YACT: $2100 budget. What would you get? (poll up)

[zCypher]

I had a big post but I'm making it simpler for better results. Have $5k loan. Going to use $3k for car purchase. What to get. Test drove Cams, Fbirds, Civics, Preludes, Protoges, Outbacks, Shadows. So far WS6 Firebird is favorite out of all of them in every respect. I realize the difference in possible maintenance and gas mileage.

What would your choice be, given you had this loan and had the extra $2k as a safety net in case you need it for anything. I will defintiely get whatever car I choose inspected first, but I like to be safe. So what would you get? I'm in love with the T-Top Cam/Firebird (late eighties early nineties model), but if you can convince me to go for something else (highly doubtful) you're very welcome to try, it'd be appreciated!

thanks.

EDIT: Alternative plan.

1) Buy $500 POS, but import.. Civic or something. A friend bought a 89 or 90 Civic for $700 and had no probs for a while, he got really lucky.
So buy a 500 pos AND buy the $3000 Fbird I want. How does that sound? Take the POS $500 car when I need fuel economy/don't want need power... and take the nice Fbird for cruising around in a nice ride and enjoying myself.?

 

[jlee]

Two things to consider:

Gas mileage/maintainance
Insurance

If you can afford both of the above, go for whatever you like better. You don't want to be thinking "Man, I wish I bought something else.."

 

[chin311]

dont touch anything domestic thats old, your best bet is w/ the honda, toyota type crowd. they'll last you much longer and will be more reliable.

 

[RossMAN]

Didn't read your entire post, just your budget.

Look around for an early 90's Geo Prizm which is a rebadged Toyota Corolla.

 

[zCypher]

CadetLee,

Thanks. Yes, I realize the difference between gas mileage, maintenance and insurance when comparing a Camaro/Firebird to a Civic or Prelude. I'm young, so it will be expensive anyway, I also realize that. However - my best friend is only paying a few hundred bucks per year to insure his Camaro. So even if my payment is double his, that's still fine.

 

[zCypher]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Didn't read your entire post, just your budget.

Look around for an early 90's Geo Prizm which is a rebadged Toyota Corolla.

Thanks RossMAN. I knew you people wouldn't read it all, that's why I shortened it.

I really, really really want that 89 model (91 would still be same) Firebird WS6. Everyone is voting for Honda/Toyota/Whatever but nobody is giving me hard reasons why I should sacrifice the car I want so much. What problems would a 89 Fbird have that an 86-90 Civic would not?

In contrast, someone I know had a 92 Protoge and after less than 6 months it was a total and complete POS. So, just cause I car is not domestic does not mean it's not going to break.

 

[zCypher]

I think anyone would agree that it's how you drive and maintain your car that's most important, right?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: zCypher
I think anyone would agree that it's how you drive and maintain your car that's most important, right?

True.

 

[zCypher]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: zCypher
I think anyone would agree that it's how you drive and maintain your car that's most important, right?

True.

So, Grand Nagus, you would agree that if I got a Fbird, took care of it the way it's meant to be taken care of, that it would greatly outlast the Protoge owned by that asshat I referred to who must have had a grand of repairs in less than half a year?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: zCypher

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: zCypher
I think anyone would agree that it's how you drive and maintain your car that's most important, right?

True.

So, Grand Nagus, you would agree that if I got a Fbird, took care of it the way it's meant to be taken care of, that it would greatly outlast the Protoge owned by that asshat I referred to who must have had a grand of repairs in less than half a year?

Since I know nothing about domestic cars (other than the Dodge I owned was a POS) I'm not the one to ask.

 

[zCypher]

Another reason I want the WS6 over an import is comfort. Those camaros/firebirds are so much more comfortable than any Honda or Toyota I've ever been in.

So... anyone with personal experience with cam/fbirds around here that can help out?

