Looking for a cheaaaap car.

[ed0ggyd0gg]

I need a basic car from Point A to Point B. It needs nothing flashy; just to run well and not give me headaches. Of course, being in college, I don't plan on spending more than $1000-$1500; I'd like to keep it under a grand but if it is worth it I will put in some more.

Is this practical? Should I find an alternate method of transportation? As of now I use my roommate's car (I only work 2 days a week) but starting next week I will be on a 5 day schedule, so I don't really want to use his car every day.

I'm trying to keep the search to Toyota, Honda, Nissan (with Honda being the preference), since those babies last forever but I'm open to suggestions.

 

[nweaver]

I got my '88 VW Cabriolet for $1000, and have put about $200 into it over the last 2 years. Gets almost 40MPG and starts every day. Look for something that has been maintained is the key, not the brand. Not changing the oil on schedule is just as hard on a honda is it is on a ford.

 

[nonameo]

Get a 90-93 miata. FTW. Fun, reliable, and gets decent enough gas mileage.

Don't expect perfection at 1500 though, and it will also be higher mileage.

 

[iversonyin]

Give funboy a call, he got a $1500 chevyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

 

[ViviTheMage]

my 94 civic was 1250

 

[ElFenix]

with that little money to spend you shouldn't focus on brands. cars that old will have various problems regardless. what you want is a car that has been well maintained.

 

[ed0ggyd0gg]

Yes nweaver, I am definitely in agreement with the "maintained, not brand". It just seems that those cars are dependable, but I will expand my search to include VW (and any other one mentioned).

 

[ed0ggyd0gg]

What do you look for when you try to find something well maintained? I.E., take it to a mechanic before purchasing to get it checked out?

 

[nakedfrog]

Buy a car from an old person if possible.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: ed0ggyd0gg
What do you look for when you try to find something well maintained? I.E., take it to a mechanic before purchasing to get it checked out?

records....and I only buy my used cars from people who at least know what they are talking about when it comes to oil changes and regular maint.

 

[DougK62]

You want an old 3.8 V6 Buick.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: DougK62
You want an old 3.8 V6 Buick.

Or a well maintained Chrysler K-Car.

Just Look on Craigslist for something in your area.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Old crown vic/town car. You can pick up some really nice 80s ones for under $1k and they are tanks. My favorite beater are the old 4 banger chrysler products. My current one is a 89 dodge caravan turbo that I paid $800 for and have had for 5 years but I've had many in the past. They are completely worthless and fairly reliable. When something does break on them parts are practically free and they are easy to fix.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: ed0ggyd0gg
What do you look for when you try to find something well maintained? I.E., take it to a mechanic before purchasing to get it checked out?

take a LONG drive, and they shouldn't be "oh, there is this, that I just haven't gotten around to fixing, but they said it's only a $12 part" crap.

Watching temps, checking the fluid levels, colors, and consistency (it takes more then 1 or 2 oil changes to get clean oil again) of oil, tranny, rad. Either show up about 30 minutes before you say you will, or tell them not to start it up (cold starting problems can be a good sign of other issues). Look around their entire driveway/street for oil spots (they might quickly move it to a nice, clean spot just before you get there). Check tire wear. if the tires are in decent shape, that can make or break a "good" deal, and a well maintained car will have matching tires with good, even wear patterns, and proper inflation in all 4 tires.

That should get you started

 

[ed0ggyd0gg]

Good stuff. Gotta start doing my HW. Thanks :thumbsup: