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I need a car on the cheap - thoughts on these options?

E

EyeMWing

Banned
'96 Subaru Impreza Outback Wagon - $4k, unknown mileage
'95 Toyota Avalon XL Sedan - $4k, 165kmi
'97 Buick Skylark Sedan - $4k, 103kmi
'92 Honda Accord Wagon - $4k, 144kmi
'86 Benz 420SEL - $3k, 150kmi
'98 Saturn SL2 - $4k, 90kmi

Chief concerns are: SEDAN or WAGON. Period. End of story. Gas mileage should be 20 or better, unless there's a compelling reason to go below. $4000 is the maximum price point. Ease and CHEAPNESS of repair, along with reliability are also important.

The story for the neffers is as follows: Turbovan engine seized. Not worth fixing all the damage that caused. Driving the other van costs $340 in gas EVERY MONTH - thereby making it cheaper to buy a new car - but I need something that I can afford along with my tuition...
 
My roomate got a 96 avalon for $5k or so a year ago with only 60k miles on it from the original owner most those deals look pretty terrible. Look again...

I'd suggest an older corolla. You can probably get a 99-00 for that much if you search.
 
scratch the Benz right now...not cheap to repair!

I'd pick the Subaru depending on the milage due to the higher gas milage and utility of a wagon.
second choice would be either the Accord or the Avalon depending on which was in better condition.
 
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
The Impreza Engine will last forever in N/A form. It was originally designed as an aero engine.
Click to expand...
That's simply not true. While the generic boxer design is used in aricraft, and while Fuji does make aircraft, the engine family used in Subarus is strictly an automotive engine. Period.

Edit: Oh yeah, OP, either the Impreza or the Avalon. But try local free advert mags and simply driving around to find some better deals.

 
Of the choices you listed the Avalon
If I were looking it would be either a early to mid 90's Taurus or a late 90's Lumina
or a Volvo 240
Those cars are known as the bang for buck cars of the 90's
Also 90's Mazda protege or Escort but you don't want something that small
 
I'd probably go with the subbie. I'd t ry and find a toyota personally. That avalon has quite a few miles on it. I'm sure that you could find a Camery with fewer miles on it and in better condition for the price of that Avalon.
 
86 420SEL is my pick, the MB W126s are the most bulletproof cars they made. $3k is high but that is a great car. Check for maintenace records though. The 560SELs are the bomb too.
 
Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
The Impreza Engine will last forever in N/A form. It was originally designed as an aero engine.
Click to expand...
That's simply not true. While the generic boxer design is used in aricraft, and while Fuji does make aircraft, the engine family used in Subarus is strictly an automotive engine. Period.

Edit: Oh yeah, OP, either the Impreza or the Avalon. But try local free advert mags and simply driving around to find some better deals.
Click to expand...

OK. I should have allowed for this sort of response. :roll:

The Impreza engine is a development of the aero-engine for passenger car use. You cannot deny that and just because Lycomming make Boxers does not mean that they are related.

Jeez, where is that 'Guide to debating on the internet' when you need it?

Anyhow, my point still stands. The NA Impreza has a very reliable motor. PERIOD.

 
Those cars all seem over-priced. What you need is a dependable low-mileage 1998 Olds Intrigue GL, only $4K for ATOT'ers.

😛
|
V
 
these cars are huge. (tiny compared to your turbo van, but big big cars compared to what's truly afordable)

Will a compact be okay? You'd be able to get a newer car with fewer miles that's more gas efficient than any car in this bunch if you got a civic/corolla/echo/altima/focus/neon/whatever
 
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
The Impreza Engine will last forever in N/A form. It was originally designed as an aero engine.
Click to expand...
That's simply not true. While the generic boxer design is used in aricraft, and while Fuji does make aircraft, the engine family used in Subarus is strictly an automotive engine. Period.

Edit: Oh yeah, OP, either the Impreza or the Avalon. But try local free advert mags and simply driving around to find some better deals.
Click to expand...

OK. I should have allowed for this sort of response. :roll:

The Impreza engine is a development of the aero-engine for passenger car use. You cannot deny that and just because Lycomming make Boxers does not mean that they are related.

Jeez, where is that 'Guide to debating on the internet' when you need it?

Anyhow, my point still stands. The NA Impreza has a very reliable motor. PERIOD.
Click to expand...
Making stupidly unsupportable statements with attitude is no substitute for the facts.

What you call "the Impreza engine" was designed from the ground up as an automobile engine. While the Fuji engineers may have drawn on their aerospace heritage as inspiration for the boxer configuartion, AGAIN, this engine was designed and built as an automobile engine. Perhaps you're confused by the fact that enthusiasts and conversion specialists have used the subie engine in airplane applications.

NOT THE POINT. It is simply NOT, as you state and I quote, "a development of the aero-engine for passenger car use."

If this is true, please find ONE LINK that shows the Fuji Heavy Ind.'s aeronautical twin of the subie car engine. Just one, sparky, one. I'll wait right here. And when you can't, then please crawl away and STFU! :|

And what the hell does Lycoming's old boxer engine have to do with the price of pork in Dumbfuckistan, anyway? I never mentioned it, why did you. What point did you think you were proving or disproving? :roll:
 
I'd probably just spend $200-$300 on a junkyard engine for the van and put new rings and bearings in it while I was at it but then I love my turbo caravan.
 
Avalon FTW....

Or of you don't care about comfort, get a Nissan Altima. I have an 01 Altima with 96k mi and i really beat the sh!t out of it (it always gets its oil chnage when it is long over due) and it still runs good.
 
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