 

[Parrotheader]

Originally posted by: zCypher

In contrast, someone I know had a 92 Protoge and after less than 6 months it was a total and complete POS. So, just cause I car is not domestic does not mean it's not going to break.

Obviously it's not a clear cut case if you look at it car by car. But GENERALLY speaking I think the overall case that late 80s and early 90s imports hold up better than domestics from that time would undoubtedly hold true when looking at a larger sample.

For that budget, my personal vote would be for an early 90s Toyota or Nissan pickup which seem to be some of the most reliable and durable vehicles ever made, but obviously you're wanting a car and not a truck which is understandable. In that case, I'd cast my vote in with the late 80s/early 90s import crowd.

 

[AvesPKS]

Originally posted by: zCypher
Another reason I want the WS6 over an import is comfort. Those camaros/firebirds are so much more comfortable than any Honda or Toyota I've ever been in.

So... anyone with personal experience with cam/fbirds around here that can help out?

I don't have any specific instances to reference...but, come on. You definitely have no need for two cars. And I would definitely go for something like a Civic, or Camry, or Corolla, just based on their reliability and fuel economy.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Parrotheader

Originally posted by: zCypher

In contrast, someone I know had a 92 Protoge and after less than 6 months it was a total and complete POS. So, just cause I car is not domestic does not mean it's not going to break.

Obviously it's not a clear cut case if you look at it car by car. But GENERALLY speaking I think the overall case that late 80s and early 90s imports hold up better than domestics from that time would undoubtedly hold true when looking at a larger sample.

For that budget, my personal vote would be for an early 90s Toyota or Nissan pickup which seem to be some of the most reliable and durable vehicles ever made, but obviously you're wanting a car and not a truck which is understandable. In that case, I'd cast my vote in with the late 80s/early 90s import crowd.

Those early 90's Toyota/Nissan pickups run forever! I know of several people who had 200,000+ miles on their trucks and they still ran like a champ.

 

[zCypher]

Is reliability and fuel economy all you guys will consider? lol. I know to some that's the most important. But for someone in my situation? All I have to pay is my phone and visa. Shouldn't I take advantage of my situation and get a car I like and can enjoy most, while the cost of living is the lowest it'll ever be in my young life? Why get a boring mushy car that gets good gas mileage that's "so reliable" when that's the kind of car I'll want when I need to scrounge every penny and be most economical for living on my own?

 

[Parrotheader]

Originally posted by: zCypher
Is reliability and fuel economy all you guys will consider? lol. I know to some that's the most important. But for someone in my situation? All I have to pay is my phone and visa. Shouldn't I take advantage of my situation and get a car I like and can enjoy most, while the cost of living is the lowest it'll ever be in my young life? Why get a boring mushy car that gets good gas mileage that's "so reliable" when that's the kind of car I'll want when I need to scrounge every penny and be most economical for living on my own?

Well most people were under the impression that you wanted our opinion - hence the poll. Just because our opinions seem boring to you doesn't make them any less valid, especially since you're the one who solicited them in the first place.

I certainly understand you reasoning for wanting a 'fun' car at that age and if you want to get it nobody's stopping you. We're simply saying what we'd do in your situation. What you do is up to you.

 

[toph99]

Originally posted by: chin311
dont touch anything domestic thats old, your best bet is w/ the honda, toyota type crowd. they'll last you much longer and will be more reliable.

oh yes, those imports are certainly more reliable than a SBC, a 305 at that.

seeing as how you want cheap, go domestic. My friend has a tempo that cost him $600, so far it has had a new alernator($110) ball joint($60) and accessory belt($15) so for $785 he has a car that will last quite a while and has good fuel economy. I drive a 93 crown vic that i got for 3500(all these are in canadian) and have put in a few hundred simply because i'm picky. if you don't mind gas mileage, go for the fbody, 3rd gens are some of my favourites. there are a lot of 3rd gen sites around, so do some research in problem areas to find out what problems to look for. If you don't mind a large car, look into a caprice, crown vic/grand marquis/town car, all of which are great cars. stick with a V8 and you'll fall in love with something that imports lack, TORQUE

 

[BatmanNate]

Get the firebird if that's what you want. I test drove a 92 (I think) TransAm GTA before buying my Supra, and my biggest complaints were the front visibility was poor, the car was low which made it sort of hard to get into, and the turning radius was poor. Oh yeah, and it overheated on the test drive. :Q Had a decent amount of pick up though, I think it was the 350.

