how about any cars in the $3000 range?

[DVad3r]

My dad's got a 1992 Toyota Camry Station Wagon with the I4 engine. It's got 470,000 km on it and hasn't been rebuilt. Runs strong. If you want something reliable I would try finding a Camry in that year range.

 

[DVad3r]

Oh and the gas mileage is amazing, not to mention you can throw a dishwasher and a Christmas tree inside of it and still have room.

 

[kornphlake]

Originally posted by: DrMrLordX
Not to thread-jack...

Yeah, that's a major thread jack. If you want more and on topic responses I'd suggest starting a new thread. You'd easily spend more on gimmicks and upgrades and most likely end up with something less reliable than buying a new vehicle that will get better MPG from the factory.

I have other opinions but they should be seen in thread dedicated to this topic.

 

[Plugers]

4 banger Fieros get around 40mpg+ if driven properly. I have an 88 GT and have pulled off 31mpg highway once.

I you want the best handling get an 88, and stay away from an 84 unless you know it's had the recalls, or just keep sticks and marshmallows with you.

lots of info on the fiero forums.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Originally posted by: DVad3r
My dad's got a 1992 Toyota Camry Station Wagon with the I4 engine. It's got 470,000 km on it and hasn't been rebuilt. Runs strong. If you want something reliable I would try finding a Camry in that year range.

I've heard very good things about early '90s Camrys with the I4. Finding one that hasn't had the crap beat out of it is another matter. I'm not sure how the body/frame/undercarriage on those cars are holding up, though for what it's worth, I live in the South where corrosion isn't as big an issue as it can be in other parts of the country.

But yeah, that's an interesting alternative to going the Civic route. Only reason I was thinking Civic is that, besides being relatively good cars if you want an econobox (depending on the year and condition of the car), I also happen to know a Civic nut who knows his way around fiberglass and is allegedly quite good at putting Civics on a diet (can knock them down to 2k pounds, supposedly, though one wonders how streetable they are by that point).

Originally posted by: kornphlake

Yeah, that's a major thread jack. If you want more and on topic responses I'd suggest starting a new thread. You'd easily spend more on gimmicks and upgrades and most likely end up with something less reliable than buying a new vehicle that will get better MPG from the factory.

I have other opinions but they should be seen in thread dedicated to this topic.

Well I was going to start my own thread, then saw this one which is more-or-less the very same topic I wished to explore, albeit with older vehicles than I had in mind. I figured a thread of my own would be rather redundant. But, if the mods don't mind, I'll go ahead and start my own thread.

And yes, plenty of useless gimmicks could be bought, like carbon fibre parts and the like. I'd prefer to avoid that kind of thing.

Originally posted by: Plugers
4 banger Fieros get around 40mpg+ if driven properly. I have an 88 GT and have pulled off 31mpg highway once.

I you want the best handling get an 88, and stay away from an 84 unless you know it's had the recalls, or just keep sticks and marshmallows with you.

lots of info on the fiero forums.

Fieros were interesting cars, but I'm not sure I'm willing to go that route. I'd also like to avoid anything from before the 1990s if only due to body/frame/undercarriage stress/wear issues.

For what it's worth, I've heard of people getting amazing fuel economy from Ford Contours too, and of course who can forget the various Suzuki Cultus variants (Geo Metro, etc)? There are plenty of options out there.

But I think I'll take it to my own topic now. Thanks!

 

[DVad3r]

Well we live in Toronto where salt is on the ground 6 months of the year and driving in salt sludge mixed with snow is normal. The car is a tank, and a way better choice than a Civic. You can't transport anything in a Civic and it's small which makes it more unsafe in an accident.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Well we live in Toronto where salt is on the ground 6 months of the year and driving in salt sludge mixed with snow is normal. The car is a tank, and a way better choice than a Civic. You can't transport anything in a Civic and it's small which makes it more unsafe in an accident.

I know a guy who had a Fiero and had all manner of problems with it, though it ran for years in PA (near Scranton) which is not an entirely-forgiving environment in which to operate an automobile.

The size of a Civic is somewhat annoying, but the same could be said about my Ion (to an extent, it is roomier than a Civic).

 

[DietDrThunder]

I get an average 24mpg city/highway (mostly city) in my Corvair and I pretty much use it as a daily driver, but I have a backup vehicle if something stupid happens (like the combustion chamber sucking in the previous owner's lost screw). Repairs are fairly easy and inexpensive. There are multiple vendors and the parts are cheap compared to Camaros and Mustangs. I'm running a Pertronix Ignitor II electronic ignition and I don't have to mess with points.

I paid $4500 for this:
http://i423.photobucket.com/al...niversary/IMG_2908.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/al...m/Corvair/P0003498.jpg

But, depending on where you live, there may not be a mechanic that knows how to work on it (it isn't that hard but they will turn down the work because they aren't acquanted with the car).

