2 grand daily driver

Black Stampede · Oct 19, 2011

Hey guys, I am looking to pick up a cheap daily driver here soon and are wondering what your best recommendations are when spending 2-2500 max. What are your opinions?

Thanks

N8Dogg98 · Oct 19, 2011

So many factors to consider. Do you have kids? Do you need 4wd? How tall are you? Is gas mileage a priority? Do you want a sporty/noisy ride or a quiety/comfortable ride? etc...

Black Stampede · Oct 19, 2011

No family, just me. Dont need 4wd. 5 foot 10. Mileage doesnt have to be amazing, but id like at least 20 mpg. dont want a loud or sports car. Just reliable and cheap.

N8Dogg98 · Oct 19, 2011

I'd look for a used late 90's Dodge Neon, 03-04 Hyundai Accent, Honda Civics, etc... Parts are cheap for both and they are relatively easy to work on.

If you want something bigger, look at the 1997 LHS, Intrepid, Concorde, etc... the 3.5L engine provides decent power and they get low-mid 20's on the highway and 18-20 mpg's in the city. These cars can be purchased very cheap if you look long enough. I wouldn't buy anything from 96 earlier though as they had transmission problems due to inadequate fluid line fittings that would fail, cause the trans to overheat, and require a rebuild.

foxbodymike87 · Oct 19, 2011

90's corolla gets 30+ and in that price range

revhead347 · Oct 19, 2011

How would he find a Dodge Neon, they've all broken down by now. Toyota Corolla is good, Chevy Cavalier. I use to drive $500 Ford Escorts, but they have a tendancy to eat timing belts. My wife has a 99' Mitsubishi Mirage. It hasn't har a single mechanical problem in 140,000 miles. The downside is, it is seriously down on power. Stear clear of anything that says Honda. Hondas are maintenance nightmares.

Kurt

revhead347 · Oct 19, 2011

I'd say Toyota Corolla, Chevy Cavalier. Had great luck with my wife's Mirage. I used to do Ford Escorts, but they do have a tendancy to go through timing belts. You could probably get into a Focus for that money. Honda's are maintenance nightmare's, stay away.

Kurt

N8Dogg98 · Oct 19, 2011

DP

Actually, I found a 1997 Neon 4 door on CL recently with only 80K miles, rust free, and a 5 speed for only $2500

Black Stampede · Oct 19, 2011

Do you guys like grand prixs and the 3800 motor?

79'293stang · Oct 19, 2011

You can pick up an older explorer for around 1K. I have a 99 and love it, it drives nice and the extra cargo space is great to have. Plus on a side note its a fairly cheap truck to fix/maintain.

sixt9coug · Oct 19, 2011

4 cylinder regular cab Ford Ranger.

you should be able to get one in that range. low 20s mpg out of it and mid 20s on the highway. Might even tickle high 20s if you get a stick.

Plus trucks are handy.

Either that, or an Escort wagon with a stick.

foxbodymike87 · Oct 19, 2011

Black Stampede said:
Do you guys like grand prixs and the 3800 motor?

there engines are awful....cant tell you how many head gaskets and manifold gaskets ive done on those.

Bryan83taco · Oct 19, 2011

sixt9coug said:
4 cylinder regular cab Ford Ranger.

you should be able to get one in that range. low 20s mpg out of it and mid 20s on the highway. Might even tickle high 20s if you get a stick.

Plus trucks are handy.

Either that, or an Escort wagon with a stick.

I agree, they are good trucks and generally last a long time. Having that bed space is priceless.

Black Stampede · Oct 19, 2011

foxbodymike87 said:
there engines are awful....cant tell you how many head gaskets and manifold gaskets ive done on those.

Yeah, the main thing I was certain of is that they ALL need the manifold done around 150K.

revhead347 · Oct 20, 2011

Sorry a out the double post. For some reason posts from my phone don't show up right away. I'd like to +1 the truck recomendation. They are built o

revhead347 · Oct 20, 2011

To be more durable. However, when I went truck shopping I found the f150s were the same price as the Rangers and the fuel economy difference wqs negligible. If the price is still the same, might as well get the full size. Sorry about the split post. I am riding in the bounciest van ever made. Do not buy a Chevy 3500 van, your dental bills will be through the roof.

Kurt

Zero Signal · Oct 20, 2011

Runs off Cheerios in the morning and sandwiches in the afternoon. On the weekends it runs on beer. It's pretty sweet and is under $2k brand new. Reliability . . . not an issue.

99FiveOh · Oct 20, 2011

revhead347 said:
How would he find a Dodge Neon, they've all broken down by now. Toyota Corolla is good, Chevy Cavalier. I use to drive $500 Ford Escorts, but they have a tendancy to eat timing belts. My wife has a 99' Mitsubishi Mirage. It hasn't har a single mechanical problem in 140,000 miles. The downside is, it is seriously down on power. Stear clear of anything that says Honda. Hondas are maintenance nightmares.

Kurt

This! Almost 99 % of everything Chrysler has built in the last 40 or so years is garbage!

I myself drive a 96 Nissan Maxima for my DD and it's a great car. 20+ mpg and a peppy little V6 to boot! Smooth ride on the freeway and there are plenty for sale between 1500 and 3k $.

BlackVert · Oct 21, 2011

A friend of mine has an older Honda CRX, and he loves it. He says it gets 30-35 MPG city and closer to 40 on the highway. Sounds pretty good to me.

Just saying.

wheelyman19 · Oct 21, 2011

I disagree my bonny wit a 3800 has 240 on the clock and my girl friend has 230 on hers plus I can get 30mpg on the high way and has a lot of power for a sedan and it can pull a Chevy 1500 outa the ditch with ease!

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