NICO, please opine on these potential cars for my brother.

[Jesda]

The goal is reliability, efficiency, and space. And an automatic transmission.


Late 90s Honda CRV -- Room for carrying junk without the fuel consumption of a real SUV.

Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe -- Seems to be a Corolla wagon.

Early 2000s Civic sedan

5th-generation Maxima/Infiniti I30/I35

99-01 Altima

Mini Cooper

Mazda 6

Mazda 3

Mazda Protege

Mazda Tribute/Ford Escape

What else would make for a solid used transportation appliance? Handling, power, and styling are completely unimportant. Snow performance matters.

Budget is $8k or less, preferably much less than that if possible, with less than 130k.

[sbird1]

CR-V would be my vote. Best value for the dollar; especially for the uses you mentioned.

[Jesda]

Also, I forgot about the Scion XA and XB. Other than being ugly as sin, are there any issues with those?

At the moment I'm kind of leaning toward the CRV and Matrix/Vibe.

[MinisterofDOOM]

The goal is reliability, efficiency, and space. And an automatic transmission.

Then stay away from 5th gen Maxes. The 4 speed auto is terrible and a time bomb. Applies to 4-speed Altimas as well.

I'm actually rather fond of the Escape. Don't mistake it for the SUV it looks like and it'll treat you fine.

The Matrix/Vibe are indeed just a Corolla hatch. The Vibe has nicer bodywork in my opinion (the Matrix has a really goofy d-pillar). They're super dependable and super bland. Probably exactly what you want.

Of all the options you posted, though, I'd definitely go with a Mazda 3. They're less fun with the auto but still a lot more fun than most of the rest of the list. They look nice, age well, and are dependable, efficient, and practical.

[Rev_D21]

AWD Tributes/Escapes have driveshaft problems. The dealer doesn't sell the front bearing, just the complete shaft at over $700. Most junk yards have only the rear half of the shaft unless you get lucky. Based on what I have seen this is a common problem.

[themadscientist]

Any of the Mazda cars should do fine. The Mini and space? Dude, it's right in the name!

[Bubba1]

It's hard to argue against the CRV. It's a perennial contender for best reliability. You might also look at the Toyota RAV-4. Both the Rav-4 and CRV are well above anything else in the small AWD SUV market. My neighbor has Rav-4 and one of my wife's friends bought a CRV. Both drama free vehicles and surprisingly roomy

The Matrix is not a bad car, based on the FWD Corolla. Not a particularly peppy car but roomy and reliabile.

The newer Edges are pretty good, but the older ones in your price range are not.

[Jesda]

Any of the Mazda cars should do fine. The Mini and space? Dude, it's right in the name!

Modern Minis are big inside. The upright box shape makes the difference.

I fit in the back seat.

[mmkeller]

We have a 97 CRV, drove it off the showroom. Still rides like new w/135k miles. Camping, hauling stuff, and just overall one of the best vehicles my wife and I have owned.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

My old man just got an Xb... he likes it.
I think the Mazda 3s hold their value the best out of that bunch. I played a big part in the Ford Escape's V6 transmission solenoids... so if you ever have any problems with them I might be able to score you some spare parts . They were pretty good and reliable though, aside from a few DOAs.

Edit: that being said- nobody ever went wrong with a Honda. *(except your brother, who somehow managed to blow an H22A... I'm still scratching my head trying to figure that one out).

[alms24sebring]

I like the Rav 4 and 4wd CRV. Another Prelude

[MinisterofDOOM]

"4wd" CRV makes me chuckle. My car has cotter pins thicker than CRV rear axles.

[Kompresshun]

I've always liked the CR-V personally - i've driven a few of them and have nothing bad to say about them.

Even though i've had my problems out of the current Maxima, I still recommend the Maxima/I30/I35. If you get one that has been well maintained, you should be ok. Just be aware of their issues beforehand, so you know what to expect, if he is interested in one. That being said - I wouldn't call it my favorite out of those choices though and I honestly don't plan on owning another after this one.

I would vote for a Mazda 6 personally if it were me. I think they are excellent cars for the money and have great looks to them too. I like the Mazda 3 too, but I don't care for the sedan personally.

The only other thing on the list that I care a decent amount for is the Escape/Tribute and the Civic. The Escape is a fairly good vehicle, but I don't have anything good or bad to say about their reliabilty. A friend let me drive her '02 Civic fairly often though and while it was nothing special, it was dead nuts reliable and fairly comfortable to commute in.