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: Cepak
I get an average 24mpg city/highway (mostly city) in my Corvair and I pretty much use it as a daily driver, but I have a backup vehicle if something stupid happens (like the combustion chamber sucking in the previous owner's lost screw). Repairs are fairly easy and inexpensive. There are multiple vendors and the parts are cheap compared to Camaros and Mustangs. I'm running a Pertronix Ignitor II electronic ignition and I don't have to mess with points.

I paid $4500 for this:
http://i423.photobucket.com/al...niversary/IMG_2908.jpg

http://i423.photobucket.com/al...m/Corvair/P0003498.jpg

But, depending on where you live, there may not be a mechanic that knows how to work on it (it isn't that hard but they will turn down the work because they aren't acquanted with the car).

Im still on the fence, i plan on doing any work to the car (put a new engine in my '94 nissan) and i have a mechanic that works on classic cars just in case

This is a very difficult decision you Corvair like I said before is one beautiful car

Thanks everyone!

 

[DietDrThunder]

One thing to consider when buying any old car like mine or others is rust. NEVER buy any car off ebay sight unseen. Find as rust free car you can find. Do not worry about mechanical issues, as most aren't that hard to fix (unless of course the engine is locked up). My Corvair had only slight surface rust on the underside, and the battery box drain hole was rusted a half inch in diameter larger, that's it. I think I looked at 12 to 15 vehicles before I found this car. It had carburator issues, which the owner didn't fix, which I knew I could. I got it for $1,500 under his asking price because no one else wanted to touch it. I sent the carbs off and had them rebuilt professionally for around $150, which includes the shipping both ways.

Other things you have to consider:
1) draining the old fuel, removing, and sealing the gas tank ($90 at a radiator shop).
2) adding an inline fuel fitler ($3)
3) replacing the brake hoses and converting to a dual master cylinder
4) replacing all the brake hardware (brake cylinders, springs, brake adjusters, and shoes) and turning the drums.
5) replacing the tires. Some have 15 year old or more tires and will crack and fail with use.

The reason I mention #1 and 2 above is that with the new ethanol fuel mixtures, the alcahol will loosen the rust and gunk in the tank and this stuff will end up in your freshly rebuilt carburators. Ask me how I know.

Items #3, 4, and 5 are strickly for your safety. I went extra on the safety side as I installed braided stainless steel brake hoses ($80 for the set), the dual master cylinder conversion ($65), and Kevlar brake shoes ($170).

 

[DrMrLordX]

Originally posted by: Cepak
One thing to consider when buying any old car like mine or others is rust. NEVER buy any car off ebay sight unseen. Find as rust free car you can find.

This x1000. You don't want to buy some Bondo on wheels. I've seen that before and it isn't pretty.

 

[alfa147x]

ok how about a 1994 bmw e36 i4 ?

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Originally posted by: alfa147x
ok how about a 1994 bmw e36 i4 ?

A friend of mine picked up one of those for about 2k a couple years ago, It only had like 60k miles on it. I think the only thing he had to do for it was put a new radiator in. Other than that he gets like 30something mpg with it. You really should get it inspected before hand though.

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: PhoKingGuy

Originally posted by: alfa147x
ok how about a 1994 bmw e36 i4 ?

A friend of mine picked up one of those for about 2k a couple years ago, It only had like 60k miles on it. I think the only thing he had to do for it was put a new radiator in. Other than that he gets like 30something mpg with it. You really should get it inspected before hand though.

I love how the e36 looks
i just wish i could get a e46 i LOVE how those look

I will have my mechanic check the car out before buying, even though i plan on doing most work for it

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: PhoKingGuy

Originally posted by: alfa147x
ok how about a 1994 bmw e36 i4 ?

A friend of mine picked up one of those for about 2k a couple years ago, It only had like 60k miles on it. I think the only thing he had to do for it was put a new radiator in. Other than that he gets like 30something mpg with it. You really should get it inspected before hand though.

I love how the e36 looks
i just wish i could get a e46 i LOVE how those look

I will have my mechanic check the car out before buying, even though i plan on doing most work for it

He does it all himself as well. I just asked him and he said its fairly easy to work on, and the 4cyl hasnt given him any problems. Sounds like it'll be fine.

 

[yhelothar]

Old benz. Overengineered bullet proof cars.
I'm astonished at how many 80s benz that i see where the interior still looks great and the leather seats don't even show much wear.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: PhoKingGuy

Originally posted by: alfa147x
ok how about a 1994 bmw e36 i4 ?

A friend of mine picked up one of those for about 2k a couple years ago, It only had like 60k miles on it. I think the only thing he had to do for it was put a new radiator in. Other than that he gets like 30something mpg with it. You really should get it inspected before hand though.

I love how the e36 looks
i just wish i could get a e46 i LOVE how those look

I will have my mechanic check the car out before buying, even though i plan on doing most work for it

I got rid of my E36 325i 4 years ago for $4000. It had 110K miles on it. When I got rid of it, it had a significant number of problems including a broken heater (it was summer so they didn't check), needed a new clutch, bad brakes, blown lights on the dash, etc. That is on top of things I already fixed like the AC (2x), radiator, brakes, lights, suspension, bushings. You should be very wary of picking up a German car that old. They are bound to have problems.