So who can recommend a RELIABLE shitbox for under $1000? EDITED with word file

[Freejack2]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Any dodge/chrysler/plymouth 2.2L/2.5L might want to stay away from the turbo models though

You should be able to pick up a pretty decent late 80s to early 90s one if you look for $1000. The cars are cheap, pretty reliable, parts are cheap, and they are real easy to work on. I just bought an 89 caravan turbo for $800us and after spending about $200 on little crap its running pretty good.

chargers
omnis
shadows
k-cars
lebarons
minivans
spirits
lancers
daytonas
and probably about 10 more I am forgeting

Yep add the Plymouth Acclaim/Dodge Spirit to that list, cheap and runs a long time!

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: deftron
Here you go

Does it have power steering?

 

[deftron]

Originally posted by: aphexII

Originally posted by: deftron
Here you go

Does it have power steering?

Not sure.. but I know

if you want to get that authentic ricer sound, you dont have to get a coffee can muffler

just eat a few burritos

 

[vi edit]

I'm gonna suggest an early 90's Escort. Dirt cheap, very economical, easy to work on, and there's half a billion of them out there so parts will easy to find, and cheap to buy.

 

[Evadman]

I would recomend an older Toyota. My first streat car was a toyota tercel station wagon ( with 4 wheel drive! ) I bought it for $500. It had 200k+ miles. I beat the ever loving crap out of that car. Even took it 4 wheeling. Took the abuse and kept asking for more. I finaly ended up toasting the trans trying to do a burnout. I neutral dropped it from redline. The cost for a new trans was only $300 ( from a junk yard ) but I decided to get another car.

Only problem with toyotas are some of the alternators and water pumps suck.( never broke mine ) But they are an easy fix.

As for parts, I replaced the entire brake system ( except for the lines and the master cyl ) the whole job was less than $150 in parts for all new pads, rotors, drums and calipers. ( trhe calipers were only $35 each, rotors were $13. Cheap!! )

<edit>
horrible spelling

 

[goodoptics]

I strongly recommend 90' and up Toyota Tercel. Those are the ones have fuel injection, I believe. Reliable, good gas mileage, inexpensive parts, and easy to work on.

 

[geno]

Dodge shadow, dirt cheap cars that'll last you till 200k at least, you can find one with under 100k miles for under a grand easily. The 2.2/2.5 will last forever, just stay away from the earlier models (pre 90) and you'll be just fine. the HP isn't great, but the torque is more than adequate (93HP/125Tq for the 2.2, even more for the 2.5).

Another honorable mention, late 80's Toyota Camry's are very very reliable as well for the money. My friend had an 89 for 4 years, his first car, he learned (and taught many) how to drive stick in it, ended up having 175K when he got rid of it. He beat on that car every day and it stood up just fine, only thing it ever needed was a clutch.

My advice, go for a domestic since replacement parts are dirt cheap, and if you do go import, make sure it's a common car that isn't hard/expensive to repair at all good luck!

 

[vi edit]

Also, it's not a car per se, but a late 80's/early 90's Ford Ranger 4cyl will run forever.

 

[Ultima]

So, Ford Escort, Dodge Shadow, and Toyota Tercel are good bets?
well I'm looking through the papers and will probably check out a couple of cars next weekend.
I saw a 5-speed Nissan Stanza in the papers the other day , I've never heard of those before. How are those cars?

 

[geno]

I say between the 3 cars you just mentioned, plus the Sentra (which also gets the thumbs up from me), you should be able to find a great car for the money.

 

[geno]

Oh, one other car that wouldn't be bad, a Honda CRX, the older ones are dirt cheap!

 

[Thegonagle]

Stanzas are fine in general. They were replaced by the Altima in 93, I believe.

 

[Ultima]

Nissan Stanza

Doesn't seem like a bad car at all. If I can get a good deal on that I'd take that over a tercel/escort/sentra for sure.

138hp/148lb-ft's.. looks peppy too!

Repair costs on those CV joints though... :Q

 

[thedarkwolf]

A lot of those dodges were also available with a 3.0l v6 that isn't bad either but only get one if it has a 5 speed manual. The 4 speed auto is in the top three worst transmissions every made. I would just stick to the 2.2l/2.5l 4 banger because parts are cheaper and they are a hell of a lot easier to work on.

 

[Ultima]

Thing is, there's no shadows/spirits/whatever in the price range I'm looking for, its mostly escorts tercels foxes etc...
for now I'm gonna check out that stanza cause if its in good condition that'd be a sweet deal for a 5-speed '90 for $650US (edmunds says they're worth more than that). Actually, most cars here sell for less than what edmunds says they're worth, I think cars are generally cheaper here (I use 90210 for area code when Edmunds asks me).