Used car for under $2000

[RgrPark]

Ok my parents' second car is just about dead and they need a new car.

I'm thinking of buying them a used car for under $2000 here in NY...Any suggestions?
They can't drive manual and they have BAD experiences with domestics.

BTW don't tell me it can't be done because i bought my beater '89 Sentra last year with 97k miles on it for $700 and it is going strong with NO problems at 107k miles.

 

[fredtam]

You answered your own question.

 

[PCTweaker5]

Cars.com dude. I bought a car from those ads once.

 

[KingNothing]

Try a Geo Prizm. I have one and those things last forever. Same car as a Toyota Corolla, but with domestic resale value.

 

[LordMorpheus]

my 1991 Sable is still chugging. Original parts, only minor defects (like my tachometer lies to me, and changes its story at random).

Great car. KBB says its worth 1100.00USD

I'd suggest a domestic full size sedan. Most Japanese cars hold their value so well you will have to go back to the 80's to find one less than 2000.00USD.

 

[p1800volvo]

I would go with a Volvo 240 / 740 / 940. Great cars, great engines, they can go over 250,000 miles without a hickup.

Also look at a Ford Taurus. The Vulcan 3.0 engine can go just as long as the Volvo's. And it is a great car.

Not buying a domestic is just ignorance. When a car is old enough to sell for $2000, and the alternator goes, do you want to pay $350 for a Honda alternator, or $90 for a Ford? It's all relative. Parts will be more expensive for the foreign. (You can rebuild the Bosch alternator in the Volvo without removing it for less then $20! Buy the standard brush set, not the computor controlled that is $50.)

 

[slick230]

Heh, you could go the way some guys over at MBWorld.org are going, and buy your folks an Maybach or S500. :disgust:

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: p1800volvo
I would go with a Volvo 240 / 740 / 940. Great cars, great engines, they can go over 250,000 miles without a hickup.

Also look at a Ford Taurus. The Vulcan 3.0 engine can go just as long as the Volvo's. And it is a great car.

Not buying a domestic is just ignorance. When a car is old enough to sell for $2000, and the alternator goes, do you want to pay $350 for a Honda alternator, or $90 for a Ford? It's all relative. Parts will be more expensive for the foreign. (You can rebuild the Bosch alternator in the Volvo without removing it for less then $20! Buy the standard brush set, not the computor controlled that is $50.)

Foriegn parts aren't really any more expensive than domestic.

Alternator '94 Taurus (average $2000 taurus) = $134-$269
Same year Accord = $140- $254

 

[p1800volvo]

You would get ripped for that Alternator. I paid less.

From Car parts.com. (Not that I would buy from them, or pay that much)

96 Accord Alternator
BECK/ARNLEY 186-0807 355.40
SUN COAST AUTOMOTIVE 13648 195.72

96 Taurus Alternator
BECK/ARNLEY 186-6260 261.78
SUN COAST AUTOMOTIVE 7770 161.64
SUN COAST AUTOMOTIVE 7770 161.64
SUN COAST AUTOMOTIVE 7780-2 188.95

That is a big difference, depending on what alternator you need. With the Accord it is either one or another, they don't swap for that year.

Lets say an engine goes bad. they both last a long time, both should make it to 200,000 miles. But what if it doesn't? A rebuilt Ford for the Taurus is $1439, the Honda is $2769.
http://www.bestrebuiltengines.com/FORD6.htm
http://www.bestrebuiltengines.com/HONDA6.htm