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nredman · May 10, 2005, 04:58 PM

so i need to get a used car for work. i'd like to spend between $1000-$2000. i will be driving it about 10 miles a day to work and maybe when the wife has the other car, it won't be going out of town at all. i'd like to get an older cadillac or a friend suggested a buick lesabre (past the year 1988??) i'd like to get a car that doesn't have any power windows, locks, etc...thats just more to go wrong. i know alot of you guys know about cars so help a guy out.

thanks

JustAnOl'Broad · May 10, 2005, 05:08 PM

'86-'87 Toyota Camry.
got mine for $3k used. it now has 470,000 miles and still
runs great. will add a new/used engine soon -leaks oil
quite profusely right now - seals are shot.
excellent mpg and zippy ride.

iMOTOR · May 10, 2005, 05:09 PM

Quick FYI, Cadillacs and Buicks from the 80's and early 90's are incredibly fugly. Just wanted to let you know.

nredman · May 10, 2005, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by iMOTOR

Quick FYI, Cadillacs and Buicks from the 80's and early 90's are incredibly fugly. Just wanted to let you know.

yeah i know but i'm more worried about it running food then how it looks. and i actually like the big boat ghetto-fab caddys from the 80s

TailsToo · May 10, 2005, 06:56 PM

Get an old Honda, they might not be flashy, but they'll last forever.

bubblewrap · May 10, 2005, 07:16 PM

Anything Honda.

ManOfSteal · May 10, 2005, 07:30 PM

'88 Dodge Aries.

memory-minus · May 10, 2005, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by ManOfSteal

'88 Dodge Aries.

LMAO.

Seriously: Honda.

Lancer409 · May 10, 2005, 08:20 PM

toyota's or honda's seem quite reliable. not powerful beasts, but a good car to tool around in.

greenamp · May 10, 2005, 10:32 PM

Mid 90's Honda Accord or Civic is your best bet. If you can settle for a truck, the same era 2wd Toyota Pickup or Tacoma ( Tacoma started in '95) would also be an excellent choice, as they are practically bullet proof.

Kilbey · May 11, 2005, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by ManOfSteal

'88 Dodge Aries.

Booyah!

euphras · May 11, 2005, 05:47 AM

I agree with some of the previous posters, get a pre-nineties Toyota, practically unbreakeable....

ManOfSteal · May 11, 2005, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by Kilbey

Booyah!

Map Light...

Standard!

hickey · May 11, 2005, 08:33 AM

I got my '87 camry for 600 bucks and it runs like a champ. 90-94 subaru legacies are indestructable. Any old toyata 4x4 is also a winner. Good luck in your search.

demograph68 · May 11, 2005, 08:37 AM

Anything but a Chevy.

scottiB · May 11, 2005, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by nredman

... i'd like to get an older cadillac or a friend suggested a buick lesabre (past the year 1988??) i'd like to get a car that doesn't have any power windows, locks, etc...thats just more to go wrong.
thanks

All Caddies and higher-end cars from 1970 (actually 1965) forward will have power windows, locks, etc. If you want something without all the electrics, you'll have to go downscale (but the upside is that you'll probably get a newer car).

Any Asian brand, I'd think. Look at an Accord, but earlier ones tend to be very rust-prone.

badidea · May 11, 2005, 09:40 AM

The best and coolest car for your money:

JustAnOl'Broad · May 11, 2005, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by ManOfSteal

'88 Dodge Aries.

doh

Gremlin, Pacer, Maverick, and Aries; just say no.

* what was the car that exploded on rear impact?
They were popular for guys that didn't like their wives.

Wiskedjak · May 11, 2005, 09:58 AM

I can't make my '89 Honda Civic die, and I can't replace it until it does ...

mrgaskell · May 11, 2005, 10:39 AM

Jeep Cherokee or Grand Cherokee. Best vehicles ever built and if it does break, SUPER cheap to fix. Like 'em so much I bought two and a new Grand Cherokee.

mrgaskell · May 11, 2005, 10:39 AM

And you can find a mid 90's (95/96) for around $2k to $3k easy.

sek929 · May 11, 2005, 10:59 AM

Don't buy anything American, in that price range you are asking for trouble.

Look for these models (whichever year you can afford)

Honda Civic or Accord
Toyota Camry or Corolla (old Camrys are about the size of new Corollas)
Acura Integra

Old Nissans have great 4 cyl. engines but the quality of the rest of the car is questionable especially the late 80 models

Don't buy a Merc, or a Saab or a BMW, the repair costs WILL cripple you finacially... no matter how "cool" you think the car is.

The Toyota Tacoma is an excellent vehicle as well, especially if you need to haul a little suttin' once and a while.

