Buying a used car and looking for some honest mechanical advise?

Long story short, I'm a college student on a tight budget. This week I need to find a new car and am between a 2005 Honda Civic with 104,000 miles on it and a 2003 Chevy Malibu with 57,000 on it. Both cars are free of rust and I'm going to have them checked by a mechanic of my choice before purchase.

I'm leaning towards the Honda since I've been told they are such reliable cars. Both are within the same price range.

I'm really looking to know which of these cars will last longer and give me the most for my money.

Added (1). Both of the cars will cost between 4500-5000. I haven't yet tried haggling, due to the fact that it's holiday weekend.

Added (2). The Malibu has a clean carfax and the Honda has records showing oil has been changed + Timing Belt

Either one could drop dead the day after you buy it.

Rely on the mechanics recommendation. Also have money ready for "expected" repairs within the next 3 to 6 months. When I had a Buick with over 100k miles, I had $200. In repairs every other month until the car finally died.

Tough call. Hondas are generally better but the Chevy has FAR fewer miles. Id probably opt for the fewer miles if you can determine they are correct. (This might be one of the rare times Id suggest a car fax)

Cars 10 years old are EXEMPT from reporting requirements so the title will probably say exempt but if you can determine the miles are correct, it might be the better buy.

You also don't mention if they are the same price.

About 10 years ago, I was car dealer who was getting out of the car business and needed a car. I still had access to a dealer only auction and needed a car that night.

There were really only 2 cars that caught my eye. A 94 Honda Accord SE with 150k miles. It was super clean. And it was my first choice but I knew it would be tough to buy at a reasonable price because of the demand, even at wholesale. Ideally, it was a $23-2400 wholesale unit but I determined to bid $2800 because I wanted it and I liked it. That was a pipedream. It sold for $3500+ about a $200 buyers fee. ($3700).

I ended up with my 2nd choice, a 94 Buick Century. Paid $1775+ an $85 buyers fee= $1860. The buick wasn't quite as clean but it only had 62,000 miles. So I get a less reliable car with 93,000 less miles for half the cost of a Honda.

Hondas are good cars. But sometimes a less reliable car can be a better value.

You might consider a Mazda 3 or 6. I did well with a number of mazdas over the years. Almost as good as Hondas but usually at a lower price.

I still have the buick. Its need perhaps a few more minor repairs than the Honda would have over the years but I still think I came out ahead given that I saved $1840 when buying it.

It might be worth having your mechanic look at both.

Get the Malibu. Miles are miles.
No car brand is issue free. Honda's have transmission issues, Chevy's have cooling system issues.
Look up the recalls on both. Honda has their fair share, but you almost never hear of them.

Honda has known transmission issues between 98-07 and the civic is one of them. Keep up on maintenance and both will last a long time. But finally say from mechanic will help with your decision

Have the mechanic check out the one you like best! Condition is more important than make/model.