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Ok experts.....pick me out a new car

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Osiris

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Well...not a NEW car, but another car...

I need a commuter. My job is going to have me driving over 100 miles per day for the immediate future.

My stips are:

$2,000 ceiling
30-35+ MPG ( it's all highway, there and back )
reliable/cheap to maintain

I don't care about power, looks, or any of that nonsense. I'll get in this thing in the morning, I'll drive it to work and back, and then I'll park it and not think about it until the next morning, hell I probably won't even lock it, lol...

It should have working AC, a modest stereo ( so I can use my satellite ) and that's really it.

What should I look for? You all seem to be the small car experts, so.......

Let 'er rip!
 
#4 ·
Geo Prism. It's a Corolla with Chevrolet pricing.

I don't think you'll find anything in that range with a stereo that will accept auxiliary inputs. Best bet is to get a $50 Walmart CD player to put in it.
 
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Discussion starter · #8 ·
Found a clean '85 Civic that looks promising.

I owned one back in Arizona with almost the same mileage ( 250K ) and it ran like a top, even blew cold AC in the middle of the summer.

They're asking 1700 for it and as I said, it's without any exterior or interior flaws that I can see. If it runs well that might be the one. fueleconomy.gov says this thing should pull mid 30's mpg....

The price is such that I simply don't want to spend any more than that and I'm negotiating a bonus to take a position so far away to begin with. It should be about that much...
 
#9 ·
I'd avoid the 84-87 civics. The engines had top end oiling issues. The oil jet that supplies the head with oil gets clogged over time....starving the top end for oil. I had to replace the head on both my 84 civic and 87 crx because of this problem. They are also a royal PITA to work on because of the maze of vacuum emissions lines.

If you are gonna go with a Civic, I'd look 88 or newer.
 
#10 ·
90ish civic that isn't beat should be fine. But honestly expect to spend at LEAST another 2k in parts and work to keep it going. If you break down it will only cost you a few hundred to get it towed back, spend the money up front and do it right.
-bix
 
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#11 ·
Gen1 Dodge / Plymouth Neon.

I had similar commuter goals when I picked up a second car. My total investment into my '95 Plymouth automatic is $750 and it got me too and from work for 6 months with limited maintenance. Plus, parts for American cars are cheap.

If I was going to get a VW I would look for a MkII even cheaper to maintain than a MkIII and should get better MPG.
 
#13 ·
BigSandwich said:
Gen1 Dodge / Plymouth Neon.

I had similar commuter goals when I picked up a second car. My total investment into my '95 Plymouth automatic is $750 and it got me too and from work for 6 months with limited maintenance. Plus, parts for American cars are cheap.
Click to expand...
O god dont get a neon. I had a 96 & an 01 before & they are complete pieces of junk. They cost next to nothing up front but you'll put a ton into it for parts.

Id recommend an older civic (90-96) hatch or an older prelude. We had a 91 prelude in the family until last year & you could put a bullet into the block & it'll still run. My friend has a 92 civic with 250k & it still runs like it just came outta the factory. Upkeep is key for any old car.
 
#14 ·
I only had bad experiences with used japanese cars. (85 240, 86 civic, 91 mx6). All with problems all the time.

Thats why I drive a new Japanese car. :lol:

But hey like they say, buying any used car is like playing the lottery.
 
#15 ·
mid to late 80's Chevy Sprint turbo/Geo Metro turbo,
i think it has a 1.0L 3 cyl turbo motor. All you need is
a front mount intercooler, manual boost controller, and
a little tuning and you'll have 150whp and about 40mpg:lol:
 
#16 ·
85-88 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. Got 30+ mpg out of my 87
 
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#18 ·
Get an old 4 cyl Toyota Truck or Nissan Hard body.

They are bullitproof like kris said. They will last longer than any civic or corolla, thats for sure.

My neighbor used to have a ~90 Nissan hard body that I helped him rattle can flat black with rustoleum :lol: . The thing was ugly as sin (thus the crappy paint job we did on it) but it started up every day, even in -20 degrees temps and never had any problems with it.

Plus you can always find a use for a little truck :thumbup:
 
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Discussion starter · #19 ·
Never a bike. Not my style and the commute's too far for that.

I've considered a trucklet, but down here in Texas trucks are a little more expensive.

I remember my '85 Civc being bulletproof, and I'd LOVE an old Turbo coupe. I used to have one, but they can be costly to fix and older Fords tend to need some fixin'. besides, I don't want anything that I'd have the big to start modifying. I have the Mustang and the SVTF for that.

it has to get me to/from at least. But then again I have another much newer still-warranteed vehicle if it dies one day. Fuel economy is the biggest thing, and I don't have time to save up for something so I need to find something soon.

I'll never own a Neon, EVAR! haha

There's also a good lookin' little Tracer I have my eye on....I'd also consider a Sprint if I could find one, you don't see them too often and 40 mpg sounds excellent.
 
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Osiris
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