YACT: $2000 to spend what would you get?

[Crazymofo]

I need a reliable car that gets good gas milage...

 

[Vette73]

$2000 is not gonna give you a choice. Look in the paper and see whats there, that is about as much choice as you will get.

 

[RossMAN]

A used well maintained Geo Chevy/Prizm (rebadged Toyota Corolla)

 

[Thegonagle]

Whatever you find that's in the best condition, that doesn't have any immediate problems is going to be the most reliable.

For $2000, don't kid yourself that a beat Civic or Celica is a better buy than some old man's Buick or Taurus.

 

[Crazymofo]

There are lots of autos out there for under 2000...

Like I found 5 or 6 different Toyotas for under 2k but I have no idea which would be the better car...

Just thinking someone could tell me the car I should get you know....

 

[Soybomb]

2.2/2.5 dodge/chrysler/plymouth, perhaps even a turbo

Nice and reliable, easy to work one, and so many of them made you can always easily find parts in the junk yard.

 

[rudeguy]

2k will get you a nice beater....I disagree with RossMan on the geos...they are too much grief...look for an nice ford escort. There are plenty of them on the road, and the parts are cheap.

 

[Crazymofo]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
A used well maintained Geo Chevy/Prizm (rebadged Toyota Corolla)

thank you Rossman, I did not know about Geos being rebadged, I will take a look for some Prizms!

Thegonagle, I completly agree with you!

This is the kinda info I was looking for! Anyone else?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: rudeguy
2k will get you a nice beater....I disagree with RossMan on the geos...they are too much grief...look for an nice ford escort. There are plenty of them on the road, and the parts are cheap.

??????????

The Geo Prizm was always in the top 5 for reliability and safety, the escort was/has not been in the top of anything, esp the old ones.

Even the Geo Storm is a good car, again if taken care of.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: rudeguy
2k will get you a nice beater....I disagree with RossMan on the geos...they are too much grief...look for an nice ford escort. There are plenty of them on the road, and the parts are cheap.

??????????

The Geo Prizm was always in the top 5 for reliability and safety, the escort was/has not been in the top of anything, esp the old ones.

Even the Geo Storm is a good car, again if taken care of.

geo's are fine until they break...the repair on those is unreasonable....my experience with escorts (the ford kind) is that you can beat the crap out of them, and they keep on ticking


I am no mechanical genius by any means...just my AFAIK

 

[Paulson]

Get an old buick... they may not be too stylish, but they built these vehicles like a tank... (dad's 88 park avenue is @ 221,790 miles) original engine, tranny, and most other components... It's all electronic on the inside (from dash to temp control)... AC still works and it's still the same R12 in it...

Lovely car to drive... gets great gas mileage (like 30 to 35 mpg)

 

[Kevin]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
A used well maintained Geo Chevy/Prizm (rebadged Toyota Corolla)

You make it sound like an optical drive...

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Paulson
Get an old buick... they may not be too stylish, but they built these vehicles like a tank... (dad's 88 park avenue is @ 221,790 miles) original engine, tranny, and most other components... It's all electronic on the inside (from dash to temp control)... AC still works and it's still the same R12 in it...

Lovely car to drive... gets great gas mileage (like 30 to 35 mpg)

I am a mechanic and my cheapo around town car is a 87 Buick LeSabre. It cost $2300 and has the 3.8L engine, and only had 89K on it when I got it.

 

[Hossenfeffer]

Check with people you know, the classifieds, etc. for the cheapest prices (I would imagine). Also, might be able to find something that has some dings in it.

 

[cliftonite]

I saw a fairly new ford (maybe a 99 or 00) taurus for about 5 grand at a rental car company. Ofcrouse thats twice but it may save you some money on repairs

 

[duragezic]

I got a 93 Mazda 626 with 128k miles 1.5yrs ago for $2500. I swear half the people who've ridden in it think its a 96+ or newer. I'm sure with $2000 you could find something similar. THe 93 is the first year for the newer body style so try for that, maybe it might have more miles though. The automatic trannies are genuine crap, although the 93 has a slightly more reliable one. Mine is still the original but it shifts pretty rough from 1-2 and stuff. Find a manual one anyway.

 

[Crazymofo]

Originally posted by: cliftonite
I saw a fairly new ford (maybe a 99 or 00) taurus for about 5 grand at a rental car company. Ofcrouse thats twice but it may save you some money on repairs

I would never buy a car from a rental company! I can see the classified now; only 15,000 owners!!!