Which hatch (or car) for me?

EG hatches are phenomenal, albeit crude. Reliable as rocks, efficient and practical (you can stow a ton of stuff in them when the seats are folded down--and the tailgate is FTW).

The big downside is rust. They like rusting.

The EK chassis is a MASSIVE improvement over the EG in terms of refinement/stiffness and rust resistance. My next DD will probably be an EK hatch--assuming I can find a decent one.

How's this for an unassuming beater?

http://toledo.craigslist.org/cto/1086792319.html

EvanB wrote: How's this for an unassuming beater? http://toledo.craigslist.org/cto/1086792319.html

I'd rock it!

Heck, if it was local, I'd be calling the guy in the morning, lol.

I emailed him, I might call tomorrow but it is 3 hours from me so I would like to see some pictures of how bad the rust is before making the drive.

90-93 Celica hatch.... dead nuts reliable, you can put a TON of crap in one, and when the urge strikes, they aren't too shabby on a backroad even stock.

For crissakes, they have a Camry drivetrain.

$3k will get you a NICE one.

gamby wrote: My next DD will probably be an EK hatch--assuming I can find a decent one.

I should have a south carolina born and bred EK hatch in Hartford CT in June. Just turned 100k miles. :-0

I'd also suggest a little pickup, or heck --even a full-size pickup. Not like you'll be driving a lot. As others have said, their utility will come in handy throughout your college career. Plus they are invisible to thieves and police.

-Winston College ride: '90 Ranger

This might be something to look at:

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/1097226574.html

I get high 20s mpg around town in mine and they are invisible to thieves. Also after 185K it has been as reliable as my wifes 90 Cellica (which would be a good choice also, just not as quick.)

I think the Ford Focus would be a good bet. Nice big hatch and pretty reliable yet still fun to drive. Why buy a car if you don't enjoy driving it? :)

I'd stay far away from the Honda hatches. They are targets at this point for theft and cops.

The VW Golf is also an option if you can deal with German 'reliability'.

Subaru Impreza wagon might be an option but they are hard to find w/o millions of miles.

Beyond that the Sentras are good. So is the Mazda Protege and Mazda 626.

2 other options with pretty cheap buy in but potentially more expensive maintenance are the Volvo wagon and the Saab 9-3.

I have started looking more seriously at Volvo wagons. I can imagine a turbo 745 with nasty oxidized paint and steelies being quite fun and invisible at the same time. I can deal with the maintenance after working on a diesel mercedes w123.

I do share a full size pickup with another guy for when I need it but it will be in Ashland while I am at school, which means I can use it to move my stuff but I have a good excuse to not move others' things.

You're welcome to look at my Volvo 745 (non-turbo) if you do come to town. I'd love to drop a turbo mill in at some point, but I've got some other priorities at this point. Can't beat the price I paid, for it, however--$350. No structural rust, either!

I would like to take a look at that next time I am in town, that is a great price you got it for. I am hoping I can find a turbo wagon with a manual for around $1k.

I got an email back about the 122s I posted at the top of the page and the seller said the floors and trunk have been patched and are solid so I will probably go to look at that sometime.

mw wrote: suzuki swift GT if you can find one. It will cost much less than your budget, but is fun to drive, not something people will steal and can fit a large amount of stuff in the hatch. I had one in University and used it to move everything I had including my futon/bed.

I thought the same, but finding one not rusted or romped to hell is next to impossible. I know mine can hold 7 15"wheels/tires, jack, and large box-o-crap for me and still get 2 people in it.

I'd say a 99-00 Hyundai Elantra Wagon 5-spd. It has torque, somethign unheard of from honduh, decent to drive, will run forever and are super cheap. Best part? No one needs any parts off it.

how invisible is a cherokee?

second the protege vote. i drove my '90 25,000+ miles every year. i was mean to that poor thing...if i saw 5 oil changes the whole time, i'd be surprised. never failed to get me there, and was a hoot to drive, even w/ 230,000 on it.

81gtv6 wrote: This might be something to look at: http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/1097226574.html I get high 20s mpg around town in mine and they are invisible to thieves. Also after 185K it has been as reliable as my wifes 90 Cellica (which would be a good choice also, just not as quick.)

doesn't hurt that they go like stink and hold a TON of crap.

I have driven a friends NG900 turbo before and enjoyed it quite a bit. I have also been looking at the classic 900s, I would like to get a turbo 4 door 900.

yea... saabs are pretty invisible around colleges.. usually professorial types like them.

the NG900 Turbo should be the picture you see in the dictionary under "torque steer"

Do the Saab turbos take Premium gas only?

www.fueleconomy.gov will tell you if the model/year requires premium.

Dunno about the 900/9-3, but our 2002 9-5 ARC (the low powered one) took regular, although it ran better in the winter on mid-grade.

ignorant wrote:

gamby wrote: My next DD will probably be an EK hatch--assuming I can find a decent one.

I should have a south carolina born and bred EK hatch in Hartford CT in June. Just turned 100k miles. :-0

Give me a heads-up then. I won't be in the market for another year, but if you're unloading it, I might find a way...

That beat up 122 is awesome. Even the name of the place is fitting - 'Defiance' .

With basic maintenance the B-series would run forever, too.

gamby wrote:

ignorant wrote:

gamby wrote: My next DD will probably be an EK hatch--assuming I can find a decent one.

I should have a south carolina born and bred EK hatch in Hartford CT in June. Just turned 100k miles. :-0

Give me a heads-up then. I won't be in the market for another year, but if you're unloading it, I might find a way...

I probably won't be looking to sell unless it is such a hassle putting the baby seat in the back, probably not for a year.

Keep me posted...

SAAB turbos can run on just regular just fine. My wife ran 87 in her 99 9-3 HOT since we got it, well over 100k miles with no issues. You will notice a power difference but other than that there are no issues. I remember with the classic 900 there being adds in Europe that you could put just about anything in the cars and they would run, helpful for people going to eastern europe.

I would be happy to go look at anything in the Columbus area for you, just let me know.