 

[zCypher]

toph99, thanks. i found a few fbirds in the $2-4k CAN range. I will probably be getting my $5k loan this week. So I will call some insurance companies to find out how much they're going to rape me for, and then i can take it from there. I stil can't get over how great a deal that fbird was for $3k that I checked otu a while back. no doubt sold, but i want to find something similar. hopefully I get a ttop.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Just get the camaro if thats what you want and ignore all these other poeple. If your old enough to have cheap insurace go ahead and get another beater if you want too. I did. I have an 89 5.0l Mustang for summer and an 89 dodge caravan turbo for winter, hauling, and drag racing but I am 27 and both together come to around $900 a year in insurance. Comes in handy when you need/want to work on one.

A camaro should hold up well. You may have a crappy interior and a sensor die every now and again but the sbc and the trannys behind them are pretty tough.

 

[kyutip]

The reason why most people suggest reliable/boring car is unforeseen cost.
Car needs maintenance and you don't know how much it will be.
You should always think of the worse.
One way to minimize that is to play the better odds.
Reliable cars break down less, so you have better chance off saving more money and vice versa.
It is ultimately up to you which car you choose.
As for insurance, getting just liability can lower your insurance bill.

 

[B00ne]

Originally posted by: zCypher

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Didn't read your entire post, just your budget.

Look around for an early 90's Geo Prizm which is a rebadged Toyota Corolla.

Thanks RossMAN. I knew you people wouldn't read it all, that's why I shortened it.

I really, really really want that 89 model (91 would still be same) Firebird WS6. Everyone is voting for Honda/Toyota/Whatever but nobody is giving me hard reasons why I should sacrifice the car I want so much. What problems would a 89 Fbird have that an 86-90 Civic would not?

In contrast, someone I know had a 92 Protoge and after less than 6 months it was a total and complete POS. So, just cause I car is not domestic does not mean it's not going to break.

I dont know how it is in Canada, but here in Germany: forget about the Camarow unless u are rich and dont give a damn about gas consumption. Also, US cars are known to make u the best friend of your Carshop owner (as well as gas staion owner). And the insurance and tax on a 350 cuin. car for someone below 25 with not many years of driving experience would be insane. I wouldnt even consider a car with more than 2l displacement and more than 9l/100km

besides if it is your first car maybe it is better for u as well as the others if u wouldnt get such a high power car.... Young ppl usually drive quite irresponsible and lack the routine of older drivers especially in unforseen situations...

So basically If I were u I'd go with the Civic, but better Toyota they are best in relibility (small cars though up to 3 years, if older and/or bigger, go german but toyota is always good, dunno much about hondas but I'd be careful here, Hondas, BMWs are cars of wannabe racers so their engines have usually taken quite a beating - but u are in NAmerica so that might not be a problem considering the very slow speeds over there...)

 

[Lvis]

Sounds like you have already sold yourself on the Firebird, if so have fun.

Given your budget I would look at the best value I could find. I would give serious consideration to a domestic car.

Import parts cost big bucks, and a chevy or dodge are much less. I would rather have a newer, lower mileage domestic than an old, high mileage import.

The cheapest cars I ever owned were Dodge/Plymouth omni/horizons. A total of three, all lasted over 150k miles. Insurance was cheap, and so were the few parts needed.

 

[slikmunks]

take my time, try to find a good 89-91 rx7 turbo

btw, preludes don't handle THAT well