Jeep for $800. and i got her a $30 lower payment a month, and the extended warranty.

no offense, but just goes to show you how the sales people treat a female. they lied to her twice and kept changing the deal, so i had to go up there and put them all straight.

That dealer isn't stupid. He knows he can take that $800 jeep, throw in a cheap motor, or rebuild the bottom end, and easily get $4-6k (assuming it's a wrangler) for it if it's newer than a 95. Hell, probably coulda even got 2-3k for it yourself.. for some reason those things sell for way more than they're worth.

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'96 Black Grand Prix SE 3100
'94 Green Grand Prix SE 3100
'94 Mazda B4000 SE 4x4

a dealer will not put any money into it. it will go to auction and be sold

this is if it's amajor dealer a used car lot maybe but a major dealer will not even touch it. that is how i got the Merc it was going to just be auctioned off

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

yeah he said he was just going to send it to the auctions.