What is the best midsized or compact car on the market? (Model Year 2000-2005)?

Honda Civic or Accord. Build quality is = to Mercedes, engineered better than 90% of the cars on the planet, holds it's resale value better than any other car in it's class, good mileage, bullet-proof engine/drivetrain, drives great.....etc, etc.

Toyota Camry but the 2000 model The 01-06 were not as good in quality and IMHO styling. Even the base 4 cly models are quiet, smooth, and reliable. If you can afford to do it spend near 8 grand and find a V6 that is loaded with all of the options. It will be like you own a Lexus (toyota's luxury line) when it comes to comfort and refinement but at a bargain price. Toyota made Gallery edition Camrys that are very nice and loaded with options. If you can drive a stick the V6 and 5 speed combo is a very fun to drive car.

There is a reason why Toyota and Honda have high resale values....its because they are dependable.... Any well cared for accord, camry, civic or corrolla will serve you for many, many years. Avoid the american crap, especially the dodges and chryslers...they are cheap, but they are junk, and you get what you pay for.

Any Hyundai Elantra or Sonata will do you right.

For the record, Mercedes build quality is sub-par at best. All the trimmings and lavish materials? Yes. Reliability? No way. Toyota and Honda make great vehicles, but one car that hasn't been recommended that really does deserve reckognition is the Mazda 3. It may be the sportiest vehicle in it's class with excellent reliability, great fit and finish and the best looking car in its class to boot. Value compared to the Civic? Pretty darn close. I'd take a little off resale value to have a Mazda 3. You owe yourself a look.

Almost any Forein car is better than a domestic. thats just a rule of thumb. camry, corrolla, civic, accord. Should last many miles. I however sugest you do it in style. Test a mazda 3 or 6. I have owned my 05 mazda 6 since new with zero problems. It is decent of gas (the 3 is better) and has a good rep. Below article states that mazda is the least likely to develop mechanical faults after three to nine years of ownership. Your looking for a 2-7 yr old car so that may intrest you.

Most people will tell you a Toyota Camry or Corolla, or a Honda Accord or Civic. There are some other good ones too, but these are universally recognized as very good cars - they will also be more expensive than other brand cars of a similar type and of the same age.

Choose something from Toyota or Honda!