Cruising through campus in a shiny new vehicle may not be in the cards for most college freshmen — but remember, the next step down from a car has two wheels and pedals. The less cash you have to spend on a college ride, the more critical it is to find a first-rate used car that won't have your classmates laughing when you pull up. Sure, these 15 college-bound bargains run the gamut from boring to bold, but most score above average for reliability and durability. Some are sporty, some are more practical, and some are more appliance than vehicle. The common thread is that all can be scored for less than $5,000.
1992 - 1995 Honda Civic
The fifth-generation Honda Civic has accompanied many a student through his or her collegiate career. Available in hatch, coupe and 4-door guise, the Civic is economical, reliable, easy to work on and can be personalized by the nonconformist who is ready to ride.
Roll luxury like a rapper in the first-generation Lexus SC, a sleek, leather-trimmed coupe that features the choice of a 250-horsepower, 4.0-liter V8 engine or a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder. Both plants are bulletproof, but the V8 has a reputation for lasting more than 300,000 miles.
1991 - 1997 Lexus SC 300/400
Roll luxury like a rapper in the first-generation Lexus SC, a sleek, leather-trimmed coupe that features the choice of a 250-horsepower, 4.0-liter V8 engine or a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder. Both plants are bulletproof, but the V8 has a reputation for lasting more than 300,000 miles.
1990 - 1997 Mazda Miata
The classic Mazda Miata also has a powerplant surprisingly long in the tooth. Its 1.6-liter or 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine is known to run deep into 200,000-mile territory, while rewarding aspiring underclassmen with miles of top-down fun, an exhilarating driving experience and studious fuel efficiency.
1996 - 1999 Toyota RAV4
Small and maneuverable, the Toyota RAV4 — available in 2-door and 4-door variants — is great for getting around crowded college towns. This compact SUV provides added cargo capacity, an excellent, commanding driving position and Toyota's reputation for reliability.
If you're interested in the Toyota RAV4 head on over to Schroeder Auto Wholesale Grants Pass: http://www.schroederautowholesale.com/1998_Toyota_Toyota_Grants%20Pass_OR_194297098.veh
Rolling the illustrious Ford Mustang pony car on campus ensures that the physical education department is not the only place where muscles are being flexed. We like the 4.6-liter modular V8 engines, but earlier 5.0-liter engines lay down the rubber just as well. Be on the lookout for drop-tops; convertibles can be found in this price range.
Back on the sporty side of the ledger, the Nissan 240SX is a 2-door available in a coupe or more flowing hatchback versions. Be careful, though. There's a big tuning market for these cars, and a monthly stipend or book budget may end up under the hood teaching the 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine a thing or two about volumetric efficiency.
Ford's world-beating Focus made the jump across the pond as a 2000 model offering a good balance of comfort and efficiency. Available as a 2-door hatch, 4-door sedan and 4-door hatch, the Focus is a bit boring, but it is also as reliable as a straight-A lab partner.
If you're interested in a used Ford Focus check out the links below:
http://www.midtownautomedford.com/ZInv_ID264_2002-Ford-Focus-SE.aspx
http://www.schroederautowholesale.com/2001_Ford_Ford_Grants%20Pass_OR_193562580.veh
http://www.schroederautowholesale.com/2003_Ford_Ford_Grants%20Pass_OR_184965060.veh
If you're interested in the Toyota RAV4 head on over to Schroeder Auto Wholesale Grants Pass: http://www.schroederautowholesale.com/1998_Toyota_Toyota_Grants%20Pass_OR_194297098.veh
1997 - 2002 Ford Mustang GT
Rolling the illustrious Ford Mustang pony car on campus ensures that the physical education department is not the only place where muscles are being flexed. We like the 4.6-liter modular V8 engines, but earlier 5.0-liter engines lay down the rubber just as well. Be on the lookout for drop-tops; convertibles can be found in this price range.
If you are interested in a Ford Mustang check out the following dealership links:
1989 - 1995 Nissan 240SX
Back on the sporty side of the ledger, the Nissan 240SX is a 2-door available in a coupe or more flowing hatchback versions. Be careful, though. There's a big tuning market for these cars, and a monthly stipend or book budget may end up under the hood teaching the 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine a thing or two about volumetric efficiency.
2000 - 2004 Ford Focus
Ford's world-beating Focus made the jump across the pond as a 2000 model offering a good balance of comfort and efficiency. Available as a 2-door hatch, 4-door sedan and 4-door hatch, the Focus is a bit boring, but it is also as reliable as a straight-A lab partner.
If you're interested in a used Ford Focus check out the links below:
http://www.midtownautomedford.com/ZInv_ID264_2002-Ford-Focus-SE.aspx
http://www.schroederautowholesale.com/2001_Ford_Ford_Grants%20Pass_OR_193562580.veh
1991 - 1996 Jeep Wrangler (with fuel injection)
While rolling a rock crawler around campus may not be wise, the Jeep's iconic tough-stuff persona cannot be denied. It's not the most reliable ride on this list, but the Wrangler makes a big impression with its stance and the fact that it's also a sporty convertible.
