Girlfriends POS finally blew up...

[Ducati]

...Well, it didn't exactly blow up, but it is not worth putting any money into.

We had hoped it would hang in there until the fall when the Smart and the Scion xB were available to check out, but alas, the 90' Sunbird is overheating and running rough, and putting $ into it would be like putting a suit onto a dead man.

So, I am going to buy her a good beater. I know cars fairly well, but YOU GUYS know the imports and know the best motors and stuff that I dont about them. So I ask what you feel is the best bang for the buck on as cheap a car as is possible to get without getting another 1990 Sunbird w/288000 km on it. Budget - $1500 to $6000; whatever is the best bang for the $. 2 dr, 4 dr all ok, but i am NOT teaching her to drive a manual.

I am leaning towards old Cressidas, but she wants great fuel economy, so perhaps an old DX with an A/T or an older Protege are better choices.

Thoughts would be appreciated.

[CelicaST-162]

Yes, lke you mentioned, Toyota Corolla, Mazda Protege, Honda Civic....Supra Turbo?:burnout: ...lol. Those cars are very fuel efficient, very reliable. Best bang for the $$ IMO.

[1badPT]

If you don't mind shopping at the top end of your range, you can get a cloud (Chrysler Cirrus, Dodge Stratus, Plymouth Breeze). 90% of the clouds are autos, decent gas, 4 doors, comfy interior and as long as you get the 2.4L engine, its reliable and relatively powerful. It should make a decent trade if you are still planning on the Scion or the Smart.

[Ducati]

Thanks, PT - exactly what we plan.

Can you give me a little feedback about your own experiences with the 2.4 and other things relating to the transmission, fit & finish, etc. ?
We won't be getting a PT, but a Cirrus/Stratos etc. or preferrably an older DSM like a 1990 - 94 Laser or something like that may be less costly and better bang for bucks than the stereotypical Jap imports.

[1badPT]

Well this is my second vehicle with the 2.4L engine.

Really there are only a couple of things to watch out for. Some of the first years of production for the 2.4L had a weak head gasket that could leak - buying one of the earlier ones ('95 or 96) it should have had that gasket replaced by now.

Its a reliable car, just make sure you do regular maintenance (oil changes, timing belt, etc).

One word of caution though, and this applies for pretty much all Chrycos/Mitsus/Hyundais with auto transmissions.

Never go cheap on transmission flushes (IE Walmart).

Chryco/Hyundai/Mitsus transmission all are very picky about which transmission fluid they take, and in the case of clouds, its always ATF+4.

If you are buying private, try to find out when the fluid was flushed last and where they took it. If they say Walmart or any other service bays that use one fluid for all transmissions, then you might be buying a headache. If they say its dealer serviced or taken to a Mr. Lube or Mr. Transmission, then you're fine.

[Mckenzie]

I would look at the older accords. The best all around car IMO for reliability, functionality and fuel economy. You can pick up a nice accord in the $3-4k range, around a 90 or 91. 4 Cylinder, great on gas, reliable engine, good looks.....that would be my first pick.

Second would be a camry of that age. They are bullet proof cars. My dad had one and all he did was change the spark plugs for 150k. You get a pretty peppy V6 here too, but the outside is a bit bland.

[CelicaST-162]

Originally posted by Mckenzie
I would look at the older accords. The best all around car IMO for reliability, functionality and fuel economy. You can pick up a nice accord in the $3-4k range, around a 90 or 91. 4 Cylinder, great on gas, reliable engine, good looks.....that would be my first pick.

Second would be a camry of that age. They are bullet proof cars. My dad had one and all he did was change the spark plugs for 150k. You get a pretty peppy V6 here too, but the outside is a bit bland.

:werd: ...The 2.5L DOHC 24 Valve V6 has great get go', although when it comes to maintenance it's a bitch! Reaching back to the 2nd bank of cylinders :banghead:

[CKY]

Originally posted by CelicaST-162


:werd: ...The 2.5L DOHC 24 Valve V6 has great get go', although when it comes to maintenance it's a bitch! Reaching back to the 2nd bank of cylinders :banghead:

i don't think his girlfriend has needs for a V-6, i believe anything that runs will do, and plus, V-6s arent as good on fuel either. personally i'd suggest and japanese compacts (civics, corrolas)

btw, Ducati i thought you were married??

[SwitchBlade]

Let her borrow one if ur Ducatis :D Then hope ur not out of a job tonight..... JK. Happy hunting

[legereandrew4]

hey man... i got a 1990 240sx, 200,500km, runs amazing, never any major problems... looking for 6400 OBO, so if interested, pm me and I can give you the info

[Dope Dealer]

You have a girlfriend?

[Ducati]

Originally posted by Dope Dealer
You have a girlfriend?
Yeah - unbelievable, huh?

The 2.5 is out for exactly the reason that you outlined; I will be the guy cursing ans shrieking, and scaring the neigbors even more than they already are as I am out in the driveway scraping my knuckles trying to change that #6 plug. With my luck the valves on that engine will require yearly adjustments, which in turn will require that my forearm bends in the middle where there is no joint. Besides, it is a six, and she wants 30+ mpg.

So, a beater to tide us over until the Scion and Smart are available for closer inspection and perhaps lease. I may then end up taking this beater for myself to turn into a project if it has that potential. So far I have checked out a 1993 Honda Civic DX, a 1993 Nissan NX2000, a cheapo boring 1990 Dodge Colt with incredibly low 85000 km, a Ford Escort in absolutely like new condition with 102,000 km, all are within her budget range.

[ZorroAMG]

Civic would probably be the most economical choice...

[el_fefes]

We have a 90' protege 323 and that car is very efficient, hasn't caused a lot of trouble, it's very reliable. I would deffinetely recommend a protege.

[Ducati]

Originally posted by Mckenzie
I would look at the older accords. The best all around car IMO for reliability, functionality and fuel economy. You can pick up a nice accord in the $3-4k range, around a 90 or 91. 4 Cylinder, great on gas, reliable engine, good looks.....that would be my first pick.



Thanks McKenzie. I took your advice and picked up an 86' Accord LX for $2K. 175,000 km, runs great all the usual checks out. Nice clean car, some nice options, all service records since day 1, and the only flaw is the usual little spots of rust perforating the lower rockers and front part of the rear wheel openings where all Accords seem to rust. No other perforations are indicated when I look around the trunk and crawl around underneath with a pen-light. I'll cut the rust out and fabricate some patch pieces out of 22 gauge and tack weld them in. It will hopefully be a great reliable beater.

Any caveats that you are aware of?