I want to start doing DoorDash or Uber Eats and need a reliable used car under $8k that gets great fuel economy and has working AC. I don't care about looks or features, just dependability and low cost per mile. What should I buy?

For your DoorDash or Uber Eats budget of under $8k, neither the Toyota Corolla nor the Honda Civic fits well. The Corolla’s typical used price starts at $16,069, far above your limit, meaning you’d be looking at very old, high-mileage examples that may have failing AC or other issues. The Civic’s price range begins at $16,723, so you’d again be stuck with older generations that carry specific reliability risks.

The Honda Civic under $8k will likely be a 7th generation (2001-2005) or early 8th generation (2006-2009) model. Owner data shows recurrent engine problems on these: the 7th gen’s D17 engine has head gasket failures, and the 8th gen’s 1.8L R18 engine can have cracked blocks. Both are severe and costly repairs that would eat into your delivery earnings. The 8th gen also has poor paint quality and significant blind spots, which could be a hassle in city driving. AC reliability isn’t directly flagged, but older cars often have AC compressor or condenser failures that add expense.

The Toyota Corolla is generally reliable, but at your price point you’d be looking at models from the early 2000s or high-mileage units. Owner data doesn’t list specific AC issues, but older Corollas can have AC problems like compressor clutch failures. Fuel economy is good, but the age and mileage make dependability a gamble for a car that will see heavy use.

For your situation, consider a used Toyota Yaris or Scion xD (essentially a Corolla hatchback) from the mid-2000s, which often sell under $8k and have simpler, more reliable engines. The Mazda2 is another option with good fuel economy and lower repair costs. Avoid the Civic’s 7th and 8th generations unless you have a documented service history for the engine. Your best bet is a car that’s cheap to fix, not just cheap to buy.