Well I just totalled my new (to me) truck. I haven't even made my first payment. There were no injuries, so that is a positive. It was 125% my fault (read: really really my fault) I was stupid and I dont wanna talk about it! Anyways, I am thinking of using this to help me save money. I will have no car payment and a couple of grand in the bank. Give me some advice on a used car to get. Very reliable transportation, under $2000. Just needs to get me to and from work daily (about 5 miles). I would like something kinda fun (if possible) but I dont want another 914. Just looking to get some ideas, maybe a slightly older, but still fun car. Someone will help here, any help is appreciated.

Thanks so much
-Chris

Old 240 Volvo, cheap tough and to slow to even want to fix it up. I love mine because I just don't want to do anything to it.

Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra


Ford Focus..

the barrier to entry is small, and they are reliable..

along with a number of other cars not at the tip of my fingers now

Golf. Jetta. Audi 4000 quattro. 1970 Opel Kadett (Just happen to have one nearly ready to sell!). Audi 4000/5 (One of thode, too). Mid 80s BMW 325. All of those can be had within your budget, if you look around. The Cap'n

1993-1995 Geo Prizm.. 1.6 - 5 speed... best car I ever owned...cheaper then a Toyota... and is the same thing

I had a Toyota truck for a long time, and it was really handy, ran well forever, and took everything I threw at it. Too bad about your last truck! Good luck!

Hey Madd Dogg, I have a Fiero and a Yugo I could sell you really cheap.

Corolla GT-S

84-88 Toyota Supra

83-85 RX-7

Sorry, I'm gonna have to go with an older GM.... like an early 80's cutlass, or a Monte Carlo or something.

They are a dime a dozen... most had 305 V8s... easy to work on, reliable, comfortable, cheap parts, etc.

Gas sucks... but with a cheap car, whattaya want?

QUOTE (ninefourteener @ Feb 16 2006, 09:57 AM)

Sorry, I'm gonna have to go with an older GM.... like an early 80's cutlass, or a Monte Carlo or something. They are a dime a dozen... most had 305 V8s... easy to work on, reliable, comfortable, cheap parts, etc. Gas sucks... but with a cheap car, whattaya want?

And they drive like a bucket of shit.

I'd rather dump 2K into a mid 80's E30 (E or I) and at least have some fun while driving a cheap car.

305?

Tom

QUOTE (Cap'n Krusty @ Feb 15 2006, 11:11 PM)

Golf. Jetta. Audi 4000 quattro. 1970 Opel Kadett (Just happen to have one nearly ready to sell!). Audi 4000/5 (One of thode, too). Mid 80s BMW 325. All of those can be had within your budget, if you look around. The Cap'n

DUDE


Grab the Kadet.... great freakin car... indestructable. Had two of 'em wish I never got rid of 'em.

You want an 8 for a short haul commuter car?

Well, if it is what you want... But, you would really be better off getting a used jap 4. Especially if you just want a fun car that you could commute with.

But if you want a cheap 8, get a Buick Grand National.

Zach

QUOTE (Tom Perso @ Feb 16 2006, 07:11 AM)

And they drive like a bucket of shit. I'd rather dump 2K into a mid 80's E30 (E or I) and at least have some fun while driving a cheap car. 305? Tom

http://motors.search.ebay.com/BMW-E30_Pass...001QQsamcmZ6001

Here's a list of all the E30s for sale. The CHEAPEST is over $3000, and the reserve isn't even met. What kind of E30 are you gonna get for under 2K??

However, Here's a cool cutlass with a 403 V8..... sounds like fun... reserve is only $1500
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1982-OLDSMO...1QQcmdZViewItem

Here's a no rust, original car that I'm sure will prove very reliable
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1982-OLDSMO...1QQcmdZViewItem

Here's a nice Regal T-Type
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1985-BUICK-...1QQcmdZViewItem

Here's a nice monte carlo SS.. a little more, but well worth the Buy it Now of $3500
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1984-SS-Mon...1QQcmdZViewItem

The point is.... there's a LOT more available cars out there, that can be just as fun... for less $$.

Besides..... "throwing in $2k" into a BMW??? That'll get you what? new tires? Maybe some cosmetic stuff? God forgit something BREAKS on a BMW.... you'll spend more on repairs than the car is worth.

Your $2k extra goes a lot further on a SBC.

Just my 2 cents.

2K for this one:



Just gotta shop around.

There were literally tons of these made, parts can be had for cheap used on Ebay.

I do agree, you can get most 80's GM parts cheap at ANY auto store, and the small block V8 and Turbo 350/700R-4 trans is near bulletproof.

But man - no fun to drive. Really. I've had a few myself. I'd never look back to get another again.

But, you make a good point, and like I said - the parts are everywhere. It's just if you want to drive one.

Oh, and take all the smog crap off and get a decent non-smogged carb and distributor on it.

Tom

For 2k

Miata

83-84 Rabbit GTI

Ferg

QUOTE (Vacca Rabite @ Feb 16 2006, 08:48 AM)

But if you want a cheap 8, get a Buick Grand National. Zach

Great car, but it's a turbo 6, not an 8...

BJH

Most of you guys are going to laugh at this one...but hold your lips just for a minute so I can explain. Get a 90-93 Ford festiva 1.3 liter fuel injected 5spd. Early Festivas had no fuel injection but rather a carb....(not so nice). Those are great little cars (because it is the greatest econo box Ford NEVER made. I believe it had a Jap mouse motor of some kind...Kia or Mazda) and I used to own one and know from experience they are the easiest cheapest form of transportation on the planet next to a bicycle. Of course if you try to take a fast corner with one you'll look like an upside down roller skate...but the purpose of these cars are simple...you get back & forth for cheap. There's one on E-Bay right now (needing a little work) that has 360,000 miles on it!!! UNBELIEVABLE

Late 80's, early 90's Mazda Mx-6, Mx-3, 626, 323


I had a 91 626 hatchback. It could outperform new hondas, and I was getting an easy 25-30 miles to the gallon. Handleing on mine was ++++, but I had a very rare hatchback option that gave the car a 55/45 weight distribution. Was very nice to drive. Warm and cozy in the winter with good snow performance, and a sunroof for the summer. Power flippin everything. Finally blew the motor at 325,000 miles. Was getting the great gas mileage up to the day it died. Actually, it was grease monkeys fault. They did a tune up and stripped the sparker out of cylinder 3, they retapped it without my consent and caused an unoticed crack. BOOM! Right on the highway, and I limped it home on three cylinders.

It would idle on one. Get a Mazda. Yeah!

My dad had a 91 626, 2.3 (12 valve ) and a 5-speed. Decent car, noisy as hell on the highway, but good mileage and performs OK.

The rust just looking at them funny though.

Not a real concern in CA though.

Tom