Subarus have bullet-proof flat 4s, but the gas mileage is real ugly (due to AWD) and they tend to be rust-buckets. And where you live I'm sure they salt even more than here in Mass.

mrgaskell · May 11, 2005, 11:00 AM

Jeeeeeeep.

mrgaskell · May 11, 2005, 11:02 AM

Why buy a 20 year + old import when you can get a vehicle with a proven track record that's American made and made well? Never will find an Asian import in my garage. In fact, the only import I would buy is a BMW or VW/Audi.

sek929 · May 11, 2005, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by mrgaskell

Why buy a 20 year + old import when you can get a vehicle with a proven track record that's American made and made well? Never will find an Asian import in my garage. In fact, the only import I would buy is a BMW or VW/Audi.

Sure the 4.0 Inline 6 is one of the best engines ever made but any 4x4 vehicle can have serious problems with the diff. and many other parts that go along with it, and guess what, it ain't cheap at all to fix that sort of thing. Plus gas mileage sucks. It would also be a waste of money to get the 4x2, since whats the point of getting a Jeep that isn't 4x4?

Old Japanese sedans are the way to go for the most bang for your buck bar none.

greenamp · May 11, 2005, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by badidea

The best and coolest car for your money:

LOL my first car was an old 220D rustbucket. I still kindof miss those cold mornings sitting in the car waiting 10 minutes for the glo-plugs to warm up (sarcasm). It actually had a little coil of wire behind a small grill to the left of the steering wheel which, when glowed bright-orange, indicated that the car was ready to be started.

nredman · May 11, 2005, 04:31 PM

thanks for the suggestions guys, i think i was interested in an old american car (cadillac,buick) because i already own a 2002 honda civic...i knew those old hondas and toyotas run forever

guess i will have to look into those more. but keep the suggestions coming...thanks again

Kilbey · May 12, 2005, 12:40 AM

Originally Posted by mrgaskell

Jeeeeeeep.

2nded

milhous · May 12, 2005, 12:47 AM

Originally Posted by greenamp

LOL my first car was an old 220D rustbucket. I still kindof miss those cold mornings sitting in the car waiting 10 minutes for the glo-plugs to warm up (sarcasm). It actually had a little coil of wire behind a small grill to the left of the steering wheel which, when glowed bright-orange, indicated that the car was ready to be started.

man that's hot!

TailsToo · May 12, 2005, 01:09 AM

Nothing says class like YUGO.

TheMosco · May 12, 2005, 01:22 AM

Originally Posted by Kilbey

2nded

I am actually looking at a 95 Jeep grand Cherokee loredo for myself and a 93 Jeep Cherokee sport. I like the loredo better, but the cherokee sport seems to have a bit more pep (due the lighter body?). The only thing standing in my way of either of these Jeeps is paying for insurance. Its great being a college student except for times like this. Insurance costs suck...

nredman · May 14, 2005, 12:24 AM

any other suggestions?

GlobalNomad · May 14, 2005, 02:32 AM

volvo 240...
A tank on wheels.
Nobody has ever died in one... or well last time I read anything about it back in 1995

Athens · May 14, 2005, 02:43 AM

Originally Posted by nredman

so i need to get a used car for work. i'd like to spend between $1000-$2000. i will be driving it about 10 miles a day to work and maybe when the wife has the other car, it won't be going out of town at all. i'd like to get an older cadillac or a friend suggested a buick lesabre (past the year 1988??) i'd like to get a car that doesn't have any power windows, locks, etc...thats just more to go wrong. i know alot of you guys know about cars so help a guy out.

thanks

I can highly recommend Honda as a good choice. I personally perfer the Prelude but those are harder to find because people just dont give them up. My current prelude I got is a 1987, it had 243 000KM on it when I got it, I drive it about 200km a day and its rock solid with only little problems. There is no reason why this car wont get me to 400 000km

nredman · May 14, 2005, 02:42 PM

saw an old toyota camry at a local dealership today for $900 - had 247,000 miles on it though.
do you think its better to buy some a dealer/used car lot or a private seller??

Kilbey · May 14, 2005, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by nredman

saw an old toyota camry at a local dealership today for $900 - had 247,000 miles on it though.
do you think its better to buy some a dealer/used car lot or a private seller??

You'll pay less from a private seller.

I don't know how could buying from a dealer possibly be better. Unless they offer some kind of a warranty maybe.

nredman · May 14, 2005, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by Kilbey

You'll pay less from a private seller.

I don't know how could buying from a dealer possibly be better. Unless they offer some kind of a warranty maybe.

thanks for the advice, no GM suggestions for me

nredman · May 16, 2005, 07:30 PM

looking for a used car sucks, now i remember how much i hated looking when i got my other car. blah

Kilbey · May 16, 2005, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by nredman

thanks for the advice, no GM suggestions for me

You're welcome.