What would you suggest for a Daily Driver under $6,000?

[11Past9]

I am looking for input and recommendations for a daily driver for my girlfriend. Just to be CLEAR about what I am looking for I have listed requirements that are NOT flexible.

This way I won't have to deal with those guys who suggest a Lexus IS300 when the budget is SUB $6,000.00 because SOMEONE with the odds of getting struck by lightening MIGHT possibly find one somewhere in the country with 175,000 miles on it for $6,300.00...

I will be a dick if someone plain as day ignores everything I said in the post and posts something like I just did above for a suggestion.

The requirements:

Budget: UNDER $5,500! I don't want to here "but but for only $500 more you could get this" or "You should just do this" or "You should just trade it in on this"... The truck will be sold, and the money we get from selling it will all go to a private sale vehicle. Nothing will be financed and the budget may be less depending on how much we get for the truck. $5,500 is the max if everything goes well so think $4,000-$5,000 ish.

Fuel efficiency: It does not have to get 40 mpg, gas mileage is a concern but as long as it isn't getting less than 20 mpg when driven by a grandma it should be fine.

Transmission: Automatic is ideal but a good car with a manual will not be ignored.

Reliability: This is KEY. She wants something she does not have to worry about dumping money into. "Can be reliable if" is not acceptable. She needs something plug and play. Something with NO track record for pricey things that go boom. This needs to be the same in higher mileage too.

AWD/FWD/RWD: AWD if preffered but I do not know how well Legacy and Impreza drivelines hold up over time. FWD is the next best option, RWD is a no-no she can't drive that well.

Climate: Pennsylvania, winters get kinda yucky.

Doors: 4 doors, no coupes and NO WAGONS.

Performance/Fun Factor: This is not a priority, but if she can have some of it while also having the rest of the needs that must be met so be it.

Availability: The car must be a fairly easy find.

No domestics

Power windows and locks would be nice...

I think that is about it.

I have thought of the obvious such as Accord, Civic, Corolla... Camry is iffy because in that price range it puts you into the years where they had oil sludge issues.

[KingOfJericho]

Impreza 2.5RS would fit. My first thought was Accord as well.

Lexus ES300 also fits

Why not just type your parameters into Autotrader and see what pops up?

[Year's_End]

Old Subie or maybe an old Vdub.

[AlpineG05]

a gsr integra...that's what i would get and fix it up of course.

[sparkyg]

I agree, an old Integra, take your pick on body/engine styles

Make sure it doesn't burn too much oil under acceleration, common problem

[Dragonman4]

if it were me for 4k, i'd pick up a volvo of some sort pre-ford era. it's got an engine that's built to last for a while, and while some of the electrics may suck, it will still have no major issues. I have a '96 850 that was my first car, and it's still truckin along at 150k miles. No real mechanical issues. Some of the interior lights are shot, but it's still solid. I also live in PA and that thing is a tank in the snow. Gas mileage may not be as good as your looking for, but I can get 20mpg or better out of her since most of mine is highway.

[e60noless]

cosign on the es 300. 4 door V6 with plenty of power and room. also reliable...

[tke344]

97-99 Nissan Maxima preferably the SE. (sport edition). I'd say ES300 but they seem to be priced a bit out of range.

[11Past9]

Originally Posted by GatorBlue371

Go get a bike. GSXR.

Yeah, good idea... maybe I'll even put some snow tires on it.

[KiokenM3]

Originally Posted by Alpine 335i

a gsr integra...that's what i would get and fix it up of course.

gsr's only come in 5 speed

[dirtyylicous]

1 more vote on an es300

Decent power, decent looks, it has leather, pretty smooth ride, and very reliable.