OK, so I'm 15 years old (turning 16 in December) and I'm going to need a car soon. For the time being, I have a set of wheels I can drive, but I'll want something of my own soon.
The stipulations (bolded most important):
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Gas-friendly (I have a job, but I'm not rich)
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Pretty cheap to buy and insure (see above), I'm thinking $3k as a tentative maximum for purchase
-Has to have at least SOME guts... I don't want to feel like I'm really pushing the car to go 70 mph.
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Decent handling- Kind of same as above, but this is a more enjoyment factor than anything.
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Snow traveling ability- I live in Michigan. Need I say more?
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Fairly easy to work on, too-I'll be doing most of my own maintenance.
-Manual preferred, but not mandatory.
-I'm also not a truck fan, either.
Seems like a lot, but I really want something good. Any ideas from you guys will be greatly appreciated.
Can I say it? Can I say it?
Chevrolet Nova:
Gas friendly: Mine gets 35MPG.
Cheap to buy and insure: You can get a very good example for less than a grand, and I'm paying $75 a month on insurance. Most won't run as high as a Corolla of the same generation.
Some Guts: uh....the tradeoff point. It has a Toyota 4A-LC engine, with all of 89HP. If you get a manual, it won't be too bad. avoid the Auto. Later in life, a 4A-GE or 4A-FE is a direct-fit replacement. The Nova Twin Cam (Pictured) had a 4A-GE standard, but is very, very, very rare
Decent handling: Even on the skinniest tires and without any anti-roll bars, it is a good, flickable little car. Any AE82 Corolla parts, including FX struts and suspension bits, can be swapped in.
Snow traveling ability: It actually rides higher than the Civic stock, which gets it through deeper stuff easily.
Fairly easy to work on: Oil changes are a cinch: the oil filter is right on the front of the engine and can be reached from above. Plugs, too. As well, I recently replaced the timing belt after it sheared off a few teeth, more or less by myself. Everything's cheap, since the car's really a Corolla with a Chevy badge.
Manual: Easy to find one, being a really basic car. In fact, it's easier to find a manual in these than a Cavalier of the same vintage!
Not a truck: In fact, pretty much the exact opposite.
Geo Prism
Gas friendly: This one's fuel injected, but a little heavier.
Cheap to buy and insure: I doubt it's much more expensive than the Nova is. Still cheaper than a Corolla of the same generation.
Some Guts: Actually, it does have the 4A-FE standard, thus is more powerful. If you can find a GSi, (pictured,) you get the 4A-GE. 70 shouldnt' be a problem with either engine.
Decent handling: They had fast versions of this car, too. I can't speak for the standard version, having never driven it.
Snow traveling ability: Again, high up and skinny tires.
Fairly easy to work on: Other than the head and lack of a carb, the engine is basically the same.
Manual: Might not be as easy to find one, but still should be fairly common
Not a truck: See above.
I've never heard a dissappointed Nova owner. the cars are very reliable, and will take a good bit of abuse. They're not roomy, though, being subcompacts, and they're not cool. and they're not 4WD. And...there are other choices for three grand. But, hey, works for me.