This time, it's serious - Tire time @ Post 131

[Jim Prower]

Well, There's a lot of things going on in my life right now. I have a possible new job which could take me out of the way...waaaay out of the way.

I'm thinking Percy, my '88 Nova, just isn't going to cut it as a daily anymore.

So, yes, It's one of those "Let's discuss what car I should buy" threads. I have a few possibilities that I've laid out before myself...

NEW/CERT. USED:
Budget - Absolutely, positively NO more than $15,000.
Downside - more debt on top of my student loans, probable rent, and other living costs.
Upside - Warranty, lower mileage.

USED:
Budget - At current, about $4,000, maybe $5,000
Downside - Higher mileage, No Warranty included.
Upside - One-time cost.

NEEDS:
CHEAP TO BUY. Cheaper, the better. I'm an incorrigible cheapskate. I like stockpiling money, and the lower the initial cost, the better.
CHEAP TO FIX. Easy if under warranty, but I'd like a car where I can afford the good parts, and not just the scroogey parts.
RELIABLE. Hey, if it's not broke, fixing's free!
GOOD ON BAD ROADS. Important, as the roads I'm to be driving on if I get this job...well, the last 1,000 feet or so are broken up BAD. As well, the location is rural, so Snow capability is probably something to look at.
OVERDRIVE GEAR. Possible commute will require 65 mi/h driving, so something with either a tall final drive or an O/D gear will be a great comfort.

WANTS:
MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I'm tired of slushboxes.
AWD or RWD. The former's more of what I kinda want in the winter months...the latter is what I really want. I'll take GOOD FWD too.
FUN TO DRIVE. No point in driving if I can't have fun...
NOT AN AUDI. I shouldn't have to explain this one.
US-Market ONLY. This either.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Honda Civic.

Seriously.

 

[Joey D]

Why not split the difference and get a used car in the $8,000 - $10,000 range? You'd have a lower loan and get a better car.

Honestly it sounds like you probably want an SUV with you wants and needs. You can get a Ford Escape with a manual as far as I know and it shouldn't do you wrong in the snow. It's a domestic despite having a lot of Mazda DNA in it. You can also get a Jeep Cherokee, I'd avoid the Wrangler since you're going to pay off-road tax on it. A Jeep is fun to drive in it's own way, you just aren't going to Mr. Speed Racer on the road.

For FWD cars here's a Scion Tc for under $10k with only 43k on it. You already drive a Toyota (sorta) so this is just another step in that direction. They are fun to drive but they aren't an OMG RACERCAR! so you can live with it every day.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...rs=&max_price=10000&cardist=19&standard=false

Other suggestion to throw out there which are a bit more sporty, the SVT Focus and the SVT Contour. The Contour will be cheaper since it's older.

The Civic isn't a bad option either.

 

[astrosdude91]

Other suggestion to throw out there which are a bit more sporty, the SVT Focus and the SVT Contour. The Contour will be cheaper since it's older.

I agreed with everything you said right up until you suggested a Ford Contour. SVT or not, it's still a terrible Ford Contour.

 

[JCE]

Cheap, reliable, fun, has utility use capability, can tow and has 4 doors for hauling people. Plus it looks good.

Oh, and don't ditch the Nova, keep it!

 

[Azuremen]

I'm thinking Percy, my '88 Nova, just isn't going to cut it as a daily anymore.

So, yes, It's one of those "Let's discuss what car I should buy" threads. I have a few possibilities that I've laid out before myself...

NEW/CERT. USED:
...
Upside - Warranty, lower mileage.

USED:
...

NEEDS:
...
OVERDRIVE GEAR. Possible commute will require 65 mi/h driving, so something with either a tall final drive or an O/D gear will be a great comfort.

WANTS:
...
USDM ONLY. This either.

In order

What a name.

Warranty on a used car is generally extra anyhow.

I can't recall the last car made, you know, in the past couple decades without this.

You mean US market only or US made only?

Regardless

3 Series, and you should be able to find a 325i or 328i in your $5 grand budget. $10k will easily get you into an E36 M3 in decent shape.

