Cheap car advice

[NapalmFTW]

Hi guys,

I'm in the market for a car. I'd like to say new car, but I don't have a car to replace.

Grandma gave me around $1600 or so as a leaving present when I emigrated to these shores, and I thought: "I know, I can drop that on a car and get me some wheels".

Then I started looking around and I realised I was only going to get junkers for that money.

SO, my question to you clever lot is... Can I buy a decent car that will last a winter with $1600-2000 of your American Dollars, or should I wait until I can work and just that as a down payment on something newer, but still used.

Right now I'm not legally allowed to work, so I don't have a need for a car to get me to work and back, so right now any car I buy would be used to go to and from the range, walmart etc. etc. and wouldn't get much use. That said, if its a POS I don't want to have to spend money I don't have on fixing it up every month.

Wife used to have an old Saturn SL2 that seemed to use more oil than petrol - uh, gasoline... so I don't really want to go down that route.

Any thoughts?

Dave.

 

[eldirector]

TONS of stuff on craigslist.com in the $1000 range. Surely ONE of them is decent!

Example:
1994 Geo Prizm LSI

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

If you can find a ~15y.o. Buick...with the 3.8L / 3800 series engine...

They're FANTASTIC cars. Just about a bomb-proof engine / transmission combo.

-J-

 

[s-works]

you can thank our fine president for the cash for clunkers program. It eliminated some really good cars out there from the market. Leaving some really POS cars that are now higher priced (supply and demand).

But Indy Guy and eldirector are right. You can still find good cars out there

 

[NapalmFTW]

Much the same in the UK. You used to get around 4000 pounds (no pound symbol on my netbook) for an old junker or money off a new car purchase.

It didn't work to stimulate the economy of course, like it didn't work here.

 

[Sasquatchhunter]

IMO: Steer away from Chrysler products. Indy Guy is right about any GM vehicle with a 3.8 powertrain. They are tanks, and will last you as long as the fluids have beenchanged, oil is not dirty, etc. Buicks are tanks, as well as Oldsmobiles with this engine. A Honda, Nissan, Toyota, will also be wise choices. The most important thing I can say to you is to check the oil in whatever it is you buy. If its black a coal...forget about it. If the previous owners have not changed the oil regularly in anything, it is not worth your money.

 

[femurphy77]

As you have done here, ask friends if they know of anyone selling a car, less chance of getting reamed on one if there is a trail of liability if you will.

I've had buddies selling cars that I wouldn't recommend to people I know and I've been in situations where somebody has a great deal on a great car that never hits craigslist or the papers because word of mouth sold it.

If you're not in a hurry spread the word among acquaintances or friends whose opinion you trust and then wait for the right deal.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

I'll expand my original post to also echo sasquatchhunter.

Plenty of Pontiac Grand Prixs out there, as well as some Pontiac Bonnevilles. GM's 3800 + 4spd transmission really was a fantastic combination. And they get rather serviceable fuel mileage, too, considering some of the large-ish cars they were installed in.

And you really would be wise to stay away from a Chrysler product unless you know the little old lady you'd buy a car off of; that it's 1 owner, and all service records are intact. The Dodge/Chrysler cars in your price range put them squarely in the Stay Away Zone of production! I bought a used '97 Chrysler Concorde....stupid me. *sigh*

-J-

 

[Mr.JAG]

Anything with the GM 3800 series v6 will last a long time.
- Look for mid-90s Buicks and Pontiac GTPs

The GM 4.3 Vortech is legendary for its longevity
- Looks for mid-90's Blazers/Bravadas/S10s

The Ford 3.0 VULCAN v6 is a great engine as well
- Commonly found in the Ford Taurus 97-2007 (don't buy the 24valve version. That engine is great as well, but it makes too much power for the transmission its coupled with).

You can find a vulcan powered Taurus with 100K miles or less all day for 2K or less. It's a great value for a cheap reliable car.

 

[PistolBob]

GM is junk, stay away. You need a Ford Escort.

 

[$mooth]

My first two cars were under $1600. Both Honda Civics with 130k+ miles on em. Never had any issues. No maintenance past oil changes and eventually brakes and tires (ok, I cracked the radiator on one, but that's cause my foot got stuck and I couldn't push the brake in enough when parking). Drove like go carts.

There are many Civics, Accords, and Camrys for under $2000 that have plenty of life left on em after 100k miles. No reason they shouldn't go to 200k with normal maintenance. There's no shame in driving a 15 year old car that's paid for!

Make sure you have enough to afford insurance and such after!

 

[zoglog]

monte carlos had the 3.8 also!

 

[DaveL]

My current cars that all run great (I expect them all to hit 275,000 miles): 1997 Accord V6 221,000 miles, 1994 Lexus LS400 242,000 miles, 1996 Suburban 226,000 miles, 2002 Hyundai Elantra 176,000 miles. I bought two off craigslist three years ago, I bought the Elantra new and the Suburban I bought with about 30,000 miles. And I have had three of the GM 3800 motors go past 225,000 miles.

My experience is that you cannot find a honda/toyota with under 190k miles for under $2,000. Just my experience. I agree with looking for a 3800 GM car as well as a civic or Accord (if you can find one for your price). And most cars you buy with hi mileage will need tires and probably brake pads and possibly a caliper here and there ... so, either be sure of what the one you look at needs or budget accordingly. If you won't have ANY money left for future maintenance, I would be hesitant. Rubber parts on cars past about 13 years can fail. Nothing major usually, but still a couple hundred dollars is a bit of a surprise if not semi-expected.

 

[IndyGunworks]

Just a side note question, as i am not a car guy.

What is your status since you are legally not allowed to work, but can legally visit the range (assuming you bring your own firearms)?

NOT trying to knock you or start an argument, just seems like an odd position.

 

[climber409]

Stick with saturn and a case of oil.

 

[dhnorris]

Buy the biggest truck you can find. You may survive in it but not unscathed. Drive cline or 80/94 and look at the walls, tire marks nine feet up on the wall.

 

[tgallmey]

Im selling one if your interested
https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/non_firearms_related/168760-1992_ford_ranger.html

 

[tgallmey]

Ford trucks never die either do escorts

 

[hotfarmboy1]

Anything with the GM 3800 series v6 will last a long time.
- Look for mid-90s Buicks and Pontiac GTPs

The GM 4.3 Vortech is legendary for its longevity
- Looks for mid-90's Blazers/Bravadas/S10s

The Ford 3.0 VULCAN v6 is a great engine as well
- Commonly found in the Ford Taurus 97-2007 (don't buy the 24valve version. That engine is great as well, but it makes too much power for the transmission its coupled with).

You can find a vulcan powered Taurus with 100K miles or less all day for 2K or less. It's a great value for a cheap reliable car.

this

Ford trucks never die either do escorts

and this. If you can find a taurus or ranger with the 3.0 vulcan they are great engines. They will run forever if taken care of. We've had 3 taurus with that engine and they have all ran over 200k miles. We currently have a ranger with that engine with over 200k miles. And other ford trucks, I have an 88 bronco with 351w and C6 auto. It may be rusty, but dangit if it doesn't run like a top, and the chassis is in good shape too. It turned 200k right after I bought it. I can also attest to escort ZX2's and the early model focus. If taken care of those engines are near indestructible. My focus took all sorts of abuse racing before a rock found the timing belt and ended up bending valves due to my bigger cams. If it had been stock still, I would of just retimed it, thrown the belt back on and been good to go.

 

[Brandon]

crown vic