10-24-2011, 08:05 AM
With your budget, you should try to get as new a car as possible. The first two cars you listed are inevitably going to require extensive maintenance to keep them running and won't be reliable at all. It sucks waking up every morning and crossing your fingers as you turn the key. On top of that, you want a car that is cheap to fix. Exotic cars require exotic parts.
Seriously, at 4-5k, find yourself a run of the mill Honda, Ford or Nissan. Get as late model as you can go. I forget where you live, but if a motorcycle can be used year round, go for that. You can get a nice bike at that price. Gas/Maint/insurance is dirt cheap. And if you already have a junker car on the side for bad weather days, you're set.
Seriously, at 4-5k, find yourself a run of the mill Honda, Ford or Nissan. Get as late model as you can go. I forget where you live, but if a motorcycle can be used year round, go for that. You can get a nice bike at that price. Gas/Maint/insurance is dirt cheap. And if you already have a junker car on the side for bad weather days, you're set.