RWD - Check
Smooth ride - Check
Fun to drive - Check
Manual - Check
Nice highway gearing - Check
Easy to work on - Check
Relatively cheap parts - Check
Reliable - Check


@Astrodudes, Ford Contours with the V6 are actually fairly fun to drive. More so considering how cheaply they can be had since no one really is aware they exist and have some power.

 

[Keef]

A friend used to have an SVT contour with some stuff done to it, the thing was pretty gnarly and quick. Kinda funny that it was actually a great car.

Cheap, fun, reliable, better than a BMW or Ferrari.

Or,

 

[astrosdude91]

I guess I've had bad experiences with the Contour. It was a '96.

 

[Gil]

I have to agree with the Toyota suggestion. May I add the last generation of the Celica?
You have the fact that Toyota's are going kinda cheep d/t all the braking/acceleration hype. Not as big a factor in a car with a Manual.

If you go Honda, I'd try to find an Accord with a Manual.
A. Unmolested, used Civics with manuals are fairly scarce.
B. Civics are very high on the "most stolen" list.

I also agree with Joey on the Escape.
Dead bang reliable, not ugly, not too expensive, decent on gas.

Another thought, a late model Mazda3 iSport can be had within your budget, with fairly low miles, manual trans, great fuel economy (my son is getting close to 40 mpg and his is an auto), and lots of cool creature comforts. And they are pretty sturdy little cars.

 

[astrosdude91]

Cheap, reliable, fun, has utility use capability, can tow and has 4 doors for hauling people. Plus it looks good.

I do like the Explorer Sport Trac. But there is the fact that they are severly prone to roll overs, I think the highest roll over rate in it's class. So why not just go with a standard Explorer?

 

[Jim Prower]

Some good suggestions. I'd prefer not an SUV of any sort...Can't stand big cars. My brother's Taurus Wagon's big enough, and it's what I drove to the inteview.

Civic's always good, 'cept finding an unmolested manual version is nigh impossible.

Raising budget - I'd rather not. I don't even have the job, apartment, or anything else yet, so let's not get into more debt before we have to.

tC - Not bad, though if I could find a Celica, I think I'd prefer it.
SVTF/SVTC: There is an SVT Focus near where I currently am, may check it out. The Contour might be cool, too...I always DID like the Supertouring era...

E36: They're not really that inexpensive around here. Usually, if they are, they have a problem...though, who knows, maybe some rich kid will show up in the college town I plan on living in and will wanna get rid of his at garage-sale prices.

Impreza: again, the challenge is finding one near me for cheap enough. right now I'd be looking at something like this...

Accord: Something else to look into. Again, problem is finding a 4-cyl, Manual version. Again, Supertouring fun...

Mazda 3: Something to look at if I find that I can afford Cert. used or new

Other cars I'd like to think about...
'11 Fiesta (the bare basics...again, unsure if I want to finance 'till I get comfy)
NA or NB Miata (w/ hardtop)
First-gen Stratus (Challenge is finding a Manual)

 

[Nicksfix]

How about a 4wd drive vehicle ?

1. Ford Ranger / Explorer

2. Chevy S10 / Tahoe

3. Dodge Dakota / Durango

 

[Jim Prower]

Out of those, I'd only take an early '90s S10 4.3 RWD. I'm not much of a truck guy.

((Mind you, I'd also have to find a junkyard Camaro to get the stick out of...))

 

[Keef]

Out of those, I'd only take an early '90s S10 4.3 RWD. I'm not much of a truck guy.

Are you sure that's your final answer? The S10 is basically the most god awful truck ever devised, in ever conceivable way.

What you should do is randomly browse Craigslist. I despise the idea of actually looking for a car because it's never worked for me. All the cars I've owned I hadn't really considered at first, and I've been supremely happy with all of them. When I got the Del Sol I was looking for a Cavalier. When I got the Si I was looking for a Del Sol. When I got the RX7 I was looking for a Miata. I stumbled accross all three by complete accident. Just get on the List and see what's available and stop asking.

 

[Northstar]

First-gen Stratus (Challenge is finding a Manual)

I wouldn't bother even looking into this, even if you did manage to find a manual they are just a pita to work on.( My Mom has an '01 which has basically the same setup under the hood)

So basically, only consider the Stratus if you like looking at Haynes manuals.

