I recently got my license, so I've been looking around for a used car, maybe something around 5k-8k.

But the problem is that I know absolutely nothing about cars. So I've been searching and reading up stuff online, but I still have no clue what kind of car to get since there are so many options out there.

I heard anything under 100K mileage is good is that necessarily true?

I was thinking of something maybe something newer like 2002+, uses a bit less fuel and maybe more storage space? Oh and it has to be good for long distances? Like random, spur of the moment trips across the country.

Can someone tell me somewhere I can start? There's just too many routes I can take in choosing my first car. Thanks.

less fuel, more storage, sounds like what you want is a hatchback

im biased. so 5-8k can land you in a scion xB.

its toyota based, so its reliable, slow but good enough for daily driving.

well as far as 100k miles, its debatable. I would take a car thats been used just for highway driving that has 150k miles over a car thats been abused and redlined to 50k. also try to calculate how many miles you are gonna put on your car, and buy a car with enough miles to be under 100k. Since thats the point where a couple of parts start to go wrong.

How long do you plan to keep the car? If not for long, then you can get a car around 50K miles+ should be fine. Are you looking for 4 door or 2 door hatchback? I know Hondas have a pretty reliable engine, so they can last about 200K miles+. I say get either the Civic or Accord. Or if you want to, Toyotas are just as reliable, so you can probably get 2004 Camry or Corolla.

You should try looking at Craigslist and just type in random car names and see what you'll get.

My parents would actually like me to get a larger car like a CRV or something, but for some reason I don't really like it. I'm definitely planning on keeping it for a whileeeeeeeeee.

I would like it to have four doors. Are the Nissan cars okay? In general?

Yo so Im pretty new with this too, but i was able to pick up my car today! yay~
This is what I learned....
A car's mileage average should be about 12,000 miles per year. So a car made in 2002 should have 84,000 miles or less.
A good engine size is 2.4L
Manual makes the car cheaper
Honda and Toyota are very reliable car manufacturers
Mitsubishi has terrible reputation, the quality of their cars is bad, and the repair cost is high because it's imported.
Civics are very cheap and have great gas mileage.
Popular cars sell fast.
Nissans are good cars too. Their reputation is good, but I didn't do much research on those since I wasn't looking in to them.
Test drive the car before you buy it, make sure you like it. Feel free to accelerate quick too, that's what I did. And if you really like it, you should also ask if you can take it on the freeway.
Don't forget to check for damages, play with the lights, and other gadgets in the car. Check for scratches and damages to glass, behind the wheel. Have a deal with them to repair it.
Make sure the car isn't salvaged. That means the car's previous owner was in an accident with that car, which could lead to more problems after you buy it. Ask for car facts

I test drove the toyota matrix, it has incredible amount of space. VERY IMPRESSED with its interior. and the mileage was pretty good too, but not quite as good as the civic. and the exterior looks was not bad too. though i looked at newer models 2009-2010

Matrix is a solid car, it's built on the same platform as the Corolla. I'm not sure how resale values are where you are, but the Mazda 3, sedan or hatch, is a fairly solid choice. Both have 4 doors, and both have very good reviews.

^ The new Mazda 3's looks too happy. Waaaay too happy.

When you see it, it's like "HEHEHE!"

where are u getting this information ? lol

Whats good engine size? u buy by cylinders, and in most cases 4bangers are 1.8-2.4 6bangers are 3.0-3.7 etc. By your theory a 4b11t is 2.4l and a VQ37HR is a 3.7l, the 2.4 should be better, but they produce similar HP while the 2.4 eats up way more gas.
manual is cheaper in most cases when you buy NEW cars since slushbox costs $, but some cars like the G35/G37 manual is harder to find, which drives up the price.
maybe im a little biased but i never saw Evo's give any problems, and explain what imported is compared to toyota and honda
and salvaged means either repairs from an accident > price of car, flooded, stolen, and other things.

That's why I would never suggest it, too happy.

Don't forget about the 2.5L four-cylinders too!

I have to agree with both your posts in this thread. OP, you can't judge a car that by just mileage. Yes, it is good to have a low mileage car (theory is, they parts have less wear and tear; generally speaking). With that being said, you can have a low mileage car that has been beating the crap out of versus a high mileage car that has been babied w/ care. For an econ box, I'd say just CRV or something. From your post, it seems like you need space. You can't go wrong with either Toyota/Honda for economic value either. But has said, they are slow, and turn like pigs in corners.

Oh! And don't go on Carfax or whatever you use to judge a title. Although people stereotypically believe if a car has a clean title, it's "good". All that means is that it was never claimed by insurance, period. Example: you bump into a tree and damage a good amount of your engine. But you fix it with your own money, and someone buys it. Title is clean.

There are a number of great options. Aside from choosing a reliable care, at those miles, you may also want to find one that is not due for major services like a timing belt, etc. Look for one that has had all its big scheduled maintenance done as recently as possible to delay major expensive. Even a dead reliable civic can be expensive to own if you get it when it is due for everything.

Options could include but not limited to:
Civic
Sentra
Protege (5)
Corolla

With a bit more miles, other "nicer" cars are an option, but if you don;t care that much, its better to go for the practical options. While Mistu makes some solid engines, their overall quality suffered a bit for a while. New stuff is much better, but out of the price range.

im also with the japanese cars.. too reliable to pass up on and if ther under 100 000km, u're in for a long ride

Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, Honda Accord.

Can't go wrong with those cars as a first car.