the King is Dead II...more ideas

[Sniffs]

well, after going round all the locals (my 4runner will not handle a hundred mile trip), I cannot find anything in my need for less than 2500 for a 150k+ 15 year old beat-to-death regular cab pickup with a V8 in it. the SUV's in my size class are all 6-7000...anything less than that needs about 3 grand in overdue replacement parts like brakes and exhaust...from the cat back!

I've decided I have no choice but to dip in to the "old used car" pool

arright, gentlemen (and any ladies out there), I need a new batch of suggestions; midsize/family size or compact, something fairly easy to work on, and any hot hatch leftovers that might still be floating around in the states you can think of. those hatchbacks are too convenient over here to skip. if only they didn't HATE them.

no specific links, please, I'm looking for model ideas to look at/for.

 

[88c-v Racer]

midsize/family size or compact, something fairly easy to work on

will it be your daily driver?

 

[YSSMAN]

The Subaru Legacy and Subaru Outback will fit into that criteria pretty easily, being overall pretty reliable, and able to carry a lot of stuff (not to mention passengers). I can't remember which of the engines is trouble off the top of my head, but for the most part, they hold up pretty well. You should be able to find a earlyish model for well under $4000 these days.

=-=-=-=-=

Buick Roadmaster or a Chevrolet Caprice Wagon. The B-Bodies are solid as a rock, as is the drivetrain. Easy to work on, cheap to fix if they decide to be difficult, and best of all easy to customise if you really want to. Not to mention the truck-like carrying and towing capacity.

 

[homeforsummer]

I suggest these randomly, knowing not a great deal about American used cars, but knowing something that looks okay and should run well if looked after judging by it's European cousins:

Ford ZX2. Obviously fits into the "compact" band you mentioned. You don't mention needing something practical, so I'm ignoring "chuck a load of crap in the back" practicality and choosing more "shouldn't be rusty or have intergalactic mileage, and decent fuel consumption" practicality instead.

From a brief look around, they seem to be fairly cheap too.

 

[Sniffs]

luckily, I spotted a legacy wagon while picking my mother up from work...unfortunately, the place closes at 1 PM on saturdays. it's a Mauve color (looks like the paint color on the Mitsu Legnums provided on GT). I'm gonna beeline right for the place monday. (the last subie I spotted disappeared the next day!) being a minimum of 12 years old (it's the gen in the pic above), it should be on the low end.

although i would LURVE a 90-96 Caprice/Ninety Eight/Roadmaster/Custom Cruiser, I wouldn't want one as a daily...I'd want one as a collectable (like an 05 Marauder...RWD big boy collectable). there's very few around, even as former 9C1's

a ZX2 has enough back room for the little bit of stuff I haul with my crews, a scroogy engine, FWD, relatively easy maintenence, etc...unfortunately, it has only two doors. I've sat in the back of a Baretta coupe, and I was folded in half. but i will consider it...if they come down below 10 grand!

two things I should say.
1. I forgot to state I meant the AMERICAN size class for compact...under which I believe a Cortina/Taunus fits. escort in the US (and focus, for that matter, estate included) is classed as a sub-compact here in the states (although I'd pounce on the next to last gen version, if I could find one)
2. a Baretta in the US is one of these
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Beretta
and classes in what I mean as compact. it's sedan/saloon twin was called Corsica, and lasted a little longer.

88c-v: daily and how. something with Endurance would be a nice idea. contribute away.

 

[88c-v Racer]

i would LURVE a 90-96 Caprice/Ninety Eight/Roadmaster/Custom Cruiser...

88c-v: daily and how. something with Endurance would be a nice idea. contribute away.

impala SS?

when i was little my parents had a '93 Diamante wagon. it could haul a lot of stuff and it was reliable. we drove it from just south of DC to Maine a few times, no problems (that i remember).

maybe one of those '90s Buicks?

 

[Sniffs]

*image snipped*
impala SS?

when i was little my parents had a '93 Diamante wagon. it could haul a lot of stuff and it was reliable. we drove it from just south of DC to Maine a few times, no problems (that i remember).

maybe one of those '90s Buicks?

again, only as a collectible. I believe most of the Caprice based impalas of the final run are now in the hands of collectors, and the production vehicles (around here) are now floating around in Junkyards, or are already recycled into a vehicle now being driven.

Update: the Crew and I tested a 94 Blazer last night. concern was expressed in two places
1. can't hear the 4L60 shift
2. "too many electronics"

I went "huh?" at that last one...as the vehicles without 6 tons of electronics are selling for 60 grand at Barrett-Jackson auctions.

 

[seanyb505]

Jeep Cherokee. Ample power from the 4.0, four doors, hatch, smallish, gets decent gas mileage, super simple and easy to work on. Fun to drive if you get a stick. Usually you can pick one up for around 4k

 

[Eric.]

Jeep Cherokee. Ample power from the 4.0, four doors, hatch, smallish, gets decent gas mileage, super simple and easy to work on. Fun to drive if you get a stick. Usually you can pick one up for around 4k

In our experience, "decent" gas mileage is about 15mpg at best. I wouldn't say they are fun to drive either, besides in snow. I'm not even sure we've driven the same Jeep! Ours rides like garbage and the motor isn't anything to write about. It moves the vehicle and makes a sound that is just a whirring sound.

 

[Giancarlo]

This car will run forever.

 

[seanyb505]

In our experience, "decent" gas mileage is about 15mpg at best. I wouldn't say they are fun to drive either, besides in snow. I'm not even sure we've driven the same Jeep! Ours rides like garbage and the motor isn't anything to write about. It moves the vehicle and makes a sound that is just a whirring sound.

I could get 22 city before I really starting modding mine. Its basic and light, and reasonably quick for an SUV I think. Low-end torque is where its at for the 4.0, not really much to do on the higher end of the RPM spectrum. The Grand Cherokee 4.0s are probly slugs, but Im talking about the regular Cherokee, the small boxy one. Mine can take most cars that dont have a heavy performance orientation. I look for ricers. With a little work they can be mid 15 1/4 vehicles. Gotta get the 5spd though.

 

[Sniffs]

can't find a Cherokee around here for less than 3 grand...anything under that is pushing 20 years old and 300-350k

Eric: tune er up. in my last thread, i said I was squeezing 22 outa the 4 liter.

Giancarlo: unfortunately, everybody's hanging on to the little scroogemobiles around here, right now. sides, I want an EP (you can't even find EG's around here)

when my crew said a 2000 dollar limit, they meant it. I haven't got the dang sales tax amount right now (i gave someone battery money, and it cost almost a hundred bucks!). I'll have to wait till I can get some money back, and try to talk em into it. by then, of course, car goes POOF. never fails