 

[Keef]

I haven't seen a first-gen Stratus in a good couple years...or maybe they were hiding behind a curtain of oil smoke.

 

[Jim Prower]

Okay, now something's come up...

'96 Camry Wagon, 4-cyl, unfortunately an auto. some family friends are offering for $1,500.

 

[Gil]

I just checked MSN autos: The Mazda3 bowed in '04 and the lowest KBB is $8800.
On the upside: your $15,000 budget for a Cert Pre-Owned Should get you an '07 with low miles and remaining factory warranty.

A '96 Camry Wagon for 1500 is a fairly good deal.
Keeping in mind you are potentially looking at a car that ALREADY has 200K miles on it. If it's in decent shape it's probably dead-bang reliable.
I have a '99 Camry that has 160,000 on it. It's still going strong, though since I had the trans flush, and new fluid, it's been shifting sluggishly.
It is still pulling down 30 MPG, if I do my part. And it's a comfy "appliance" car.
Only down side: When they finally do break, it's not cheap.
I've only had it in for "major" stuff 2-3 times in the 6 years I've owned it. But I've yet to get it fixed for less than $600.

 

[Eric.]

A friend used to have an SVT contour with some stuff done to it, the thing was pretty gnarly and quick. Kinda funny that it was actually a great car.

Cheap, fun, reliable, better than a BMW or Ferrari.

Or,

Keef...that's a $35k STI. Slightly out of all the considered price ranges!

 

[CodeRedR51]

Impreza: again, the challenge is finding one near me for cheap enough. right now I'd be looking at something like this...

I second this notion.

Also, my family has a 1998 Contour with almost 160k miles on it. Car is a pile, but it drives great and gets my dad back and forth to work with no problems.

 

[Egghead43]

I sold my E36 325i about 6 months ago for under $4000 CDN. Solid car, had it for 10 years with very little trouble. Just did the water pump twice and the fuel pump once, both repairs are dirt cheap.

E36 FTW 👍

 

[Jim Prower]

Okay, 'couple things...

IN the paper, I found a 4-door Impreza, Auto, 198K miles. New tires and battery. Only a grand, but...that is a lot of miles, especially on a 4WD car

The friends' Camry has about 140K miles, and my dad's been their chief mechanic for some time. we know it's been treated well.

As for cars I'd like, there's an NA miata, '97, 5-speed, at the upper end of my scale, 4 grand. Lady-driven, always a good thing. Main thing would be winter with that car...heat better be good. That, and I'm not quite ready to spend 4 grand.
Also, '98 328i, "Rare" 5-speed, bright red sedan, 149K miles, $4500. I don't really want a Bimmer, (kinda snobby, don't mean offense) but...I dunno. People tell me I'd like it.

EDIT:
http://peoria.craigslist.org/cto/1699557298.html E30?
http://peoria.craigslist.org/cto/1697580711.html E36 with alloys and some dings...

See what we got for cheap BMWs?

 

[niky]

What engine is in the Impreza? If it's a non-turbo mill, that 4AT will suck the life out of it and the gas-money out of your wallet.

 

[Northstar]

Lady-driven, always a good thing.

Hardly, I know quite a few women that don't even realize they need to change the oil. Women are also just as likely to speed than men.

What I'm saying is it depends on the individual themselves, not their sex as to whether the car is well maintained.

 

[Jim Prower]

What engine is in the Impreza? If it's a non-turbo mill, that 4AT will suck the life out of it and the gas-money out of your wallet.

We didn't get a turbo 'till the early '00s. This was a '96.

What do you guys think on that 318? I know I said I didn't want to deal with BMWs...but this one intrigues me.

 

[Event]

Mazda 3: Something to look at if I find that I can afford Cert. used or new

I drove a 2006 mazda 3 with a manual for a year. It handles very well especially with some good tires. It, however, has no highway gear at all. you'll be at 3500rpm doing 80. That said, at 80mph I usually got 27-28mpg (on the 2.3L) and if I had the patience to go 70mph going through the barren wasteland of central illinois I got 32mpg (and you can get a lot better in the 2.0L...) With the acceleration differences between the 2.0L and 2.3L being negligible (the 2.0L is lighter and only 10 less hp) I'd recommend the 2.0L. I don't think you could get leather and heated seats with the 2.0L, but the extra MPG is worth it. think 37-40mpg @ 70mph

anecdotal evidence, though, but FWIW I bought mine with 55,700 miles and solid it with 73000 miles and I didnt have a single thing break

 

[Jim Prower]

What do I want Leather and heated seats for? Seems a bit hoity-toity to me.

