What would you buy? Commuter car

[RMK7SledHead]

I'm looking to buy a super cheap car just for driving around here locally now that I'm on the east coast for a while. Looking to spend $1000-$2000 cash on it.

Have been looking at craigslist and finding '90-'93 Honda's and Toyota's in the price range. Planning on going with a manual transmission in either.

Anything to stay completely away from? Anything to watch out for specifically on either one? Leaning more towards a Honda Civic or Accord, trying to stay under 125k miles. Any advice?

 

[skibreeze]

Don't rule out some of the other imports. I have 124k on my maxima and the best part is no timing belt to deal with. It's also much more comfortable than the smaller cars like a civic.

 

[revpilot]

I'm looking to buy a super cheap car just for driving around here locally now that I'm on the east coast for a while. Looking to spend $1000-$2000 cash on it.

Anything to stay completely away from?

Anything with spinners, viva Mexico! sticker, chain license plate bracket, resonator exhaust tip, bubbled window tint, permanent tow bar attached.

 

[Nate]

You can buy Saturn's pretty damn cheap

 

[adrenaline junkey]

Any of the Toyota's are good high mileage cars just watch out for burnt out 02 sensors as they can be spendy. takes about 10 to 15 miles for the code to kick back up on the computer if someone resets it. so a long test ride is a good idea.
If you can find a older Volkswagen rabbit diesel they do around 45 miles to the gallon but getting harder to find

 

[hilinerider]

pontiac grand prix or buick le sabre with the 3.8l,

or a lumina with the 3.8


brother has run them to 300k commuting to work, 70miles per day

 

[theultrarider]

Hard to go wrong with the Honda's. They are a great car and seem to last for ever. With that said, about 3 years ago I bought a Hyundia elantra station wagon, my mommy wagon is it gets reffered to. It was when gas prices went nuts and the car was priced too cheap not to jump on it. I bought it with 110,000 miles on it. I have put another 20,000 on it since and have done nothing other than change oil in it. Gets about 34mpg and drives great. Probably one of the best rigs I have bought and never would have thought about buying a Hyundai before this. I have been truely impressed by my mommy wagon.

 

[AkHockey10]

Motorcycle

 

[mtnjunkie]

I've got an old Jetta that has been great and gets about 30 mpg when it's not running right, and 40 mpg when it's just had a tune up. The older Mercedes diesels are supposed to have good engines in them, but not as many around.

 

[Bubba700]

look at a nissan altima or maxima, great cars and have a bit more room than the hondas do .
Had a 98 altima, and was getting 35ish on the high way and 32ish around town.

 

[Ex-Member]

Motorcycle

seconded

My parents have a toyota corolla, decent car.

 

[MPS]

pontiac grand prix or buick le sabre with the 3.8l,

or a lumina with the 3.8


brother has run them to 300k commuting to work, 70miles per day

I have to agree....I have an Olds Intrigue for this reason. It is the 3.8L ....solid engines that go and go. I did have to replace the struts and the alternator went on it. They have decent power and gas mileage. I did have it up for sell a while back for 2000. Maybe I will try again....maybe.

 

[sledchick]

Anything with spinners, viva Mexico! sticker, chain license plate bracket, resonator exhaust tip, bubbled window tint, permanent tow bar attached.

Now do you have something against Mexico??? I happen to like the dark tint..and usually you get something for free when you open the trunk..it's like Christmas all over again!

 

[sledhead03]

If I were you I'd just take that money and invest in a plane ticket off the east coast, lol. what are you doing out here with us flatlanders anyway?

Hard to beat any import, they just seem to run forever.

 

[Beels]

pontiac grand prix or buick le sabre with the 3.8l,

or a lumina with the 3.8


brother has run them to 300k commuting to work, 70miles per day

Another vote for any GM with the 3.8.

I bought an '89 Buick Park Avenue in Sept. for not a lot of money and the thing runs like a Swiss watch. 118K miles on it. Gets nearly twice the mileage my truck does and saves wear and tear on it when I don't need it.

 

[Poorider900]

how about a Le'Car?