Sure it does. I'm in college and commute 35 miles each way when I'm taking class, and 88 miles each way for my co-op job. I don't want to spend alot of money on a car just to put a ton of miles onit. I also want to be able to pay cash for it. I think I'll try going to some dealer auctions and see what I can find. The cars there usually go for less than half what they are worth. I could likely find a vehicle worth $7k+, and pay a few thousand for it.
iamwiz82
Lifer
- Jan 10, 2001
- 30,772
- 13
- 81
Thats great, too bad we are talking about a CHEROKEE, not a GRAND CHEROKEE. The Cherokee is a brick on wheels. The Grand Cherokee is more aerodynamic. Anyways, unless your friend is driving 90% highway, literally, he probably isnt getting 20mpg, according to http://www.fueleconomy.gov. I never see more than 12mpg out of my Grand Cherokee and never saw more than 19 and 20mpg on all highway trips
I have a '92 Vic, and I actually prefer RWD in the winter. (AWD would be nice, but I don't have it)
Yes, you will slip. The only weight in the back of the car is the rear axle.
A very small percentage of Hondas are riced.
Anyways, since you don't need a truck, I would recommend a car. Any import midsize or compact will do.
Anyways, since you don't need a truck, I would recommend a car. Any import midsize or compact will do.
wtf, then first and second gear are gonna be shot, and the clutch will have three teeth left on it
- M4H
This man knows what hes talking about.
On the flipside, my 96 Taurus is serving me quite well and I got it for around $3k.
You're not going to find an INCREDIBLY reliable car for 3k, so just search for something that hasn't been beaten to hell and you can live with. Most of the cars you come across will have over 100k on the meter and they're going to eventually have problems. Whats important is what kind of problems they're going to have.
My only advice is this: Avoid any car with an interior that doesn't look CLEAN. If it looks like the dealer tried to clean it up, but couldnt, chances are the car will have problems. If someone didn't care about the part of the car they actually ride in, chances are they didn't care about the engine either.
If you get a car with an auto transmission, take it for a long test drive, at least an hour, in varying conditions and make sure it shifts good both in stop and go and on the freeway.
other than that I don't really have any reccomendations. I don't buy into that whole "domestics are crap imports are the only way to go". At the $3000 mark, you should be looking past the brand name and more at what condition the car is and if it meets your criteria.
Totally possible to find a _incredibly_ reliable car for even less 3k. B13 Nissan Sentras and Chevy Prisms can be had on the cheap and last forever.
yukichigai
Diamond Member
- Apr 23, 2003
- 6,404
- 0
- 76
I picked up a '94 Explorer for $4,500. Of course this was right at the peak of the Firestone tire-explodey-death thing. Still, you may be able to snag one for about $4k now. I love mine. (Of course my bank account doesn't exactly love it )
)By incredibly reliable I mean like new with no problems whatsoever. They may last forever, but they're still going to need maintenance, and that maintenance is going to be more frequent than it would be on a new car. He should be looking for whether that maintenance is going to be a belt here and a hose there, rather than a transmission and a head gasket --- NOT what brand name is on the trunk.
Both of these guys know what they're talking about.
I like the suggestions about the Mazda 626. It's just a solid if somewhat boring sedan with an engine that's known to last forever and no glaring flaws or trouble spots.
Also Chevy/Geo Prizms, since they're really Toyota Corollas under the skin, unfortunately, if a 626 is boring, then a Prizm . . .
(oops, I think I fell asleep.)
I'd also like to suggest looking at Saturns that are in good shape if you can stand how cheap their interiors feel. They're usually pretty reliable and if something needs to be replaced, the parts are some of the cheapest out there. I bought a 94 SL2 with over 200,000 miles for $250 + $130 for a Saturn hydraulic clutch actuator (full master-slave assembly, pre-filled and pre-bled, one of the fastest repairs I've ever done), another $20 for a Saturn thermostat, and $12 for a Napa engine temp sensor. It served me well for 15,000 miles with a pizza delivery job. (Stay away from other 4 cylinder GMs though. They're slow and don't really save much gas over most of GM's V6s.)
Thanks for the ideas guys!
As for cheap cars not being reliable, that's not true. I've had a 91 Dodge SPirit that I paid $2k for a few years ago, that I've put 50k miles on with out any major problems.
As for cheap cars not being reliable, that's not true. I've had a 91 Dodge SPirit that I paid $2k for a few years ago, that I've put 50k miles on with out any major problems.
Wait, why a pickup?? if snow is your concern, then a rwd pickup is the worst possible combination. right?? for traction i mean.
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