The classic Sentra SE-R is a diamond in the rough. It's the sporty 2-door version of Nissan's commuter car, with a peppy 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers good gas mileage; it earns extra credit with its agile suspension.
With Chevy's Silverado 1500 pickup, you'll be popular when friends have to move; however, hauling is just the tip of the iceberg. Nice extended-cab Silverados, with either 2- or 4-wheel drive, are available in the $5,000 price range. Diesel is also an option. This era of pickups represents when creature comforts took center stage and led to the Taj Mahals some trucks are today.
If you're interested in a used Chevrolet Silverado 1500 check out the link below:
http://www.schroederautowholesale.com/1999_Chevrolet_Chevrolet_Grants%20Pass_OR_182807037.veh
Drop the Corolla under the appliance banner. That said, the Toyota is also drop-dead reliable, gets great fuel mileage and has decent interior space for road trips with roomies, dormies or doggies.
With the compact Honda CR-V you get the utility of an SUV and the maneuverability of a compact car. The CR-V is stylish, efficient and durable.
The Toyota Land Cruiser makes our list for sheer durability. Its bulletproof 4.5-liter straight-6 engine is known to last up to 400,000 miles. The Land Cruiser gets horrendous gas mileage — 11 mpg city/14 mpg highway — but its girth and full-time all-wheel drive make it a sure-footed, trusty companion.
The big draw here is the security of the Subaru all-wheel-drive system and the longevity of its boxer engine. The Outback is a true station wagon, which adds to the Subie's utility but limits its "wow" factor significantly
If you're interested in a used Chevrolet Silverado 1500 check out the link below:
http://www.schroederauto.com/ZInv_ID401_1999-Subaru-Legacy-Wagon-5dr-Outback-2-5L.aspx
Plotting a course to the good life through higher education will be a smoother ride in a resilient Nissan Pathfinder. A tough V6 engine, 4-wheel-drive capability, a high-and-mighty driving position and cargo space galore make the Pathfinder a great all-around rig to parade all around campus.
If you're interested in a used Nissan Pathfinder check out the link below:
http://www.schroederautowholesale.com/1998_Nissan_Nissan_Grants%20Pass_OR_193478031.veh
Evan Griffey served as an editor of Turbo & High Tech Performance, a pioneering publication about sport-compact tuning. Today Griffey freelances for Import Tuner, Sport Compact Car, Car Audio and Siphon.
1991 - 1995 Nissan Sentra SE-R
The classic Sentra SE-R is a diamond in the rough. It's the sporty 2-door version of Nissan's commuter car, with a peppy 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers good gas mileage; it earns extra credit with its agile suspension.
1995 - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
With Chevy's Silverado 1500 pickup, you'll be popular when friends have to move; however, hauling is just the tip of the iceberg. Nice extended-cab Silverados, with either 2- or 4-wheel drive, are available in the $5,000 price range. Diesel is also an option. This era of pickups represents when creature comforts took center stage and led to the Taj Mahals some trucks are today.
If you're interested in a used Chevrolet Silverado 1500 check out the link below:
http://www.schroederautowholesale.com/1999_Chevrolet_Chevrolet_Grants%20Pass_OR_182807037.veh
1998 - 2001 Toyota Corolla
Drop the Corolla under the appliance banner. That said, the Toyota is also drop-dead reliable, gets great fuel mileage and has decent interior space for road trips with roomies, dormies or doggies.
1997 - 2001 Honda CR-V
With the compact Honda CR-V you get the utility of an SUV and the maneuverability of a compact car. The CR-V is stylish, efficient and durable.
1990 - 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser
The Toyota Land Cruiser makes our list for sheer durability. Its bulletproof 4.5-liter straight-6 engine is known to last up to 400,000 miles. The Land Cruiser gets horrendous gas mileage — 11 mpg city/14 mpg highway — but its girth and full-time all-wheel drive make it a sure-footed, trusty companion.
1997 - 2002 Subaru Legacy Outback
The big draw here is the security of the Subaru all-wheel-drive system and the longevity of its boxer engine. The Outback is a true station wagon, which adds to the Subie's utility but limits its "wow" factor significantly
If you're interested in a used Chevrolet Silverado 1500 check out the link below:
http://www.schroederauto.com/ZInv_ID401_1999-Subaru-Legacy-Wagon-5dr-Outback-2-5L.aspx
1997 - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
Plotting a course to the good life through higher education will be a smoother ride in a resilient Nissan Pathfinder. A tough V6 engine, 4-wheel-drive capability, a high-and-mighty driving position and cargo space galore make the Pathfinder a great all-around rig to parade all around campus.
If you're interested in a used Nissan Pathfinder check out the link below:
http://www.schroederautowholesale.com/1998_Nissan_Nissan_Grants%20Pass_OR_193478031.veh
Evan Griffey served as an editor of Turbo & High Tech Performance, a pioneering publication about sport-compact tuning. Today Griffey freelances for Import Tuner, Sport Compact Car, Car Audio and Siphon.
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