This Is The Least You Can Spend On A Cheap Reliable Car

Not a cheap car, but a car that was cheap to run. 2002 Accord four-cylinder 5-spd manual. Paid $19k for it new, then drove it for 19 years. 34-35mpg, worst mpg was 29mpg in subzero commute, best was 39mpg driving 80mph down OK turnpike and I-35, loaded with luggage and A/C cranked up.

In the 19 years i owned it, three things went wrong. 1) Takata airbag (repaired for free under recall), 2) SRS seatbelt sensor, replaced for free at 15 years old under Honda’s old “Belts and Buckles” lifetime warranty, and 3) light bulb on dash clock would burn out every five years, but easily replaced in 5 minutes with a $5 replacement bulb.

The car was underpowered (149hp), but great fun to drive, very comfortable. Replaced tires every 50k or so, oe brakes still had 5/16″ pad left at 175k miles when i traded it. Changed timing belt at 120k, 2 or 3 batteries, that was about it.

i did get an extra set of wheels and General Altimax Arctic winter tires for it. Thing would go through snow and ice like it wasn’t there, up to 9″ snow (even though ground clearance was only 5″). Fantastic car and highly-recommended. Avoid the V6 with 5-spd auto from that era, though!!