yact- good car $1000-$2000

[cressida]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Honestly you're gonna want an early 90's japanese import. Smaller the better because trying to get something large/powerful will compromise on the reliability because it's more likely to have extra miles on it or be in poorer condition.

Crown vic is large but it still can't hold a candle in longevity to a boring little corolla or civic.

I'm gonna disagree with you there. Once you dip below the $3,000 range, all bets are off. The nameplate on the front means nothing. It's all about how the car was taken care of and what you can reasonably expect to have to put into it to run for another 3 years.

bingo.

 

[CraigRT]

Id' get a Dodge Shadow or a LeBaron or something.
I got $300 for my old LeBaron which was still running fantastic at around 260,000 kms.
I know what I'd buy for a winter car if I ever got one.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I'd go with a domestic just because an import in that range is going to have around twice the miles on it. You can get a 90+ 2.2l/2.5l chrysler dodge or plymouth with around 100k miles on it and in good shape for $2k or less easy. They are reliable, get good gas mileage, dirt cheap parts, and are easy to work on. I have an 89 2.5l turbo caravan as my winter car/sleeper that I paid $800 for and I have had several others over the years and they hold up pretty well.

 

[Quixfire]

1991-1994 Ford Escort
1990-1992 Honda Civic
1988-1994 Toyota Tercel or Corrolla
1991-1994 Mazda 323 or Protege
1988-1992 Nissan Stanza

Those are just off the top of my head. I personally like the Escort.

 

[Eli]

Anything that drives well and is in good condition.

If you wait, do a lot of looking and research, you can find very good deals on cars in that price range. Look for one owner cars, people who have all service receipts, etc.

 

[Keego]

I just got 2 bikes for $100


(I have no clue where to get a good car for 1-2k!)

 

[trez2k3]

Sorry about "bringin' this thread back from the dead" but i found a 87 supra for $1500 would this be a bad idea?

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: trez2k3
Sorry about "bringin' this thread back from the dead" but i found a 87 supra for $1500 would this be a bad idea?

That would depend on how many miles are on it. The only bad thing I can remember about those is they like to blow headgaskets but thats mainly on the turbo models.

 

[chiwawa626]

Used KIA? if the warrenty is still valid that would be awesome...i hear they have like a 10 year warrenty...

 

[trez2k3]

not sure if it's turbo have to check... as long as it doesnt overheat head gasket shouldn't be a problem should it?? (I blew one on my Cressida because of a bad radiator.......)

 

[KEV1N]

I'm gonna vote for my own car, a 1989 (Gen2) Camry. No real problems at 151k miles and feels like I just drove it off the lot in 89

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: trez2k3
not sure if it's turbo have to check... as long as it doesnt overheat head gasket shouldn't be a problem should it?? (I blew one on my Cressida because of a bad radiator.......)

No from what I read they just blew. The fix was either to torque the headbolts down more then the factory spec or use a metal headgasket.

 

[Eli]

Nothing wrong with bringing this thread back.

As for the Supra, beware.. Chances are, it wasn't owned by your resident Grandmother.

 

[trez2k3]

Oh... thats not good

 

[Walleye]

Originally posted by: trez2k3
Are there any suggestions on a car that would fall in this price catagory? I have seen many in the paper for around this amount...also when looking at these cars are there specific things to ask or look ie. under the hood

mine's worth 400. wanna buy it for 1000?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Walleye

Originally posted by: trez2k3
Are there any suggestions on a car that would fall in this price catagory? I have seen many in the paper for around this amount...also when looking at these cars are there specific things to ask or look ie. under the hood

mine's worth 400. wanna buy it for 1000?

What is it?

 

[d33pt]

i sold my 91 maxima for $1200.. i'm sure it'll run for another 3 years at least with only maintenance

 

[Walleye]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Walleye

Originally posted by: trez2k3
Are there any suggestions on a car that would fall in this price catagory? I have seen many in the paper for around this amount...also when looking at these cars are there specific things to ask or look ie. under the hood

mine's worth 400. wanna buy it for 1000?

What is it?

'84 toyota camry... 230,000 miles... manual... needs an engine rebuild, consumes a quart every 600 miles... gets about 27 miles to the gallon... manual transmission, fuel injection (FIRST YEAR BABY!!! ) ... reupholstered seats, customized console. (the old one broke, laquered stained wood console now )

i think that pretty much describes it.

 

[trez2k3]

Ok ive also found a 91 Camry V6 for 1800obo saying it needs minor work. Im guessing because of the head gasket problems on the supra this might be a better buy?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: trez2k3
Ok ive also found a 91 Camry V6 for 1800obo saying it needs minor work. Im guessing because of the head gasket problems on the supra this might be a better buy?

Most likely. What kind of work does it need?

OBO is a good sign, too.

 

[KaBudokan]

I think a few people have had good advice as far as making sure that the maintenance, etc. has been taken care of.

The key in shopping for inexpensive cars is patience. The first couple cars I bought I bought in a hurry, and I bought cars I "hoped" were ok.

They weren't. These included a cheap old import and a cheap not as old domestic.

The last two cars I've bought were both inexpensive, but I took my time and waited for the right car. I also had them checked out (for about $30-50) by a good mechanic. This made a HUGE difference in my confidence level, and, IMO in the car I ended up with.

The first one of these was a 1987 Corolla FX16GTS. It had 90k miles on it, and I paid ~$2000 for it. I had it for about 2 1/2 years and spent $125 in repairs (other than general maintenance). It had had the transmission replaced at about 80k. Awesome car, and loads of fun as well. I got hit by someone running a stop sign - totalled the car, but I was fine.

My current car is a 91 Civic. It had 101k on it when I got it. I've had it about 2 years, and I have done nothing but change the oil. Great car.

Take your time... If you are not in a rush, you can find a good car for a good, fair price.

 

[Thegonagle]

KaBudokan offers up some more excellent advice.

Patience is very important. You can't rush the market. One thing I usually do is buy the paper every day I'm shopping, and call on all the promising ads that morning. The good and inexpensive ones go fast.

Having the car checked out, if you don't know everything to look for yourself (a lot of stuff!), is also very important.

 

[trez2k3]

Ok thanks for the replies. I was looking today and found a 95 dodge intrepid for $1900 and a 91 eagle talon tsi for $1500 im kinda interested any thoughts?

 

[TheNemesis]

Stay away from the Talon, the drivetrain isn't the greatest...

 

[trez2k3]

I was afraid of something like that... the ad says new inspection and runs great and all that idk its just kind of tempting being AWD and turbo as cheap as it is.