That, and the cops around here will bust you for anything more than 5 over in some places.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Okay, 'couple things...

IN the paper, I found a 4-door Impreza, Auto, 198K miles. New tires and battery. Only a grand, but...that is a lot of miles, especially on a 4WD car

This doesn't mean much since the whole drivetrain has been replaced several times, but my friends '97 Impreza Outback Sport just passed 400,000 miles this week. I think the only component that is still original is the alternator. Not to say the original drivetrain went out on him, he's got a somewhat stock WRX turbo setup on the car and has gone through a couple motors since installing it. Mainly upgrading it each time. Think it's currently sporting a 2.2 legacy block with 2.5 DOHC heads.

 

[Event]

What do I want Leather and heated seats for? Seems a bit hoity-toity to me.

That, and the cops around here will bust you for anything more than 5 over in some places.

Id stay at 80mph going from chicago to champaign and back for the entire trip, even going past cops, and I never got pulled over. I could see speeding through the tiny towns on state highways, but not on the interstate.

 

[Sertsa]

Hardly, I know quite a few women that don't even realize they need to change the oil. Women are also just as likely to speed than men.

What I'm saying is it depends on the individual themselves, not their sex as to whether the car is well maintained.

Good point. I know a woman who recently had to replace an engine on a late model Mazda 6. It ran out of oil.

---
Now I ramble about my Accord
Anyway, as to the original post. I can tell you that I have a 2000 Accord Couple LX with 150,000 miles. I bought it when it was off-lease with around 50,000, and it's been astounding. I also commute from a rural area (with dirt roads) in the NE Ohio snowbelt, 40 miles into Cleveland. (I've learned that researching and springing for good tires makes an enormous difference). The also handles well and is fairly fun to drive. And, if I decided to drive across country right now, I have no doubts that the car would get me there. It's needed maintenance, of course, and I'm going to need to replace the engine knock sensor as it's tripping the engine light, which will keep it from passing e-check.

My only problem is that I bought it when I needed to switch to an automatic for a while after breaking my left leg, and I really miss driving a stick. I plan on keeping the car as long as I possibly can, though and switching between it and whatever manual transmission car I wind up getting.

As plentiful as Accords are, it might not be easy to find something like it on the used market. Mine has been maintained very well and I suspect that, like me, people with well-maintained, high milage cars would rather keep them as long as possible rather than let them go for the fairly small amount of money.

OK, that's far more than I intended to write.

About checking out used cars:
I did learn quite a bit about checking out used cars in the process. There are the physical things like looking at the color/condition of oil, seeing if the tires are worn unevenly, checking VIN numbers on panels, but then there's looking on what kind of person the owner seems to be and why it's being sold.

--
The 318i:
Yeah, why should I shut up now? That 318 looks interesting. I've looked at old BMWs, but the maintenance costs scares me, especially the tech-heavy late model versions. (That and the way most BMW owners seem to drive and act). But if you or someone you know can keep it maintained for a reasonable price, it would be pretty cool. The mechanic I use has a very old Honda and an old BMW. There's also that story of a guy buying a '91 318i and taking it to the WRC race in Mexico. If you don't know about it:

The original article:
http://jalopnik.com/5497042/how-a-500-craigslist-car-beat-400k-rally-racers

The co-driver's article:
http://jalopnik.com/5500013/i-co+drove-the-500-craigslist-rally-car

It makes me want one, anyway. He did blow the first engine before the WRC event and is talented enough to do stuff like this:
"Using only a screw driver and a pocket knife borrowed off of a local cop Bill removed the [fuel] pump from the car, stripped wires out of the in car video system and jumped the pump forward and in reverse off the car's battery until it spit out the piece of sand that clogged it. "