One of the downsides to being a car guy is that everyone you know asks you for opinions on what car to buy.
Nephew: good driver, 16 almost 17. Very sensible and responsible
Budget: $1500
Wants: something quick, reliable, and good MPG. Quick doesn't necessarily mean fast or powerful. I taught him right... he doesn't need a V6, but a 4-cyl Miata is quicker than a 4-cyl Corolla
My requirements: My sister's family has been plagued with "bad" cars. They have a GMT800 that has been a non-stop problem, an 05 Malibu that is terrible, and an 02 Ford Windstar that developed a leaking oil pan and a blown bulb for the "low oil" light so you can imagine how it died. Its not so much that they have bad cars, its that they have small budgets and zero mechanical intuition. They buy cheap junk without the ability to see its flaws when they lay out the cash, then ignore the flaws and keep driving them until they explode. That's a recipe for disaster. I want to help my nephew find something that he can actually drive instead of pour money into all the time (meaning it will sit in the driveway until he sells a kidney)
He keeps leaning toward VWs. I warned him that they tend to have some really nitpicky issues that don't necessarily cost a lot to fix, but it might be more than he wants to deal with. Given his family's history, he will likely just drive forever with a torn intake boot and wonder why one cylinder has a stuck valve while the other one has a hole burnt in the piston.
He has also shown some interest in the Buick/Pontiac 3.8L cars which I think is a pretty good bet
I'm thinking something that uses bulletproof architecture, but the sportier version; like Miata instead of a Mazda 3, or MR2 or Celica instead of Corolla, or RSX instead of Civic, Grand Prix instead of Bonneville, Focus instead of Escort. Am I making sense? Something that gets him the bulletproof guts of a sensible car but in the hotter package.
What do you all suggest?
In sub $2k cars I think it is best to sort your local CL by price and choose what is available.
I would lean toward total utility and recommend something like Toyota Echo/Tercel, etc.
Another bargain choice can be Hyundai Accent 2 door hatch.
Try Solara also. It's the Carmy that fewer people want since it is a 2 door.
In that same vein, fwd Monte Carlo
Can you get a Sentra SE-R for that price?
How about a Mercedes W201 190E or W124 300E? Not exactly sporty ... but solidly built, reliable, and classy for very little money.
My cousin likes his $1100 solara.
Intrigue came with 3800 (good) and more commonly with 3.5L ShortStar, derived from NorthStar (bad)
Fun little cars that I don't thing have been mentioned:
Escort ZX2s are pretty fun and seem hard to kill. They had the best engine that Escorts got (discounting the Mazda powered GT, but those seem to have gotten hard to find)
Twin cam Saturn S series with a 5 speed isn't slow and would be dead simple to keep running, just check the oil.
Saturn Ions came in a two door version and seem to hold together well, same with the Chevy Cobalts.
For '03 &' 04 (first two years) the Saturn Ion coupe got a cvt automatic that was CRAP. By '05 the coupe got the 4 speed auto. All 4 door Ion got 4 speed for all years, good. All 5 speed manuals good too.
Highly overlooked model and there are some bargains out there
Decent number of hail damage totals still going through IAA in North Carolina.
No Corolla then. A Datsun instead.
Datsun Truck
Escort gt if you can find a non rotbox. My wifes 04 ion has no sporting attributes but aside from eating the sway bar endlinks fairly often the car has been great for 12 years/150k miles. Just change the oil in decent intervals. escort zx2 wasnt terrible to drive but i wasnt a fan of the cosmetics.
If he doesnt mind the seating position alot of honda's fit the bill if you can find them non rotted out.
That Celica might be worth checking out. That's basically what you're looking for, especially with manual gearbox - essentially a Corolla drivetrain in a sharper looking and lighter package.
Protoge? Stick and a sunroof!
Dude, you're in Carlisle, nothing in the Car Corral during their events?
My brother is selling a 1993 Tercel, 4 speed, 112k miles, rare radio delete option and the 1.5 sips gas. Comes with four studded snow tires. Costs half of the $1500 budget, use the other half to fix things a non-car guy can do. Seat cover, minor exhaust leak, needs a buff.
I'm not pimping the car, but these have to be in your area, probably with less rust.
Dan
Sounds like Honda Accord.. Smells like Honda Accord.
Duke
MegaDork
11/7/17 9:53 a.m.
At the $1500 level, it's not a particular make / model you're looking for, it's the cleanest, best-maintained car you can find, no matter what it is.
Where does your cousin reside? It might help to narrow search down..
I think nicest example of something is going to be your best bet.
lnlds
Reader
11/8/17 12:57 a.m.
dean1484 said:
This looks like the best option to me.
https://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/d/great-running-2006-suzuki/6371956169.html
Suzuki Reno is just a rebadged Daewoo. Though at that price it seems like a bargain the reality is that it is still likely overpriced. I would avoid.
You want to see something embarrassing...that small Suzuki Reno with auto trans has an EPA rating of 19/22/28. Those are pretty horrible numbers for a small car. It just points to a generally inefficient engine.
Ding, ding, ding!