Has he considered a Volvo of some kind(S70, 850, ect)? I know you had some issues out of your S60, but it seems like they can be pretty reliable vehicles if properly cared for.

[VQpwrdSE-R]

I drove my friends Mazda 3 and found myself surprised at the build quality of those cars. The steering/ suspension felt solid. It's an 05 and I was amazed when I looked down at the odometer and saw it had over 100k. The only problem she has with the mazda 3 is that the headlight bulbs keep blowing. But that most likely is a wiring issue specific to her car only.

[BusyBadger]

The Mazda 3 is the star in the lineup you listed.

[nissangirl74]

The CR-V or any of the Mazdas. I'm not a fan of automatics but I am a fan of Honda transmissions overall. Depending on what he needs space for (hauling people, stuff, Marmaduke, whatever), I would probably go with the CR-V.

[AZhitman]

^ This, with a side of staythehellawayfromtheMini.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

You can have a Matrix (Pre-06') with the 180hp 2ZZ-GE. My brother had one...was a very fun car to toss around.

[Dattebayo]

Wagons are more useful than a CR-V will ever be, and still have a relatively small wheel base compared to a truck or a SUV.

Just my thoughts...

[Bubba1]

If you go for a modern Mini, go for the S. They're quick, agile, roomy little buggers. The Dash board takes a little getting used to, but they are nice driving, roomy cars. One of my closest friends owned one for a few years as a commuter. Their reliability is actually okay. The downside to them is the cost of post warranty repairs, and you're talking about getting an older used one. The high repair costs will catch you off guard, then you realize they are made by BMW. For that reason, I think there are better choices out there than a Mini.

[Rex]

Is it just me or do most of the CR-V's I see rusting pretty badly?

Matrix XR or XRS
Vibe GT (GT not available 2007-2008)
Mazda6 Wagon (offered w/ a stick)
Mazda3 Hatch

All are available with a stick.

Personally, I like the Mazda6 wagon, though I'm not completely sold on them.

[300ZXttZMAN]

AWD Tributes/Escapes have driveshaft problems. The dealer doesn't sell the front bearing, just the complete shaft at over $700. Most junk yards have only the rear half of the shaft unless you get lucky. Based on what I have seen this is a common problem.

This is true, I recently located a replacement for a local. However I found the entire assembly.

[Jesda]

All are available with a stick.

No stick. His floppy labia prevents him from being able to drive a manual.

[Razi]

[OriginalWheelman]

If I were to buy a Mini, the Austin Mini (the original) was built well into the 90s. Yout could buy one up to 1987 and get it imported under the 25 year law, for way less than a new one. Just sayin.

I don't have much experience with the rest, but I love our '04 Civic. While I don't have anything exciting to ay about it, I have NOTHING bad to say about it. Our has been rock solid dependable. We bought it at 26k, has 94k on it now, and I've done 1 set of brakes and an alternator.

[Jesda]

Its too bad small hatchbacks and wagons are so hard to come by. Honda discontinued the Civic hatch in 2001 didnt they?

[TurboSauce]

My bestfriend's mom has a 90's CR-V
You'd be surprised the number of persons that can fit in that thing.
also the front fenders dent easily, and the bushings for her left rear shock went to complete nothingness
which was completely random and made the most horrifying sound over uneven roads.
but it's zippiy and drives just like my torneo...
Or my torneo drives like an suv.
either way I'm saying don't be surprised by the lack of torque. the really really sad lack of torque.

[Rex]

Sorry, thought you were looking for "not" automatics, most all the above are offered as AT's, though I think the early Vibe GT/Matrix XRS were manual only.

Its too bad small hatchbacks and wagons are so hard to come by. Honda discontinued the Civic hatch in 2001 didnt they?

Pretty sure the Civic Hatch was made thru 2005.

[LeD ippen]

Cr v or rav 4 or any subaru without the 2.5 engine since snow performance matters. these car are reliable and subaru is really reliable as long as you have 1.8 or 2.2 motor. and the small awd suv are great too just make sure its awd some are fwd. the madza tribute and excape have lots of problems. ignition cantrol module built into ecu. need a new ecu everytime from dealer have not been lucky with cardone and other reman ones.

[Jesda]

Totally forgot about Subaru. What years had the head gasket problems? 01+?