Are Saab's Reliable Enough For A First Car?

What is a cheap, reliable car?

• I'm a Junior in High School, and I'm looking for a ride. I'm looking for some cars that I can look for on Craigslist, in car lots, etc. (I have a buddy who is a mechanic that will come with me to inspect the cars I look at). Here's my requirements: My budget is $5000 TOPS. Fancy isn't my game. I have to pay for insurance, and I'm not earning a lot of money right now. It must be reliable. I don't have money to spend on repairs. It must come in a manual transmission. 6, 5, 4, or even 3 speeds, I don't care, I just hate automatics. I would prefer american made cars, but I also love Saabs and Audis, and am open to other nations as long as I am 100000% sure that it is solid. It needs a good safety rating. I'm looking for a sedan/coupe. Wagons are OK, but not my first choice. PLEASE PLEASE give me knowledge from your own experience. I don't care if it's a friend of yours, but I want to hear a story about how awesome the car that you suggest to me! Gas mileage, engine mileage, heck, even wold and crazy stories! As long as they're true! I wanna hear them! Thanks a million!

• Answer:

  I know you like American made cars, but since I drive a Honda and love it, I have to push it. My family has owned about every make of car out there, and over the past 5 years have really come to appreciate Japanese made cars. Toyotas and Hondas have always been the most reliable for us. But I'll speak on the Hondas, because I own a Civic. By the way I'm in high school, a Senior, and last year I had to buy my own car too. I had the same expectations as you: reliable, stick shift, safe, good gas mileage. I came to the conclusion of buying a 02' Civic and I never have once regreted it. I have had it for over a year now and it has been a great car. Never once gave me problems and that's saying a lot for a 10 year old car. I have to say Civics look really nice and sporty, especially the coupes. I get 28mpg in the city and 38 on the highway with it. Hondas have good safety records too! I paid $5500 for my civic last year, killer deal. Your might have to consider a 00'-01' to get in your price range. Another plus is Hondas hold their resale value well. So buy one at the right price and sell it two years later for nearly the same price. Also to further my argument... my uncle owned a 88' Honda Accord and drove it for over 300,000 miles with no major problems, and then sold it two years ago to his friend who is still driving it. No matter what you choice you make though, you are going about it the right way. Buying from a private seller and taking your friend along sounds like a great way of going about it!